I got a ticket yesterday, and the cop clocked me at 86. I'm thinking back, would a radar detector save me from that? Everyone was going about the same speed, but the officer decided to pick me out of the crowd. I heard that radar detectors do not work unless you're very close, or sometimes it might not trigger until the radar actually clocks you. Would a V1 have saved me yesterday?

 

My understanding is that it depends on what sort of system the cop is using.

Instant-on radar means your detector goes off the moment he clocks you, so you basically know you need to pull over before he turns on his lights.

So in most cases, I would say no.

 

I disagree completely.

Even for an instant on radar (POP) or Laser (where they squeeze the trigger to check speed), you can still be saved by having a radar detector.

There are at least two ways that this can happen:

1) The police shoot someone ahead of you, and you catch the scatter before they shoot at you.
2) The police shoot at you, but you are at a distance far enough away to slow down in time for their radar submission to be valid in court.

#2 happened to me. In California, you can have a Laser ticket overturned if the distance is over 1000ft. (a little under 1/4 mile, due to the accuracy of the aiming of the beam at that distance). I was in this exact situation a few months ago. The officer got me with laser at about 1200 feet away (I measured this after the fact). The officer and knew this, so I only got a warning.

Even better, in a lot of places, the officers will leave their radar on non-stop, you can often easily detect these cruisers from up to a couple of miles away, as I have on many occasions (especially in Arizona in the flat desert).

A radar detector (such as the excellent V1 that I have) will not always save you. If your car gets directly hit with an instant on, you generally (but not always) will get a ticket unless the cop screws up. This does not mean though, that a radar detector cannot save you from speeding tickets (they can, as they have done for me many times).

You can still get a ticket if you are totally oblivious to a cop pacing you with his car, or they submit a speed estimation to the court as their evidence.

 

my radar detector (passport 8500) has paid for itself many many times...

the good ones work, the cheap ones are merely dash decorations.

 

V1 and other good detectors are great and have saved me plenty of times. Laser, as has been said, more or less just acts as a reminder that you're going to have to pull over soon if you're well over the speed limit. But normally in my area and experience driving on the east coast, cops will either have their radar on all the time or they'll hit someone in front of you, giving you enough time to think and take your foot off the gas. This is where having a good detector, like the V1 or an Escort, really helps. I've picked up radar sources over a mile away with my V1.

I do like to think of my detector as a back up system though. Don't expect it to always save you. Best way to not get caught is to always be attentive. Be looking at those middle of the highway pull-off sections for cops, look and see brake lights ahead of you, etc.

 

Agreed, on the street they might not work as good if laser guns are being used, however on the highway, at least in Florida they are all KA band on the highways. I usually pick them up .5 to 2 miles away with my 8500 x50, depdning on turns, traffic, and elevation (what little we have).

 

You are at unnecessary risk if you don't have one. The good cops don't use radar that gives away their location, those are the ones you have to be on the lookout for.

Get one for the lazy ones, which are a majority.

 

I have an 8500, paid for itself on my first trip with it to LA. Although they're not 100% ironclad, if you drive with at least some caution you'll be fine. Beside, do you really speed every single time you're driving? I usually only pull it out on long stretches.

 

V1 baby! I'll probably get a 2nd one for my project car later this year, I luv it that much.

 

The thing is, everyone was going 80-85 yesterday. I was ahead of the pack (maybe they saw the cop and I didn't) and got clocked at 86.
But no, I don't speed every time I drive. Though the speed limit in CA is nearly useless, as no one really follows by that.