Radar Detector

if I get another speeding ticket (I do only have ONE on my record right now) I'm fucked...

and yes I do try and drive slow, but sometimes you just cant help it and dont notice

anyway I'm looking around ebay and there are all kinds of radar detectors available, and some look promising. Anyone have any experience with these things? Do they really work? and how do they work...like do they alert you to radar once it has bounced off your car, because if thats the case, its already too late cause the cops have recorded your speed by then

also, do they have to be mounted on your dash in open view? cause aren't they illegal?

yea i have a radar detector. i got mine of ebay. i got the cobra, i for get the model number but its the one with the compas option. i like mine especially on the highway. it is good about giving you at least some warning. you can typically detect the radar bounced off other cars. its only lazers really that if you detect it its too late. radar detectors are only illegal in virginia, though if you do get pulled over and the cop see's you have one your are probably more likely to get a ticket. you need to put it on your windshield for it to really be effective. be prepared for some false alerts (passing service stations etc with automatic doors can set it off). the intensity of the radar signally USUALLY gives away if its a cop or a false alarm though. Radar jammers are a wast of money. don't bother. but detectors when used with common sense and keeping your eyes open are pretty effective.

One review is a little old,but from what ive heard Escort 8500 X50 and Bel Pro RX65 is about the best one's out there,unless you have big bucks to spend on the Bel RX75.Just remember,you get what you pay for when it come to a detector.

Read review's here (http://www.consumersearch.com/www/automotive/radar_detectors/) and another Click Here (http://www.myradardetector.com/escort_x50_tests.htm)

In WI they are illegal too. You can buy them but if you get a prick cop to pull you over, he will bust your ass. I had a cop try to give me a ticket for a cord (from my cel phone) that he thought was for a radar that was on the floor. Aparently there is one radar that you can beat by tipping the bottom of your plate up a bit. Supposedly the radar hits only metal and when it hits the plate, it goes up in the air.
Quick tip, be sure to ask to see the radar when you get pulled over. If they don't have it locked in, you don't get a ticket. Beat the system!!!!

I bought my first detector 20 years ago with my first car and have had one in every car since. My suggestion if your just starting out is to buy an inexpensive good quality unit till you get the hang of how one works and you'll learn through daily use what features you want and what features you'll never use due to your driving style. I'm currently running the Valentine one which has the directional arrows that tell me exactly where the cop is but it is the most exspensive unit on the market so take your time and get the detector that fits you best.

now they have to be on the dash to recieve the signal from the cop right?

so if they do see it, your screwed no?

and if you have cars in front of you, will it go off when they have been targeted? or is it just when you car gets hit.....because then he already has your speed by then right?

Car and Driver tests them every couple of years and for the last 10 years or so the Valentine One has been at the top of the heap. I would advise against buying a cheap one as all it will do is give you a false sense of security. Some of the cheap ones they have tested in the past couldnt find the instant on until it was pointed at the unit and then it's too late. C & D tests them IN CARS not in a lab so its a real world test.

I wish you could use them here in Canada but the Cops have radar detector detectors,you can have one in the trunk and they'll find it.
One thing that erks me about the hole trap thing is they say that speed causes accidents but there always hiding some where there has never been an accident.

Well, I kinda hid mine a bit behind the rear view mirror, so that walking up from the rear you really don't notice it much. It's on the passenger side of the mirror so that if you are looking into the car from the drivers window, the rear view mirror also hides it a bit. I kept it pretty high on the windshield, just below the edge of the window tinting, also to hide it from behind.

I ran the wire under the head liner (just tucked it in there), down the passenger A pillar molding and into the fuse box next to the glove box. I just tied into the same hot lead as the radio was on, so turn the key, open the door, it's off just like the radio.

I guess the idea is that if it's not too obvious, may be the cop'll not notice it. Nothing more noticeable than a wire dangling from the top of your windshield down to the cig lighter! You can see that just following from behind!

A quality unit will warn you up to a mile away and will go through the traffic in front of you. Whatever radar detector you buy, make sure it comes with a quick release feature. This will enable you to detatch the unit without damage to your suction cups in about a second and have it stashed under your seat before the cop gets out of his car. Also mount it high enough on your winshield but keep it below the tint stripe and review mirror in a place where you can get to it in a hurry. Another trick is to keep a spare cigerette lighter in your coin tray that you can put in after you've hid the detector. Hope this helps!

