Eharrison

I guess this is where ignorance is bliss comes in?


But I agree, I do not use one going to work. I just go with the flow. But for LONG 3+ hour drives. I use one. Especially in the desert.

Wellardmac

No not at all. There's no ignornace to it at all.

I use my eyes, ears and brain. I'm smart about where I put my foot down.

Being smart is far more valuable than reacting to every beep of a tool.

Watching the behavior of others is a far more accurate assessment of risk than a beep from a detector.

roberga

A number of people here in Seattle have the Laser jammer and a separate radar detector(couple of CGTs,GT3, and Fcars). They all say it is great. Nothing is 100%

arr0gant

If you buy a top radar detector, it will save you where your eyes and ears simply can't. There is NO substitute for an excellent detector. If you don't have one, you shouldn't speed, it's that simple.

Wellardmac

I disagreee. I have a Beltronics RX65 - it's one of the best. It's still not a good substitute for a good set of eyes.

There is no substitute for good powers of observation.

arr0gant

I disagree back!! There are times where my detector saves me miles in advance. There are other times when my detectorlets me know a cop is coming up from behind, WAY before I can see him. I can't even count how many tickets my detector alone has saved me. It is totally invaluable.

Especially at nite time a cop knows where to hide so you can't see him. Having a detector to sniff him out can't be replaced by a set of eyes. Anyone with a 9500i will tell you the same thing, I guarantee you!!

Wellardmac

I don't disagree, my radar detector does all that. The 9500i is essentially the same as my Bel RX65 but with GPS. Remember that Escort and Beltronics are the same company selling the same units under different brands and model numbers.

Gant, I know that you have a propensity for portraying everything you buy as the greatest thing on the planet, but you have to get realistic - a radar detector is no substitute for common sense and good observational skills. I know not many people have common sense, but a radar detector still isn't the solution.

There's a fundamental difference between our environments that makes a radar detector a pain.

I live in a highly populated area that is crawling with police (both local and state) and populated with lots of stray signals bouncing off buildings that cause false alarms. Living with a radar detector that is activating due to stray signals is not a lot of fun and has you searching out police from the shadows.

I know that you will say, "oh, you need to buy a unit with GPS", but no, I'm sorry, that's not the solution. A radar detector by it's very nature will have you reacting to every beep, even if you're traveling at the speed limit. A radar detector will train you to be hitting the brakes first and searching out the cop second - that doesn't tend to lend itself to blissful driving.

It's especially problematic around here because most of the police are not allowed to use radar (only State police are allowed to use it in PA) and rely on VASCAR. 95% of all of my driving is in areas where radar isn't used.

I'd prefer to drive using common sense - happy and consistent in my driving, rather than hitting the brakes because my detector beeped.

arr0gant

I don't remember saying ONLY get a 9500i, I believe I said get a "top" radar detector. I happen to have a 9500i and it's been great for me.

Mine falses very rarely, when it does, I lock it out. Done, never to false in that zone again. But, to each his own. I would tell anyone, buy a 9500i OR a V1 and try it out, FOR SURE. If you don't like it, Ebay it. But, don't NOT try one cause of what someone else says.

As I've said before, I couldn't live without one sniffing the cops out for me.

htny

I look at radar just like GPS, it's a good thing to have when you're in unfamiliar territory, and invaluable when traversing deserted roads. I don't do that too often, so when I do I just drive 5mph over the limit and hit the cruise. If I did it more, I think V1 is te front-runner in this game, and th BEL/Passport is very well regarded as well. I can't imagine you could go wrong with either, but like any other "driver aid" they don't replace the need for knowledge on how to properly use them or common sense on where they won't be effective and how to not look like a jackass at any speed (which will get you pulled over quicker than speeding any day of the week, you weavers know who I'm talking about)

Some people swear by detectors, others are annoyed by it. I fall into the annoyed by it camp, partl because of the huge falsing in high density areas like where I live (on both coasts), and because I hate things that dangle around or are plugged into the CLA, attached with suction cups, etc. I just don't want to pony up for a true seamless (hidden) hardwire and get locked into continuously evolving tech (I would if V1 had a true hidden hardwire since they are software upgradeable, but the company says hardwire doesn't work, that you need line of sight at the highest point in the vehicle). All my buddies with the K40s and the integral passports and the jammers only swear by them because they were ~$4K all told, parts + labor + random fear based upsells. I doubt they work as well as a windscreen mounted top line passport or the V1.

rleeq

Lee

My Bel RX65 saved me at least two speeding tickets in Georgia and Alabama on the ways back from the Charlotte Parade.

Palting

Geez, it must really be confusing as this thread quickly ran up to 2 pages.

Agree that eyes, ears, brain are the three most important. IF you are going to go over the speed limit. And MOST people do.

Radar detectors are an adjunct. Simple dash/windshield mount is excellent, unsophisticated handling and install, and it works well together with eyes, ears and brain. Jammers, either radar or laser, are not worth it. Top of the line Passport, Bel, Valentine will work. Realize that instant-on radar and laser can still get you reagardless of how much money you spend and whatever brand you get. That's where brains come in.

BTW, I hate V1. Ugly as sin, too many false alarms, and all those arrows serve to confuse and are useless. Bought one, sold it to get another. Could not be happier.

cdodkin

You know you're going straight to hell for daring to diss the V1

<cough>old tech POS<cough>

Charlie C

Seeing that you're in MA, radar detectors (or any other technology) will help but only a little. I have a V1 which lets me know when I'm a approaching a local cop because they tend to drive around with the radar on. It has helped with local roads quite a lot. However, as good as the V1 is, you can't count on any technology on the highways in MA. Your biggest threat is being caught by a State cop pacing you, especially in an unmarked car.

Best advice, keep the speeds reasonable (5 to 10 above) and try not to "stand out" or be the "lone wolf".

Don't get me wrong, the V1 is a great detector. It's just that if you put your faith and driving record purely in the hands of any technology, you're going to get a lot of tickets.

Wellardmac

I knew I wasn't the only one around here with common sense... nice to see others using their observational skills rather than a pierce of plastic.

arr0gant

Right, as I said, get a top radar. But using common sense is always important. Like I'd ever say to someone in ANY situation in life, "don't use your common sense." That goes without saying, however; once the radar detector saves you a couple times, you'll thank your "piece of plastic."