does radar detector helps?
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 79,195
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From: Home
I have only gotten one ticket in the S, and the cop paced me, never used his radar.
I have only gotten one ticket in my Trans Am, and it was a day I had left the 8500 in another car.
I never got a ticket in my Z06. (I can vividly remember one incident where the 8500 saved me from a BIG, painful, nasty encounter with a MI State trooper. I suspect this incident alone paid for the 8500.)
I only ever got one ticket in my truck while I had the 8500, and it was for making an illegal left turn.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 347
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From: Berkeley, CA
Be careful as you do your research. A number of the radar detector "tests' that are available on the Internet were conducted by sellers of radar detectors. In those tests, the V1 has a little problem, because the company only sells directly and unsurprisingly the testers therefore tend to hammer the V1 wherever possible (such as its unusual ergonomics).
Also, be careful of anecdotal evidence -- it's much harder than you'd think for an individual to set up a fair comparison of two detectors.
In the only quasi-objective test I've seen recently (by Car and Driver, which admittedly gets a fair amount of ad revenue from Valentine), the V1 creamed all competition, scoring 97 of 100 possible points. The next on the list was the X50, at 73, followed by the Bel at 61. Look here.
Also, be careful of anecdotal evidence -- it's much harder than you'd think for an individual to set up a fair comparison of two detectors.
In the only quasi-objective test I've seen recently (by Car and Driver, which admittedly gets a fair amount of ad revenue from Valentine), the V1 creamed all competition, scoring 97 of 100 possible points. The next on the list was the X50, at 73, followed by the Bel at 61. Look here.
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Austin, TX
I have been using Bel detectors for atleast 5-6 years and have good results with them. Currently using a Bel RX65 Pro that has been the best of the bunch (all the Bels I have owned). Wanted to buy a V1 but could not justify the extra $150. You may call me lucky but I have had not tickets yet. The detectors have really helped me many times by providing warning enough ahead to slow down on the highways. I think it is a necessary tool for enthusiasts specially if you drive a S as cops are going to assume you are driving faster than the rest. 
Joined: Aug 2006
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I am not sure which ones, but I know for sure that some of the detectors offer to pay for any tickets within a year or so as long as you are within 15 mph of the speed limit (my time period and mph may be off, i forget).
Anyone try radar deflectors?
Anyone try radar deflectors?
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Redwood City, Bay Area, CA, USA
Originally Posted by donger274,Jan 18 2007, 03:59 AM
what about laser? i got a ticket from a laser the other day
One time I was driving along, and I got hit with laser from about 1200 feet away. I hit the brakes and brought it down to 18 mph, rolled up to where the cop was, and got a warning instead of a ticket (they can't legally give you a ticket for laser in CA if the distance is over some threshold, I think 1000 feet). I definitely got saved on that one.
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From: Chandler, AZ
Originally Posted by shrike,Jan 18 2007, 07:30 AM
In the only quasi-objective test I've seen recently (by Car and Driver, which admittedly gets a fair amount of ad revenue from Valentine), the V1 creamed all competition, scoring 97 of 100 possible points. The next on the list was the X50, at 73, followed by the Bel at 61. Look here.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Long Beach, CA
Originally Posted by Ruprecht,Jan 18 2007, 09:39 AM
Escort is what I have and love.
It detects and tracks multiple signals...if you are getting hit by 2 diff K bands, you see them both. Helps you identify signatures that are out of place (in an area that has K as part of the 'natural' environment). This would also let you see two cops back to back on road ahead.
Laser is tougher. I have been saved by laser detector, but was from backscatter on cars in front of me. Cop was on the left side of road, as was I, and he hit a car about 100 yard in front of me so I was in alignment to catch part of the signal. Generally, if you detect the laser, it has detected you (since it is tightly focused point). However, lasers do not work well for cops in rain or even slight fog.
Detectors DO help you...BUT they are just another technique and tool. I also watch cars in front of me around corners, over hills. They see a cop and instant reflex is to tap breaks (even if they are not speeding). Use their eyes to your advantage. If you see folks suddenly moving to right lane up ahead that's another signal. Truckers slowing down (where they have been pushing previously) is yet another. Use eyes forward and backward for odd car profiles and behavior.
