Do You Use a Radar Detector?

[Charlie]

Do you use a radar dectector in your Saturn? Has it helped to keep you out of trouble?

Charlie

[THX712517]

No, don't have one. Wish I did before I got my Saturn though, got tagged by a laser-wielding cop.

[Xanatos]

I have a cheap Cobra detector. It works, and has prevented me from getting a few tickets. I'm thinking about investing in a Valentine 1.

What's funny, is that even if I'm not speeding I slow down when it's K or Ka band in a place I know there aren't any normal RF signals.

[silverblueL200]

No, I just take my chances.

[Seathrun]

Yes in my1993 sc2 K40 in dash and phantom jammer 258K and still racing on and off road
Not yet in my 2001 sc2

[piney]

Don't use one - gave them up in 1991. I just let folks in a real hurry flush the median stalkers out and then keep on my merry way.

[Jayfro311]

Yeah I got one... and I still got pulled over... caught by laser and now I have to go to driver retraining

[swoker183]

i have one but need a new one, mine is crapping out on me. it has saved me a couple time from some tickets

[f clark]

Originally posted by Seathrun
Yes in my1993 sc2 K40 in dash and phantom jammer 258K and still racing on and off road
Not yet in my 2001 sc2

How good does that jammer work & about how much
The cops here in southern Indiana are nuts
They like to hide behind concert walls
In median cross overs and in front of people driveways @ night with no lights & overpass entrance ramps and closed gas stations,ect.
Guess southern Indiana don't get enough money from the riverboats casinos

[robert_vue]

I don't have one, but lately I have been considering one. I don't want to get one to tempt myself to speed more though, but I usually drive 10-15 over on the freeway, be nice to stay out of trouble.

I'd be interested in hearing the prices and types from other saturnfans users.

[lamoore]

A Passport 2600, in fact.

Though it didn't save me. On a run back home from Savannah, he got me doing 86 in a 60. I was slowing down at the time.

[Xanatos]

Concerning laser and radar, typically a cop shoots you three times and waits for you to slow down. First off, I've had a few staties tell me this in the few driving classes I've had to do. Also, I've experienced this on multiple occasions. I've been shot with laser doing 25 or so over, but I noticed the cop (actually before the laser went off) and when it hit me with the laser, I slowed down to about 4 over, and he waved me by.

Their main thing is that they want you to pay attention.

I typically speed 4-9 mph over all the time, which they won't pull you over for, with occasional spats of 14+ on the highway (today I was doing 75 in a 45 cone zone actually with the rest of traffic), but my eyes and ears are on the road and the radar. I also don't speed at night because I can't tell if there is a cop. Also, it was the last time I got pulled over (86 in a 55) but after a convincing sob story, he let me go.

[Kahakeaboi]

I used to have one, but it never really seemed to work properly. I would usually see the cop vehicles before I even saw or heard my detector going off. It was fairly pricey too, dang it...Got rid of it, and yeah, been driving the same way since.
Just an FYI, there is a clause in the GM 24 Hour Test Drive that tates you cannot use a radar detector in the vehilce while in your posession...thought that was kind of interesting...

[Nuke-Em]

Nah...I don't drive fast enough to warrant one.

Matt

[Tatusmi]

I don't have one but I've been thinking about getting one... I heard they really don't work with the new technology they use... the lasers or whatever, you have to wait till they actually pull the trigger before the thing will go off which, imo, is sorta useless.

- Tatusmi

[JohnS_98]

The only time I really use it is if I am on a long trip or something. Even though I stay with-in 5 to 10 MPH of the limit, it is still nice to know where they are.

[jaminsc2]

The only time I use one is during One Lap. :D

Other then that, I only drive 5-10mph over the limit on the street ... at least 99% of the time ... ok ok ... 98% of the time ... so I don't really need one. ;)

[Twin_Cam]

Don't need one. All I do is make sure someone else near me is going faster than I am. Very simple, really.

[03VUEAWDVTI]

I used to use them, but found that I got into more trouble with one than without. I now avoid tickets by not speeding. There is also a side benefit of lowering my fuel bills.

