Are radar detectors worth it?

[ekpolk]

Originally Posted By: wagsg
ekpolk, you got in before my edit about scatter and your point is well taken. Both users, radar gun and detector, must pay attention and know the limitations of their devices.

The look on the face of the radar detector owner, when they're first in line, is priceless sometimes!

As are your points! As to the last, this is why I'm always hunting for a nice red 'vette to saddle in about a quarter mile behind!

 

[tonycarguy]

It seems that in order for the detector to be effective (especially against laser), it needs to be mounted conspiculously above the dashboard. What if a passing cruiser notices you have a detector? Would he try to nab you for something trivial just for the heck of it?

 

[benjamming]

They can't legally nab you for having a radar detector except in a few states, DC, & military installations or in a commercial vehicle of sorts. Now, it's pretty much game over if they know you have one, & you get pulled over for speeding.

 

[d00df00d]

Depends on the state and the area. Most police have bigger fish to fry, in my experience.

There are some states, like NJ, in which it's illegal to have a windshield-mounted detector because it constitutes obstruction of your view of the roadway. That's obviously a different story.

 

[Kestas]

I know someone who beat a ticket because the cop used the detector over land that was not in his jurisdiction. Though both the cop and driver were in the same jurisdiction, the land between them was not. The judge threw the case out.

 

[ekpolk]

Originally Posted By: tonycarguy
It seems that in order for the detector to be effective (especially against laser), it needs to be mounted conspiculously above the dashboard. What if a passing cruiser notices you have a detector? Would he try to nab you for something trivial just for the heck of it?



Here's how you handle that problem. Not a perfect solution, but pretty good. You get the Valentine-1 Remote Display Head. One extra wire, and you're good to go. The main unit just sits up there totally dark, as if shut down, and all alerts come from this little gem. Particularly effective at night. I mounted it just to the left of my new SG-IIx which you see here too. The position is "just so" in that all warning lights are still visible. I love this, except for the wires, which I'll be working on shortly. Gee this is fun...

 

[rationull]

ekpolk, I didn't know you were a fellow ScanGauge user!

 

[ekpolk]

Originally Posted By: rationull
ekpolk, I didn't know you were a fellow ScanGauge user!
Just got it about a week ago. I'd been looking for something to stand-in for the CAN-View unit I had previously in the Prius. SG is actually better in some ways, especially with the X-gauge capability. You just have to break the code (or codes...).

 

[BrianWC]

That's exactly where I have my scanguage mounted. You'd be interested to know that the Wall Street Journal reported other day that from April to July, the company that produces the Scanguage II reported its sales increased 326%!

With regard to stealthiness, if you mount up high, just left of the rear view mirror, your detector is pretty much unnoticeable unless the cop is specifically looking for one.

 

[ekpolk]

Originally Posted By: tonycarguy

I'm contemplating getting a radar detector. For those of you who have used one, has it ever saved you from getting a ticket or is it just for peace of mind? How do they deal with instant-on?




Back to the original question. I've owned four or five since the early 80s. My first was one of the original Escort units with the analog needle gauge on the front.

I've had multiple saves -- situations in which if the officer had wanted to tag me, he could have -- but I got an effective warning in advance.

Peace of mind is not exclusive from good warning. In fact, the former actually follows from the unit involved giving valid, useful warnings.

I've discussed instant-on already. You just have to be smart in how you use the detector. If you're not smart about it, and go charging off into the darkness alone, you're asking for a radar ticket. In this case, even the best detector will merely tell you, "go ahead and pull over now". Used correctly, you'll still get usable warning.

 

[TheTanSedan]

What is the time saved by 10 or 15 over? What is the penalty in increased vehicle/component wear? What is the increase in stopping distance? What is the percentage reduction in peripheral vision?

So far as I can tell "the time saved" is too small to quantify daily, weekly, monthly or yearly versus true out-of-pocket costs and risk increase. Speeding is selfishness, nothing more.

We're running two wars over oil that'll yank one trillion dollars or better from us, and we're on our way to 5,000 combat deaths.

Run 68 mph, let the idiots go around you, and buy something useful if you have to, a radar detector ain't it. You'll lose no time, have more room to react, and your vehicle will last longer.

 

[BrianWC]

I agree with you 99% of the time 10-15 mph over is unjustified. However, I'd point out that with the bad economy, many municipalities have cranked up enforcement in order to compensate for shrinking tax revenues. Anecdotally, I have to say in the 2 years that I have owned my most recent detector, I've seen more and more patrol units running with their radar on, seen a vast increase in "instant on" tactics, and seen a rise in the use of laser, not to mention the creeping presence of speed cameras.

 

[benjamming]

TTS,

Run 10 or 15 under. What is the time lost? The stopping distance will be shorter & vehicle/component wear will be less. Oh, and peripheral vision will be increased. The time lost will be too small to quantify... yada yada yada.

 

[MCompact]

Back in the early '80s when the speed limit was a ridiculous 55 mph I routinely ran 80-85 mph on the interstates- equipped with a CB as well as a 1st. generation Escort(and later a V1). One rainy Sunday I drove my Bavaria through PA averaging a bit under 120; great memories. Today I still drive 80-85, which is now only 10-15 mph over the posted limit(my ti pulls down 30+ mpg at those speeds). I use my eyes and common sense and I find that the police almost always leave me alone. That said, I plan to upgrade my V1 to the latest model and start using it again; speeding tickets are essentially a velocity tax that I haven't had to pay since 1980- and with the renewed emphasis on "safety"(read: revenue collection) I don't plan to start now.
And if you don't want to travel with the flow of traffic, PLEASE stay in the right lane...

 

[Bryanccfshr]

Originally Posted By: TheTanSedan
What is the time saved by 10 or 15 over? What is the penalty in increased vehicle/component wear? What is the increase in stopping distance? What is the percentage reduction in peripheral vision?

So far as I can tell "the time saved" is too small to quantify daily, weekly, monthly or yearly versus true out-of-pocket costs and risk increase. Speeding is selfishness, nothing more.

We're running two wars over oil that'll yank one trillion dollars or better from us, and we're on our way to 5,000 combat deaths.

Run 68 mph, let the idiots go around you, and buy something useful if you have to, a radar detector ain't it. You'll lose no time, have more room to react, and your vehicle will last longer.



Exactly. No need to rush.

 

[Bryanccfshr]

Originally Posted By: MCompact

And if you don't want to travel with the flow of traffic, PLEASE stay in the right lane...


Just stay off my backside when I am passing slower traffic. I will not break the posted limit.

 

[BrianWC]

You may also look into the soon-to-be released Escort Passport Redline. It's supposed to be a real screamer. No arrows, but...

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted By: Bryanccfshr

Just stay off my backside when I am passing slower traffic. I will not break the posted limit.


Wow, another candidate for canonization. I AM impressed. Which begs the question, why would you ever want to pass slower traffic? Wouldn't you be safer traveling even slower? Think of all the fuel you'll save!

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted By: BrianWC
You may also look into the soon-to-be released Escort Passport Redline. It's supposed to be a real screamer. No arrows, but...


Yes, the Redline is a serious unit. That said, I really do like the GPS functionality built into the 9500ix for eliminating false alarms and locating Gestapo cameras; if the Redline had that feature I'd probably pick it over the V1.

 

[brianl703]

Originally Posted By: MCompact
Which begs the question, why would you ever want to pass slower traffic? Wouldn't you be safer traveling even slower? Think of all the fuel you'll save!


I imagine that the scenario is that the slower traffic is going 54.9999MPH and he's passing them at 55.0000MPH