vern1

I am heading back to the US for about a month. Heading southwest down the Appalachians and then across Texas to CA. Last time I did this trip I got 1 ticket in Texas (in a state park of all places - who knew park rangers can give tickets?!).

Was thinking this time of buying a reconditioned Uniden R3 for the trip ($350 vs $800 for the newer R8). I know they are legal except for Virginia and Miss. I will be mostly avoiding interstates and spend 90% of the time on secondary highways/roads. I use google maps through the PCM as it allows me to plug in multiple stops to customize the trip and turn off Highways and Tolls. Will also run a 2nd phone on the windshield that will have Waze. Also have a dash cam and both will be wired through the passenger footwell jack. If I go for the detector will remove the dash cam as I wont have enough plugs to run it and the windshield will become a little too busy

So just hoping some people have experience as to whether the detector will be a worthwhile investment for this type of trip. I usually make an annual spring trip into the US as well (usually NY, PA, OH areas) so it wont be a 1 and done purchase

Thanks!

RDMcG

I do it a few times a year and have done to for decades.

I generally don't bother with radar ( have a Valentine somewhere I think) as there is a lot of laser there and when you get hit with laser there is no escape. I use Waze for sure and generally keep my eyes open on long stretches and am careful near bridges and trees. Have a had a couple of tickets, one needing a lawyer, but generally no big deal. As you are doubtless aware states that touch Ontario such as Michigan transfer points reciprocally so you need to be extra careful there.

GLTL

Second the caution about laser speed enforcement. I parked my radar detector years ago.

And enforcement varies from state to state. I often drive Ottawa - Maryland. Through NY, I stay within 5mph of the limit. Once into PA, though, hammer down.

Of course, this comes with my famous guarantee: If the trooper pulls you over, you are on your own.

vern1

Thank you both. Am aware of the points for border states having gone to Hershey a bunch of times

And the laser issue is whats holding me back. Have read from some sources that there are a lot of places still using other K bands etc so it depends what state you are in I guess

Greg981

Had one years ago. I found having one stressed me out more than just staying within 10 -15 over the limit. Driven though countless radar setups, moving radar and found they don't care unless your going more then 10 - 15 over. My experience anyway. And then as mentioned, there is laser so.....

Adamant1971

Per above just be reasonable and you’re fine. And use Waze, I just came back from a run down to DC and back and Waze had almost every speed trap in the system.

Car needs a serious cleaning as weather was crap.

993GT

you can make serious time using one + Waze

Nuvolari

In the last 15 years I have done over 30 trips to and from California always with a Valentine 1 , Undien U3 or both. I don't drive like a maniac but certainly I am one of the faster cars on the road. Radar detectors have saved me from certain stops too many times to remember. It helps to understand how radar works rather than just trusting the machine blindly. It has been my experience that most cops are too lazy to care about people with radar detectors and use techniques to defeat them. They are happy to just wait for someone without one to meet their supposed non existent 'quotas'

Brian 162

If you buy one just don’t turn it on in Ontario. I had one and some friends were screwing around with it, an OPP cruiser picked up the signal and I got a ticket and lost the laser/radar detector. This was 25 years go.

vern1

Unfortunately I dont always find myself being "reasonable" and much like Nuvolari, I dont drive like a maniac but I dont get passed by many people either. If I was just on the interstates then Waze is probably going to be just fine but on the less travelled roads Waze is less helpful as there are just not enough people filling in the database

I understand that there is a learning curve and lots of customization available. I like the idea of having one but also dont want to spend half my time trying to figure out the best settings

STALKER99

I always use my R7 in the US. Saved me numerous times. Look up the states you are rebelling through, you can figure out what is most prevalent form the cops use to enforce speed.

if you are off the main roads def use one, lots of small towns set traps. Might not be on Waze.

Get the best detector, since it will cut down on false alerts and you will learn to trust it.

heroicdeath

Escort Redline 360c - claims to be undetectable by cops.

rensoyka

I did a trip recently to yellowstone through the u.s. and then up to bc. secondary highways sometimes use radar but mostly laser as they have place to sit and hide (laser must be stationary, radar can be moving). because of waze most but not all instances of stationary radar are history. most are on moving cruisers coming at you or following and they use them intermittently so as not to advertise their approach. stationary radar is almost always hiding on a highway entrance or just beyond the top of a hill. pacing from behind is also common. however I must say that my detector saved my butt a few times. busy traffic states are full of police, out north-west very infrequent but most speed limits there are 80 mph, even secondary highways are 70 mph. you can cover a pile of boring miles going 160 kph.

vern1

Why does it need to be undetectable if they are legal in all states except VA and MI?
Thanks. Most of these stories seem to end with the same outcome ie, the detector did save them from certain tickets at times. They are not perfect and nothing is but they can help in certain circumstances

Koenig-Specials 928

Funny that I am driving to Orlando tomorrow and getting my Radar Detector ready.
I've been using a 5 year old Escort 360c but it has terrific range.
I have a membership that updates known sites for radar traps. The 360c has a GPS built in.
There is a newer model.

I install it after I cross the border and remove it from the windshield mount in Virginia (I use the longer cord and keep it on the centre console)
until i leave the state. In a few years I will invest in the newer model