I'll expand by saying that I only ever run the stock out of the box settings but understanding how radar works (lots of YouTube videos on it) goes a long way to making the most of a radar detector. It can be fun and a nice way to pass the time on long drives.

 

Thanks. I ordered the R3 and going to see how it works out. I found a site with suggested settings for the US so will adjust before I leave. There are sites that also list what bands are more prevalent in each State and you can further adjust as you go.

My biggest issue may be navigating the terrible destruction in NC, TN etc along much of my proposed route. Must be horrible for the people there!

 

I've been using radar detectors for more than 15 years. I started with the Beltronics STI Driver (which were manufactured in Mississauga by the way) and then upgraded to the Uniden R3 about 6-7 years ago. If I recall correctly the R3 was under $400 USD brand new back in 2018-19.

I use a detector on all my US trips and often use it in rural Ontario as well where radar is still used a lot. It works extremely well, especially for the OPP cruisers that drive with the radar on hoping to get you coming in the opposite direction. The same holds true for US highways where there is still a lot of radar being used. I used to drive to Rochester regularly and would usually encounter anywhere between 6-8 radar-based speed traps on my return trip between Buffalo and Rochester (speed enforcement is much more aggressive in NY State vs. Ontario).

As others have mentioned, a detector won't save you in urban areas where speed enforcement is almost always conducted via laser, but it's another later of protection on highways and rural roads. That said, I find that Waze and our brain (i.e. driving habits) are the most important tools in avoiding tickets. Avoiding speeding over blind crests, using lanes wisely to provide radar cover, staying out of the left lane when possible, etc. are much more important than having a radar detector.

By the way, the R3 is an excellent detector. Take the time to customize the set-up and you can eliminate the vast majority of false alerts, which were a PITA with the STI Driver.

 

Thanks. I will be spending most driving time away from urban centres so hopefully the R3 works. I have set it up according to reviews on Vortex Radar to try and avoid false alerts but it looks like that is the trade off between trying to eliminate most/all false alarms and getting max protection

Am afraid to use it on ON as I thought they could detect it and I dont want it taken away

 

Unless there is something new, I think R3 is still invisible. Sti Driver isn’t anymore.

I don’t use my R3 or STi anymore since I have a custom 360 Max installed with jammers. Detectors are fun!!!

 

Hmmm I will have to look into that, thanks. But presumably its not too hard for them to figure out if they see you hammer the breaks or your speed drops perceptively as you approach

At least they are legal in BC which is nice

 

I recently threw away my passport radar detector which was the best you could buy in the mid 80s. Hadn't used it in years. When driving in ontario, I would keep it in the seat beside me, and it would pick up police radar, but I could quickly disconnect it and stow it under my seat if need.

I once got a ticket in my 911sc when an OPP was coming the other way and tailgating the car in front of him so I could not see him, and it reduced the strength of the signal. I decided to take it to court and challenge his being able to gauge my speed correctly when he was closely following another car. He basically lied and said there was not another car on the road. So, I just gave up and paid. He had also written on the ticket my car was beige. It was silver. I should have challenged his eyesight.

 

FYI, If you’re heading to Virginia, The Blue Ridge Parkway is closed for the foreseeable future. Road washed out in sections due to the hurricane

 

A good call - its a piece of mind - like anything, not guaranteed. Albeit it saved me 4 x on a trip to New England 2 weeks ago with my wife. All were close to small rural towns (no Interstates where Americans drive 75MPH+ anyway.) In my view its worth it for the entertainment factor of sniffing them out. I have used a 15 year old ESCORT model for every NY, VT, NH trip we go on. American enforcement primarily use "always on" radar most of the time as US counties cannot afford laser. Small American towns almost guarantee a cop in 30-35 zones but I drive under that for respect. I would recommend one for additional comfort as it will pick up radar miles ahead when its present (I am speaking to small roads in NY and New England the only place I have used one on). Ontario of course has radar detector Detectors ... ask me how I know Enjoy your trip!

 

thats an oldie .. i wonder if i can beat it ? lol..

 

seems like ive had this bad boy forever..
i even made a little mask to hide the lights back in the day

 

Yes I saw that, thanks. I have had to adjust a couple of days of my route to stay out of parts of NC and TN primarily
Thanks, I will be mostly back roads as well except when I get to west Texas and New Mexico when I need to burn up some miles on the interstate - not much to see there anyways
Haha but I will keep it in the box till I cross the border

 

old bel detector bought on ebay about 20 years ago for 30 bucks. new radenso DS1 bought last year for almost a grand but very impressive features.

 

lol what a great thread. The archives of radar detectors