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Which police radar detector?

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bfulmer
Posts: 3053 - Karma: 1,975
Plain and simple, to any of you who own one or have experience with them... What would you recommend? Obviously I know that you "get what you pay for", and that the $500 top of the line ones will be best... But I'd rather not spend that much money if there are alternatives.

Thanks!
Sep 4 2013 5:19PM
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Spinoza
Posts: 12763 - Karma: 3,844
just hang a disco ball from your mirror
Sep 4 2013 5:20PM
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pat_in_the_hat
Posts: 3019 - Karma: 2,695
question. why dont they make the dash tom tom or garmen gps with a built in radar detector??? you wouldnt have to hide it when you get pulled over and the cops wouldnt be any wiser.. Who wants to invest in my idea?
Sep 4 2013 5:21PM
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.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
How much are you willing to spend?

Click for larger image

Valentine One is the only answer.
Sep 4 2013 5:25PM
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first_rodeo
Posts: 2383 - Karma: 7,764

valentine one     if you are a serious driver

Beltronics        are a safe bet

Sep 4 2013 5:26PM
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Stainr
Posts: 1186 - Karma: -1,150
Valentine one/ thread done.
Sep 4 2013 5:28PM
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bfulmer
Posts: 3053 - Karma: 1,975
Is it really that much better than the ones in the $200-$300 price range?
Sep 4 2013 5:30PM
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DGski
Posts: 3491 - Karma: 2,328
They have built in ones in like Porsches and stuff
Sep 4 2013 5:30PM
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J_BISCHOF
Posts: 2082 - Karma: 1,449
v1 fo sho. I have never been pulled over when it was on. Key wording here is when it was on.
Sep 4 2013 5:47PM
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gyarados
Posts: 1183 - Karma: 397
Because they are illegal in a couple of states and big companies like Tom-Tom and Garmin don't like breaking laws, but good concept if you can get a knock-off GPS hook up
Sep 4 2013 5:51PM
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Spagett+
Posts: 3499 - Karma: 14,884
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My father has this one in his car and hasnt gotten a ticket yet. and he drives like an ass.
I have no radar detector because my parents want me to be "responsible" and gay shit like that.
Sep 4 2013 5:51PM
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rockersteez
Posts: 593 - Karma: 1,199
There was some guy radar roy or something that used to be a cop and tested all of them and rated them on price, quality etc.

Google it. Not sure if the site exists still. It was like 8 or 9 years ago I found it
Sep 4 2013 5:53PM
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SamMcChesney
Posts: 2905 - Karma: 2,198
dad has a valentine one. It has saved him and me many, many times.

This is one of those things that you buy the expensive one because in the long run, it will save you double what you payed for.
Sep 4 2013 6:00PM
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Spinoza
Posts: 12763 - Karma: 3,844
just like that dude in Paris who played his flute every morning to keep the elephants away
Sep 4 2013 6:09PM
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Bogs
Posts: 4296 - Karma: 1,361
you're pretty dumb, huh?
Sep 4 2013 6:16PM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
this.

Cheap is more expensive in the long run. Spend the extra $200 and don't spend it on a ticket.
Sep 4 2013 6:31PM
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Bogs
Posts: 4296 - Karma: 1,361
Because he has the radar, probably. There's a reason they're illegal.
Sep 4 2013 7:04PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10054 - Karma: 25,277
Stinger VIP, shits on everything.

