Radar/laser detector

[RevMatt]

Mine is the Orange one....

See attached.

 

[Patrick]

People with radar detectors get speeding tickets

Pistol Champ, I'd have to have you present me with statistics showing that before I'd believe it as fact. Do we even know what percentage of the motoring public who gets a speeding ticket have (and were using at the time) radar detectors?

I use a passport 8500 X50. My wife uses a Valentine 1. I have not had a ticket in 15 years. She has had one in the last 20 years! She left her radar detector at home, that day, after I had detailed her car. We both drive "aggressively." Folks who think radar detector users get tickets should leave their crack pipes alone. It effects their perceptions of reality! otfl

RevMatt,
As has been mentioned in this thread previously, the subject of radar/laser detectors has been brought up many times at the CAC before, and likely has been beaten to death. So I'll just post my thoughts on the matter once again (at the risk of it being suggested I need to put the crack pipe down): I have observed that using a radar detector very often becomes a crutch. People come to rely on it too much, and that reliance breeds a false sense of security.

This is not to say that I agree with Pistol Champ's assertion that people who own a radar detector get speeding tickets. My position is that having and using a radar detector doesn't immunize you from being caught speeding, and overt reliance on them makes you more likely to stop using your other senses to notice things on the road which might serve as cues that a speed trap is up ahead.

Thus, I don't own one. But if it works for you, more power to you. Just please don't say I'm possessed of a distorted sense of reality for holding my position.


-Patrick

 

[minifridge1138]

I have to agree with Patrick.

I've ridden with people that used their radar detector as a license to drive dangerously. They think that just because there is not a radar pointed at them, they can drive as fast and recklessly as they want. Speeding on busy roads, swerving in and out of traffic, and changing lanes without looking in their mirrors.

Of course everyone is different and I'm sure the majority of people use them responsibly. It all depends on the person behind the wheel.

I just do not want to get in the habit of depending on one.

In terms of how many people with radar detectors get tickets, statistically, I would prefer to know how many people with radar detectors get into high-speed car accidents.

 

[RevMatt]

Clowning

Pistol Champ, I'd have to have you present me with statistics showing that before I'd believe it as fact. Do we even know what percentage of the motoring public who gets a speeding ticket have (and were using at the time) radar detectors?




RevMatt,
As has been mentioned in this thread previously, the subject of radar/laser detectors has been brought up many times at the CAC before, and likely has been beaten to death. So I'll just post my thoughts on the matter once again (at the risk of it being suggested I need to put the crack pipe down): I have observed that using a radar detector very often becomes a crutch. People come to rely on it too much, and that reliance breeds a false sense of security.

This is not to say that I agree with Pistol Champ's assertion that people who own a radar detector get speeding tickets. My position is that having and using a radar detector doesn't immunize you from being caught speeding, and overt reliance on them makes you more likely to stop using your other senses to notice things on the road which might serve as cues that a speed trap is up ahead.

Thus, I don't own one. But if it works for you, more power to you. Just please don't say I'm possessed of a distorted sense of reality for holding my position.


-Patrick

I did not mean to offend anyone. I was being silly.
My position re: radar detectors has more to do with the age, gender and maturity of the driver. I have observed "old farts" (like myself) use radar detectors and 16-26 year-old males use radar detectors. There is, generally, a huge difference in intent and practice between those two groups.
Having worked law enforcement in Virginia, where radar detectors were illegal, I saw the same variety of idiot drivers doing the same antisocial driving behaviors as I do here in California.
Motivation and use are my key concerns. If I am on a lonely stretch of highway at 4:00 AM on a 600 mile trip, I speed! My radar detector assists. I am not endangering anyone but myself. When I see youngsters weaving in and out of heavy traffic with their radar detectors (and ricers) threatening large groups of people, I dislike their behavior. If you do not like radar detectors, that is fine. I thought this thread was about WHICH radar detectors are used, favored and why.

 

[hotshotzny]

yea i dont agree with pistol champ either, i was a cop a long time and wrote on average 70-100 tickets per month, while i didnt work on a super highway i pulled a lot of people over with radar detectors..... it wasnt an instant "give me a ticket" signal..... attitude was the big factor of course

 

[jhecox]

I like my Beltronics I must be the oddball around here or I'm just a cheapskate. When I bought mine I looked at all the top brands but could not justify the additional cost against the beltronics. There are several sites that rate them then search for the best deal.

Bossvette, that is exactly what I did also, and I too ended up with a Beltronics and I love it.

Hecox

 

[Patrick]

I did not mean to offend anyone. I was being silly... If you do not like radar detectors, that is fine. I thought this thread was about WHICH radar detectors are used, favored and why.

RevMatt,
You're correct- this thread is about preferences on radar/laser detectors. However, when I found comments which state "people who get radar detectors get tickets" followed by "...put the crack pipe down," I feel compelled to step in and calm the waters with a bit of perspective.

I don't have a grievance against the use of radar detectors, nor do I have any ill will toward the people who use them. As I said earlier, if you think they work for you, more power to you. And I agree with your sentiments about the nature of ricers who behave recklessly when they hook up a radar detector.

My post was merely aimed at making sure things didn't get out of hand.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled discussions concerning radar/laser detector preferences among Corvette owners...


-Patrick

 

[sdmcdaniel1]

I live in a state where detectors are legal and was wondering if anyone had any experience with them. (not that I would ever need one)There seems to be a variety of brands to chose from. Are the $450 units really better than the $200 units. Battery operated verses plug in?