I got a cobra radar detecter. i thought you could not use them in DC and PA. but i stand corrected. here is a small trick and its cheep for your radar problem. go to an electronic place and pick up a small devise that sends out a radar signal such as a devise that will open doors ect. put it into your dash and the cops radar gun will come back as 0mph because his radar will be bouncing back toward him

I would suggest slowing down and drive 5-10 mph under on the highway. This will save money on fuel and wear and tear on vehicle and tickets and insurance rates and you will not have to was't money on a detector. If you can stand to drive that slowly, try thinking of all the money you are saving or stuff some rags into your intake or put a 2x4 under gas pedal. Trust me, it take a while to get used to everyone passing you but i just think of the money i am saving. I slowed from 65 to 55 and picked up 5 mpg on a 50%/50% city highway ratio. Big difference plus i do not have to worry about tickets and my tires will last longer.

Hello;
SO you want a Great radar detector. No,1 Do not buy Rocky Mountain brand radar detectors . Uniden and cobra are just as worthless.
I,m a truck driver of 20 years and i tried em all.
The best that i,ve found to work really great are the Bel Models as follows; Bel-985,Bel-995, Bel-65, these 3 are priced around $250 to $300
The Passport-8500-50 is a exelent performer, also priced $250 to $300.
If you buy a cheap detector,You will not be happy with it at all.I myself use the Passport and the Bel-985.A few good web sites to check out before buying a detector are;
radartest.com
speedlabs.com
Spend the $250 or more and you be very happy. by the way the above named radar detectors have very few false warnings.Ebay is a good place to buy em. but make sure the people you buy it from has a good feedback rating before you bid.

I have had the 400$ escort and now i use an 80$ cobra from Bestbuy. They all work pretty much the same. Consumerreports.com or the magazine is your best bet to get an unbiased , accurate review. I have a subscription to consumerreports.com and i will post what they say are the best. all i can say is i have had my 80$ cheapo cobra for a year now. and it has saved me from atleast 7 tickets now that i have been counting for, 2 of them Lazers from staters. As far as the whole thing about asking to see the cops radar....i dont know if that is going to hold up... i dont think a police officer is obligated to show you his radar detector speed. Technically to give a speeding ticket, a cop doesn't even need to radar you, i know that will start an arguement. My family is good friends with the county sherrif here in michigan. He told us that if you do get pulled over for speeding, you ask the officer for the caliberation # of the radar gun he is using(this is where having a cell phone that cna record quickly helps for proof) legally he has to give the # to you. You take that to court and fight the ticket and the sherriff said that 9 times out of 10 the radar guns are not up to date on their caliberations (every 3 months he said) dont know if this is true in all states, anyone here a police officer that can back this up.

I would suggest slowing down and drive 5-10 mph under on the highway. This will save money on fuel and wear and tear on vehicle and tickets and insurance rates and you will not have to was't money on a detector. If you can stand to drive that slowly, try thinking of all the money you are saving or stuff some rags into your intake or put a 2x4 under gas pedal. Trust me, it take a while to get used to everyone passing you but i just think of the money i am saving. I slowed from 65 to 55 and picked up 5 mpg on a 50%/50% city highway ratio. Big difference plus i do not have to worry about tickets and my tires will last longer.

I aggree, and try to stay in the express lanes and help other poeple
conserve fuel as well.
.

I would suggest slowing down and drive 5-10 mph under on the highway. This will save money on fuel and wear and tear on vehicle and tickets and insurance rates and you will not have to was't money on a detector. If you can stand to drive that slowly, try thinking of all the money you are saving or stuff some rags into your intake or put a 2x4 under gas pedal. Trust me, it take a while to get used to everyone passing you but i just think of the money i am saving. I slowed from 65 to 55 and picked up 5 mpg on a 50%/50% city highway ratio. Big difference plus i do not have to worry about tickets and my tires will last longer.


Try going 70-74 that seems to be the optimal speed where the engine is at its peek performance in direct relationship the the fuel consumed.
50 -55 god I am glad I live in Cali.

As far as a good radar goes look into the companies out there that guarantee the product and I believe there is two companies (Can't remember which ones) That will pay your speeding ticket if you get one while useing their detector.