Click for larger image

The only thing that comes near is their own legendary DSI that has existed for almost 8 years now. The range at which it detects is insane: usually around 1,8km away, never less then 1km. Also it's undetectable by the devices the police use to find radardetectors. And if for any reason they are going to search your car: one click of a button and the radardetection part of the software is erased making it 100% legal. Besides the radar detection it registers your km for business and private use of your car and compiles that into charts, extremely handy if you lease a car and use it in private as well. No more writing charts and carefully logging the miles yourself.
Sep 4 2013 7:47PM
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p-oskier
Posts: 1407 - Karma: 58
Just looked at the prices, damn are they expensive. But yeah, for some this thing could be very useful.
Sep 4 2013 7:56PM
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Benson.
Posts: 2739 - Karma: 3,787
V1 all the way.
Sep 4 2013 8:26PM
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Skittle.
Posts: 2537 - Karma: 718
if you drive really fast everywhere you go, no detector will save you. that being said, i have had 2 $60 detectors from radio shack, as well as a V1, and theyve all saved me handfuls of times BUT NO DETECTOR WILL PICK UP LASER. if the police in youre area are using laser, youre fucked unless you get a jammer and go that illegal route. lasers shoot a 1inch diameter beam that is undetectable unless it hits directly on the detector, and cops aim for the headlights. (told this by an officer after he ticketed me for speeding, when i questioned him on him using a gun because my detector didnt go off). a local shop that sells jammers tested their jammers with the local police friend with lasers and radar, and jammers handle all of it but cost maaad $$$
Sep 4 2013 9:53PM
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SamtheEagle
Posts: 1658 - Karma: 713
V1 but watch out cus they wont help with laser, instant on ka, or airplanes.... I know cus i've gotten a ticket from each...
Sep 4 2013 9:56PM
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caucasian_chad
Posts: 4078 - Karma: 3,625
Your eyes.
Sep 4 2013 10:13PM
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extravert
Posts: 1112 - Karma: 3,174
dumb question I know, but how many times do you have to get pulled over for a $500 detector to be worth it?
Sep 4 2013 10:34PM
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Titus69
Posts: 9327 - Karma: 17,742
Yes. my dad drives fast all the time and has either the same or similar one hasnt gotten a ticket in a while from what i know escorts are pefect
Sep 4 2013 10:36PM
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bfulmer
Posts: 3053 - Karma: 1,975
From an airplane? What?
Sep 5 2013 11:21AM
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corona
Posts: 12753 - Karma: 32,285
Or save your money + fuel + be safe and drive within 20 over on highways/10 over on other roads.

Radar detectors are quite illegal here anyways. If a cop sees one he'll confiscate it + fine you somewhere in the $500 range.

Sep 5 2013 11:28AM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10054 - Karma: 25,277
There's a reason the Stinger VIP is 2500 euros.



Click for larger image

Click for larger image

Sep 5 2013 11:28AM
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corona
Posts: 12753 - Karma: 32,285
calling bullshit on the 'laser shield'

this is claiming that this dinky little computer has the capability of sensing a laser coming, processing the information, then putting up some sort of sci-fi light shield that will prevent the laser from hitting the car all in under the time it takes the laser to travel from its source to your car.

Bull. Shit.
Sep 5 2013 11:32AM
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bfulmer
Posts: 3053 - Karma: 1,975
I live in maine and go to school in vt so it's legal. You're useless
Sep 5 2013 11:32AM
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corona
Posts: 12753 - Karma: 32,285
unless this is your car:

Click for larger image
Sep 5 2013 11:33AM
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corona
Posts: 12753 - Karma: 32,285
What makes you think you're above the law and are skilled enough to drive well over the legal limit + lenience limit?

Are you that selfish that you'll put the lives of others more at risk simply so you can get somewhere 10 minutes earlier?
Sep 5 2013 11:37AM
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Vitiligo
Posts: 535 - Karma: 1,126
.
Sep 5 2013 11:41AM
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Session
Posts: 5321 - Karma: 21,431
Best way to avoid tickets is leave early, and not drive like a fuckhead.
Sep 5 2013 11:41AM
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bfulmer
Posts: 3053 - Karma: 1,975
You're that guy who goes the speed limit in the passing lane aren't you...
Sep 5 2013 11:47AM
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SamtheEagle
Posts: 1658 - Karma: 713
yup they follow you with a plane and use a stopwatch to time you for a certain distance then its a simple equation to get speed and then they call to an officer below to give you a ticket
Sep 5 2013 11:57AM
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bfulmer
Posts: 3053 - Karma: 1,975
Never heard of that... Crazy
Sep 5 2013 11:58AM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10054 - Karma: 25,277
Laser detector works, my neighbor has the VIP it in his Porsche that I occasionally loan.

