Radar Detector: False Sense of Security?

Gents: I have the new Escort radar detector (can't remember the model number) without any additional modifications (no scanners, etc.). This Escort purports to be the best on the market. Who knows. The point is that I find that when it's on and not registering any radar guns, I drive as though I'm completely immune to a speeding ticket (80-90 mph ). Is this nuts? How much "protection" does a good radar detector actually give you these days with the current technology what it is? Thanks. Gary

Protection as it relates to situational awareness...yes Protection from instant on - not likely Protection from Laser - less likely completely immune to a speeding ticket (80-90 mph) nope-your never immune

oh gosh.... i smell one of those valintine v pasport discussions coming on again....

radar detector is a MUST. but it's not fool proof. i got hit with instant radar way too many times. but certain fwy, the cops have radar on ALL the time in their cruisers. and they will get you for 5mph over if they had a bad donut that morning, i kid you not. so drive carefully, be aware of donut eaters and get a radar detector. why bother debating v1 vs. passport, get both.

Just another tool in the arsenel, along with awareness and dumb luck. BTW, I've got escort and v-1. They are both excellent and each has its relative strengths.

What can the Escort do that the v-1 doesn't?

A detector just warns you that a radar is in operation somewhere nearby. It does not warn you of cops pacing you, or measuring your speed in any other way. So basically, if the donut eater has his radar off and visually spots you doing 90ish, you're toast!!

I have a V1 and I rarely use it. I much prefer falling in line with fast trucks on the interstates. I don't speed in town. Haven't had a speeding ticket in 15 years, and both of my everyday cars are quite capable of 150 mph. Steve 99 996 00 M5

exactly. exactly right. steve - if you fall in line behind me, i'll expect you to take your turn at the front at some point - and it had better be at the same rate at which i've been leading. if you wanna do it 'naked' thats your business!

After a 4 year ticket-free streak, I got bagged last week. Between my 8500 and very observant driving, I probably was a little over confident. Anyway, I had just broke out of a pack of traffic, punched it back up to speed (~100), no flashing oncoming traffic, no random brake lights ahead, no radar beeps for miles, steep hill along the shoulder - seemed less likely a cop would drive over it, and I'm riding in the right lane. Brain registers the Crown Vic grill in the trees, detector pegs and hard on the brakes at the same moment. Back down to 65 in an instant, but I see the cop rolling as I pass him. I pull over immediately, try to be cordial to the Trooper, offer a reasonable explanation for my rush, and he keeps me on the shoulder for half and hour writing me up at full boat (33 over) and careless driving. (he had observed my driving for at least 2 seconds, after all ) Long story short, I'm fighting the tickets. And instant on radar + a well hidden cop + a good turn of speed + bad luck = a ticket (or 2) every time...

UberXY: I think your system is best. If I want to drive really fast I head for the race track. On the highway I never feel the need to be the fastest vehicle and state troopers generally don't even look for 10 over. The V1 I use mainly for travel on 2 lane roads where enforcement seems to be more targeted for revenue generation and the allowed overage may be 0. WCE: If you think instant on radar is fun, just wait until you try laser. It's kind of scary when you're looking right at a cop tagging you with one and there's not a peep from the V1.

Thanks guys, some very helpful advice. The lasers are what really concern me, but I'm not sure they are emplyed very much in New York (any New Yorkers have experience?), particulalry on non-Interstate roads. Thanks again. Gary

Laser speed enforcement use has just started up in NJ after several years of being ruled too unreliable by the courts. I haven't actually driven thru an ambush yet, but I've seen them operating on several roads. They seem to need to get a very accurate and straight-on fix on your vehicle and the range is shorter than radar. One cop generally operates the laser and one or more "chase" cars collect the lemmings (seems like more work than the average cop wants to do). My feeling is you could spot the trap in time if you're being observant, but I'm not pushing what little luck I may have left right now! In my instant-on ambush last week that I will probably spend a couple of grand on, I don't think laser could have operated from the trooper's hidden position off the side of the road. (I may be wrong, however) If laser use become more prevalent or I get busted (whichever comes first) I will have to invest in one of the jammer units, which apparently actually work!

Matterhorn: The escort has more distinct tones for different bands. Also, I have mine setup to display via LED the specific band detected. Thus, it allows a bit quicker understanding of whether you should ignore the warning or take it seriously, particularly at night when it can be difficult on the V-1 to detect whether you've been hit with X, K or Ka because of the stacked light display. The V-1 should have different colored lights. I do however find the arrows invaluable and prefer the V-1 although the escort is also excellent.

