I've never had one and am interested in getting one but am not familiar with them and cop technology and all that so I need to know anything and everything important. I'm looking to spend approx. 200 on one. Any information would be great.

 

The ones that are like 40 bucks aren't worth it, they dont work, you get zapped before they even go off. Cobra makes some good ones, but spend at least 120 on one. See which ones have the features you want, and make sure to get the loudest one, because a lot of them aren't that loud especially if you have aftermarket exhaust or stereo system, you arent gonna hear it go off.

 

The thing is that I dont know much about em. What options are the ones Im loking for? How good is a 200 dollar one?

 

well, there are different kinds... rule of thumb, the more expensive, the better... I currently have a Cobra unit I bought for about $120 last year. Works great. The main radar signals cops use are K, Ka, and Ku...well, I've heard that the Ku is only used in Europe, but will soon be here...All the cops I've driven by usually have the Ka signal type. K signal seems to be fading out.... Also, look for one that has Laser protection... that one is also a really big one... I agree with trying to find a loud one... what I ended up doing is hooking up external speakers... my Cobra came with a small headphone jack, so I bought a headphone plug and hooked it up to a small amp and put the speakers under the dash, so I can hear it go off over the exhaust and the stereo system...

 

Does yours have the laser protection? I've been told about a "laser jammer" that jams up their signal, is that it?

 

well, mine has the laser detector, but not jammer. From what I hear about jammers, radar and laser, is that they don't work...and the ones that do cost like $900.... but mine has been pretty faithful... Its detected all that it needs to so far... just be smart about it.. for example, try not to be the last one in a pack of cars and keep and eye out if you're the sole car on the road...

 

Yea a radar is just a tool,but you still have to be careful.
You don't want to be the leader all the time. sometimes police will come up behind and pace you with out using there radar.A Cb is good to have also, you get more eye's looking out for you.

 

Some facts on radar detectors:
- laser detection is a cool feature but usually means that you have been already clocked and are going down anyways
- most units provide detection only forward, no matter how much the marketing people lied on the ad flyer
- the more sensitive unit you buy, the more false alarms you'll get
- and most important of all: radar detectors are allowed but radar jammers are illegal so be careful

Lou

 

Is it when they shoot with their "gun" they automatically have your speed right there? You cant do anything about those correct?

 

You can always run! But I would advise against it.

You're right, one flash of the laser beam and they have your speed. So they should rename the "laser detection" feature to "speeding ticket announcement".

One more thing: if somebody makes a detector that allows you set sensitivity for (or even turn off) certain bands, that would be my choice. For example our toll road gates here use certain band that the police doesn't use anymore and all radar detectors go haywire within plus minus a mile. So if you drive close to or on tollroads, you'd get the **** scared out of you every few minutes.

Lou

 

I think there are different types of "guns" some of them are radar and some of the are laser...the laser guns actually have a sight they have to look through... but yeah, the thing about lasesrs, they can only be used from head on, and when you get the warning, that means you've pretty much have gotten clocked... unless you get the remnants of a car clocked in front of you...

 

So, def worth buying for 200'ish?

 

I agree with the sensitivity of some detectors... I'm fortunate for mine to have Highway mode and City mode which reduces sensitivity, but it would be great if I could turn off the x-band alert, the Vg1/Vg2 alerts since detectors are legal here.... What model/type are you looking into buying?

 

No idea, so recommendations for my price range of approx. 200 would be great

 

Well, unless anybody else has specific brand recommendations, I'd just go with a Viper brand detector...I've had mine for over a year with no problems. But if anybody else has a better recommendation, speak up!

 

Yeah the new radar units are nuts. We don't have any but the state troopers around us do. Its a unit that has a scope on the top of it, it puts a red dot on the car, the radar gun shows the speed and the distance of the car. You can have a group of cars and see how fast each one is going. With dopplar(sp?)radar you can't do that.

I use a hand held unit that I click on and off. Buy the time your radar detector goes off I already know how fast you are going. I can normally tell if you have a radar detector because when I pull the trigger the car will suddenly brake really fast.

As for what I know about laser, it's about the same. Point and click, it's on and off.

I think radar detectors are more for cops that drive around with radar on or sit somewhere and leave it on watching the cars past.

As for "jammers" which actually transmit a certain frequency are highly illegal. They can actually be a federal offense because when you transmit a frequency, above a certian wattage or something, you have to have a license, and if you don't the FCC gets mad.

Just drive 10 over, thats my advice

 

I agree with LilJay, a radar detector is just a tool... I can normally pick up a signal from a sitting cop, or a cop that has his on while driving, before I see the cop... Every now and then I'll get the sudden high signal "pop" of hand held units like LilJay is talking about, but by that point, either A). I've already seen the cop and slowed down or B). Its too late...