The shield isn't really a shield, they call it that way but it's just a fuckload of sensors and emitters that you but on your car and it isn't flawless but if they laser you from the front (which is what they do most in Europe) it definitely must work by some black magic because I got the laser warning a few times, then saw the cop standing and my neighbour received no fines.
Sep 5 2013 11:58AM
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corona
Posts: 12753 - Karma: 32,285
I'm the guy who goes with the flow of traffic. If it's 125 in a 100 zone, I'll be going 125. If it's bogged down and 60 in a 100, I'll be going 60.

Safest possible driving is going with the flow. Going too slow is just as unsafe as going too fast.


Don't be the idiot who's going 140 when everyone is going 90. Chances are you're 18 and just got your licence and aren't even remotely experienced/skilled enough regardless of it being dangerous for everyone else.
Sep 5 2013 11:59AM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10054 - Karma: 25,277
@ Vinnie,


Found a clip from a Dutch wannabe Top gear, they used a laser gun from the police and got an error report when trying to laser a car outfitted with the older Stinger DSi and the same laser system. @ $;10

I realize this is in Dutch, but you can see what the gun and Stinger say.

That laser gun is the Jenoptik Laserpatrol and E11 means: Incomplete measurement



Sep 5 2013 12:07PM
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bfulmer
Posts: 3053 - Karma: 1,975
You're close... I'm 19, and I just got a relatively fast and expensive car. However, the reason I want a detector is that I am paying for my own insurance, which is quite expensive because I'm a 19 year old driving a sports car. That said, I've NEVER gotten any kind of ticket, and if I can avoid getting one for a bit longer, my insurance rates will plummet. I'm not getting the detector so that I can drive more aggressively, I'm doing it to be fiscally responsible, because getting a ticket for going even 10mph over would cancel out this benefit on my policy.

Fuck you.
Sep 5 2013 12:07PM
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corona
Posts: 12753 - Karma: 32,285
so what I'm getting from this is that it doesn't work at all the way they make it seem like it does. since that technology is US military prototype technology that probably costs $50 million to set up.

false advertising is false.
Sep 5 2013 12:13PM
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*simba*
Posts: 9125 - Karma: 511
You do realize that even though the flow of traffic is 125...the limit is still 100 and you WILL get pulled over for that speed. Oh but everyone else is going that speed I won't get pulled over.

Here's a new concept. Cops WILL single you out.
Sep 5 2013 12:16PM
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feihlination
Posts: 8356 - Karma: 1,084
omg, just drive the fucking limit.
Sep 5 2013 12:23PM
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corona
Posts: 12753 - Karma: 32,285
no, they really don't. Go to any rural highway in Canada and everyone's going 120ish in 100 zones. the person going 130 will get pulled over, everyone else (barring driving like an idiot) will be fine.
Sep 5 2013 12:23PM
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*simba*
Posts: 9125 - Karma: 511
That's weird, because I literally see it happen every day on my commute in the states.
Sep 5 2013 12:26PM
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bfulmer
Posts: 3053 - Karma: 1,975
You suck
Sep 5 2013 12:29PM
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QuantumMechanic
Posts: 1029 - Karma: 891
Theres signs for it along i70 in western colorado here but ive never actually seen or heard of it being enforced.

On a separate note, im thinking about the cobra iradar system. Its a unit for your car plus a free app that lets you and other users track detection hotspots. Its only $130 but it seems to get good reviews.
Sorry for no clicky on mobile, but here:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/H8975LL/A/cobra-iradar-detection-system-with-iphone-mount
Sep 5 2013 12:31PM
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.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
If you go with the flow of traffic (which is usually not higher than 10 over) don't lane jump/weave through traffic, and don't drive something obnoxiously loud and colorful, you'll be fine 99.9% of the time. Cops are looking for cars that don't just fit in with the pack. If you pull out to pass on the right while doing 90 and flooring it in 5th in your fart can civic with a wing, yeah, you're gonna have a bad time.
Sep 5 2013 12:32PM
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*simba*
Posts: 9125 - Karma: 511
Fart can civic with a bodykit. Get it right next time, geesh.
Sep 5 2013 12:37PM
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bfulmer
Posts: 3053 - Karma: 1,975
I like this idea a lot... Does anyone have experience with one of these?
Sep 5 2013 1:06PM
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