I have both, I prefer the V1, seems to react quicker

radar detectors just let you know it's time to down shift and get ready to blow the cops doors off...cause now you at least know that you were "tagged" speeding and can enjoy imagining the cop scratching his head saying to himself, "know, where that porch go?"

I got tagged 2 years ago with a cop using a Laser gun. My 7500 didn't even chirp though, ostensibly, it "detects" laser. After pulling over, I asked how he tagged me and he told me (almost with pride) about his new Laser gun. Said he tagged me about a half mile out. No wonder I never saw him. Since I was going to pay anyway, I just got curious about the Laser and asked him it was possible for him to 'shoot' me again. I wanted to make 100% sure that my radar will not pick it up. So, he shot me again! When aimed at the grill, my radar never chirped. When he aimed directly in the middle of the windshield, that's when my radar decides to 'warn' me. Bottom line: 1. If your radar goes off and it gives off the Laser tone, its too late. 2. Laser cannot be used from a moving vehicle. 3. You have to be driving to the cop for Laser to work correctly (as opposed to driving away from a stationary cop). I guess since I was so curious about his new 'toy', he ended up dropping the ticket (73 in a 55) and gave me written warning instead

Gary, Learn what technology is used by your local, friendly cops, then program your detector to ignore the remaining BS (in my neck of the woods, X & K). Like already mentioned, laser detection is a great way of alerting you that you just got a ticket (why even wait for the red lights in your mirror), and the loud-phone-ring sound that the 8500 emits for laser scares the crap out of ya. Unless...there are other motorists around you. This is the best protection, giving radar something to bounce off of, and hopefully drawing laser fire before you do. As for aircraft, pacing, visual estimation, etc, well you're screwed, bud. Say, why don't you just drive 65? (Damn, I crack myself up.) -DT

GBG, I've seen laser used by NYS troopers, Nassau County Highway Patrol and Suffolk County Highway Patrol to name just a few in the Greater NY area.

FYI: If you are nailed for 1-5 mph over the speed limit, ALWAYS ALWAYS fight it. Even if the cops equipment is calibrated properly, your vehicle speedo is not. Most reasonable judges/traffic commissioners will give you a few MPH of wiggle room because of this. Also FYI: Most vehicle speedos (yes even Porsches) are calibrated to read faster than you are travelling. A stationary radar unit measured me at 43 when my speedo said 45.

to me all these gadgets are useless and annoying--especially with instant on, laser and vascar-- i advise keeping your eyes open and saving your money for a good attorney to keep points off your licence when the inevitable happens-- i also believe in a few police union stickers on the bumper sometimes earn you a warning instead of a ticket --especially if you have no points on your record

You don't really advocate putting bumper stickers on Porsches do you??

leon look at your own avatar! you need a bumper sticker, too!

A couple of years ago, I bought a Beltronics radar... and find that I never use it! I don't know about all of you, but it seems like there is always someone who needs to bomb by me, regardless of the speed at which I'm driving! Usually, but not limited to, riced out Hondas. I can't count the number of times I've seen them a few kilometers down the road, getting a ticket!

Yup, best method is use radar "shadows" or let the schmuck with the "go kart" take the point.......any idiot can drive fast, and many of them are eager to show a Porsche that they can.........

gretch is right!! following a ricer is the best stategy! imo, detectors are a waste of money and a constant annoyance--your eyes and brain are much better tools.

Jammers are illegal in CA (detectors are legal), before you buy check your state laws. 95% of my alerts on my V1 on the freeway are false. Overpass traffic moniters & other detectors (radios) in trucks, wake me up. I'm not complaining, it saved my butt 4 - 5 times recently. From what I read, lasers can't be used in heavy multiple lane traffic successfully. Two lane roads where the prey (us) are funneled to the officer are where they're most used in our area. Unfortunately some cops are unsportsmanlike and they creatively write the citation without timing and guessing your speed.

The best way to avoid a ticket? Your attitude. Don't BS, bad-mouth or whine to the cop. Admit that you're wrong. Be humble. This will get you off more often than not. Good luck out there...

Despite the more deadly technology that the police utilize, I still rely on my V1, commonsense, intuition, "rabbits" and left foot braking to avoid tickets. In MD, laser is more prevalent than a couple of years ago, but state troopers and county police still use K band set on continuous and even X band. Radar detectors give a false sense of security if you feel that they are 100% effective against tickets.