Should I get a radar detector?

Question

OK, I'd like to know from everyone (police officers, users, an none users) what is your oppion on radar detectors/scramblers? Do they work? What is the best? When I do speed I dont go more than about 10-15 miles over the speed limit. Please, I just cant decide if I want to spend the money.

Answer 1

for 10-15 miles over the speed limit I definitely wouldn't go with top of the line if you were to get one. My girlfriend bought a middle range one for my birthday one year and although it's not perfect it has at least got me out of one ticket where I was going about 55 in a 35 (it's a straight away road that drops from 50 down to 30 as you enter in the town so its a good cop location) needless to say it was nice to have in that situation. The middle range one's aren't that expensive so I say go for it just don't think that once you have it you're invincible and can go whatever speed you wish.

Answer 2

You should get a radar detector. I'm sure a police officer would disagree with me, but I think that's what you should do. The best place to get one is at Radio Shack. You don't want to buy a cheap radar detector at the Wal-Mart unless you know exactly what you are getting. Most radar detectors don't give extremely early warnings, but at least you will have the chance to slow down if you are driving 10 to 15 miles over the speed limit. Make sure you live in a state where radar detectors are legal, or you will end up having to pay a huge fine if you do get stopped for speeding.

Answer 3

It is not worth the money. Police scanners and radars are becoming more and more sophisticated. It is to the point with the state cops that all the radar detector will tell you when it beeps is to pull over. The second the beam hits your detector, they already know you are speeding. It is too late. More and more city cops are beginning to use the more expensive equipment, too. Depending on where you live, it MIGHT work in the city or if you live in some small county in the boondocks. Even then, it depends on the financial situation of the local law enforcement. Other than that, it is a big waste of money.

Answer 4

The BEST radar detector is relative to the features you like/need.....There are 4 radar detectors with equal performance in most repects and will save you tickets contrary to what some will tell you. The Top 4 radar detectors are(in no specific order) the:
BEL RX65
BEL STi
Escort 8500 X50
Valentine 1

I personally use the Valentine 1 as well as the BEL vector 995 both have saved me huge fines when dealing with police radar. But for dealing with Laser you really need a laser jammer(illegal in some states) I use a Blinder M20 and Anti-Laser laser jammers on my volvo along with VEIL stealth coating and LaserShield plate cover.

For those that say a radar detector is just a ticket notifier obviously don't have experience with a top level detector. Ask any of my friends that ride in my car. My detectors both sniff out cops easily and give me plenty of time to slow down when usually going 10-15mph over the limit.

To me the best bang for your buch radar detector is the BEL 955, for $200 at RadarBusters. The BEL 955 is not the best but it is certainly up there with the top 3 radar detectors[Escort 8500 X50($300), BEL RX65($329.99), and Valentine 1($400)] I personally have a BEL Vector 995($270) and Valentine 1($400) and their is only a slight difference in detection range. I like both detectors equally due to their unique features.

For test results of pretty much all laser jammers and radar detectors....Check out these links:
http://guysoflidar.com/testing.html
http://www.laserveil.com/radardetectorsbuyersguide/
http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detector-performance/
To see videos of these stealth measures in action go here:
http://www.laserveil.com/cool_videos/
http://www.radardetector.net/viewforum.php?f=20

Answer 5

Look at it this way, if you drive the speed limit you will save money on gas, be less of a danger on the roads, your car will last longer, you will NEVER get a speeding ticket. Even the best radar on the market will not protect you 100% against getting caught. Just my opinion.

Answer 6

Depends on the state you live in. In some states radar detectors are illegal.

If it is legal in your state. Beltron, Cobra, and Escort are good models.

But today a lot of tickets are by photo radar. A camera snapshots your plates if it detects you are breaking the law. There are some ways to skew these too.

Answer 7

a radar detectector detects a radar signal. a scrambler is supposed to interfere with a radar signal so it doesn't bounce back to the radar gun to let it know how fast your going. but these have never been proven to work. they are legal in IL.

Answer 8

The best is the Valentine 1. It's been rated the best many years in a row and still trumps the closest competitor by at least like 20 points according to either Road and Track or Car and Driver.

Should you get one? Well I know many who have said that it has saved them tons on tickets so it practically pays for itself in the money you save on insurance, tickets, and the aggravation.

Answer 9

In most states it is a large fine if you get caught with one. Call a local police station and ask what the state or tome policy is. If no fine then they are worth getting

Answer 10

It will make you complacent. Never trust your friends or gadgets. If you aren't paying attention, you deserve what you get. i don't mind how fast you drive if you are capable. Morons that need crutches need to be removed from the gene pool.