Radar Detectors Worth It?

[Zuerst]

I know it doesn't make one invincible but do you think they're worth the $300~$400 price tag for the top models?

BTW does window tint interfere with a radar detector's performance?

 

[White92]

I personally don't use radar detectors anymore. Most agencies use laser now anyway. Once your radar detector goes off from laser it means they've already naild you. From my understanding it doesn't detect if there's a laser in the area like the other bands they use.

And I've also heard storied about metallic window tints messing with detectors. But there are some companies out there that have really good tint made with ceramics instead.

 

[RSO 34]

I use the V1 and never leave home without it. It picks up laser but you need to understand that once the laser registers for all intents and purposes it is too late. Nevertheless, on the few occasions when I have been pulled over despite its use, I have been able to cut the speed enough at least to avoid getting pulled for twice the speed limit. Otherwise, it more than paid for itself in the first six months of use. (Caveat: I drive approximately 45,000 miles per year, most on open highways, so it was a no brainer for me).

 

[White92]

It picks up laser but you need to understand that once the laser registers for all intents and purposes it is too late.

That's what I was trying to say above. I guess I should have worded it better. :smile:

 

[RP-Motorsports]

I spent much less on detectors over the last 20 yrs, than the tickets, insurance increases, and loss of license would have cost me. A NO BRAINER. Remember, detectors are not just for "speeders" Many times I have been saved by rolling through a town, at say 40 in a 35, and then there is a hlf hidden 25mph sign ahead, and the detector goes off while I am still in the 35 zone, but it alerts me of a speed trap set up at a crossover point. Most people SLOWLY reduce speed from a 35 to a 25 zone AFTER the 25 sign, but if a cop is shooting radar, you better slow down BEFORE the swithchover.

I have a zillion stories of how a detector has saved me, (I do 30,000 miles a year MINIMUM). All it takes is one 15 over ticket, and your detector would have been paid for.

 

[nsxtasy]

Most agencies use laser now anyway.

Plenty of agencies use radar. Radar can be used while moving, and it is used extensively by law enforcement on interstates, timing opposite-direction traffic. Instant-on radar is also still used extensively, and although you're stuck if it's aimed at you, a good detector can warn you of instant-on aimed at a car ahead of you.

If you drive faster than the average speed of traffic, you need a radar detector. No, it won't make you invincible - particularly to laser or to instant-on radar - but it will help prevent some citations.

 

[NetViper]

I love mine. I do not speed a lot, but normally 8-10 over on the interstate. It is just worth it to me to get enough time to slow down a little more, even though I probably wouldn't get a ticket for 8 over in GA.

As for models. I have both the V1 and the Escort 8500 X50. I love the arrows of the V1, but I like the X50 better and it is $100 less.

 

[donwon]

Instant-on radar is also still used extensively, and although you're stuck if it's aimed at you, a good detector can warn you of instant-on aimed at a car ahead of you.

If I am not mistaken, the V1 also works this way with laser. But yeah, you are caught with your shorts down if you are not behind another car.

 

[RPM217]

Supposedly the Blinder Radar Diffuser (jammer) works wonders, the device is in my car, and in over 2 years, has only been activated 2x. The trick is once it goes off, you must slow down immediately, and turn off the device, otherwise you're going to be in deep trouble if the police can't get a reading on your speed

 

[White92]

Why would you need to turn it off? If it's not illegal to have it in your state then what does it matter? I'm just curious.

 

[NetViper]

Why would you need to turn it off? If it's not illegal to have it in your state then what does it matter? I'm just curious.

I don't think Jammers are legal in a lot of states. I could be wrong though.

 

[nsxtasy]

I don't think Jammers are legal in a lot of states. I could be wrong though.

Laser jammers like the Blinder, which emit sources of light, are legal almost everywhere in the country. Radar jammers, which emit radio signals, are illegal everywhere.

 

[NetViper]

Laser jammers like the Blinder, which emit sources of light, are legal almost everywhere in the country. Radar jammers, which emit radio signals, are illegal everywhere.

Cool. I have never heard of the Blinder. I will have to do some research.

 

[nsxtasy]

Cool. I have never heard of the Blinder. I will have to do some research.

Blinder's U.S. website is here. Lidatek is another company that makes laser jammers.

 

[MJK]

Laser jammers are legal everywhere except California, Utah, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Virginia, Nebraska, and Washington, D.C.

As far as Lidatek V Blinder, they both seem to work. The reason I prefer the Blinder is that it has no built in timer as to how LONG it will jam the laser. Lidatek does, and shuts off after 5 seconds.

Might want to check this thread if you decide on the Blinder.

 

[RPM217]

Why would you need to turn it off? If it's not illegal to have it in your state then what does it matter? I'm just curious.

If they can't get a reading on your speed, they know that you're "up to something", whether the jammer is legal or not, you don't want them busting you for something innocent, like no front plate, or a frame on the rear with a clear plastic cover, or whatever else you might not know you have (expired inspection sticker), why piss someone off, if you don't have to!!! JMHO :wink:

 

[netfreak]

I use one and it bugs me driving a car without one. I believe it's my right to know if an officer is attempting to radar me, plus it sometimes helps out if I actually am speeding. A clever cop will flip on the radar at the last second giving him an instant reading and there's nobody out there with reflexes that fast.

