Radar Detectors

[SteveST1300]

On the major highway's I run Waze its very accurate and gives me a warning 1/2 a mile away it doesn't work as well of the interstates though as it relies on users posting the information.

 

[mlheck]

Modern radar guns, operated properly, will render a radar detector next to useless. That, combined with many sources of radar that use the same frequencies, and a radar detector is getting less and less useful.

I've used a radar detector for over 20 years. Are they perfect, NO. I have received a couple of tickets while using one, but I would have received these tickets if I hadn't been using one anyways. So no win or lose there.

There have been way more times that a less motivated officer has operated his Radar gun in a manner that gave me lots of notice. All of my Radar Detectors have paid for themselves many times over. I have received just a warning with the detector setting in plain view of the officer.

I also now have added Wazes to my defenses. Still not perfect, but tips the odds more in my favor.



Sent using Tapatalk

 

[Daboo]

I only had a Uniden radar detector for a couple years back when the speed limit was 55 mph and I was traveling cross-country. I got two tickets in a week back in April 1971. I did get pulled over once about five years ago, but with nothing on my record, the ticket was wiped off my record after a year. I doubt having a $4 special radar detector will change my riding habits any. I pretty much go with the flow and stick with 5-10 mph over the speed limit...and that usually still going with the flow of traffic.

 

[ST Gui]

Modern radar guns, operated properly, will render a radar detector next to useless. That, combined with many sources of radar that use the same frequencies, and a radar detector is getting less and less useful.

All great points and the reason I don't use a detector. And the CHP has been using LIDAR a lot in my area.

I haven't had a speeding or any performance award in so many years it'd almost be embarrassing to post. No brag just fact. As a wise man once said 'You don't need to go fast to have fun'. Obviously others disagree.

Generally no radar detector would never pay for itself for me. BUT— for $4 if that thing actual ever lights up for any reason it might be an exception for the novelty.

I like flashing lights. Just not in my rearview mirror.

 

[Daboo]

On a radar detector forum I found last night, there is a review of one of these generic detectors. I got a heck of a deal on mine. They normally go for anywhere between $10 and $60.

One of the replies I got in buying my $4 special, was that I spent about $6 too much.

I lead a boring life though. This will give me something to play with as a gadget. We're guys, right? (I'm sure there are some ladies here too...) Anyway, guys like gadgets and toys.

 

[spiderman302]

Many a year ago, I bought a couple of Gunnplexers for a com project, knowing that I could have some fun with them too. I wired them up in my Jeep and on one of my many runs up to Yosemite Valley Camp 4 to go climbing, I did some testing..... I found out that I could remote control brake lights both in front and behind me on that long stretch of I5 and 99 with a simple push of a button..... I knew who had radar detectors....

 

[John OoSTerhuis]

Never have run a radar detector, but my CB has saved me more than a few tickets over the years on the superslab. 5-10 over most times these days, maybe always slightly gaining in the flow I find myself in, regardless. I do like riding with Bob Shelton and hearing his detector sound off over the CB.
FWIW

John

 

[wjbertrand]

One of my favorite saves was riding in WA just south of Yakima, I think I was on 97/223, very early in the morning. Speed limit was 55, I was doing 80, nobody else on the road. My Escort Red Line started beeping Ka band as I was approaching a crest in the road. I threw out the anchors and got her down to 55 before reaching the crest, at which point the Red Line went full scale bonkers. Couldn't see anything in front or behind me. I continued, maybe a mile or so before I spotted the trooper parked on the opposite shoulder under the heavy shade of some trees. I motored on by casually under the limit 1-2 MPH whilst he gave me looks to kill. Thought about waving but didn't want to press my luck in case he'd seen my speed on his instrument. I know he didn't witness me speeding.

 

[drrod]

Here is an article that outlines why many radar detectors or not much use and why ones that are, are very expensive.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/news/a28079/how-new-car-technology-is-forcing-radar-detectors-to-be-more-accurate/

I have used radar detectors since the late 70's but when my Valentine's remote audio module died a few years ago I just didn't bother with it anymore (after nearly 40 years of RD use). Several reasons for this:
- new car's onboard things mentioned in the article.
- newer, instant on, guns (if used as such) give you no time to react if you are targeted. Granted, they may give you a chance if someone in front of you is targeted.
- there are more and more "jammers" in use which no amount of RD tech will filter out.
- traffic on most freeways is moving much faster (on average) than yesteryear. Most interstates in the west are 80mph at least so you can cruise comfortably at 85-90 and not have to worry, which is fast enough for most of my riding there.
- I tend to ride mostly two lane secondary roads and find that I can ride slightly above the speed limit through corners and then, by not speeding up on the straightaways, I am relatively immune. (remember the article "The Pace"?).
- I try to NEVER speed through small towns since many of them use traffic violations as a revenue source.
- I try to be stay aware of what is going on in front of me. eg. seeing brake lights where there shouldn't be any, sudden decreases in speed limits for no legit reason, etc..
- I try to utilize a "rabbit" whenever possible.

