Radar Detectors - worthless?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,786
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From: Chicago IL
Radar Detectors - worthless?
I heard that Police radar has more than twice the range of the best detectors on the market - if this is true, then radar detectors are effectively useless. By the time they pick up any signal, the police already have your speed.
Is this true?
Is this true?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: Life's tough, wear a helmet.
Re: Radar Detectors - worthless? (marthpodi)
If you are traveling alone - as in there are no other cars around - then likely any detector will be useless to you if the officer uses instant on to nab you.
However, if you are travelling with other cars around then the value in a detector is that you are able to pick up the signal being used against other cars ahead of you, thus giving you ample warning.
However, if you are travelling with other cars around then the value in a detector is that you are able to pick up the signal being used against other cars ahead of you, thus giving you ample warning.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,786
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From: Chicago IL
Re: Radar Detectors - worthless? (marthpodi)
I hope to buy a C4 'vette very soon, and I am a high school student in a town populated by people with an average age of 65, so I am definately going to need a radar detector. Which kind do you recommend? best price/performance?
Thanks,
marthpodi
Thanks,
marthpodi
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
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From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Radar Detectors - worthless? (marthpodi)
What you heard is not true. Police radar gun range is NOT farther than the detect range of a radar warning receiver. Here's why. Only a small percent of the police radar gun is reflected back to the radar gun and that reflection spreads out on its way back, getting even weaker while the warning receiver had the direct signal from the radar gun to cause an alert and this direct signal is 100 or more times as strong as the reflected signal from your car.
The Valentine 1 is the most sensitive radar receiver made and it tells you how many radar sources it is receiving and if the source is from the front , side , or rear. No other detector does this. Save your money until you can buy one. If you buy a cheap one, then when you finally realize you need the Valentine 1, then you will pay for only one detector.
[Modified by jfb, 2:44 PM 3/17/2002]
The Valentine 1 is the most sensitive radar receiver made and it tells you how many radar sources it is receiving and if the source is from the front , side , or rear. No other detector does this. Save your money until you can buy one. If you buy a cheap one, then when you finally realize you need the Valentine 1, then you will pay for only one detector.
[Modified by jfb, 2:44 PM 3/17/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
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Re: Radar Detectors - worthless? (Scoob)
If you are traveling alone - as in there are no other cars around - then likely any detector will be useless to you if the officer uses instant on to nab you.
However, if you are travelling with other cars around then the value in a detector is that you are able to pick up the signal being used against other cars ahead of you, thus giving you ample warning.
However, if you are travelling with other cars around then the value in a detector is that you are able to pick up the signal being used against other cars ahead of you, thus giving you ample warning.
edit:
...and all I've got is a cheapie fuzzbuster!
[Modified by Silver 96, 2:33 PM 3/17/2002]
Race Director
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From: I live in my own little world
NC Events Coordinator
Re: Radar Detectors - worthless? (Scoob)
... the value in a detector is that you are able to pick up the signal being used against other cars ahead of you, thus giving you ample warning.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
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Re: Radar Detectors - worthless? (Scoob)
then likely any detector will be useless to you if the officer uses instant on to nab you.
I would always rely on my eye to 1st judge if a target appeared to be exceeding significantly enough. If so, then instant on often worked quite well. The ones w/ detectors onboard, I could usually watch their front bumper dip as soon as I activated on them. Sure I'd loose 5 - 7mph of their true before-activation speed... before they jammed their brakes, but they'd usually still lock-in 15 - 20mph over the posted. Never messed with it unless I could lock them in at 15 or more over. 15 - 20 over and I would approach the stop with an open mind... respect and a little courtesy would get them a verbal warning. A 'tude would often yield a ticket. Not always, but most often. 20+ over and I would approach the stop planning on writing them up, but my mindset at times would be changed by the circumstances. I preferred to run radar in 45mph or faster posted zones. To me, popping people for 15 over in a 25 or 30 zone was chickensheet (unless a well posted school zone with kids out and about) To each his own, however, and some of the guys would.
