Radar/Laser detectors

Anyone have experience with the current crop of detectors available.

 

Radar detectors and Laser detectors work. But they don't work good enough. The radar portion might give you a chance if there are cars up ahead of you getting clocked as some of the radar energy that is transmitted travels way past where they are looking. Any speed enforcement copper doesn't sit along side the road with his radar transmitting constantly. If he is, it means he is eating a sandwhich or doing reports and not monitoring closely. In that mode if some high flyer does come down the road, the tone of the return will alert him to pay attention as it will be much higher and he gets used to what 80mph sounds like. If he is really hunting, he waits until he sees you and hits the trigger. The instant on feature, if it gets lock will display your speed in less than a second. It has been a while but typical reaction times are around .7 seconds. If you are the target, chances are you will be had. Your hope is that you were not the lead car and your detector picked up some of the signal aimed at a different car.

Laser is a different animal. I have not used one, but have talked to officers that have. It transmits a very narrow beam that they actually aim at your license plate. since the beam is so narrow, there is not a lot of energy that will go past the target for you to detect two or three cars down the road. So usually if your Laser detector goes off, it is best to slow down, pull over and have your license, insurance and registration ready.

I know that is not what you wanted to hear Jim

 

Jim, I have a Passport Escort 9500ix. It works OK for radar but where I usually travel the police use the KA band and seem to keep it on all of the time. However, usually by the time you get a reading on laser it is too late. One new type of radar allows the police officer to press a button and get a reading on the fastest vehicle. Unfortunately, you get many false alerts on the K and KA bands. One benefit is the warning for red light and speed cameras.

 

That damn I95 is a PITA for speedtraps even if its just a few MPH over it can cost hundreds of bucks.
Thanks Jim and Mike.

 

Your I-95 is like I-75 from FL through GA. In the GA border towns (Valdosta, Perry, Tifton, etc.) they will nail you for going 5 miles over the limit.

 

I can't drive with a radar detector. The few times I drove a friends car, so equipped, I think it slowed me down. The few times I've driven from Toronto to Pittsburgh I've got to admit I found the number of police cars / troupers a bit opressive. Spot the Canuck he is the one happily driving 10 mph above the speed limit trying to spot the police 2 miles down the road hoping that his CAA card is actually good for bail if they haul his sorry personage to the county jail.

 

In Kentucky the court cost alone before the fine cost $95. Going 10 over will usually run you about $150+ depending on what county your in.