[eRic 02sc2]

the valentine one is worth every bit of $400. i've saved that much in speeding tickets :)

[Galileo]

I bought one back in the mid-nineties after getting too many speeding tickets. It didn't help and just got to be too annoying to use regularly....... too many false alarms. Besides, the police around here seem to be less interested in speed enforcement than they were just 10 years ago.

I've also learned to go with the flow of traffic and make sure a couple of other vehicles are going faster to get the cop's attention. Keeping an eye on the road ahead is a good way to detect cops if you see everyone hitting the brakes. I also like to follow luxury cars in the passing lane..... my thought is that the police will be more likely to stop the guy with the more expensive car....... I could be wrong.

[medium red]

I had one in my last car, but found in the dense Northeast there were just too many false alarms. I had it off for all but long trips. Now I don't have one, but I'm moving to the desert and will probably get another. Although, if the troopers are using laser, it's money down the tubes.

[scotsman]

Not anymore. I used to have one but found it to be more trouble than it was worth (at the time). Now I just find someone going faster and pace myself with them.
Most of my long distance driving is through Va. and they are illegal in that state.

[PAGuy77]

I have never had one. I don't drive that often enough to actually have one. Besides I have actually learned where and when the cops sit around here when it's time for them to meet their quota for the month.....:) I just keep an eye on my speed....sometimes that is.....:) hehe

[Arnel]

Since 1985, I have always had a detector on my windshield. True, when there is a laser present, it just tells you when you've been caught, but otherwise it'll snuff out the local & county boys anytime.

90% of the time when I know I'm getting a false signal, it's because of a Giant Eagle supermarket or CVS and their automatic sliding doors. Just like anything else, spend some quality $$$ and get a good one.

Just like the AMEX ad says, I "don't leave home without it!"

(In fact, I've driven in Connecticut, California, Virginia, DC, & Canada with it on. I'll just have it low on the dashboard cowl & usually mounted behind my windshield mounted Garmin GPS unit. If they can't ID it they can't ticket for it.)

[Xanatos]

I still don't understand how Radar Detectors are illegal in VA.

Per FCC rules and regulations, the airwaves belong to the citizens of the country, ie us, and you can montior any frequency in the EM specturm (besides a select few analog cellular freqencies).

So VA saying that you can't have a radar detector states that you can not monitor X band, K band, and Ka band frequencies in the state of VA. These bands make up quite a bit of communications traffic as well. I wonder if you could use a scanner and monitor these frequencies, or if the law specifically states a "device to determine if a speed measuring device is in use"?

Does anyone have the copy of the law in VA that states radar decetors are illegal and under what circumstances they are legal (if there are any), such has having an ham radio liscense, etc?

[Darvell]

Don't need one. I usually always travel 5 mph over the posted speed limit, whatever it is. Haven't had a speeding ticket since 1991. Five miles over and the cops ignore you. Cheaper and less stressful.

Darvell

[100KSW2]

Local police here in PA can not use radar, only the State Police. I have never needed a detector, even when I had a 110 mile each way Turnpike commute to work. I stay over to the right, leave plenty of space around me and let the speeders fly by me. I can "make time" while they are pulled over getting a ticket.

I thought that the newer radar (and maybe lidar) guns are "instant on", so by the time your detector goes off you may already be caught. Between that and false alarms I'd rather obey the law and be able to relax. Life is too short!

The local police in Philly use VASCAR which a radar detector will not help you with: they mark off a measured distance and time your passage through the two points to determine your speed.

[silverplum]

Why can't people just stick to the posted speed limit:?:
Especially in a school zone.

As a rule of thumb I go no more than 5 over the limit. On the other hand I will keep up with the flow when on a highway.

Maybe it's time that politicians increased the speed limits on certain highways and streets that are ridiculously too slow.:hmpf:

[BradJK]

I agree with the school limit, obey it! Those kids are just not street smart.

I usually only drive 10 over on the highway and 5 over in town. Thus no need for a detector.
I also think if you do not have a detector on your dash the cops are more likley to give you a warning for something so minor if you do get pulled over. Having a detector I think kinda pisses cops off enough to issue you the ticket!

