What are your thoughts on radar / laser detectors?

[FreeFlyNole]

Any of you guys run one of these things? Do they work, are the worth the money? I do a ton of highway driving and wouldn't mind some protection.... I just don't know if they stand up to today's road pirate technology.

My friend suggested this one:

 

[GoNolesTX]

Stopped using them years ago. At the time, I figured that most departments were upgrading to laser detection, which meant you were already screwed if the detector went off.

That one looks fancy enough, but I'm betting there are some false detections with the "real time hotspot" reporting and whatnot.

 

[RunRonnieRun]

Valentine One is probably the best option, but even with that, if the laser goes off you already got got.

 

[ggmike1992]

Or you could slow down. Just sayin...

 

[funksouljon]

Slow down? Who has time for that silliness.........

I used one for years. Got pulled over in VA and took the ticket for having it instead of crushing it under my car. I haven't used one for years but WOULD use on if I was driving a lot. I've always heard the ValentineOne was the cream of the crop. I think I used an Escort back in the day.

That 360 your buddy mentioned seems to get award for best
https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/best-radar-detectors/

 

[More Kirk Less Spock]

Waze is very helpful. I try to do the speed limit or thereabouts, but this app has reminded me to check my speed at just the right time more than once.

 

[funksouljon]

Waze is very helpful. I try to do the speed limit or thereabouts, but this app has reminded me to check my speed at just the right time more than once.

Thats basically what I use as well these days, but I don't have a eye level mount so don't see a lot of the hazards/warnings.

 

[RTM58]

https://www.waze.com/

 

[cfbfan23]

I think I used an Escort back in the day.

Hookers have a keen sense for knowing when cops are near.

 

[Rugby]

Any of you guys run one of these things? Do they work, are the worth the money? I do a ton of highway driving and wouldn't mind some protection.... I just don't know if they stand up to today's road pirate technology.

My friend suggested this one:

I do. I use the Escort. I also use WAZE. I believe both have saved me from getting several tickets. But like some have pointed out, hard to defeat laser if that's what Barney Fife is using. I believe most still use radar.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

Used to have one in college, 18 years ago, haven't used one since.
I hope technology has improved as mine flipped out every time I drove past a Publix or Eckerds.

Like others, when I do drive, I now rely on Waze to let me know which tree the 5-0 is hiding in... and I stopped driving 20mph over the limit. I'm in no hurry.

 

[West Duval Nole]

Look into getting laser Jammers. Or find out what the Department of defense does to make their stealth bombers unable to be picked up by radar and use that technology on your car.

 

[travnole]

Waze works for me. But I rarely go over 80 anymore, so not too concerned.

 

[funksouljon]

Waze works for me. But I rarely go over 80 anymore, so not too concerned.

Rarely go over 80? Thats only 5 over the limit!

 

[FreeFlyNole]

I try to keep it to +9 over the limit, but there are times when it's good weather and light traffic that I'm tempted to drive a safe speed for the conditions. ie 90+.

Don't need the increased tax for it though.

I wonder how much it would cost to hire an escort. That sounds like the best option mentioned so far.

 

[seminole97]

I wonder how much it would cost to hire an escort. That sounds like the best option mentioned so far.

I’ve heard it costs less if you wrap it.

 

[89nole]

I do. I use the Escort. I also use WAZE. I believe both have saved me from getting several tickets. But like some have pointed out, hard to defeat laser if that's what Barney Fife is using. I believe most still use radar.

This my Escort has saved me a bunch of times WAZE is nice its just not reliable enough by itself.

 

[F4Gary]

I have an older Valentine One that I need to send in and have updated. The newer detectors do a pretty good job of rejecting the proximity radars that cars have these days.

 

[funksouljon]

I have an older Valentine One that I need to send in and have updated. The newer detectors do a pretty good job of rejecting the proximity radars that cars have these days.

Isn't that supposed to be one of the upsides of the Valentines? They will update, service, etc? The rest (unless they have changed) just expect a new purchase when the old dies?

 

[squiffynole]

Here is my thought -

 

[F4Gary]

Isn't that supposed to be one of the upsides of the Valentines? They will update, service, etc? The rest (unless they have changed) just expect a new purchase when the old dies?

They will update mine for $299. Mine is pretty old, so they will probably just send me back a new one. Like I'm trading it in.

 

[SoddyNole]

Here is my thought -

Due to people staring at their phones on the Waze app and end up driving off the road.

 

[Gonolz]

I haven't used a radar detector in years. Waze is pretty good at warning about cops. It has saved me plenty of times.

I don't understand why so many people drive slower as they get older. First, people generally have more income and are more financially as they get older. Paying a ticket isn't that big of a deal. Most importantly, the older you are, the less time you have left on this earth. Unless you like driving leisurely, why would you waste precious time going slow?

 

[PoopandBoogers]

Here is my thought -

Looks like fatalities have decreased since the advent of smart phones and gps apps!

 

[riseboi]

I've had a few Escorts over the years , but I recently got a Uniden R3 which I need to customize a bit more to my liking. They've saved me from a few tickets over the years. I also recently got a new laser jammer, but I haven't installed it yet. Over on the RDForums, there is a user contributed database where you can look to see what type of radar/lidar is used in your states and counties.

