Police Radar Detectors

[Reaper52]

So over the last few months I've been debating on getting a radar detector. Now Im not into the whole driving like a bat outta hell or anything but I go with the flow of traffic. Which on the highways here in SoCal is about 75-80. But lets face it, sometimes certain law enforcment officers don't agree with that especially driving a Mustang. So Im looking for some input on good radar detectors that anyone would recommend and why. Thanks!

 

[sdsubzero4]

Being in the business, radar detectors are a waste of money. Here's the simple fact. When you picked up a signal, the police radar already have you registered. Regardless if it's laser or radio wave, you are already too late.
Another point to keep in mind, police radars are able to send and receive signals at a greater distance than the civilian versions. Also, civilian detectors are susceptible to pick up false signals from other sources such as radio tower transmitters, cell towers, etc.
So save your money and get mods for your car.
One more point, most city police do not use radars.

 

[Reaper52]

Thanks for the input Danny. Ive heard from a few people that they get a lot of false reads, but Ive also read about ones that dont. Just trying to get some different points of view on it.

 

[Knight-X]

My Brother in Law is a police officer in AZ and I asked him the same question. Danny is dead on. by the time your radar goes off he already got you. What he told me was as long you go with the traffic you are ok.

 

[frank s]

I don't' have any experience to support it, but I'm convinced Danny is correct: you hear the warning, you have lost the battle.

I do have experience that tells me if you are in a crowd and you hear the warning, or in the mountains where the radar-emitter might lose visual contact, and you slow down, you might not get picked. Testimony only, not science.

I bought the Escort 5000 somethingorother, top-of-the-line at the time. It digests your travel history as you make it, and eventually doesn't bother you with false positives once you've passed the same neighborhood "YOUR SPEED" signs and most airport signals a few times.

This Escort also displays your speed according to GPS. If my Ford Electronics Package Navigation did that, I wouldn't bother with the radar detector, but I've come to depend on the actual-speed readout, and almost never look at the car's speedometer. There are cheaper GPS units that will do it, and if it were a question today, I'd buy one of those just for the actual-speed readout, and forget the expensive-in-my-world radar detector.

 

[Foxyfan1990]

Agreed 100% Now let's say just for the chat: Laser and Radar Jammers??

I have read up that these are totally not legal for the most part but wanted to expand on this disscussion.

Cheers,

~Tim

 

[Streetbat]

Hmm I have a Cobra the normal $100 ones you buy from Target/Walmart. I have to say it has saved me several times. From what I have learned K bands and KA bands are what the cops use. Also Laser. If a cop is putting his radar on a car in front of me my radar detector goes off. I rather know than not know and take off. If you're coming up on an underpass and the CHP is chilling on the on ramp ahead using his radar, you would know ahead of time to slow down. Personally I rather have one then not. From what I have heard though, is that Valentine radar detector are the best to have. They also tell you what direction its coming from (left, right, front or back).

 

[sdsubzero4]

Hmm I have a Cobra the normal $100 ones you buy from Target/Walmart. I have to say it has saved me several times. From what I have learned K bands and KA bands are what the cops use. Also Laser. If a cop is putting his radar on a car in front of me my radar detector goes off. I rather know than not know and take off. If you're coming up on an underpass and the CHP is chilling on the on ramp ahead using his radar, you would know ahead of time to slow down. Personally I rather have one then not. From what I have heard though, is that Valentine radar detector are the best to have. They also tell you what direction its coming from (left, right, front or back).

CHP also has rear facing radar. Just FYI

 

[Streetbat]

Oh that didnt know, thanks!

 

[frank s]

Updating: I bought a "Head-Up" MPH display from Amazon.com. It works just fine, if a little slow in keeping up with rapid speed changes; good at cruising speeds. For me the problem is that it plugs into the cigar lighter sockets, which are always on, so I have to pull the plug a bit to turn it off for overnight, etc. Problem could be solved by hard-wiring to a switched outlet; BUT, it takes five volts and I think there is no such switched outlet in the car. There is a transformer in the plug on the supplied cord. I have found several such simple inline transformers, 12v to 5v, relatively inexpensive, and an add-a-circuit component that will piggy-back on a switched fuse in the foot well panel. There are even less-expensive inline cigar-lighter receptacles that could connect to the add-a-circuit. Sooner or later I'll make a choice and work up the courage to go behind the dashboard to hide the wires.

I would sell the Escort 9500ix with extra suction cups, etc. for sixty percent of its current base list price: 449.99 x .60 = 269.99

PS: My solution for avoidance of speeding tickets is to not speed.

 

[sdsubzero4]

Updating: I bought a "Head-Up" MPH display from Amazon.com. It works just fine, if a little slow in keeping up with rapid speed changes; good at cruising speeds. For me the problem is that it plugs into the cigar lighter sockets, which are always on, so I have to pull the plug a bit to turn it off for overnight, etc. Problem could be solved by hard-wiring to a switched outlet; BUT, it takes five volts and I think there is no such switched outlet in the car. There is a transformer in the plug on the supplied cord. I have found several such simple inline transformers, 12v to 5v, relatively inexpensive, and an add-a-circuit component that will piggy-back on a switched fuse in the foot well panel. There are even less-expensive inline cigar-lighter receptacles that could connect to the add-a-circuit. Sooner or later I'll make a choice and work up the courage to go behind the dashboard to hide the wires.

I would sell the Escort 9500ix with extra suction cups, etc. for sixty percent of its current base list price: 449.99 x .60 = 269.99

PS: My solution for avoidance of speeding tickets is to not speed.

I have a four plug adapter with a on/off switch. Had it for over 10 years and I kept i plugged in at various times and had no overheating issue as long as I turn it off each time I parked.