Good, cheap radar detector?

[Pop_Rivit]

Originally Posted By: Stelth
(I know someone will say, "Hey, you could just slow down," but now you don't have to, 'cause I already said it for you.)

But since this is a discussion forum filled with opinions, when you make a post, especially one that's so easily solved by changing a bad habit, you should expect this aspect to be pointed out and discussed.

I agree with the others who have clearly pointed out a much more mature way to save money and tickets-drive the speed limit. Driving isn't a right, it's a privilege, and along with that privilege you have a responsibility to yourself and others on the road. Scofflaws are a hazard to other drivers, and radar detectors are one of the worst scofflaw devices on the road.

 

[Stelth]

Thanks for all the helpful advice, guys. I'm pretty much leaning toward the Beltronics V955 at this point. Looks pretty good.

 

[glum]

Obey the law? Yeah, great advice for places where the law is reasonable, but the country is filled with artificially-low speed limits. After becoming a mature driver, and assuming you are a sane, competent individual, you develop an automatic sense for safe cruising speeds, whatever road you're on. I am not a crazy speeder, but I have often found the safe/sane speed is well over the posted speed limit. Fortunately, in my area that's not often the case.

It's an extremely rare person who literally never goes over any speed limits. But it's fun and easy to give condescending, parental advice.

I gave up on radar detectors ages ago. I was driving in Chili, NY, when it gave me one false alarm too many. I opened my window, ripped the piece of garbage off my visor, and smashed it on the ground. Stupid thing to do, I know, but I was young and impetuous.

 

[Drew2000]

Detectors are a tool, and only one part of driving quickly and safely without contributing to revenue enhancement enforcement that often has very little to do with safety and everything to do with easy $$$ for the municipality.

I use a Escort 8500 and it's excellent at ignoring false alarms. Around here lots of cops run moving radar, or are lazy and leave the radar on all the time, so a detector can be a help.

Drive aware, use other vehicles to your advantage, be safe and don't drive like a ****.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: Drew2000
only one part of driving quickly and safely without contributing to revenue enhancement enforcement that often has very little to do with safety and everything to do with easy $$$ for the municipality.


It should be noted that in Florida increased fines for speeding and increased 'revenue generation' by speed traps has actually REDUCED revenues collected!

The fines are now so high that people routinely do not pay them!

 

[Sayjac]

Quote:
Thanks for all the helpful advice, guys. I'm pretty much leaning toward the Beltronics V955 at this point. Looks pretty good.
OT I think you've handled this thread with much poise. I chuckled at your preemptive statement when posted and was thinking good luck with that, and of posting a popcorn smilie. lol

fwiw, I like Drew's post above.

Good luck with your search, sounds like you've done your homework. Hope it helps.

 

[Virtuoso]

..If you've only had one ticket in thirty years, I would go car insurance shopping, and see what's the best deal you can get, rather than radar detector shopping. I think it will save you more money!

The odd's are already in your favor.

 

[LS2JSTS]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27


This was my thought.
I got a ticket a few years ago for twenty over on I-71 north of Mansfield.
I was timed by an OSP Cessna, and pulled over by an OSP ground unit.
No detector would have helped.
It was my first in twenty two years of speeding.
I wasn't too concerned.
The po are easy to spot on the ground.
In the air, they aren't so easy to detect.


Wait....what?

The OSP actually gave a ticket to someone who is a citizen of Ohio. I thought those were mainly reserved for us unfortunate Michiganders trying to make it South of the border....

I swear my Michigan plates are a "pull me over and hassle me" sign to the friendly, professional revenue men at the OSP.

 

[Popinski]

Originally Posted By: Drew2000
Detectors are a tool, and only one part of driving quickly and safely without contributing to revenue enhancement enforcement that often has very little to do with safety and everything to do with easy $$$ for the municipality.

I use a Escort 8500 and it's excellent at ignoring false alarms. Around here lots of cops run moving radar, or are lazy and leave the radar on all the time, so a detector can be a help.

Drive aware, use other vehicles to your advantage, be safe and don't drive like a ****.


What is this "tool" used for and why?

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS



Wait....what?

The OSP actually gave a ticket to someone who is a citizen of Ohio. I thought those were mainly reserved for us unfortunate Michiganders trying to make it South of the border....

I swear my Michigan plates are a "pull me over and hassle me" sign to the friendly, professional revenue men at the OSP.


That's why Oklahoma doesn't have front license plates. So the Oklahoma state troopers can differentiate Texas cars from their own state's at a glance.

Originally Posted By: Popinski

What is this "tool" used for and why?


In the case of my Radar/Laser detector (which has been in dis-use for some time) it alerted me to when I was under police surveillance. (which was too late when they use LIDAR)

We could open up a whole new thread and eventually have it closed for whether or not the citizens of the United States of America have a right to know when we are under surveillance. I won't get into that any further.

you could argue all day about "obeying" the speed limit. It's going to fall on deaf ears. Let's suppose you are travelling on a highway; The amount of access roads has not changed. There are no corners, dangerous or otherwise. The only thing that has changed is that it traverses an uninhabited section of a small municipality. The only purpose in lowering the speed limit is to generate revenue in this small town.

 

[Virtuoso]

Originally Posted By: Spazdog
The only thing that has changed is that it traverses an uninhabited section of a small municipality. The only purpose in lowering the speed limit is to generate revenue in this small town.


Truth!

 

[ffracer]

Originally Posted By: Popinski
Originally Posted By: Drew2000
Detectors are a tool, and only one part of driving quickly and safely without contributing to revenue enhancement enforcement that often has very little to do with safety and everything to do with easy $$$ for the municipality.

I use a Escort 8500 and it's excellent at ignoring false alarms. Around here lots of cops run moving radar, or are lazy and leave the radar on all the time, so a detector can be a help.

Drive aware, use other vehicles to your advantage, be safe and don't drive like a ****.


What is this "tool" used for and why?


Speed is relative and so are driving abilities and the type of car. Go to Germany and learn about driving, rather than preaching.

Speeding tickets are used for revenue and anyone who thinks otherwise is an idiot.

There are so many opportunities for many clueless and mediocre American drivers who want to be "comfortable" and lazy rather than pay attention and be in control of their car to get tickets (riding in the left lane, no turn signals, in ability to control a car in snow, hard cornering etc.) that speeding is simply shooting fish in barrel for money

If this was about safety, you'd have more tickets than time. Most would not be about speed.