[cormor]

Even if you get one theres still a good chance you'll end up getting a ticket. For instance I was going over the speed limit (not gonna tell ya how fast) in a 55, when i came up on a hill. As I did a cop came from the other end of it, I saw him before the radar detector even got a chance to pick it up, and slowed down in the snap of a finger. ******* clocked me in at 74 in a 55. Close to being arrested huh ;)

The funny thing is, is as soon as he leaves, he catches another car. Some bevis ran by the cop(with his lights on) and didn't slow down or anything.

[wei_]

My radar detector is the rear lights of the speeders in front of me.

It'd be my luck that they find one in my car and confiscate it. They're illegal in VA.
Wei

[VTHokie00SL2]

Nope, no radar detector, and still no speeding tickets! I generally obey the posted limit, +5 mph, or maybe 10 mph on rural roads. On interstate highways I'll go 15 over sometimes. (80 in a 65 isn't unusual.)

[XtremeGrandAm]

Yes I have always had a radar detector. Its come in handy quite a few times

[sstar]

I used to use one a long time ago. I haven’t gotten a ticket since.
Besides, If you are speeding,you deserve a ticket.

[silverplum]

Generally I agree, but you have to admit that some speed limits are too low, especially on some highways.

[SilverNickelQC]

Never had one, i think its illegal here in MD too. I have never considered buying one either. If i am speeding and get caught i ll just have to take it and see the officer in court.

[rehm70]

yes, I have a VALENTINE ONE, I am an over the road truck driver and it has saved me many tickets. A radar detector does NOT give you a free pass though, you must use it as a tool that extends your 5 senses. you must pay close attention to traffic flow and volume, which the Valentine One makes easy. It has won Car and Driver's detector shootout since 1998, have run with people with Bells and Escort's, and they did not know radar was present when I did. No detector will protect against instant-on radar. The reason detectors are illegal in VA, as well as Commercial Trucks are because of the COMMUNIST-LIBERAL-OVERBEARING-"MY JUDGEMENT IS BETTER FOR YOU THAN YOURS" POLITICIANS. One post has "Any Body But Bush in 2004"? Ya, I don't want somebody who wants to lower my taxes and kick other countries rear ends, I want someone who does NOTHING about terrorism( WTC bombing1994, Oklahoma City bombing, US Embosey bombing in Africa, U.S.S. Cole bombing)like William Jefferson Clinton. What was I thinking?! PLEASE vote demoncrat in '04.....NOT!!!!!>>>>!!!!

[piney]

Originally posted by rehm70
The reason detectors are illegal in VA, as well as Commercial Trucks are because of the COMMUNIST-LIBERAL-OVERBEARING-"MY JUDGEMENT IS BETTER FOR YOU THAN YOURS" POLITICIANS.


Operating a CMV with a radar detector is a criminal violation of Chapter 49 of the Code of Federal Regualtions, but that ain't the point. Some, not all by any stretch, truckers fudge on their log books, drive tired, drive on crank or meth, drive in the left lane for miles and miles, hogging the lane and slowing the traffic for the rest of the reasonably law abiding, if hurried, motorists.

Speeding in a passenger car could possibly kill the occupants and maybe one other car - that it. Speeding in an 80,000 pound rig with a load on is simply insane and shows complete and utter disregard for the life and safety of the rest of the motoring public. I've seen many CMVs in crashes where they kill lots of other motorists - just last year a freaking idiot driving a fuel truck (most drivers with a Class A with hazmat endorsements are good drivers - this guy was the exception) flipped his gas truck on an on-ramp and it killed 3 or 4 people. Every day innocent folks are killed by semi drivers who drive with no regard for safety. (Stats below)

Some interesting statistics on tractor trailers and motorist safety:
*In 1998, 412,000 large trucks (gross vehicle rating greater than 10,000 pounds) were involved in traffic crashes in the United States: 4,935 were involved in fatal crashes.

*In 1998, a total of 5,374 people died as a result of accidents involving large trucks and an additional 127,000 were injured in those crashes.

