Radar Detectors ...
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Senior User
Joined: May 2007
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From: UK , Florida or Ebay ;)
all depends on how fast you drive imo
stick to the limit you'll be fine.
another point is when i had them ( i have had two before now , a cobra 9 band and a GPS snooper one that i log on every week and update to see if any more cameras had been placed) you get so used to having them there you stop looking around to see who's down the road or in some cases in the UK flying overhead in a helicopter. false sence of security i believe.
saying that though , when i had my Subaru Impreza i never got caught speeding. it was always in the wifes car or the work van
a Jammer , which i do think is illegal in the US as they are in the UK (unless they are for activating your garage doors lol) is the way to go , just remember to fit a kill switch to it so you can turn it off and slow down.I think it takes about 5 seconds for them to reboot the speed guns, as when your detector goes off you have sent a error code to the Police ahead , they will probably pull you over for attempting to Jam their signals. But i can imagine thay cannot fine you for speeding but can do you for obstructing the course of law or something like that.
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: So Cal
They are illegal I think only in VA and maybe NJ, but the laws always change. Also I believe if you are a commercial truck, they are illegal most everywhere.
They are worthwhile as a reminder that keeps you alerted that you are not in safe terrirtory. Also good when you are travelling on long empty roads where the temptation to speed is great. In all cases, pay attention to your surroundings and how other traffic is reacting. Watch for good hiding spots and be conservative in your law breaking.
As long as I have had my detectors running, I never got a radar ticket. I have even avoided a whopper or two when I wasn't paying attention.
The problem with detectors is like all electronic warfare. The detectors get better, then the radars get better and so on. You have to keep updating to the newest technology. Now there are so many bands it can be a pita to have a current detector. Plus, more officers are using instant on radar which means either you get no warning until he zaps you or you get lucky and he zaps someone in front of you which then triggers your detector.
The advantage for detectors is they can see the radar source farther than the officers radar can see you. Since the officer must project a signal at some power level and then it has to reflect back the same distance but with reduced power due to differences in reflection characteristics of the vehicle targetted, like Stealth bombers, eh? He cannot see you as soon as you see him. Sometimes the warning can be a couple miles.
IF you are inclined to go over the limit, you should keep it conservative. "The nail that stands out gets hammered". ie if you are easily identified in a crowd, the officer will pick you, especially if you are doing more than just speeding like say weaving thru traffic, tailgating, unsafe lane changes etc. DON'T ATTRACT ATTENTION, in otherwords. My daily commute often includes 75 to 80mph stretches, and I am not the fastest one in most cases. Most of the drivers are going that fast which amazes me. The police go faster, looking for someone who stands out.
Also helps to have a "Rabbit", you know, the guy who is zipping in and out of traffic going well past the flow. LET him run interference for you. He will attract the attention of officers in front of you while you are speeding at a leisurely pace. Problem with rabbits is that they do occasionally get picked off or they move out of your range so you need new rabbits all the time, but not a problem since rabbits breed like, well rabbits. I have used this technique to cross the desert between LA and New Mexico. Usually seems a group of drivers start "convoying" with someone running point and someone being tailend charlie watching for attacks from behind and everyone takes turns. Made the 800 mile trip once in 10 hours when 55 stay alive was the law.
Beware of multiple officers though, like police car lineups on bridges waiting for multiple purps. A frequent situation at state borders and freeway on ramps in fast traffic areas.
Learn how your detector reacts in your daily commute. Soon you learn what is normal for your drive. Watch for changes like "Hmmm since when did that alarm go off near this park?" Detectors are more useful on open roads but can be used in cities but you will get more false alarms. Learn how to identify false alarms.
I don't encourage speeding, at least well past the flow, but since more and more now, police are tasked with revenue generation rather than safety, I guess detection is evening the field.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
They are worthwhile as a reminder that keeps you alerted that you are not in safe terrirtory. Also good when you are travelling on long empty roads where the temptation to speed is great. In all cases, pay attention to your surroundings and how other traffic is reacting. Watch for good hiding spots and be conservative in your law breaking.
As long as I have had my detectors running, I never got a radar ticket. I have even avoided a whopper or two when I wasn't paying attention.
The problem with detectors is like all electronic warfare. The detectors get better, then the radars get better and so on. You have to keep updating to the newest technology. Now there are so many bands it can be a pita to have a current detector. Plus, more officers are using instant on radar which means either you get no warning until he zaps you or you get lucky and he zaps someone in front of you which then triggers your detector.
The advantage for detectors is they can see the radar source farther than the officers radar can see you. Since the officer must project a signal at some power level and then it has to reflect back the same distance but with reduced power due to differences in reflection characteristics of the vehicle targetted, like Stealth bombers, eh? He cannot see you as soon as you see him. Sometimes the warning can be a couple miles.
IF you are inclined to go over the limit, you should keep it conservative. "The nail that stands out gets hammered". ie if you are easily identified in a crowd, the officer will pick you, especially if you are doing more than just speeding like say weaving thru traffic, tailgating, unsafe lane changes etc. DON'T ATTRACT ATTENTION, in otherwords. My daily commute often includes 75 to 80mph stretches, and I am not the fastest one in most cases. Most of the drivers are going that fast which amazes me. The police go faster, looking for someone who stands out.
Also helps to have a "Rabbit", you know, the guy who is zipping in and out of traffic going well past the flow. LET him run interference for you. He will attract the attention of officers in front of you while you are speeding at a leisurely pace. Problem with rabbits is that they do occasionally get picked off or they move out of your range so you need new rabbits all the time, but not a problem since rabbits breed like, well rabbits. I have used this technique to cross the desert between LA and New Mexico. Usually seems a group of drivers start "convoying" with someone running point and someone being tailend charlie watching for attacks from behind and everyone takes turns. Made the 800 mile trip once in 10 hours when 55 stay alive was the law.
Beware of multiple officers though, like police car lineups on bridges waiting for multiple purps. A frequent situation at state borders and freeway on ramps in fast traffic areas.
Learn how your detector reacts in your daily commute. Soon you learn what is normal for your drive. Watch for changes like "Hmmm since when did that alarm go off near this park?" Detectors are more useful on open roads but can be used in cities but you will get more false alarms. Learn how to identify false alarms.
I don't encourage speeding, at least well past the flow, but since more and more now, police are tasked with revenue generation rather than safety, I guess detection is evening the field.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
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From: Long Beach, Ms.
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