Cruise (not pass) in right lane when you can. This has saved me twice. If you and another guy are doing 80 over a hill side by side, the cop is more likely to nail the guy in the passing lane (theory being that he is going faster than you, or if the cop cannot tell which car 'pinged' the speed measurement, he will assume the car in the passing lane was going as fast or faster).
The upside is that a detector can HELP (not prevent) you from getting nailed, the downside, is that when you do get popped, having a detector is kinda like telling the cop that you are trying to play him. He is much less likely to give you a warning. I have gotten several warnings in the past, but none of them occurred when I had my detector going. I have had two cops specifically say something when they see the detector "didn't help you much, did it".
Donate 20 bucks to the state troopers and local municipality FOP to get those 'booster' stickers for your car visible from behind. Send a signal that you love cops, support them, and vote for pay raises.
Use all techniques at your disposal to improve your odds.
It detects and tracks multiple signals...if you are getting hit by 2 diff K bands, you see them both. Helps you identify signatures that are out of place (in an area that has K as part of the 'natural' environment). This would also let you see two cops back to back on road ahead.
Laser is tougher. I have been saved by laser detector, but was from backscatter on cars in front of me. Cop was on the left side of road, as was I, and he hit a car about 100 yard in front of me so I was in alignment to catch part of the signal. Generally, if you detect the laser, it has detected you (since it is tightly focused point). However, lasers do not work well for cops in rain or even slight fog.
Detectors DO help you...BUT they are just another technique and tool. I also watch cars in front of me around corners, over hills. They see a cop and instant reflex is to tap breaks (even if they are not speeding). Use their eyes to your advantage. If you see folks suddenly moving to right lane up ahead that's another signal. Truckers slowing down (where they have been pushing previously) is yet another. Use eyes forward and backward for odd car profiles and behavior.
Cruise (not pass) in right lane when you can. This has saved me twice. If you and another guy are doing 80 over a hill side by side, the cop is more likely to nail the guy in the passing lane (theory being that he is going faster than you, or if the cop cannot tell which car 'pinged' the speed measurement, he will assume the car in the passing lane was going as fast or faster).
The upside is that a detector can HELP (not prevent) you from getting nailed, the downside, is that when you do get popped, having a detector is kinda like telling the cop that you are trying to play him. He is much less likely to give you a warning. I have gotten several warnings in the past, but none of them occurred when I had my detector going. I have had two cops specifically say something when they see the detector "didn't help you much, did it".
Donate 20 bucks to the state troopers and local municipality FOP to get those 'booster' stickers for your car visible from behind. Send a signal that you love cops, support them, and vote for pay raises.
Use all techniques at your disposal to improve your odds.
Another thing to watch out for in todays time, some of Floridas finest is putting forth more money and effort into undercover and totally unmarked vehicles specifically for generating traffic revenue. Never know what those slime bags will be driving for the chance to rob you.
Unmarked Pork - undercover ticket pigs were driving, 330BMW, Various Lexus sedans, Ford Mustangs, Dodge and Ford Pickups, Magnums, Chargers, Camaros, and who knows what else. These cars you would swear are normal citizens but do anything that would give them a reason to drool and you will be pulled over.
Doesnt any cop drive real police cars anymore? 0 Speeding Tickets to date, and I have been pulled over for no reason countless times and hit with the word games that attempt to get you to admit guilt to something you didnt do. SO your best bet when pulled over is to "Do what the cop says", but dont say a single word to him, you do have the right to remain silent. And trust me, anything you say WILL be used against you.
Lol great time my Passport 8500 helped me out - was pulled over on 75 doin 65 in a 70 zone and I come over an overpass and sure enough there goes a ST and he bad asses it after me and pulls me over. Comes to my window all pissed off at the world and throws the question "Now you know damn well why I pulled you over!!!" I remain totally silent and he then demands I agree with him, and I keep silent. He then yells at me for my license, and registration so I hand it over. 15-20 Min later he comes over with his ticket book... starts looking around my car, I guess looking for any reason what so ever to write one. So heres where he shows his inteligence, you were goin seriously damn fast, do you know how fast you were goin???!!! I ask, what did you clock me at - and he says well i didnt but i have been trained to determine speeds blah blah blah... SO then i tell him, so the judge will convice me based in police speculation here? Then his words, you are free to go.