*One out of eight traffic fatalities in 1998 resulted from a collision involving a large truck.

*In 1998, large trucks were 3 times as likely as other vehicles to be struck in the rear in two-vehicle crashes.

*In the United States, 15 people die each day in truck related fatalities, a number that is the rough equivalent of a major airline crash every two weeks.

*Drivers over the age of 65 are 6x (times) as likely to be killed by being hit from behind by a heavy truck, as are drivers under the age of 65.

*29% of drivers in a 1988 survey stated that they regularly drive under the influence of illegal drugs including marijuana, speed and cocaine/crack. Though drivers estimate that 36% of truck accidents are due to driver fatigue.

*Most of the fatal crashes involving large trucks occurred in rural areas (67%), during the day (68%), and on weekdays (80%).
Almost 30% of all large truck drivers involved in fatal crashes in 1998 had at least one prior speeding conviction.

*Nearly one-fourth (23%) of fatal crashes that took place in work zones (areas of construction, maintenance, or utility activity) involved a large truck.

*The current HOS (Hours of Service) Rule for Truck Drivers permits commercial truckers alternately to drive a maximum of 10 hours straight and to rest for a minimum of 8 hours until reaching 60 hours in seven days or 70 hours of driving in eight days. This permits as much as 16 hours of driving in any 24-hour period on an 18-hour drive/rest schedule. Driver fatigue and unrealistic schedules are critical factors in driver negligence and account for an estimated 750 deaths and 20,000 injuries each year. [For more details on this issue check out
http://www.trucksafety.org/hosfaq62.htm]

*Most tractor-trailers are 65 feet long and in dual or triple combination the overall length may stretch to the ISTEA (Intermodal Surface

*According to two studies issued by the Truckload Carriers Association, "Drivers will understate their non-driving hours in their log books Transportation Efficiency Act) maximum of 110 feet, the same as an average city block. Without restrictions public safety will be compromised. because employers can legally pay drivers nothing at all for any and all of their non-driving work. Thus, if drivers want to be paid for their legal maximum 70 hours of work they are legally allowed to perform each week, they must work over 100 hours." Motor carrier management, knowing that drivers do not record their non-driving hours, heap as many such hours on their drivers as they possible can. To please shippers, motor carrier management routinely requires its drivers to wait, unload, and load at the shipper's warehouses at no cost to the shipper. After a day of such work, they are expected to drive for 10 hours or until they can stay awake no longer.

One post has "Any Body But Bush in 2004"? Ya, I don't want somebody who wants to lower my taxes and kick other countries rear ends, I want someone who does NOTHING about terrorism( WTC bombing1994, Oklahoma City bombing, US Embosey bombing in Africa, U.S.S. Cole bombing)like William Jefferson Clinton. What was I thinking?! PLEASE vote demoncrat in '04.....NOT!!!!!>>>>!!!! [/B]

If you just sit and watch, Bushie will allow Mexican titled trucks to operate in this country with Mexican drivers and we will honor their CDLs just as soon. When that happens, see just how will off the Teamsters and Bushie lovers are doing in a few years. ("Eh, you want fries with that??")

If you were not aware, an AMERICAN CITIZEN and US Army Veteran bombed the Alfred R. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. During that same time frame, the FBI also handled domestic radical groups such as Ruby Ridge - under that pinko softy liberal Clinton. I'd hardly put Bushies attempts at nation building ahead of anything Clinton did. We lose troops every day over there - long after the 'hostilities' ended and Bushie got back on the campaign and fund raising trail.

:flag: :flag:

[L200Pilot]

Hello all -- new user.

Yep. Don't ever go over 80, but just in case. All the cops in my area use K or Ka, so a little Cobra does just fine for me.

[Arnel]

Wcook - Radar detectors ARE legal in MD. Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to seel them in retail stores. The only areas near you that have outlawed them would be VA & DC.

rehm70 - You scare me. A CDL operator that illegally uses a radar detector. Thanks, I'll remember that everytime I'm doing 60-65 in a 55 and have a trucker bearing down on my ass. You give truckers a bad name.

L200pilot - Welcome to the cul....family!

