View Poll Results: Do you use a radar detector regularly?
Yes, I like to play it safe and avoid tickets.
67
65.69%
No, I try to stay within the speed limits.
35
34.31%
Voters: 102. You may not vote on this poll
Do you use a radar detector regularly?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,430
Likes: 4,829
From: BEST Corn-Nation
2015 C5 of the Year Winner
I'm with CQRT, I use one on interstates and open roads. Not so much in town. To many buildings with security that sets it off and I get tired of seeing it flash all the time.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,833
Likes: 4
From: Calgary, Alberta
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 416
Likes: 2
With Pop and Laser I don't think the value of radar detectors is anywhere near what it once was back in the 80's when they had to sit there with the gun on.
That said, mine is semi-permanently mounted with a blendmount and mirrortap. At least I have an idea of when there's a shark in the water. Honestly, I keep it less than 20mph above the speed limit on Interstates and less than 10mph over on surface streets these days. Less dangerous and less costly if I get pinched. Hell, most people around here cruise at 15 over on the Interstate.
That said, mine is semi-permanently mounted with a blendmount and mirrortap. At least I have an idea of when there's a shark in the water. Honestly, I keep it less than 20mph above the speed limit on Interstates and less than 10mph over on surface streets these days. Less dangerous and less costly if I get pinched. Hell, most people around here cruise at 15 over on the Interstate.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 28
From: Oviedo Florida
I always got way more tickets with a radar detector than without. False sense of security if you ask me. Now I know others swear by them but they always A) were going off constantly for nothing) or B) they would go off but far too late after I was already nailed. Also only fair to mention that it has been like 10 years since I used one so maybe they have gotten better but I know I used to get nailed all the time. Now I stick to no more than 9 MPH over the limit and have not had a ticket for speeding that I can remember in the last 5-10 years. (knocking on wood)
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 341
Likes: 11
From: Auburn Hills Michigan
I'd like to use a good radar detector still need to get one though....but it seems around me most people go 5 over all the time and some 10 over so that's where I tend to stay at...I'd like a jammer but don't want to get caught with one.
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 416
Likes: 2
I always got way more tickets with a radar detector than without. False sense of security if you ask me. Now I know others swear by them but they always A) were going off constantly for nothing) or B) they would go off but far too late after I was already nailed. Also only fair to mention that it has been like 10 years since I used one so maybe they have gotten better but I know I used to get nailed all the time. Now I stick to no more than 9 MPH over the limit and have not had a ticket for speeding that I can remember in the last 5-10 years. (knocking on wood)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 23
From: Anaheim CA
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
I own a GX65, and bought extra suction brackets for all my cars. I use it everyday.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 337
Likes: 79
From: Smith Mountain Lake VA
The nearest interstate is an hr. away. Had my vette for a year now and my aveage speed is 37, starting to wonder why I even own this car. On the positive side there are about 30 vettes here at the lake so I'm not alone.
Can't wait for Carislea four hour ride on the interstate.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,415
Likes: 24,798
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Nope. I keep my cruise control set at no more than 5 mph over the limit and keep the speed down in town - so far so good.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 53
From: Warrington Pa.
Never owned one my last ticket was in 1970. I set my cruise control at 9 mph over the posted speed on interstates or turnpike, never had a problem. I use my signals to change lanes and don't cut in and out of traffic. My radar detector is the wife, she constantly goes off
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 139
Likes: 8
From: Denver Colorado
Haven't had a ticket in years... got a Passport 6 months ago and just got a ticket last week. I popped over a hill and got hit with the laser so there was no warning. I should have known better than to speed where I can't see 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 28
From: Oviedo Florida
Exactly why I don't use them anymore. Your lured into thinking your fine to go a little faster since the detector isn't going nuts. Then WHAM I'm getting lit up. Made me complacent with watching my speed and I live in a low crime area so local LEO really don't have a whole lot going on other than speed control and they are all over that like white on rice. I use cruise control constantly to make sure I'm not going "too fast" but I just know they see me and think.... One of these days buddy lol
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,170
Likes: 48
From: Yuma CO
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
Exactly what I do too.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 536
Likes: 2
From: Brisbane Queensland
I set my cruise at one under the limit. Then I just relax and enjoy the ride. I do not need the added stress of constantly looking in my rear view mirror or wondering where the mobile speed cameras have been set up.
We have a "zero tolerance for speeding" campaign which started about six months ago and it is strictly enforced. 3kph/2mph is all you can get away with before you get slapped with a fine. 4-13kph/3-8mph over costs $146.
We have a "zero tolerance for speeding" campaign which started about six months ago and it is strictly enforced. 3kph/2mph is all you can get away with before you get slapped with a fine. 4-13kph/3-8mph over costs $146.
Last edited by stu12dozen; Jun 13, 2014 at 05:40 PM. Reason: wording
Racer
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 357
Likes: 29
From: Central/Eastern NC North Carolina
I've used their detectors for over a decade....Currently we have a GX,RX and one of the new Pro's (maybe Pro300?)!
For my C5 vert I fab'd a simple bracket that's bent under the windshield moulding adjacent to the Rearview Mirror. The metal-strip that slides into the detector was recycled from a worn-out suction cup mount.
I made a pin'd wiring adaptor that taps into 12V on the back of the Rearview mirror. I ran the wiring under the moulding and then down the arm that holds the mirror. Covered the mirror arm & wire with a short piece of split bulk black plastic corrugated wiring sleeve.
Nobody notices the installation (except me and usually my passenger but only after it beeps!).
Here it is with a picture of the installation near the Homelink I wired in recently too:
Although we aren't racers, our Beltronics give us plenty of notice to adjust our speed especially when the posted speed limit suddenly reduces (speed traps)....
I feel "naked" driving without a detector! A Bel is a great investment. Awesome company.
Last edited by mike_engr; Jun 13, 2014 at 06:13 PM.