 

[PoopandBoogers]

Thing about waze I don't like is the inability to zoom out on the screen to see what lies ahead. Everytime I would zoom out to look ahead or down the road to see an alternate route or what a traffic holdup is, it shrinks back to my immediate area. Also the cartoonish icons that clutter the map, looks like im playing a pokemon video game. I much prefer a satellite view and see what is actually out in front and surrounding me. Satellite view has proven invaluable to me. Wish they would finally fully integrate into google maps, instead of slowly adding waze options.

 

[Wendy79]

I haven't used a radar detector in years. Waze is pretty good at warning about cops. It has saved me plenty of times.

I don't understand why so many people drive slower as they get older. First, people generally have more income and are more financially as they get older. Paying a ticket isn't that big of a deal. Most importantly, the older you are, the less time you have left on this earth. Unless you like driving leisurely, why would you waste precious time going slow?

Slower reflexes.

 

[PoopandBoogers]

I try to keep it to +9 over the limit, but there are times when it's good weather and light traffic that I'm tempted to drive a safe speed for the conditions. ie 90+.

I recently put about 15k miles on a rental in 9 weeks. Part of that was out in South Dakota where the speed limit was 80. Was going 95 and a cop just pleasantly passed me at 100+ and didnt even bat an eye at me. Was like driving to the grocery store. Also odd was some of the signs were in km/h. Once your out in no mans land its a whole diff ballgame as you probably know. Some of those upper midwest and western states you don't even need a radar detector, just your own judgement.

 

[Imtotallynottribe]

I do. I use the Escort. I also use WAZE. I believe both have saved me from getting several tickets. But like some have pointed out, hard to defeat laser if that's what Barney Fife is using. I believe most still use radar.

https://coating.ca/anti-radar-paint/

 

[SoddyNole]

Thing about waze I don't like is the inability to zoom out on the screen to see what lies ahead. Everytime I would zoom out to look ahead or down the road to see an alternate route or what a traffic holdup is, it shrinks back to my immediate area. Also the cartoonish icons that clutter the map, looks like im playing a pokemon video game. I much prefer a satellite view and see what is actually out in front and surrounding me. Satellite view has proven invaluable to me. Wish they would finally fully integrate into google maps, instead of slowly adding waze options.

This drives me nuts about that app. I have only used it on long trips while the wife is driving and found most every cop ahead ended up being a false positive. I have joked in the past about the police trolling Waze users lol.

 

[F4Gary]

This drives me nuts about that app. I have only used it on long trips while the wife is driving and found most every cop ahead ended up being either a false positive. I have joked in the past about the police trolling Waze users lol.

Yep. Cops have smartphones with free apps too.

 

[ericram]

I do. I use the Escort. I also use WAZE. I believe both have saved me from getting several tickets. But like some have pointed out, hard to defeat laser if that's what Barney Fife is using. I believe most still use radar.

This. I have only been lasered when going to ATL and was getting passed by really fast dumb asses.

 

[ericram]

I haven't used a radar detector in years. Waze is pretty good at warning about cops. It has saved me plenty of times.

I don't understand why so many people drive slower as they get older. First, people generally have more income and are more financially as they get older. Paying a ticket isn't that big of a deal. Most importantly, the older you are, the less time you have left on this earth. Unless you like driving leisurely, why would you waste precious time going slow?

Well as you get older the world is going so much faster. So they have to slow down because it's scary and they want to be safe.

 

[Fijimn]

Looks like fatalities have decreased since the advent of smart phones and gps apps!

Let me tell you the story and the bull and his son The bull and his son were standing on a hill gazing across a grass field filled with cows. The young calf turns to his dad and says, “hey, Dad, let’s run down this hill and f- one of those cows.” The bull looked down at his son and said: “no, son, let’s walk down and f- them all.”

 

[Dr. Nole]

 

[NoleSoup4U]

Valentine One is probably the best option, but even with that, if the laser goes off you already got got.

And these guys are going to jam you up.

 

[WPBMIKEY]

Waze is just Ok. It helps with a stationary speedtrap but not when cop is moving. Also, sometimes trolls get on ther app and load a crap ton of false potholes, car on shoulder, cops ahead, etc which makes it unusable

 

[fsu1jreed]

I have a $60 that's saved me more times than I can count........I keep it on Highway and slow down whenever it goes above 5, but I don't speed all that often any more.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

I don't understand why so many people drive slower as they get older.

Not sure about everyone else but my interest in suffering a debilitating injury in an automobile accident has waned over the years.

I'm not really in any hurry, driving while trying to spot cops perched in the trees like a game of Where's Waldo was just tiring. Would rather just cruise and pump some sick politics podcasts thru the 18" subwoofer.

 

[SoddyNole]

Short trips and in town I travel the speed limit. Longer trips I wait until someone passes me and follow them from a distance. But even at longer distances unless you are driving at a reckless speed you are not saving that much time.

10 miles at 75 = 8 minutes.
10 miles at 85 = 7 minutes.

30 miles at 75 = 24 minutes.
30 miles at 85 = 21 minutes.

100 miles at 75 = 1 hr 20 minutes.
100 miles at 85 = 1 hr 10 minutes.

500 miles at 75 = 6 hr 40 minutes.
500 miles at 85 = 5 hr 52 minutes.