[Xanatos]

Originally posted by Arnel
L200pilot - Welcome to the cul....family!

ahha I think we're taking the cult thing to far ;P but yes, welcome to the family ;)

[unkle bik]

Originally posted by rehm70
because of the COMMUNIST-LIBERAL-OVERBEARING-"MY JUDGEMENT IS BETTER FOR YOU THAN YOURS" POLITICIANS. One post has "Any Body But Bush in 2004"? Ya, I don't want somebody who wants to lower my taxes and kick other countries rear ends, I want someone who does NOTHING about terrorism( WTC bombing1994, Oklahoma City bombing, US Embosey bombing in Africa, U.S.S. Cole bombing)like William Jefferson Clinton. What was I thinking?! PLEASE vote demoncrat in '04.....NOT!!!!!>>>>!!!!

How in the world does a discussion about radar detectors get involved into politix?

[Dr. Bob]

I don't have one and have no need for one.

I obey the speed limits. Virtually everywhere I go, it is safe to do so, so the limit is what I go.

[sandybright]

Originally posted by silverplum
Why can't people just stick to the posted speed limit:?:
Especially in a school zone.

As a rule of thumb I go no more than 5 over the limit. On the other hand I will keep up with the flow when on a highway.

Maybe it's time that politicians increased the speed limits on certain highways and streets that are ridiculously too slow.:hmpf:

I totally agree. I typically only go about 5 over the speed limit. And if I come across a school bus, I stop like I'm supposed to. It always pisses me off to see cars try and PASS the school bus.:mad:

Anyway, I don't tend to typically speed around here anymore (especially after my ticket), so I don't see the need for a radar detector. The beeping would also drive me batty. :p

Sandy
:p

[GreyDuck]

Mine has saved my ass many times!

[runnwlf]

Nope, they are illegal in the state of Virginia:o:

[Roly]

No, it is illegal here in Quebec, Canada.

And frankly, i know when i am speeding, i love speeding but i know what goes with it......so i drive usually at speed limit or 5 to 10 over.

[Arnel]

Originally posted by THX712517
No, don't have one. Wish I did before I got my Saturn though, got tagged by a laser-wielding cop.

I'm assuming that doesn't hurt as much as one wielding a light saber???? :p

[SilverNickelQC]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Arnel
[B]Wcook - Radar detectors ARE legal in MD. Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to seel them in retail stores. The only areas near you that have outlawed them would be VA & DC.

I guess i learned something new today, BUT i am hardly ever in MD, i guess thats why i thought that. They are still too expensive for me and i speed that much anyway.

[snotty]

I run a Valentine One it has saved my butt many times. The arrows and source counter are the only way to go. I can cruise 20 over al the time.
Dale...

[wlhawk]

Haven't had ticket for several years using an Esacort.

Btw, do they discuss radar detectors on the political sites??

[khurd77]

Yes. Bought one after we got our L300. Its not an expensive one.The fact is almost everyone speeds. I dont like going insane speeds,but a detector lets me go " a little over" without as much worry.

[dwstock]

Yes.

[Magictom]

Got one for fun, its a cheap whistler brand, but it looks sharp sitting there above my dash, and its fun to know where they are even though I dont speed much..
Not worth the tickets. have not gotten pulled over in 5 years.
(knocking on wood now)
C-ya
Tom

[bigad21]

don't have one. what'z the fun in that. Besides my brother can sniff out a radar 3 miles away. He never tells me though.:p

[Capone72]

Ive had one for about 4 months...Saved me quite a few times..and the one time it wasnt on..I got busted.They arent always right though nor are they always working correctly..lol

[BlackNRedIon]

Yeah, got mine at a yard sale for two bucks and it's keeping me outa trouble, lol.

[Coolspoof]

I have to rant about the valentine 1 also...I've had mine for about 7 months now and it's saved me at least 5-6 times...from tickets ranging from 10 over to 40+ over....guess I'm a bad speeder huh? The V1 picks em off from so far away that its not even funny. On a straightaway (which we have some of those kind of roads in the sticks) itll pick a cop off about 2 miles+ away. It does good around corners....and as far as laser is concerned...well if a cop uses it right youre dead no matter what detector you have.