Since I have given up using the RD, I get about the same number of tickets/year as when I use one. Anecdotal for sure, but for me, I cannot see spending the $600-1000 needed to get one of the new generation detectors......yet. As the traffic enforcement becomes more draconian, that may change.

 

[TOS]

I had an Escort 8500 for several years. Had to send it off once for repair and it lasted 2 more years...
I purchased an Adaptiv at Cycle Gear a few months ago. It comes with a 3 bulb LED visual warning light or a 3.5mm plug to go to your headset. I like cordless visual alert best, oh and everything with the Adaptiv is waterproof. It has large, lighted control buttons (on or off) that are glove friendly too. I got it for $270 sale price.
Things I Don't Like- It does give many false alerts with some newer car electronics and many automatic door openers.
Also, it has a long wiring harness, maybe 5-6 foot. I was able to shorten and re-solder to about 2 foot long for my application.
I considered a Valentine, but with all the goodies I wanted, LED and Adapter, waterproof box, etc. it would be around $600.
I figure so far, the Adaptiv has saved me 3 tickets or at minimum getting pulled over.

A few weeks after I purchased my Adaptiv, I found that there is a newer Adaptiv Pro available...think it's about $100 more.

 

[ddemair]

Best way to cover miles fast is.......find a rabbit....

Here's my rabbit story which just happened a day ago:

In my car, doing well over the speed limit with traffic and I see a police car pulling away from a stopped car that probably just a speeding ticket. Since the police car is ahead of me now and pulls out of sight, I slow down to the speed limit as does those cars around me.

A few minutes later a car passes me and I decide to use it as a rabbit. I couldn't quite catch him because he's traveling a little faster than I wanted to so I took my foot off the gas. Just at that moment we come over a rise in the road and there's the police car sitting on the shoulder. He pulls out, passes me and pulls over my intended rabbit.

But for the grace of a rabbit, there goes I.

 

[Whooshka]

I have a detector but also live by the rule a trooper once told me... "9 you're fine. 10 you're mine".

 

[ad.hom]

In Europe highway limit is 130 km/h (82mph). Only Spain has 120 (75) and Poland at 140 (87).

While the UK still remains in Europe, our highway speed limit (National Speed Limit or NSL to us) is 70mph for 2 lanes or more, and there's a drive to REDUCE that on the grounds of emissions. NSL with 1 lane is 60mph.

Mind, in an NSL area, everyone does NSL+15mph, and LEO will usually turn a blind eye, though cameras won't.

Official guidelines here are limit + 10% = ticket (100GBP fine). Limit + 17mph = go to court & talk to a judge about how much you earn, and how sorry you are.

Radar detectors are also illegal here.

 

[wjbertrand]

While the UK still remains in Europe, our highway speed limit (National Speed Limit or NSL to us) is 70mph for 2 lanes or more, and there's a drive to REDUCE that on the grounds of emissions.

Sounds like the national 55 MPH limit we had for so many years, supposedly to conserve fuel after Arab embargoes and other supply issues. We all know those low limits are bogus and the way the fed was withholding highway funds to states unless they enforced that limit was later declared unconstitutional (same thing happened with the federal helmet law - but I digress) The largest fight against removing the national 55 MPH limit came from the insurance industry under the guise of safety. What was really going on was that more people were receiving speeding tickets but without an increase in claims, this turned out to be a windfall for the insurance companies by increasing rates on customers receiving citations. Their golden goose was threatened.

 

[heffly]

I have one it screams like hell. it has its benefits and shortfalls. Benefit it has speed limit settings, detects radar, several other display options. Downside, many new cars emit radar, takes awhile to learn the difference.

 

[ST Gui]

Downside, many new cars emit radar, takes awhile to learn the difference.

Must be like learning to tell the difference between whales and torpedoes on sonar.

 

[Bmacleod]

I just come back from 4 days in the Carolinas and was surprised to see that google maps now tells you of speed cameras. It told me about every one I came across, albiet some were last second. IOW, not the most reliable, but I was still surprised at first and then I recalled reading something a while back about this ,but did not pay much attention to it.

 

[wjbertrand]

Regarding Radar Detectors, I just acquired the new Uniden R7 after my trusty Escort Redline got soaked in a sudden storm in Canada on my way to WeSTOC. By all reports this is the top RD at the moment. The good news is that Escort was able to completely refurbish my Redline, so I have returned it to duty in my car. This leaves me with an extra detector, an Escort Passport 9500ix (this was one of the first GPS equipped detectors) It works perfectly but I don't need it any more. Anyone need an RD fairly cheap?

 

[Cryosin]

I don't own one but from what I have seen in Florida is that the radar detector on the side of the road don't pick up on bikes I guess we to small. As for radar guns that I don't know

 

[wjbertrand]

I don't own one but from what I have seen in Florida is that the radar detector on the side of the road don't pick up on bikes I guess we to small. As for radar guns that I don't know

Don't bet any money on that, I've received a radar ticket on my ST1100 before and when working with the MCN folks testing bikes we used radar to measure 1/4 mile times, 0-60 and 60-0 times. Radar picks up motorcycles just fine, 'specially big-uns like the ST. The radar equipment may not be able to read a bike at as long a range as a car, but believe me they have no problem picking up motorcycles.