Radar Detector

[All Torhs Team 0]

I've been wantin one of these for Christmas, or just buy it myself. I guess some people see them as bad things since its a way to break the law. But I talked my parents into lettin me get one. Couple of questions:

1) I know certain ones are illegal and I think those are called scramblers? How do I tell which ones those are, cause thats not what I want.

2) Are all of them pretty much the same? They range from $40-$300. I know the more expensive ones can alert you from a block away. Can all of them do this?

3) Why would you guys advise me not to get one of these?

Thanks - A.T.T.

[Guest OSTOR]

My buddy has one that can alert you from more then a mile away

[dieselbro 0]

from what I've heard a Valentine One will do the trick quite nicely

[Maka 0]

If you're in the US, scramblers are illegal in all states, and I believe that detectors are only illegal in Virginia and D.C. or something like that. As for companies, off the top of my head I can think of Cobra, Escort, Whistler, and Valentine One. I had a Whistler for a while, and it worked pretty well until it slid off the window mount and into the hard paneling of my car. Now it doesn't work any more, although for the time I had it it worked great. It picked up X, K, Ka, and Laser bands.

[Thockey17 1]

from what I've heard a Valentine One will do the trick quite nicely

The V1 is by far the best out there. Once you go with the arrows, you never go back.

V1 + K40 Laser Jammer = no more speeding tickets. :D

[--notorious 0]

What would be the consequences if you were caught with a scrambler?

[areed89 3]

They're all a waste of money. Almost all agencies have gone to laser when they are running a real speed trap, and there is no detector out there that will tell you anything other than a cop with a laser just clocked you... Save your money for the tickets.

[notorious#29 0]

As far as price goes, you get what you pay for with these. My buddy has a $50 Cobra detector, it works well enough, and sometimes it does surprise us with how far it can detect a signal, but it dosen't come close to my Escort Solo. I second the V1 though if you want to spend that much. A guy I work with has one and it beats out my Solo, definitely worth the cash. If you don't want to spend quite that much, look at the Escort Solo or 8500.

[All Torhs Team 0]

I dont know what to think. Fleury seemed pretty sure of himself in his post, but everybody else says it works nicely for them.

Fleury - Your positive that detectors do not work?

[Thockey17 1]

What people dont understand about the V1 or any other Radar Detector is that they wont make up for driver stupidity.

Drive with a car faster than you, so you can pick up the laser signal. Without being able to pick up a signal intended for someone else and slowing your speed accordingly, you will get nailed.

That said, if you want the best radar detector, get the V1. Its been proven many times over through various places to be at the top of the list. You can also send the unit back to Valentine to have it Upgraded to future technology.

Since you're not to "sold" on the idea, i say go with a cheaper unit(~$100-150) and see how that works out for you. It sure is a hell of a let cheaper than a speeding ticket, but it does not make you invincible.

[JR Boucicaut 3802]

When it comes to K and Ka bands - K is the widest and most inaccurate- the radar detector will give you time to slow down if you are far enough. Laser, however, is a very narrow band and is more precise.

Basically, the detectors will help you if you're traveling in clumps or if there is someone faster in front of you.

Now, back in the day, I remember the only way a cop can use laser is if they were stationary. Has that changed?

If you're in the US, scramblers are illegal in all states, and I believe that detectors are only illegal in Virginia and D.C. or something like that. As for companies, off the top of my head I can think of Cobra, Escort, Whistler, and Valentine One. I had a Whistler for a while, and it worked pretty well until it slid off the window mount and into the hard paneling of my car. Now it doesn't work any more, although for the time I had it it worked great. It picked up X, K, Ka, and Laser bands.

Yes, they are illegal in VA and DC. Ontario as well. The cops have detectors to detect them, and can pull you over for it. Whenever I would drive to MD I would disconnect my radar detector and plugged it in once I got into MD.

[willy0314 0]

What people dont understand about the V1 or any other Radar Detector is that they wont make up for driver stupidity.

Exactly. People buy radar detectors because they think that once it goes off, you can slow down and then you wont get busted. The problem is, unless the cop is sitting on the side of the road with his radar gun going (which in most cases dosen't happen any more), your detector won't pick up the signal until he flicks on the radar to get your speed. People think to run radar you have to be sitting with the radar gun going, and that isn't the case. Not to say it dosen't happen, but its alot less then you think. The point about lasers is also true, all they have to do is point the laser at you, pull the trigger, and they have your speed. More often then not, the detector only picks up the signal once its too late. Or you happen to drive past a supermarket, then the stupid thing will go ape-shit because of the door sensors.

Not to mention, a police officer is allowed to give speeding tickets based on an eyesight judgement.

You are better off not driving like a retard, and just investing in something useful. Just get a new stick.

[notorious#29 0]

I agree with the above posters.

You should decide if the driving you will be doing, and the driving situations you will be in, justifies purchasing one.

[CHIEF22 0]

I have to agree with the last batch of posters. The ONLY speeding ticket I have EVER gotten was the direct result of a detector. They are no good when the trooper turns it on and locks you in when you are 10 car lengths away -BUSTED!!! If you feel the need to drive that way then save your money for the tickets, increased insurance premiums and your deductable for when you hit something. Oh ya, and buy yourself and old 72 Cadillac - big ol boat - so it wont hurt so bad..

[Cobra2717 0]

V1 hands down. The arrows are clutch. You cant depend on it tho, you need to use it as a tool.

[freq019 0]

I have an escort passport, and I like it but if I were going to throw down for another one I would probably get the Valentine V1. I agree though don't depend on them use them as a backup. I bought mine 8 years ago when I bought my first car and I have had it since, I've also gotten 5 tickets in that time, two were laser and one was in my wife's car, the other two the radar detector went off but he had me dead to rights. Now I use a rabbit, a car going faster than you, leave a gap and watch for wolves :D