Whats the opinion on radar detectors? Good buy or are the police one step ahead with technology? I wouldn't mind getting one, but if its more for show than security then I'll pass. This thread is open for discussion on opinions on radar detectors so lets hear it.

I've owned radar detectors and they are nice to have. But nothing will replace just using common sense and keeping your eyes open. There are many who live by those things.

They have saved me more money than I can keep track of. One good ticket here in Colorado can be $300. I have them in all of my vehicles.

They have saved me more money than I can keep track of. One good ticket here in Colorado can be $300. I have them in all of my vehicles.


Your quote in your signature is :smack: :smack: :smack:

BTW - radar detectors are a nice little add on for any lead foot!

good to have for any Corvette owner... just don't drive into Virginia with them... :)

They are definately not fool proof!! Sooner or later you will get a ticket using a radar detector!!

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll114/sshaw16684/P1010096.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll114/sshaw16684/31ozz21.jpg

When your detector goes off,that usually means that you have just been clocked. However,the officer may not be watching the unit at that moment,you may be in a group of vehicles,etc. Using a dectector tells you what types of vehicles have what types of devices,whether they measure behind as well as ahead,where officers tend to park,and other useful information. The most recent detector tests I have seen are in Motor Trend 2/04 and Car and Driver 2/02. These articles tell you who the top manufacturers are year after year,how to evaluate detectors,etc.

With the exception of POP and Laser, the idea of a radar detector is that it can pick up radar scatter before the signal has enough reflective strength to get a speed at the gun. I'm a firm believer in radar detectors. The quality of your unit will determine the lead time, false alarms and width of detection but most every radar detector will give you SOME sort of early warning.

HOWEVER.......

Radar detectors will NOT:
- Pick up "POP" radar in time to save you
- Pick up Laser in time to save you
- Alert you to a LEO that's not running their radar

i have a valentine and it picks up the signal way before the police can track my speed

I don't own a radar detector but was speaking to Southern Car parts about the new Escort 9500, which sounded like a pretty bad *** unit. As shaw pointed out earlier, nothing is fool proof. So something like this is would be considered a part time safety net?

I don't own a radar detector but was speaking to Southern Car parts about the new Escort 9500, which sounded like a pretty bad *** unit. As shaw pointed out earlier, nothing is fool proof. So something like this is would be considered a part time safety net?

That thing uses GPS also doesn't it?

That thing uses GPS also doesn't it?

yes, it helps to remember false alerts

Ideally, the most secure setup would be somthing like the 9500i + front/rear "laser interceptors" + passive countermeasures.

...however the LEO could still get you for unsafe speed, even if he doesn't get a speed reading.