 

It's a game.
Frankly, I don't need the stress of paying so close attention to the detector, so it's little more than a toy.
It is true that if your rate of change in your speed exceeds about 30MPH per second, radar can't get a confirmation, so many of them will display nothing at all, BUT that pretty much means you have to be in a full panic stop BEFORE he hits the trigger. Probably, you'll get a ticket anyway, but for something worse than speed.
They are useful for when the guy in front of you gets clocked, and your detector warns you of that, but not much else.

 

So, my question is, if a cop does pull you over, do you scramble to throw the detector in the back seat or what?

 

For me.....
"I don't think it was me, officer. See ( point at detector ) I knew you were there about 2 miles back, so NOT being legal ? How stupid would that be ?"

Won't work if you're 20 over posted, but 3 or 5 you got a shot.
If you *are* 20 over posted, AND have a detector, then you *do* deserve it !

 

"Oh sorry I was speeding officer, I forgot to plug in my radar detector"

 

i think this is a matter of playing it smart. dont speed on expressways, as that where the cops are going to be. there is a stretch of expressway out near where i live, rt 400. the cops know its a big open stretch so thats where they are going to look for speeders. maintain the speed limit or 5 mph above, no more. if i want to give my car some speed, which i do occasionally, i will do it on the back roads and only for a short stretch, i never ever speed on the expressway. thats like saying you want a ticket. i only chose to do it on the backroads, cops usually dont patrol them too often. above all else, when driving through a small town with a posted speed of 35, do exactly 35, no more. thats how a small town makes its money. the main thing here is to be very careful of where you speed. know where the cops usually are and arent. i had my car up to 110 once, but i know that where i was there arent usually any cops. if any of you guys want to race, save it for the track. i will never street race. there are guys at work that want to race all of the time. i tell them forget it, i dont need that kind of a ticket and im not going to jail. also where i live, in western ny, they are going to start tracking you speed using the easy pass system. if you dont have an easy pass, they are going to embed it in your registration. the DMV will mail you a ticket without ever being pulled over. they are going to set up speed tracking devices on the thruway, so it will make life extremely difficult to get away with speeding on the expressway anymore. its not like the old days anymore, thats for sure. when my parents were growing up, it was a much different time. big brother is watching for sure.

 

The answer is no. You'd be surprised what you can get a warning for if you are honest. Given every cop is different but if you lie or try to hide something to get out of a ticket the cop has zero reason to cut you a break.

I have had people sit and argue with me about something they did when they know good and well they know what they did. That just makes me mad.

Everyone makes mistakes. Just be honest if you get caught.

 

Yeah, sounds good.. I suppose honesty is key in that situation. And lmao @ "Oh im sorry i was speeding office, I didn't have my radar plugged in." Lol thanks guys

 

LOL "Village of Kenmore Sign" *Slams on brakes*

Oh what the ****??? Dude that is ****ed up!!

 

...LOL..

*flies by parked path mark truck*
S*!T !! I'm screwed now.
DONT OPEN THE MAIL

 

I have my radar detector hardwired to my upper console, so it sits almost directly infront of my rearview mirror. Maybe and inch and half lower, so when the officer comes up, he usually stands away from the door looking over my shoulder and he is not able to see the detector.... but I'm usually always honest and try to look at a lighter side.... One time I got pulled over: "Son, do you know I pulled you over?" me:"*sigh* yes sir, but I'm really hoping you're going to tell me Aiken County just passed a new ordinance saying that dirty cars are now illegal..." and the cop just chuckled... and I got a warning...

 

I'm a speeder. I just love to feel the parts of a car interacting together. I don't usually speed around town. I also race cars.

As someone mentioned: You get what you pay for in this area. The biggest two sellers that are spending millions and millions in an advertising war, passing the expence back to the consumer are: Valentine One & Passport.

Can you find anyone who ownes a Valentine that would be willing to give you a demonstration? These two are so sensitive without the old habit of false readings, that they will give you (most of the time) signals more than a mile away. I've also never run into anyone who bought a Valentine, got used to the 4 way directional arrows, and ever went back to another brand. Plus Valentine One has a web site that will let you know how many new lazer detectors the local police force in a particular state are utilizing. Plus I can send mine in for updates when needed.

I personally gave my Passport over to a friend and have stuck with the Valentine. Once someone get's used to driving a certain area, they get used to what signals are usual and are able to spot when new information is beeping over to you. That's how I recognize instant on and off radar so easily. There's some excellent Threads on the board that cover this. But BORROW ONE!!!! One ticket saved will pay for the price of the more expensive top two units.
I'm on my way to bed, but if ya got any more questions, send me a private or a phone number exchange so we can visit further. Don't get stuck on the $200 price range. Make photo copies and send them to family & friends quickly to start a radar detector Christmas fund.

There are parts of the Nevada/Utah highway where I'll know two miles away an State Patrol is looking for lunch. I've done 150mph speed runs down California's I-5 corrider while testing mods (allegedly).
Good Night & Good Luck;
Nitro