Do you use radar detector?
January-3rd-2003, 07:44 AM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: WA
Posts: 383
Do you use radar detector?
Anyone use radar/laser detector here?
Are they useful? Which one is the best?
I just saw an ad. from this issue of Car and Driver magazine, the one that with the arrows indication. Is that one good?
Are they useful? Which one is the best?
I just saw an ad. from this issue of Car and Driver magazine, the one that with the arrows indication. Is that one good?
January-3rd-2003, 08:45 AM
#2
Protege Owner
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 731
January-3rd-2003, 09:08 AM
#4
Protege Owner
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 731
Originally posted by distance
I was told that they use laser and it easier to get caught and harder to detect. The guy who told me this is farely smart too.
I was told that they use laser and it easier to get caught and harder to detect. The guy who told me this is farely smart too.
January-3rd-2003, 10:24 AM
#7
Protege Owner
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 731
Originally posted by misbehave
I have done some research myself just now, and seems Valentine is the way to go.
Anybody have one?
I have done some research myself just now, and seems Valentine is the way to go.
Anybody have one?
As I have said in the past posts, I truly believe the V1 to have a better receiver than anything else on the market.
January-3rd-2003, 10:28 AM
#8
Bruce Leroy
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Calgary, AB, Canada
Posts: 788
Originally posted by distance
Do they work in Canada? I was told that they use laser and it easier to get caught and harder to detect. The guy who told me this is farely smart too.
Are they legal in Ontario Canada?
Do they work in Canada? I was told that they use laser and it easier to get caught and harder to detect. The guy who told me this is farely smart too.
Are they legal in Ontario Canada?
In Calgary, it varies as to what the Officer will use. It all depends on what type he/she is comfortable with. Laser is most definitely harder to detect and if you get hit w/ it (while speeding), you're probably gonna get a ticket.
January-3rd-2003, 10:34 AM
#9
Matty's Lead Scrumpet!!
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Ok City
Posts: 3,143
I always have one in the car...but I did get hit with the 'instant-on' crap a month back. I just batted my eyelashes and looked innocent and the po-po just let me off with a warning (55 in a 40).
January-3rd-2003, 11:24 AM
#10
Boss of you
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 171
As to combating Radar/Laser...
It's work, but definately possible.
First:
Get the best detector you can afford...
Valentine is the best hands down. Every test I've read in the last ten years has put them on top. Second is almost consistently a Bel or Escort. Buy the $85 detector at Radio Shack and you're doing yourself a diservice.
Second:
establish good evasion behavior...
If you're speeding in the left lane, you deserve to get caught. Only get in the left lane if you're passing. If you find yourself in heavier traffic passing a lot of people, find yourself a buffer...some other schmuck who is willing to pass you and be out front. Better them than you. And turn the stereo down(or the detector up). You'd feel pretty stupid if you got nailed because the music was louder than the radar alert.
Learn to scan the common hiding spots...overpasses, crests, corners etc.
Watch traffic going the other way...I know I give a heads up flash to the oncoming after I've passed a speed trap and I certainly appreciate it when someone else does the same.
Third:
Be aware of the target(you). This is obvious stuff...red and white will draw the cops eyes quicker than grey or bronze or black. Plus black absorbs light(read: laser) better than white. Flashier cars will need to adapt their driving style appropriately...use semis and other traffic as cover. Lots of stickers, noisy exhaust, flashy 18" chrome wheels and cheesey aluminum wings will paint a bullseye on you car like David Spade in the big house.
Laser Protection:
Black car with a pointy nose, retractable headlights and a non reflective license plate cover(or no license plate if legal where you're at). Most cops aim at your headlights or license plate anyway. The ideal candidate in this case would be a late model Firebird. Since Proteges don't have the luxury of retractable headlights, run with your lights on...the presence of some light in the Lasers spectrum will cause poorer penetration than an empty reflective housing.
There is a device called Lidatek that is capable of outright diffusing the incoming beam so there's little or no reflection back to the cop. It works better at a distance but the closer you get to the beams source will eventually allow it to bust through your foggy defense.
These will all help avoid that first hit getting a reading back to the cop...your detector goes off and you have a chance to slow down while the cop aims and tries again.
And if you get caught...don't admit how fast you were going when he asks "Do you know how fast you were going?". It's the same thing as admitting your guilty. "I didn't realize I was going over the speed limit" is usually a better response.
My preffered action plan is plead not guilty, subpeona the calibration records for the gun and the officers training record/certifications to operate that device and pray somethings wrong. Even if it's not, call and delay your court date a couple times and hope the cop doesn't show.
Anyway...maybe that will help a couple people out. I'm not condoning reckless speeding. The artificially low limits set for American Highways can be ridiculous at times. Driving for conditions is better measure of speed. And the locally corrupt speed-traps-for-profit enthusiasts make my blood boil. Quotas are for sales people, not police officers.
It's work, but definately possible.
First:
Get the best detector you can afford...
Valentine is the best hands down. Every test I've read in the last ten years has put them on top. Second is almost consistently a Bel or Escort. Buy the $85 detector at Radio Shack and you're doing yourself a diservice.
Second:
establish good evasion behavior...