Just a little from the inside. Haven't worked traffic in over 7 yrs though... CID now.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,268
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From: Sunbury North Carolina
Re: Radar Detectors - worthless? (95_C4_convertible)
They use instant on a lot here in VA, I had a detector (which is illegal :cuss ) and got a 2 tickets...one with the detector and one without. But it did save me many times probably. Works good on a LONG straight road I found, I would get warning probably 3 miles before I passed the cop.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: O'Fallon Missouri
Re: Radar Detectors - worthless? (marthpodi)
The Escort radar detector that I use to have was really good at warning me that I was GETTING A TICKET. It seemed like when it would go off, it was too late.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Houston Tx
Re: Radar Detectors - worthless? (marthpodi)
I picked up a detector last year at Target, a Cobra for about $100. Since I have had it I don't know how I drove without one for so many years. I have picked up radar around bends in the road, from a mile ahead, and even when they come sneaking up from behind. I realize that anything other than a crystal ball is useless when you are really clicking along. But ,for those times when your speed drifts 10 -15 mph above the posted limit a detector can really save your tail.
:blueangel:
:blueangel:
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2001
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Re: Radar Detectors - worthless? (L98 punk)
I have one and I use it to make me a nervous wreck when I am feeling too relaxed. I have no faith in it. I have seen officers before the stupid thing went off. I would NEVER rely on one. Beeps and whistles and lights and ... Bah !
I use it to find out if there is a fast food place around the bend. :D :D :D :lol: :lol: :lol:
I use it to find out if there is a fast food place around the bend. :D :D :D :lol: :lol: :lol:
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Orange County California
Re: Radar Detectors - worthless? (jfb)
I really should get one... since my average highway speed is 85+mph where traffic permits. I havent got a ticket yet, and I know I deserve one since I drive fast. I really should get one....
I didnt think that they could get your speed from the side. Doesnt radar work with a cosign wave? It sends the waves out and gets a distance and rereads the the distance and computates the speed. In other words, they have to be reading from the back or the front. From the side, a speeding car will show no speed reading. Im pretty sure thats how that works. Can anyone correct me?
The Valentine 1 is the most sensitive radar receiver made and it tells you how many radar sources it is receiving and if the source is from the front , side , or rear. No other detector does this.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,199
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From: NewCastle IN. USA
Re: Radar Detectors - worthless? (McShagger)
your right McShagger,
they don't work from the side, must be front or rear.
however its a nice feature on the V1. lets you know where the source is.
I just got a V1 3weeks ago. I think its the best detector I've ever owned, but I wouldn't rely solely on it to save my bacon. your eyes are your best defense.
If they have the radar on full time you'll pick them up easy. the instant on stuff will nail you if your the first car they shoot.
but with tickets costing around $100.00 or more each the $400.00 price of the V1 can be justified :yesnod:
I think If you run the same road over and over (like to work) the boggie counter is great! told me about 2 state boys hidden in a false alarm area ( I normally got 5 false alarms there, that day showed 7 ).
they don't work from the side, must be front or rear.
however its a nice feature on the V1. lets you know where the source is.
I just got a V1 3weeks ago. I think its the best detector I've ever owned, but I wouldn't rely solely on it to save my bacon. your eyes are your best defense.
If they have the radar on full time you'll pick them up easy. the instant on stuff will nail you if your the first car they shoot.
but with tickets costing around $100.00 or more each the $400.00 price of the V1 can be justified :yesnod:
I think If you run the same road over and over (like to work) the boggie counter is great! told me about 2 state boys hidden in a false alarm area ( I normally got 5 false alarms there, that day showed 7 ).
Instructor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 171
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From: Vancouver WA
Re: Radar Detectors - worthless? (ol,RJ)
It's my understanding that Laser has to be in either the front of back
but won't give a good reading from the side; however, I've been told
that doppler effect radar works from all direction front, back, side or
top.
I have a Cobra, it has saved my butt many times but the most
important feature, in my opinion, is the emergency vehicle alert. It gives
an alert if there are emergency vehicles working in the near area. It
gives you a little extra time to access the situation, slow down and
give these good folks a lilttle extra space..
but won't give a good reading from the side; however, I've been told
that doppler effect radar works from all direction front, back, side or
top.
I have a Cobra, it has saved my butt many times but the most
important feature, in my opinion, is the emergency vehicle alert. It gives
an alert if there are emergency vehicles working in the near area. It
gives you a little extra time to access the situation, slow down and
give these good folks a lilttle extra space..