The most common places a cop uses laser are highways with heavier traffic cause its easier to pick off a single vehicle in a pack of 20+. I believe that at 1000ft the beam only has a spread of about 4 feet...so naturally you can see how easy it is to get picked off. Where detectors come in handy is if a cop accidentally aims through a window or hits a sign and you catch a refract of the light in the antenna of the detector...thats your "early" warning. If you go to their website they explain it alot better (www.valentineone.com). Another thing that can screw you are radar units with "hold status"...where a cop operates a button that basically opens and closes the radar....so even if you have a detector it wont go off until youre in front of him and he hits the button. Now this may scare you but think about this....if you were a cop and youre sitting in the same spot for a couple of hours...are you really going to want to operate a button while doing paperwork....or even while just sitting there? Think about how many people drive by and how many times you would have to hit that button....NO WAY! So most of the time they just leave it on. The third thing that can possibly screw you is a "pop" mode radar gun....particularly the MPH Bee III. The way this works is at the flick of a switch the unit turns on and takes a reading instantly. So once again you get no warning. However (and this is on the valentine one website also) contained in the operators manual there is a clause that states that readings taken using pop mode on this unit should not be used in giving citations as they may be inaccurate. Reason why? Well this may get a bit technical but ill try to explain it in laymans terms...Basically everytime you turn on a circuit it has to get to what is called "steady-state", where all the components have reached operating temperature and are stable and not changing....kinda like starting your car. when you start the car the RPMs always go up a bit then slowly back down to a slow quiet idle (well its supposed to, just play along) and then stays there. So basically when the pop mode engages the circuit is not ready and the radar gun is calibrated to be in steady state so nothing matches up and the reading is inaccurate.

[sschumann]

I have an older uniden radar-laser unit that has saved me many times. New lasers used by troopers don't give you much time though. If it signals laser your caught. Only time laser works is when troopers are clocking everyone. You may have time to slow down. Lots of local cops still use K or XA though and the radar unit helps.

[Old Bob]

No. Too cheap to buy one, especially in this state where they will confiscate it if they catch you with it.

[Sky King]

Yes, a Valentine 1. Had several others before the Valentine and was about to give up on the idea that they did any good, (especially after I was tagged for 75 in a 55 in the middle of nowhere in my 95 SL-2 by one of Kentucky's finest and the detector NEVER went off as we approached each other head on. I didn't see him comming as we were on the opposite sides of a little rise in the road. My Valentine 1 would have cought it. I know because of the experience I have had with it in the last two years I have had it. This thing has pointed to targets LONG before I would be able to see them. And I do mean "pointed", it actually shows from what direction the radar or lasar is comming. As for the "Ladar" or instant on, Valentine 1's web site has a good tutorial on how a lot of these things work and for some VERY valid technical reasons, those thing are riddled with error. Another good reason to have a detector, just because it is radar, does not mean it is accurate and you could get tagged when you are not actually speeding.

Someone in an earlier post mentioned Indiana. I don't know what they use these days but years ago they used a system that used a time/distance computation called Vascar. No RF or lasar energy to detect.

[Turcman21]

Oh yeah!!!!

[SL1Joe]

Yep, has two modes City and Highway. City just requires a stronger signal to set it off, uses Voice Alerts. Biggest complaint i had with it was mounting it, took awhile to find a suitable spot, finally settled on right above the rear view mirror that way it's obscured by the window tint at the top of the windshield.

[the_new_raceman]

I dont use one but oddly enough i think the saturn is a radar detector lol. I used to drive a dodge and i well fly. I still fly in my saturn and ive never been bugged while im driving it and ive been driving it for over a year now.

[Apartment1973]

Yeah, I use a R.D. it has helped me alot. You have to purchase a R.D. that is good.

[laybac]

yes i have a good one, and yes it does help.

[micah_sl2]

im bidding on a rocky mountain one on ebay right now-
are they any good?

[binkybaby]

No, but i need one, especially since i got pulled over yesterday! :cry: