Do radar detectors still work?

yzthumpa
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Slidell, LA US
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 12:59am
Never owned one and haven't had much of a problem with tickets, but my Camaro is just begging for some. Got lucky and got off with a warning on a questionable stop a couple weeks ago. I don't drive like an asshole, just occasionally take the "old back road through bayou country" on the way home from work and open it up every now and then.
Noticed some inexpensive radar/laser detectors in the paper this morning and was figuring I ought to get one. Are they still effective nowadays, and do you have to spend much to get one worth getting?
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indy_maico
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7/4/2010 11:58am
I have had great success with an Escort Passport
Void Main
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7/4/2010 4:30pm
Just open it up a little farther next time and you won't need a radar detector.

The Shop

yzthumpa
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7/4/2010 7:05pm
Void Main wrote:
Just open it up a little farther next time and you won't need a radar detector.
Damn car has a limiter that shuts you off at 155. I didn't believe it at first, so I confirmed it ; )
Mutt
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Albuquerque, NM US
7/4/2010 7:11pm
It's pretty easy to kill the speed limiter in the ECU! Check out GuysofLidar.com it'll show you why you want the Valentine.
CamP
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Colleyville, TX US
7/5/2010 6:25am
A radar detector won't do you much good at 155mph. Also, make sure your tire pressure is between 35-40psi before any banzai runs. Low tire pressure will get you killed.
flarider
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7/5/2010 6:28am
The Valentine is supposedly the best, but is pricey
I have a top of line Cobra, and it works excellent and picks up everything front and rear.
Remember this though, with a pulse laser, it is not going to pick up the laser until the cop pulls the trigger on the laser, and by that point you're screwed anyway.
Good thing is, lasers are costly and most still seem to use radar, especially local municipalities
yzthumpa
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7/5/2010 7:51am
I eventually want to ditch the limiter but don't want to do anything that will void my warranty. If I get busted at 155, I have no problem with them hauling my ass to jail cause it will be fully deserved. Of course, I had to open it up good a couple times, but I'm just looking to keep from getting tickets doing 10-15 over the speed limit on a back road, nothing too stupid.
Question about the laser detection: will it pick it up from long range or only when the laser is pointed right at you? In other words, if he's pulling the trigger on the cars that are ahead of you, is the detector going to pick it up?
My wife is bitching about how much a good detector costs, but when you factor in the cost of just one ticket PLUS the increase in your insurance, I guess it pays off in the long run.
Mutt
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7/5/2010 8:07am
I've beaten laser and instant on "POP". It'll pick it up from a good distance. Once they hit the car in front of you, you'll know. There is a big difference between a false alarm and the real thing.
flarider
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7/5/2010 8:33am
Agreed

If they zero in on anyone else, you'll still detect it
If you're flying solo and nailed, you're nailed.

This is why I still always try to have and get behind a rabbit
Let someone else take the lead and haul ass a few hundred yards in front of me so they get popped first
Pixie
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Grove, OK US
7/5/2010 11:02am
If Mutt and I never agree on another thing ever we will both agree that the Valentine is the absolute best and worth every penny. Mine's paid for itself time and again. It gets front, back side to side.
flarider
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7/5/2010 11:13am
I got a ticket in the mail from when I went to the PHX SX, where a camera caught me, and I threw it away.

AZ law is clear, you have to be served personally
They can't prove I ever even received the ticket in the mail

Thanks to DrMark, TJ and Ewbish for the heads up.
I did my research after that and they were right

Throw that shit in the trash, never even reply, just ignore it 100%
Scotty
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AK US
7/5/2010 11:17am
flarider wrote:
I got a ticket in the mail from when I went to the PHX SX, where a camera caught me, and I threw it away. AZ...
I got a ticket in the mail from when I went to the PHX SX, where a camera caught me, and I threw it away.

AZ law is clear, you have to be served personally
They can't prove I ever even received the ticket in the mail

Thanks to DrMark, TJ and Ewbish for the heads up.
I did my research after that and they were right

Throw that shit in the trash, never even reply, just ignore it 100%
Yep! Same with CA red light tickets.. File them in the circular file.. Until you are personally served a ticket, they can not prove you received it in the mail. Same goes with Jury duty Wink
7/5/2010 11:33am
flarider wrote:
Agreed If they zero in on anyone else, you'll still detect it If you're flying solo and nailed, you're nailed. This is why I still always...
Agreed

If they zero in on anyone else, you'll still detect it
If you're flying solo and nailed, you're nailed.

This is why I still always try to have and get behind a rabbit
Let someone else take the lead and haul ass a few hundred yards in front of me so they get popped first
Ive used the rabbit trick for years,except i always called it bird dog, from the cb days.
They have the red light cameras , in town , i know where every one of them is, and make sure to stop if its even close.
As far as radar dectectors never owned one, but i like bird dogs with them lol
Blake
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7/5/2010 11:43am
Are you sure?
I understand your point100%, but how does that work with parking tickets? Is it just that the vehicle is in violation regardless of driver?
Is the vehicle getting the ticket enough since they attached it to the vehicle?

If they get your plate picture, can they attach the Speeding/Red Light ticket to future registrations like unpaid parking tickets

Or is it similar to if you get out of sight of a cop around a bend or hill, his radar reading, etc is now invalid since it could have been another car, same make/model?

flarider
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7/5/2010 11:50am
Blake wrote:
Are you sure? I understand your point100%, but how does that work with parking tickets? Is it just that the vehicle is in violation regardless of...
Are you sure?
I understand your point100%, but how does that work with parking tickets? Is it just that the vehicle is in violation regardless of driver?
Is the vehicle getting the ticket enough since they attached it to the vehicle?

If they get your plate picture, can they attach the Speeding/Red Light ticket to future registrations like unpaid parking tickets

Or is it similar to if you get out of sight of a cop around a bend or hill, his radar reading, etc is now invalid since it could have been another car, same make/model?

The ticket is on the vehicle for parking and "the car" is in violation....so it's on the owner, not necessarily the driver
It's also a non-moving violation.

As for the multiple car question, you can try that defense, if you can prove it
Mutt
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7/5/2010 12:01pm
Pixie wrote:
If Mutt and I never agree on another thing ever we will both agree that the Valentine is the absolute best and worth every penny. Mine's...
If Mutt and I never agree on another thing ever we will both agree that the Valentine is the absolute best and worth every penny. Mine's paid for itself time and again. It gets front, back side to side.
You just told me you were leaving and not coming back?: So you're a liar and a stalker?:

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