 

[WillErickson]

I personally don't use radar detectors anymore. Most agencies use laser now anyway.

I think it depends on where you live (and drive). Out here in CO, laser is very rare, especially with the highway patrol (interstates are about the only place I speed anymore). I've never come across a highway patrol laser trap in 7 years here. I normally drive to Arkansas twice a year or so, and can't recall ever coming across laser. On my most recent trip a few weeks ago, I counted 13 Kansas highway patrol (which is many more than normal) on I-70 from border to border. All (except a few that already had motorists pulled over) were using KA band, most were instant on. I was cruising between 80-90. Thank you V1.

Will

 

[Malibu Rapper]

I have a Bel RX75 Pro and it comes with dual laser blinders in the front and one in the rear. I've actually witnessed it blocking laser once although I was not speeding.

As for the effectiveness of a radar detector, I drive about 30k miles a year and have had one ticket which I could have been saved by a detector. The other ticket I was paced by a CHP and the detector would have been of no help. They are also trained to judge your speed.

Is it worth it to have one? Depends on who you talk to I guess. Some people say it's saved them tons of times. I've had several situations where I blew by cops using radar guns and they didn't give a damn because I wasn't going fast enough for them to pull me over at the time even though I was speeding. I guess they wanted bigger fish. It also depends on your neck of the woods, in my neighborhood they don't use tickets to generate revenue so much as keep the troublemakers at bay. So in my case, is it worth it? It's a resounding "No."

Spidey sense and good judgment are way more effective IMO than any detector on the market.

 

[Carguy!]

The V1 has saved me quite a few times and is well worth the money.

I don't speed any more!



I also don't speed any less!!!

Get the V1 you will be glad that you did!

 

[steveny]

Why would you need to turn it off? If it's not illegal to have it in your state then what does it matter? I'm just curious.

Because the police will pull you over if they can't get a reading. I have concealed detectors and laser jammers "shifters" installed on all my vehicles. I also have a handy little push button under the steering column that allows me to shut the jammer/shifter off quickly, after I adjust my speed. I just purchased a V1 on Wednesday and will be comparing it to the permanently installed units in my vehicles. I think the best defense against speeding is not to speed at all. sometimes it is just impossible not to. Like overtaking slow traffic. I have used the V1 for only one day so far and it seems to be doing a pretty good job. I really like the concealed units because if you do get pulled over the officer can't see the unit. Most officers I know won't let you off with a warning if you have a detector in the car. A detector is pretty much intent to speed in most officers opinions.
Detectors have saved my but numerous times. I have to add around here most officers leave the radar unit on at all times in their car and most of their equipment is ancient.

 

[MegaZap]

To me this is a no-brainer. Many say when they go off you're already nailed, but that's NOT the reason for having them.
I bought a Passport, took it to my Lightning and plugged it in and drove 1/4 mile from my house. As I was rounding the corner about to floor it (as usual) the detector went off and I didn't push on the gas. There was a State Trooper sitting in a spot where I've never seen one before or since! It paid for itself in the first 10 minutes I had it. Last month I was driving along the Interstate in my NSX and came up beside a truck. I was speeding and as I pulled alongside the truck the detector went off. I didn't see anyone else around but I slowed down anyway. The State Trooper was beside the truck getting on the freeway, and he came up behind me after both me and the truck passed him. He followed me for a quarter mile, then passed and left us behind.
Both times I know I would have had tickets, and recently I got a ticket only because the dectector was in the glove box. Stupid move!
Point is there are many times when a detector will save you, but that all depends on what kind of foot you have. I could not drive slow if you paid me to. My NSX is in the shop now and I'm driving a rental Neon and passing everything on the road. With the traffic in the Houston area the roads are often so crowded that it takes any cop a while to sort out who he is clocking, and there are others around you going just as fast or faster. Having a detector allows you to slow down and let them stand out as the one speeding.
Even if you are already caught, you can slow down and knock some of the speed off the ticket.

Zap

 

[BioBanker]

I do not use one anymore because in Ontario they have a detecting device called Spectre, which basically hunts down radar detectors from miles away. No detectors are invisible to it and even V1s are getting handed over. Rumour is that an Australian has the answer, but he is asking too much of a royalty and Valentine isnt going to pay up. Too bad. Id probably buy one IF it was invisible.

And I disagree that Laser detectors are just a notification that youre about to be pulled over. Once when I was driving with the detector, I was driving at a speed that was WELL over the pull over range. Detector lit up with a laser warning. Foot off the gas, slow gradually and watch the guy who just passed me because I slowed get pulled over. It was beautifull.

The cop had me, but me slowing gave him enough reason to pull the other guy over.

 

[The Kid]

I know it doesn't make one invincible but do you think they're worth the $300~$400 price tag for the top models?
?

I dont know "jack" about radar detectors but who's the chick in your avitar? Smoking HOT!
BTW does window tint interfere with a radar detector's performance?

 

[Zuerst]

I dont know "jack" about radar detectors but who's the chick in your avitar? Smoking HOT!
BTW does window tint interfere with a radar detector's performance?

She is my wif... I mean Kate Beckinsale.