Well, I am in need of a radar detector  (reason posted below) and I was wondering what the most effective detector is, preferably one that isnt too expensive.  I would like one that gets the job done well, and keep in mind that I never go more than 5-10 over, 95% of the time its more towards the 5 range.  I am looking for one to just give me some backup.  Also, are there any things available out there that also "confuse" radar incase they do by chance get a clock in before I notice the warning?  Jammer's perhaps?  What do you have...or have...heard of that works well?  Thanks for your help



I am looking to buy a radar detector, because some early 20's cop who thought he was Dirty Harry's bad ass nephew pulled me over for doing 43 in a 25, when I had my cruise control set to 30 after I pulled out behind a car onto the road where I was "busted".  The guy infront of me very well could have been doing 40, as he was obviously opening a gap between me and his car by driving faster.   But, me being 16 and driving a somewhat sporty looking car, got pulled over.  I assume going to court and trying to fight it will just make me look stupid, and I will get the "maximum" penalty, because lord knows they wont let off a 16 year old, no matter what I say.  If you want the whole story, I can post exactly what happened, but I think you get the idea.

Yes some manufacturers make a jammer but they emit radiation just like a cops radar gun. Cancer?!? And it is fairly easy to pick out which car is doing the jamming as it will stop as soon as your car passes. Most of these are illegal.

I like the Escort models. Mine is fairly old now but it still works. And it gives you plenty of warning especially coming around corners and over hills. It will start beeping intermittently as you pick up random beams bouncing of objects, and it will go crazy when the radar is at peak strength. Well before he can see you. The latest models covers all radar bands and lasers too. You occasionally get false signals, but mine has saved me enough times to more than pay for its cost.

Well, then I guess the Valentine one is the way to go...any suggestions on where to purchase the unit?  I saw on their website that it costs 400, and I assume that it is a set price and will not change, kinda like Oakleys and such.  Same price no matter where you go.  Also, any tips on reading the detector?  It seems pretty complex, so if you have any hints on what to look for I would appreciate it.

Thanks,
MM14

It occurs to me that no one here has mentioned merely driving the speed limit. You can certainly imagine how dramatically your chances of receiving a warning decrease when the officer see the detector on the dash-DUH! Many police depts now use laser for a great deal of their speed details. Laser will not be detected unless your vehicle is targeted, and laser acquisition time is .3 second, so it is way too late to hit your brakes. Just slow down!

The Valentine sounds pretty good.

For now, I'd stay away from "Jammers."  A guy I used to work with got nailed for 94 in a 40.  Yes, he's young and an idiot.  But he wanted a jammer so I looked into it for him.  What I found was a review of active and passive devices for actually spoofing different types of radar and lasers.

In half the cases, the "Jammer" actually INCREASED the return signal, enabling a good return to the gun at a greater distance.  The active jammers that actually worked unfortunately worked only after the car was well within the detection range of the radar set.  Basically, the trooper would've already seen your speed before the jammer kicked in.  

well the thing was that I wasnt even speeding.  What I would like to get this for is basically to let me  know when a cop is around, so that I just make sure that my speed hasnt crept up on me, because admittedly, it does on occasion.  But since I had cruise on 30 and got pulled over for doing 43...I would just like to know where some cops are so that if someone near me is driving fast, I can back off away from them too, so that I dont get pulled over for what they were doing.

ESCORT is the only way to go.  Every other brand I have tried gives too many false alerts and misses real ones, including Valentine.

Pirate, drive the speed limit?  You are kidding, right?  Speed limits are set for two reasons.  

One is to lower everyone down to the lowest common denominator.  Speed limits are partially determined by what would be a safe speed for the most idiotic driver out there.  I resent that as I am a licensed competition driver.  Believe it or not, you can apply a lot of what you learn on the track to the road, particularly being aware of what is around you and always having an out.  You also learn to be defensive on the track by watching others actions.

Secondly, the other determining factor for speed limits is how much revenue can be made on it.  Why set the speed limit on an interstate in the middle of nowhere at 70, such as I16 between Macon, Ga and Savannah.  That road is nice and smooth and not much traffic.  Several small municipalities have extended their city limits to include stretches of this highway so they can sit out and collect revenue while the nearest resident of their town is 2 miles from the interstate.

To hell with the speed limit on interstates in rural settings.  Who presents more danger, me running 85 on an interstate or the LEO crossing the grass median and pulling in front of traffic to pull me over.  I have almost been hit by county cops doing just that to go after someone else.  Sometimes they get real twitchy in the grass.

www.caranddriver.com

Look around that site their last detector test may still be there. The Valentine is still the way to go.

I used to run a Cobra detector and got busted one night. I was sitting in the cruiser with the trooper and he ask me about the flashing light on the sun visor where it was located. I told him it was a detector and he ask me if I was a professional speeder. I told him no, it was just there to warn me about revenue gathering PO-Lice rather than true public safety officers. He just looked at me, gave me a warning, and let me go. [:D]

Smart RADAR Cops Agree !!!

Go with the Valentine One.

One in my 4Runner, and one in Mrs. CAR15M4's Maxima.

Jay
Arizona