Do I need a radar detector?

[Fiveg56]

bhttp://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...adar+detectors

I actually issue warnings for speed 90% of the time, as long as the speed isn’t completely crazy. If I do see a radar detector (they are legal in MN), and I’m on the fence about issuing a citation, it will likely cause me to write the ticket.

Verbal warnings are used in situations where I feel like they will make a difference in a person’s driving conduct; A radar detector leads me to believe a warning will not get the point across, for obvious reasons.

I generally don’t go out of my way to look for radar detectors, I’m too busy looking for weapons, threats, or contraband. They aren’t a big deal to me, I just feel like they are a waste of money.

[Khmero215]

i got one one, barely turn it on. Waste of money!!!!

[kilrtoy]

Originally Posted by CamaroWinz

Shocking amount of misinformation here.

I see the exact opposite.... a lot of truth being written

[Mr_Draco]

Originally Posted by CamaroWinz

Shocking amount of misinformation here.

:troll:

Op, Radar detectors are a complete waste of money imo. They are only good for detecting stupid officers who leave their radar gun on all the time or for the rare occasion when they tag someone ahead of you. Radar detectors do not prevent them from getting your speed so if you're speeding and it goes off might as well pull over and wait because you're about to get a ticket.

[apeko]

Use your smart phone and install a app called Trapster. Its not perfect but nothing is. I drive for work about 55k mi per year. The app comes in handy to remind you to slow down when coming up on a speed trap area and will alert you to live police if another user reports them ahead of you.

[carls2010]

waist of money,, mmmmmmmmmmm, i know for a fact that it has saved me a ticket at least once.... So i guess it just paid for itself
But i didnt go out and buy one of tho's way over priced unit's.. or a cheapy... --Spent 200.00 on a bell does all it needs to...

[first one]

Originally Posted by myold88

Yesterday on a Ct Interstate I saw two different guys pulled over by large brown State Police SUV's. Both SUVs had no markings, tinted windows, etc. They drive in the center lane @ 75 (in a 65)- when you blow by them @ 80+, YOUR TOAST.
And like 90503 said, when your caught with a radar detector there's no way your getting away with a warning.

Was caught doing 68 in a 55 when I peaked over a hill my escort 8500 x50 went off and i stepped on the brake, but it was too late. The usual, license and registration and then he said I pulled you over because you were doing 68 in a 55 until your radar went off and you slammed on the brake. He came back from his vehicle a couple minutes later and said slow down (no ticket). Yes, I was lucky and this is an instance that is unavoidable and occasionally, if you speed, you're gonna get caught, radar detector or not. But let me tell you how many times it's saved me or just warned me so I could slow down. Not that I speed often or excessively, but occasionally. Well, worth the money and I almost feel like I'm driving naked when I don't have it. Wow to all the waste of money's.

[Evil-Bee-NH]

People who say they're a waste of money are probably driving 65 in the far left lane and should trade their car in. Radar detectors are a hit or miss everytime you go out on the road they do work but like anything they have flaws and law enforcement as lazy as they are still manage to outpace the industry in technology. So buy a cheapo detector unless your smuggling crap in your car or just like to see if you can escape them (you won't outrun the radio) it will generally save you from the corner rat cops that hide just out of view and you see them just as you go by them we've all had those oh crap i'm screwed moments where your blood pressure go's up waiting for the blue lights. I will agree with people on just going a reasonable speed usually 5 -10 over won't get you a ticket in most states.

[Bcarr]

I have had an Escort Passport for years and while most of the information above is true I can tell you it has saved me numerous times. It doesn't make you invincible but it has helped me when I wasn't paying enough attention to my speed.

I think they pay for themselves myself.

JMO though....

[Bobaloo]

Most interstates in CO are 75mph but last year I traveled Texas I-10 and that is posted 80mph. Still had a few cars pass me at around 95-100. Wonder what the fuel mileage is at 80 with our Camaro's?

[kenkartasasmita]

if u wanna speed up, bring ur baby to the track. safer.

[Rhyder]

It seems the argument is an all or nothing kind of thing, people who are against the detectors are like I got a ticket with one so they dont work, and the ones for them are like it saved me from a ticket so they always work. (extrems I know, just making a point)

The truth is a detector is just an added help, its not a license to stop using the mark I eyeball or Mark VI brain......if your coming up on a normal speed trap area then slow down. If your the only car on the road, go the speed limit.If it looks like a good trap area slow down, etc etc. The detector is not a replacment but an additional aid to help prevent getting tickets.

I agree with them, generally a moderate detector, $200 or so, will be all the normal driver needs. Will it detect every single cop that is out there? no, but it is a nice aid to what god already gave you. And like one poster said, if it saves you from one ticket your whole life, its more than paid for itself.

I mean if you never speed, then obviously you dont need one, but if you tend to go a little over 5-10 mph then someone simply saying, dont speed isnt going to stop them, by now they have been unindated by the inept government info campaign, and they still do it. So if you dont speed and thats why you dont need a detector, your imput is basicly useless on these threads. Sort of like telling a smoker who asks what brand is the best, and fifteen people pipe up, no brand, or just dont smoke.......

The Mod should make one of these a sticky so we dont get a new detector or no detector thread every week :P

[carls2010]

You said it perfectly Rhyder.... right on the mark.... the one's that had one and then say they stink is ??? depends on situation.. and alsso they are not full proof

[Dmpsix]

Are radar detectors even worth it at this point anymore?

I know that those $500 laser detectors are pretty nice since most LEO's use that laser detection nowadays.... other than that, are they worth it?