Radar Detectors - Are they useless?
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Norcal
Just remember that you SHOULD NOT rely on ANY radar detector to save your ass from a ticket. This is the sole mistake of many people who get a radar detector is to believe 100% that they will notify you when there is a cop. THIS IS WRONG. As everyone has said, a detector will only give you an advanced warning in some situations.
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Endwell, NY
Plead not guilty and make the officer due xtra paperwork so that he gives out less tickets in future. Get your ticket reduced to a lesser offense week before trial. 86 seams reasonable at the time until you look at the number. Slow down on public roads! Buy a V1, learn how to use it. Think about buying escort laser detector/shifter. Cause when you get shot with Laser its too late.
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From: Hudson County, North NJ
Originally Posted by Willie Gee,May 13 2007, 04:41 PM
my radar detector (passport 8500) has paid for itself many many times...
the good ones work, the cheap ones are merely dash decorations.
the good ones work, the cheap ones are merely dash decorations.
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Joined: May 2006
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From: Braselton, GA
Detectors are great. The only advantage the v1 has over the 8500 x50 is it will point an arrow in the direction of the cop, WHO CARES where they are anyway you will be slowing down regardless. Sure its nice to look and see them there but for me it makes no difference. Sure some of you will say blah blah blah but whatever, unless you spend 1400 dollars+ on a laser deflector it doesn't make a difference. The 8500 has a radar warning of 2.7 miles if you get hit with a laser on the road, and you are the only guy there v1 or 8500 its already to late your fu####
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Irvine, CA
Originally Posted by SIIK2NR,May 13 2007, 11:35 PM
The only time a radar/laser detector is at a disadvantage is if you are the only one on the road. ie...early morning or late at night or open road.
The detector detects that there is radar and laser being used when it's being used on other cars. This warns you that by the time the radar/laser is being used on YOU, you have already slowed down. So you see why speeding when your the only one on the road has it's disadvantages.
Get a good one. You get what you pay for.
The detector detects that there is radar and laser being used when it's being used on other cars. This warns you that by the time the radar/laser is being used on YOU, you have already slowed down. So you see why speeding when your the only one on the road has it's disadvantages.
Get a good one. You get what you pay for.
You have very little to no time to react to a laser warning, I've been lucky and had enough warning with the V1, in Kansas it's somewhat rare for cops to shoot laser.
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From: South Jersey
Originally Posted by Bassfishman,May 14 2007, 06:57 AM
V1 The only way to go 
For example, where I live the state police use constant-on X-band almost exclusively. Therefore my $250 Beltronics works perfectly well, I have plenty of warning when there is a radar trap ahead. For me, the extra money for a V1 would be a waste.
I would also like to echo what many other people have said, that a radar detector is merely one tool in the driver's arsenal to avoid tickets. The best tool I have found, even better than a radar detector, is situational awareness. When I'm on the highway, I am constantly scanning the farthest point ahead I can see on the highway. When going over blind hills or around blind curves, I tend to back off the throttle a bit and get ready to slow down. Many times being able to hit the brakes quickly (when no one is behind me) has been able to save me from a ticket.
A radar detector is a great tool, and can often see things that the eyes cannot, but it should not be the only, or even the primary radar detection method.
