Radar / Laser Detector

[Xodus989]

I'm looking to get a decent priced (under 200) one for my trip out to phoenix. I've been looking at reviews, and for the most part, on all of them, it says the range sucks for pretty much most of them. I'm thinking this is just because people we're driving hella fast and weren't paying attention.

So yeah, any help is appreciated. I'd like to be able to pick it up from a store around here.

Thankss

 

[sdsubzero4]

Honestly, radar/laser don't work. By the time you pick up the signal, you have already been tagged. If you don't get pulled over, its just that the radar gun is set to a higher speed or the cop is targeting higher speeders.

Just giving you info from personal experience. Its a waste of money. Just my .02

Oh, some states, radar/laser detection device is illegal. Make sure Arizona is not one of them.

 

[Xodus989]

Honestly, radar/laser don't work. By the time you pick up the signal, you have already been tagged. If you don't get pulled over, its just that the radar gun is set to a higher speed or the cop is targeting higher speeders.

Just giving you info from personal experience. Its a waste of money. Just my .02

Oh, some states, radar/laser detection device is illegal. Make sure Arizona is not one of them.

On the bestbuy website, it says can't sell in DC or Virginia, so I'm guessing those are the two where they are illegal.

And that's what I was thinking too, about them not working, the only way I can think it would help if there was an officer running lidar somewhere and was checking several people. The cobra I was looking at detects the POP as well. I'm not sure about it though. I have a feeling PD won't have any problem with me doing 80 mph on the 8 out there as long as I'm doing it safely and not recklessly.

 

[sdsubzero4]

80 out in the desert is only 10 over the speed limit. Most of the time you'll be ok. But really, if you are at 71 mph, they'll put you over if they want since you are still over the limit. And you have to remember, the cops have to have radar before you can detect them. They are still using pacing and in those area, aircraft. Think about them before going out and wasting your money.

 

[Xodus989]

80 out in the desert is only 10 over the speed limit. Most of the time you'll be ok. But really, if you are at 71 mph, they'll put you over if they want since you are still over the limit. And you have to remember, the cops have to have radar before you can detect them. They are still using pacing and in those area, aircraft. Think about them before going out and wasting your money.

They can do pacing out there? I'm pretty sure pacing and timing is illegal in cali. I remember seeing the CV code for the timing being illegal because it's considered a speed trap. Not sure about pacing though.

And yeah, I forgot the speed out there was 70.

 

[sdsubzero4]

If the cops is going 70 and you are pulling away, well, you are speeding. They can't follow you for an extended period of time, that is call pacing. But there is nothing wrong if they are going the same direction as you and "following" you.

How do you think they measure your speed from the air? Its a measurement they take to get your speed.

 

[Token A4]

Honestly, radar/laser don't work. By the time you pick up the signal, you have already been tagged. If you don't get pulled over, its just that the radar gun is set to a higher speed or the cop is targeting higher speeders.

Just giving you info from personal experience. Its a waste of money. Just my .02

Oh, some states, radar/laser detection device is illegal. Make sure Arizona is not one of them.

i agree i spent a pretty penny on one and popped in winterhaven n he was goin west n i was eastafter that trash it went, n 80 is only 5 miles over once u get outta yuma i take this trip many times doing 80 n AZ HP hasn't bthered me.

 

[Token A4]

80 out in the desert is only 10 over the speed limit. Most of the time you'll be ok. But really, if you are at 71 mph, they'll put you over if they want since you are still over the limit. And you have to remember, the cops have to have radar before you can detect them. They are still using pacing and in those area, aircraft. Think about them before going out and wasting your money.

i didn't know that

 

[blackstallion06]

I had one that worked great it was a cobra. I agree and disagree with the guys. If they are hiding like in OKL behind rocks ect mine saved me a few times. Mine would say ca 1234 depending on how close. I need to up grade cause now it only goes to 1 LOL They work in some situations and some they dont. My buddys dad is like the head guy in kansas hwy patrol and he told me that what ever they com eout with cops have somehting one step ahead so its up to you I am buying a new one soon.