Valentine 1 is by far the best one on the market. I've had one for six years and it has saved me 10-12 times. It shows threats from the front back and sides.

 

[RevMatt]

RevMatt,
You're correct- this thread is about preferences on radar/laser detectors. However, when I found comments which state "people who get radar detectors get tickets" followed by "...put the crack pipe down," I feel compelled to step in and calm the waters with a bit of perspective.

I don't have a grievance against the use of radar detectors, nor do I have any ill will toward the people who use them. As I said earlier, if you think they work for you, more power to you. And I agree with your sentiments about the nature of ricers who behave recklessly when they hook up a radar detector.

My post was merely aimed at making sure things didn't get out of hand.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled discussions concerning radar/laser detector preferences among Corvette owners...


-Patrick

Groovy Dude!
My wife and I have run little tests with our detectors. On a clear day on a flat but straight highway, her Valentine 1 had between 1/4 to 1/2 mile greater detection range (to the front) than my Passport 8500x50. Her V1 had approximately double the range to the rear. We concluded my readout was much easier to use than the V1. The smart cord "mute" function on the passport is also something we both preferred. If we could have the range of the V1 and simplicity with utilitarian design features of the Passport, we would love it! Has anyone here used the Passport 9500ci ?

 

[URLUZN]

Radar / Laser Detector

I used an Escort 8500 in my vette and a valentine V1 on my harley. My opinion, the escort is a better unit. Like the smart cord and run it in the expert mode. The only thing I like about the valentine, it will identify the direction of the radar. I have used detectors since the fuzz buster days. Escort seems to make the better units over the years. So, save the extra 100 bucks you will spend on a valentine over the 8500. I have a thread on this forum inquiring about the installation of a 9500ci in a vette. Have not had many replies to date. One reply was going to post some pics. Still waiting. Radar dectectors seems to be a sore subject. But the 9500ci is my next move.

 

[ScottNoxid]

See attached.

Nice Vette's RevMatt, but my question is what kind of tree is that in your back yard that looks like a puppy dog getting ready to jump over your house? SC:WTT

 

[caninelver]

I have a Whistler detector which I use in the vette because it is very loud. I have an Escort 8500 with the smart cord which is nice and I have a cheap Cobra, it was less that $100. I compared them to each other by using 2 at a time on the Pa turnpike. Only the State Police can use radar in Pa so detectors don't do much good in town. I found that the Escort would usually come on just a second faster than the others. For the price the Cobra was a better deal. Officers are prohibited from issuing tickets based on radar or vascar unless the person is in excess of 6 mph over the limit and most will give you a little more than that. I suspect most detectors today are pretty good. If you are flying high the most expensive one won't give you enough time to slow down anyway. Good luck.

 

[6 Shooter]

WOW - Someone opened up this old can of worms...

...there are only 2 worth purchasing: Valentine or Passport

​

Later . . . . . .
6 Shooter

 

[drunksalt1]

I have a Belltronics 995, it was $300 at circuit city. I ended up going up with this one because all of the comparison sites rated it well and I didnt see the justification in getting one that was more expensive so I gave it a shot. The verdict is I love it, I drive about 500 miles a week city and interstate now going on three years and no tickets, knock on wood! My advice spend the money buy a quality piece and use common sense, and your eyes.

 

[RevMatt]

Cloning: Chia pet with Poodle and Brontosaurus

Nice Vette's RevMatt, but my question is what kind of tree is that in your back yard that looks like a puppy dog getting ready to jump over your house? SC:WTT

Actually, that is our puppy ChiPoBronto. He is a wonderful result of the newly reapproved stem cell research. :W
Being a ChiPoBronto, he only likes Cobra radar detectors made before 1999. How is that for a real ChiPo!

 

[ScottNoxid]

Actually, that is our puppy ChiPoBronto. He is a wonderful result of the newly reapproved stem cell research. :W
Being a ChiPoBronto, he only likes Cobra radar detectors made before 1999. How is that for a real ChiPo!

thumb

 

[Gersh]

Valentine

6Shooter is pretty much on target. The Escort Passport is excellent. After using many cheaper detectors, I have bought 2 or 3 Escorts. BUT... the Valentine is better. It takes some getting used to, since in-town it will often indicate 3 or 4 threats simultaneously. Once you get used to it, the Valentine is hard to beat, due to the direction indicators and the higher sensitivity. The battery-powered Escort is OK, but has lower voltage and therefore lower sensitivity than plug-in. All the plug-in types can be hard-wired and hidden, but don't have to be.

I almost always speed--I hate to drive the speed limit. (Did I tell you about the time I was in my wife's Hyundai minivan and beat a Mustang Cobra?) I have only had one ticket in the last 15 years, which wasn't in my Vette.

Anyway, I believe that if you drive fast, a radar/laser detector is a necessary accessory. It won't prevent every ticket, but even the instant-on types can be beaten by a quick foot on the brake--I know because I've seen it (my wife braked hard at a laser warning, then 2 seconds later she spotted a cop on the overpass with the gun, then 10 seconds later lots of cops and speeders stopped just over the next hill, but we cruised on by...) The gun can't get a reading if your speed is changing rapidly, so trust the detector and brake quick and hard.

Like the billboards say here in Kentucky, "Drive Smart, Kentucky", which to me means always use a detector! And the Valentine is the best so far.
Gersh

 

[nhra95]

There is ONLY ONE, a Valentine