If you're speeding in the left lane, you deserve to get caught. Only get in the left lane if you're passing. If you find yourself in heavier traffic passing a lot of people, find yourself a buffer...some other schmuck who is willing to pass you and be out front. Better them than you. And turn the stereo down(or the detector up). You'd feel pretty stupid if you got nailed because the music was louder than the radar alert.
Learn to scan the common hiding spots...overpasses, crests, corners etc.
Watch traffic going the other way...I know I give a heads up flash to the oncoming after I've passed a speed trap and I certainly appreciate it when someone else does the same.
Third:
Be aware of the target(you). This is obvious stuff...red and white will draw the cops eyes quicker than grey or bronze or black. Plus black absorbs light(read: laser) better than white. Flashier cars will need to adapt their driving style appropriately...use semis and other traffic as cover. Lots of stickers, noisy exhaust, flashy 18" chrome wheels and cheesey aluminum wings will paint a bullseye on you car like David Spade in the big house.
Laser Protection:
Black car with a pointy nose, retractable headlights and a non reflective license plate cover(or no license plate if legal where you're at). Most cops aim at your headlights or license plate anyway. The ideal candidate in this case would be a late model Firebird. Since Proteges don't have the luxury of retractable headlights, run with your lights on...the presence of some light in the Lasers spectrum will cause poorer penetration than an empty reflective housing.
There is a device called Lidatek that is capable of outright diffusing the incoming beam so there's little or no reflection back to the cop. It works better at a distance but the closer you get to the beams source will eventually allow it to bust through your foggy defense.
These will all help avoid that first hit getting a reading back to the cop...your detector goes off and you have a chance to slow down while the cop aims and tries again.
And if you get caught...don't admit how fast you were going when he asks "Do you know how fast you were going?". It's the same thing as admitting your guilty. "I didn't realize I was going over the speed limit" is usually a better response.
My preffered action plan is plead not guilty, subpeona the calibration records for the gun and the officers training record/certifications to operate that device and pray somethings wrong. Even if it's not, call and delay your court date a couple times and hope the cop doesn't show.
Anyway...maybe that will help a couple people out. I'm not condoning reckless speeding. The artificially low limits set for American Highways can be ridiculous at times. Driving for conditions is better measure of speed. And the locally corrupt speed-traps-for-profit enthusiasts make my blood boil. Quotas are for sales people, not police officers.
Last edited by davens; January-3rd-2003 at 11:37 AM.
January-3rd-2003, 11:53 AM
#11
Bruce Leroy
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Calgary, AB, Canada
Posts: 788
There is a device called Lidatek that is capable of outright diffusing the incoming beam so there's little or no reflection back to the cop. It works better at a distance but the closer you get to the beams source will eventually allow it to bust through your foggy defense.
January-3rd-2003, 11:58 AM
#12
Boss of you
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 171
100% Legal. The use of infrared light is not regulated by the FCC. And it really works. It's not magic, it's not going to make your car invisible but it will make a little more slippery to get a hold of.
January-3rd-2003, 12:54 PM
#13
Protege Enthusiast
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: right outside of New Orleans
Posts: 155
Originally posted by davens
Watch traffic going the other way...I know I give a heads up flash to the oncoming after I've passed a speed trap and I certainly appreciate it when someone else does the same.
Watch traffic going the other way...I know I give a heads up flash to the oncoming after I've passed a speed trap and I certainly appreciate it when someone else does the same.
Thanks for all the helpful info by the way, I am planning on getting a radar detector soon.
January-3rd-2003, 02:51 PM
#14
Master of All Things :{D
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: southeast texas, near houston
Posts: 4,118
yes I do....but don't use it all the time.....IF I am going to be going out on the highway for a long drive...I do. its then that I tend to allow the speed to DRIFT up a tad.....boy our cars love to cruise at 85!! lol
but the one thing about dectectors...is unless you are in a group or at least NOT at the head of the pack.....they are pretty much useless....as with the advent of instand on radar.....you don't get any warning...its just BOOB...your taged. but as long as there is other vehicles in front of you.....such that the officers are potentially shooting at them FIRST.....then your dectector will pick up the telltale sign that there is TROUBLE ahead...and you have the opportunity to slow down.....
of course we mostly all know that lazer is a new ball game....and that has been discussed in all the above threads....
but the one thing about dectectors...is unless you are in a group or at least NOT at the head of the pack.....they are pretty much useless....as with the advent of instand on radar.....you don't get any warning...its just BOOB...your taged. but as long as there is other vehicles in front of you.....such that the officers are potentially shooting at them FIRST.....then your dectector will pick up the telltale sign that there is TROUBLE ahead...and you have the opportunity to slow down.....
of course we mostly all know that lazer is a new ball game....and that has been discussed in all the above threads....
January-3rd-2003, 06:12 PM
#15
Protege Enthusiast
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 50
Actually I don't really think the Valentine 1 is worth the price anymore. The Escort 8500 and the Bel 985 always test as well if not better these days, and both are much cheaper than the Valentine.
Check out www.speedzones.com for their full 2002 testing and radarbusters.com as well.
I think the Bel would be my choice...tops in detection, 2nd in falses.
Check out www.speedzones.com for their full 2002 testing and radarbusters.com as well.
I think the Bel would be my choice...tops in detection, 2nd in falses.