Radar Detectors

[CatchPhotoFilet]

I am looking at purchasing a radar detector. Does anyone have any good suggestions?

[Dusty]

Stay within +5mph of the posted limit and forget the detector.

[CRAZYEYES]

I'll agree with dusty, my radar detector failed me. 86 in a 70 on 35 near rush city. It beeped at me a lttle to late.

[s2h]

I have the same advise. Usually when the detector goes off, it is telling you the radar or lazer is on you. So most the time it just tells you when you will get stopped ahead of time.

[mn_bowhunter]

If a cop sees you have a detector they assume you speed and are more likely to write a ticket instead of warning.

[deadeye]

I got one and I never use it anymore. It has saved me from a couple tickets, however like said above when they catch you (not if but when) its more likely that your gonna get a ticket.

Stay within 5mph of the limit and you won't have a problem.

It may take you a extra 5 min to get where your going but its worth double when you look at the gas you save by going slower. Plus, if your going a bit slower, you can actually see how nice a place minnesota is to look at while passing by.

If you want to disregard what I said above , the only one that I have seen really do a good job is the valentine1. A bunch of money to drop, but nothing else even comes close. If your a chronic speeder then it will pay for itself.

[echotrail]

Why would someone want one unless they intend to break the law on a regular basis?

[fishwater]

The valentine1 detectors are considered the best.

[Neighbor_guy]

You will NEVER beat a laser. Most dept. are using them now. Your tag on 35 in FLake, most likely a laser tag. The best advice is to slow it up a little. The differance between 60mph and 65mph is 3 seconds over the length of a mile. In order to make any differance in time you have to go at least half again the speed limit.

[crothmeier]

i have a older pni detector, and its paid for itself 100 times already. that said i do have an insane amount of speeding tickets since i started driving (11). But i do ALOT of traveling and on a 5 hour drive 10mph faster it saves a decent amount of time. i usually set 9 over.

[mamohr686]

I have lead foot syndrome, and constantly accelerate to 60 mph no matter what the sign says. It's a tough habit to break if your a highway work commuter like I am. I've been saved several times by my beltronics vector 995. The downside is the number of false alerts this unit has. The escort 9500I series and the valentine are the top rated units by car and driver magazine. I like the escort's ability to cancel out future false readings, and you can upload updates via the internet that indicate speed traps, cammeras, and other warnings. Once you use a radar you will realize that speeding is risky since the highway patrol uses speed radars and lasers intermittently. Detectors have saved several times when I wasn't paying attention to the speed limit changes. I've only gotten 2 tickets in 17 yrs of driving. I think that's good for a commuter. The cruse control is your best friend for avoiding future donations to the state.

I should also add that your car will likely get broken into if you leave a radar detector on your window. Teens seem to be attracted to them.

[deadeye]

Why would someone want one unless they intend to break the law on a regular basis?

Somebody has to give police a reason for being there! J/K, they got a tough enough job as it is.

Like a few others have said, its really tough to beat lazers and when they flash them on and off, forget it. If you stay under 10 over the limit, they will pretty much leave you alone. Its really not worth it to go that much faster, it uses a lot more gas.

[broken_line]

Originally Posted By: echotrail

Why would someone want one unless they intend to break the law on a regular basis?

Its really not worth it to go that much faster, it uses a lot more gas.

that it does at 60 mph our buick lucurne gets 26mpg at 75 it gets 19...

[zamboni]

My last ticket I got I had my detector on. 70 in a 55. BTW, if you get pulled over and they see it, you will NEVER get off with a warning, it is ALWAYS an instant ticket. They aren't illegal, but the police hate them and they won't give you a break, regardless of any sweet talk or excuses you give them.

BTW, radar detectors, GPS's, notepads, etc. are illegal in the state of Minnesota if you have it attached to the windshield in any fashion.

[GotOne]

Like the trooper told me several years ago, "you must have a radar detector as fast as you slowed down". He went on to say that "all they do is tell you when your going to get a ticket"- he was right and wrote me up!!! Or, you could be like a friend of mine who calls speeding tickets, "user fees"- he's a "dink", double income-no kids". so he can afford them.

[echotrail]

My last ticket I got I had my detector on. 70 in a 55. BTW, if you get pulled over and they see it, you will NEVER get off with a warning, it is ALWAYS an instant ticket. They aren't illegal, but the police hate them and they won't give you a break, regardless of any sweet talk or excuses you give them.

BTW, radar detectors, GPS's, notepads, etc. are illegal in the state of Minnesota if you have it attached to the windshield in any fashion.

I'm pretty sure the MN state law changed on 8/1/09 allowing at least a GPS to be attached to the windshield.

[dirtking]

I am also pretty sure you are correct - about the law changing that is.

I try and keep it 9 over and have never been given a ticket (for less than 10 over)

[Farley]

GPC, you know you just jinxed yourself.

[dirtking]

Farley - I have recieved my share of tickets but none have been for under 10 miles per hour... However, your probably right!

[harvey lee]

I use to have one years ago. Then I recieved a few tickets due to airplanes on the interstate.

No more. I have really slowed down and I don't have to worry about it.

Last 15 years I have recieved 1 ticket.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

My last ticket I got I had my detector on. 70 in a 55. BTW, if you get pulled over and they see it, you will NEVER get off with a warning, it is ALWAYS an instant ticket. They aren't illegal, but the police hate them and they won't give you a break, regardless of any sweet talk or excuses you give them.

BTW, radar detectors, GPS's, notepads, etc. are illegal in the state of Minnesota if you have it attached to the windshield in any fashion.

Never and always are pretty strong words. BTW, I used to have a detector and got at least 3 warnings, with one ticket from a laser. Odds are that if they go through the trouble to set up a speed trap, pick you out of all the cars that go by at 5-15mph over, and pull you over you are getting a ticket regardless of whether or not you have a radar detector. I've since ditched the detector, kept my eyes open, and kept it to 9-10 over max (knock on wood).

[cliffy]

I agree with a lot of what has been said. Drive within 5-10mph of the posted limit and you should be fine...depending on the street/road and conditions. Going any faster...there are no guarantees. I dont think there are any foolproof laser/lidar/radar units out in service that can fool all detectors all of the time. A lot depends on the situation and how the officer is using the unit. However, with the "instant on and off" capabilities, along with the precision (super narrow) lasers, it is getting more and more in the officer's favor.

I cant speak on behalf of all officers, but from my perspective, if I stop you and you have a radar detector...its a ticket...and for the full amount. It does not anger me if you have one but I figure if you have gone through all that trouble to spend good money on such a device, then you have intent to break the law with hopes of getting off. Why should I give you a break?

Just my two cents. Thanks.

Cliffy

[WingDing2]

i use a Passport 9500 and it works pretty good, it has paid for itself. I drive a long ways to the cabin (6 hr drive) and thats with the hammer down. If I were to drive at 55-60 mph it would take me 7 1/2 + to get to the lake.

[Down2Earth]

I have one and only drive 5 mph over the speed limit. I have only received one ticket and I was 17 or 18. I just like to have it on for absolutely no good reason at all. Just kind of nice to know where officers are at or something I guess.

[MIDNIGHT777]

The new law states that a GPS can be attached to a windshield, but has to be located near the bottom most portion of the windshield. The closer to the dash board the better.

Like others have said a radar detector does no good for squad radars and are not effective for LASER units. I could go into boring details why but I'll leave it at that..........

The best advise is to keep it 5,6,7 over and for the most part you will not have a problem.

Matt

[zamboni]

Lip Ripper, you got lucky. I have always been told that once it is seen once you are pulled over, you are guranteed a ticket