 

[StarAngel]

I had one that worked great it was a cobra. I agree and disagree with the guys. If they are hiding like in OKL behind rocks ect mine saved me a few times. Mine would say ca 1234 depending on how close. I need to up grade cause now it only goes to 1 LOL They work in some situations and some they dont. My buddys dad is like the head guy in kansas hwy patrol and he told me that what ever they com eout with cops have somehting one step ahead so its up to you I am buying a new one soon.

I have the same stance on them as BlackStallion does - I will probably not upgrade any time soon but they are pretty much up to your choice. I have had mine for about 5 yrs and it sucks for almost 75% of the cops speed traps I run thru.

 

[Ichiduo]

i often hear people say just get a cb scanner. that way you can know where they are going and where they'll be at. i can also download a set of checkpoints for my garmin nuvi which warns me when i'm coming up on speed traps. both workin in tandem should work MUCH better than any detector. cause as stated, usually when it lets you know, is when you've already been tagged.

but, seeing as many of you are navy, you guys could just paint your cars with that radar absorbing paint. :rofl:

 

[spdpilot]

I think they HELP, but I wouldn't depend on one.

There are a few websites out there that have forums where people will post (locals mostly) where the speed traps are in their cities and when. I have found them to be pretty accurate.

I have been looking into Laser Jammers. They are pretty expensive and not legal in California. But they work. Not that I am recommending you break the law.

Aircraft are mostly used in the desert. And those are really tough to see because they don't exactly fly low like you might think.

 

[IgottaV8]

i often hear people say just get a cb scanner. that way you can know where they are going and where they'll be at. i can also download a set of checkpoints for my garmin nuvi which warns me when i'm coming up on speed traps. both workin in tandem should work MUCH better than any detector. cause as stated, usually when it lets you know, is when you've already been tagged.

but, seeing as many of you are navy, you guys could just paint your cars with that radar absorbing paint. :rofl:

They will still get a reading off of your liscence plate. Don't forget it.

 

[sdsubzero4]

If you're going to get a scanner, make sure they have the scrambler otherwise it would be useless. Most, if not all agencies use the 800mhz freq with scrambler. Just a little FYI.

 

[Xodus989]

Ended up not getting one, though If I would have had one, I doubt I would have been stopped. Cop was hiding on the onramp of a rest stop, the one out by gordons well.

I got stopped on the 8 right before yuma for 92 in a 70. Officer walked up to my door, noticed my jacket. Asked where I worked. I told him, he then asked for just my license, gave it to him. And he said you're going to learn something today. A lot of officer don't like to ticket paramedics. Have a nice day. And handed back the license. Didn't run me, or check insurance / regs or anything! I was surprised!

 

[yosemiddysam]

You got off lucky. 92 is not quite the safe speed you were talking about. Did you end up taking the capri?

 

[sdsubzero4]

No, tend to give paramedics and fire a break. But like Yose said, going 92 is not that safe speed you mentioned before.

 

[StarAngel]

On our trip to Texas back last month - Myz and I averaged about 5-10 over the posted limit, at the most, and no one cop stopped us even though we passed several of them.:roflrock:

Just watch out in New Mexico, As you are driving you will noticed that the speed will say 65. Then all the sudden 20ft away from the road (unlike a normal posted sign) you will see a sign that says 55 and just about 1/2 mile down is the cop off the road waiting to catch ya. :nonono:

 

[Xodus989]

You got off lucky. 92 is not quite the safe speed you were talking about. Did you end up taking the capri?

I maintained about 80-85 the entire way. He caught me getting around a group of cars right after the rest stop at gordans well. And yeah, I took the capri. It's actually a pretty nice car other than the fact that my started died in yuma on the way home!

 

[yosemiddysam]

I always set my cruise control on long trips. It is easy to loose track of how fast you are going.....