IS-SV

Some differences of opinion, west coast versus east coast on these things. And a lot of people chiming in that have never used them in the last decade or two or three, typical internet stuff.

Agreed, "In the end, a detector is just a tool. There is nothing wrong with adding one to your arsenal, but it's not the last word in protecting yourself from a ticket."

PhantomZX

I barely use my V1 anymore. I find it only good for highway where it picks up Ka band from certain CHP cars.

I've only seen it pick up legit radar in the city 1 time, when I was the only car on the road and the cop instant-on'd me, so the detector would not have helped at all there.

Danimal

That's about the only time I speed, which is exceedingly rare.

A lot of the time, if I am in no hurry to get somewhere, I'll cruise right at, or 5mph under the speed limit. If I am in a hurry, I'll do 5 over. Not worth the loss in gas mileage or the ticket. If I get home 20 minutes earlier, big deal, I get to look at **** and do my homework that much sooner.

Now don't get me wrong, I get a wild hair every now and then and really haul ***. But I only do it in areas I know, when there is a lot of cover. Hell, I used to hit 110 (70mph zone) on my way to work some days. See a big gap between two blocks of traffic? Hit the right lane and punch it!

That said, I'll be turning 24 next month and I've NEVER been pulled over.

I8ABMR

Passport 8500 really is a damn passport for speeding. I remeber racing some dude on an open highway and had the car up to 148 mph and the radar detector went off. I had 1.3 miles to slow down before I could actually see the cop. The cops in AZ drive around with their radars on so they are like freakn beacons screaming here come a cop. Its the same in LA. I use mine there all of the time under cover . I am not sure if its legal or not but I am from AZ and its legal here so I guess I have an excuse. Its the same thing with the tinted windows. Technically its illegal in CA to have the front drivers windows tinted

NO1ZX6R

I've also been using the 8500 for a few yrs. and before that always had one of the cincinnati microwave products. the old school passport was the bomb forever. as mentioned above, it's just an add'l tool but why not have it since it's available? I think the o.p. should take his friend up on the offer, especially for $100.

vietunit

iTrader: (5)

I'm 18 and I don't even think I need one. I usually cruise right around the limit. Course there are times where I go on one of my "spirited" cruises but its only in an area I know where the chances of me getting caught are quite low.

I think the main thing is to know when and where to speed, I've seen people speed in the most stupid places ever and get caught..

Then again I'd have to agree with "it just being a tool". If I had some spare cash, might as well.

Faymester

Mine has saved me countless times (except once :: laser = screwed no matter what)

Fizzboy7

There's really no need for one if you drive with the flow of traffic. But if you are the type to be passing people all the time, then I'd say it might come in handy.
Personally, I think they clutter up the interior and ruin the clean look.

Stage3

iTrader: (3)

Couldn't have said it any better myself... A V1 will be in my car as long as I can drive and as long as they still make them.

That being said, I keep my speed to about 5-10 over. I don't need to go any faster than that. Too many different factors come into play after that...

IS-SV

Laser is scary. Especially for the officers that use them here and in Washington state, since I've seen them standing on the freeway next to their car (certainly a risky way to make a living, they probably dislike it).

2 weeks ago I was cruising at the usual 80mph on the freeway in number 2 lane and I saw the laser officer in action, nothing happened, I must of been below his threshold.

vwynn

iTrader: (4)

my friend got a ticket going 75 on the freeway on sunday... n hes getting deployed to afganistan in like 3 days.

bagwell

by a radar I'm assuming you mean a radar DETECTOR...

I've had the 8500 and a V1...arrows are excellent...but I got rid of both...tired of the falses and I just try to blend in rather than be a jackazz driving 90 in a 55.

The G Man

There has to be some sense of false security with a radar detector. It would be interesting if there is some stats on rather people who drive with radar detectors on actually gets more speeding tickets than people who do not.

dunbar43

For only $100, you gotta take him up on it, they retail upwards of $300. I think they are nice to have, but it won't save you every time. I have a crappy Whistler that I bought at Radio Shack when I was 16 and I understand how false alarms can get annoying, but even my Whistler has saved me a couple times. Get the Passport, it's at a great price and they are valuable on the highways.

I8ABMR

its the only way to fly