Nalod

I have not had a radar detector in over 20 years. With increased speed limits more reasonable its less of an issue. Recently purchased another Lexus used from a dealership company is that new sells Bentley, Ferrari, Porsche and Alfa Romeo. High end place.
When going over the paperwork they offer tire insurance, paint packages, interior protection packages, and a $4500 front and back integrated Radar detector. Said no to all. It does offer to refund any fines associated. It does not cover the insurance bump and I did not investigate it any further.
I drive mostly 9 MPH over unless there significant left lane volume going faster. I will habitually then move over and let cars thru and then join the pack. When there are openings, I dial it back until another group comes along. If not, set the cruise and chill at 9-10 over.
I use Waze but its flawed for many reasons. Many of which an officer of the law can too and delete his presence.
If mostly alone at night I just keep it at 9 over.
I stopped getting Car and Drive a number of years ago. They used to do a test of various brands of detectors. I was wondering if anyone still uses them effectively and with confidence?

PGA71

iTrader: (3)

Yes, I still use one along with Waze when I feel necessary.

The flaw I see most with Waze is not that LE can delete, but more that if you are 1st through speed trap and not reported yet, it's too late.

Nalod

Officers moving in traffic is also not picked up on Waze.
You come up on one fast they got you.

EAST

It basically depends on how enforcement is done in your area and how cops individual cops run their enforcement.

First, the types of methods.

Radar - Radar detector can help with these. Can be mounted in the car, or handheld. Can be used stationary or mobile. Reading is relatively instant, though beam is wide (compared to laser). Depending on band, can be detected a few miles out, as the waves scatter and bounce around.
Laser - Infrared light beam, used stationary. Radar detector can detect these, but it will be too late. Beam is about 2 to 3 ft for every 1000 ft, so it's pretty specific in vehicle targeting.

Pacing - Where a marked or unmarked car will tail you, and match your speed and write the ticket based off that. Radar detector will not help here.

Stopwatch - Basically they'll measure out a section of road, and time how quickly you pass point A and B and determine speed. Usually how aircraft enforcement is done. Radar detector Waze will be better here.

Photo speed cameras - Usually use some low energy radar source to determine speed, but things could have updated since I last checked.

​​​​​​A couple years ago, the Unidens were considered some of the best. Pair that with a GPS enabled one, and you have a pretty quiet ride, almost always alerting only when there's a valid police radar source. A Uniden R7 or R8 would be a good choice (more so when they are on sale). The arrows and range are very good. If you don't mind the detector being more chatty, you can get a non-GPS model for cheaper. An R3 will still have good range.

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mylehigh1

Yup. And that's when I'd be most likely to speed, on an open highway with a trooper out of sight on a raised berm or a hidden turnoff. My V1 (Valentine One) never failed, it just had no chance to warn me. At $4500 they'd take your license away on points before that radar detector setup would pay for itself. If they'd cover the legal fees to get the tickets wiped or reduced, that might be interesting.

jgscott

iTrader: (1)

Are you sure it was not a Laser Jammer package at $4500?

I always run a Detector as just added insurance along with Waze. Saved me many times when I would not have seen them hiding on Ka Radar. I run the new V1 Valentine One Gen 2. Has a great no false Technology setting for highway. Its a matter of personal preference.

EAST

Probably a Passport max Ci or Ci 360 with built in laser jammer and remote radar setup for that price.

annjones13

Been over 25 years ago on a rural 2 lane Sunday night at 11PM. No traffic.clear weather. I topped a slight hill at about 125. LE at bottom of hill. No doubt I was nailed. We conversed for nearly half an hour including tears on my part. Red face and raised voice on his. He said he had only two choices. 1. Take me to jail. 2. Let me go. We agreed there would not be a next time. I raced that car and it was prepped and fast. Now I drive like an old lady. Those days were fun….
Ann

peasodos

iTrader: (1)

Yeah I got a ticket once from a cop traveling in the opposite direction on the other side of the highway. Radar detectors are illegal in Virginia.

IntrinoX

iTrader: (1)

I have one just cause I like to be aware of my surroundings. I also use Waze when I’m on road-trips cause it helps visually on a map.

gs350noob

I'm 51 and haven't gotten a ticket since I was 18. Lucky enough to be let go after getting pulled over 3 different times.

I have always been a moderate speeder but never recklessly so around other cars. When I got the GS I ran it up into triple digits about 10 times just because I had open road and wanted to, but it was in a very safe and remote spot on a pretty good upslope.

sajack

I used an Escort years ago when speed limit was 55mph and I was young and a little bit crazy.
You can travel most rural areas at 7-8mph over the limit without getting a ticket, maybe even 10-12 mph over if you stay alert and maybe run behind faster traffic. I get away with short bursts when the getting is good, but in the day of road rage and craziness, I prefer to stay safe and enjoy the ride.
I remember cruising west Texas interstate 10 years ago at triple digits in our LS430. The LS500 is even stronger at those speeds, but one risk that seems even greater today is wildlife. Sometimes I think this country has more deer than people.

Nalod

My father in law got a 1996 Supra brand new. . That was the small/light now legend “Fast and furious” inline turbo 6 that pulled 320+ HP . Very fast for its day.
Im out with him and had to go but two mile on a new highway. He said don’t go too fast.
LOL, of course I would!!!! Im doing 120 and was about to let up when cop in other direction crosses median and Im cooked!
I had a choice. Get off the exit and hit the side streets, or just pull over.
I pulled over before he even got off the median. I had window open and hands on the wheel.
“Officer, this is my father in law, as you can see with the temp tags this is a new car. Its his (I hand hand him the Reggie). “See the look on his face? He is smiling right?. He is my father in law. That is not a smile, thats a father-in-law-I told you-and will tell you so for the rest of my life smirk!”. Officer, are you married? “Yes”. Officer, would you please look at his face one more time. He laughs……..
He replies “ you know i can arrest for doing twice the limit”. I said “yes, and you’d be doing me a favor as I would not have to ride home with him and listen to his ranting as he told me to slow down! You ever listen to your father in law? This magnificant new machine, just called me to open it up, yes I was speeding, yes it was dangerous, even more so now I have Mister I told you so now beaming to irritate me for the rest of his natural life!”
He let me go.

LexusGSboy

LMAO - this reminded me of a "friend" I have on the Ozona PD (Texas) - he caught me a couple times traveling with my mom back in the day. That was when the speed limits were WAYYY to slow for that part of Texas - I was probably going about 15 over but I think tickets on the interstate were one of their main sources of revenue so there was no getting out of it. I still laugh about it and slow down any time I go through here.

bclexus

154 mph BMW M3