Radar Detectors?

[towerworker]

Curious----how many run radar detectors?

I've never owned one and really never wanted one. But starting to rethink it as the fines for speeding and other traffic violations have the potential to skyrocket here in Va. I don't advocate intentional speeding and I do a fairly good job of watching mine but just got stopped the other morning on the way to work running 38 in a 25 coasting down a hill here in Staunton. The officer was kind enough to just give me a warning and for that I thanked him.

Detectors are still illegal in Va but dont't know the potentials for just getting caught with one. Be interested to know what you guys think.

wayne

[priapismic]

I've been using 'em for years. Placed in the map pocket of my tank bag, it sits line-of-sight above the instrument pod, and has worked pretty well for me there. Never got a ticket while using one. Of course, you gotta be smart about how you use it, too - a radar detector is not a "police detector" and is certainly not insurance against a ticket. Be aware of police hiding places and obvious speed traps.

I tried using powered detectors, but found it wasn't worth the hassle, so I migrated to cordless models and never looked back. There are lots of opinions against them, however, the feeling being that when they go to standby mode to conserve power, they lose the ability to detect momentarily once they receive a strong enough signal to rouse them out of standby. That may be a valid criticism, but I contend that being smart about how you use them - and not trusting them to get you out of every potential threat situation - goes a long way toward mitigating their shortcomings. Plus cordless models easily transport among bikes and cars and rental vehicles.

I've been using helmet-mounted ear speakers, but that's becoming a hassle, too. I think in my next go-round I'll switch to one of these products from Aerostich:

http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Rad ... 17540.html

http://www.aerostich.com/product.php?pr ... 336&page=1

All that being said, I have to confess that I am currently riding (and driving) blind and un-plugged. It seems that my trusty old Bel 945i has gone on the fritz and gives me constant false alarms in the Ka band. Bel won't repair it - too old, they say - but they offered me a modest trade-in for a new model. I'm saving my spare change until I can get a replacement, and meanwhile I am being very careful about where - and by how much - I exceed the posted limit.

[GypsyRR]

I'm using that Passport detector. It reads radar/laser/pops in front and behind you. So far, I've only used it in my car, but I'm waiting on a reservoir mount for the bike. I'm mounting it there so that it will not be blocked from reading behind me.

ThePassport 8500 web site says:

Hailed as the most revolutionary radar/laser detector ever. ...........new "V-Tuned" radar receiver provides extreme detection range on all police radar; conventional and "instant-on" radar, including the new POP mode radar threat, X-Band, and up to 50% more range than the original Passport 8500 on the all-important K and Ka bands. ........... 360-degree radar and laser detection............ AutoSensitivity mode automatically reduces false alarms........... Selectable POP mode radar detection etc. etc. etc.

Not that I intend to speed, but sometimes I just lose track of how fast I'm going and a little blue beep is a nice reminder to slow down. And it gives me that little warning way in advance.

[R4R&R]

I know a few people that run them in Virginia (car and motorcycle) and they would rather get the fines for the radar detector than the speeding ticket. But, I think they confiscate the detector if they find it. Since the new Virginia fees have gone into affect I have slowed my speed down, except in the twisty roads - where it's hard for them to shoot radar (at least I think).

I've heard all kinds of good things about the Valentine radar detectors, but nothing will help you when it comes to laser radar or "instant on" radar.

[ProductUser]

I been using the Valentine One for several years, however, a radar detector should only be used as an aide to reduce speeding tickets.

For example, in you're riding in light traffic, the radar detector will provide protection because it will read the radar hits from cars in front of you.
However, if you're alone, and get a radar hit, you are most likely going to get pulled over. Also, if your police force uses laser, you should just pull over and wait for your ticket

The net-net is that you need to be situationally aware of your surroundings and use your radar detector as an aide.
ProductUser

[rockstercliff]

I got pulled over a few years ago in Va. just for the detector. The officer came up behind me in the middle of the nite on I-77, and could see the red power light. Got a ticket, and had to stick the detector in the back-hatch compartment, but he didnt confiscate, and no moving violation, so no points. Paid my hundred bucks, and put elec. tape over the lite, just go with audible in Va. I travel a lot, and notice a lot of people using them, even in Va.

[NK ED]

I use the passport 8500 mounted to my clutch reservoir. I had my BMW tech hard wire it and I run an ear jack wire under the tank and seat so I can lay an ear jack next to my ear under my helmet. I went to an ear jack because I never caught the lights on the detector due to my focus on the road. I agree with the others on using it as tool to keep me aware of my speed. There is a stretch of interstate by me that has three or four state troopers working together. I have made several passes by these troopers in the last month and my detector did not pick up their speed detection system. So you cant always count on dectectors to warn you of troopers. I like to cruise around 75mph (80mph on the R's speedo) so the passport has saved me a few tickets at least.

[TonyT607]

I've been using detectors for 25 years, Currently running the Valentine One in/on both my BMW's. Along with my XM and GPS it's hardwired with all the audio output going to a black box/splitter under my fairing where I plug my Etymotics into.

The detectors have saved my ass countless times and have paid for themselves many times over.

[OU812]

Tony, can you rig me up?

[two wheel tango]

Curious----how many run radar detectors?

Valentine 1 plus situational awareness (as ProductUser puts it) is your best bet against them effing power tripping gendarme (majority of them anyway). Trust me.

I'm docile and go with flow during day to day traffic but out on the open road the Valentine comes out.

[R601968]

I use the passport 8500 and find the volt meter helpful information. The 8500 seams to be much more durable than the wireless battery operated Solo 2 that I had previously.
I have also ridden with others with the valentine and feel the valentine may be just a tad more sensitive (quicker detection)
I don,t trust them fully, the police are awful tricky rascules.
John

[awagnon]

For the last two years, we have had an Idaho highway patrolman, who attends our Red Rock Rendezvous rally on his GS, give a very interesting and informative talk on the limitations of radar detectors. At least out west where you are usually in light traffic or no traffic, they don't really protect you all that much. Basically, once they go off, you've already been nailed with either laser or the instant on type or the kind that changes frequency. He admits they might prevent a few tickets when you get a signal off a vehicle up ahead, but that doesn't occur much out here.

Of interest, he got a speeding ticket riding on his way to the rally two years ago for going over the 45 mph limit coming into a town. Didn't see the sign. He took the ticket and never mentioned he was a highway patrolman. I guess that's a no no, like asking for special favors.

I highly recommend hearing his talk sometime.

[TonyT607]

Tony, can you rig me up?

Sure thing Steve !

[bransan]

I got nailed yesterday, just north of Mora Mn. Heading south @62mph. Highway patrol gave Me a written warning. My bel 945 went off only once and there was a car in front of Me about 100yd. I thought I was good to go, He turned around and I thought He was going after the guy ahead of Me. Nope He wanted Me. I think He just wanted a closer look at My Uni-go.



I'll still carry My fuzz buster cause' it has saved Me many times.

[rdsmith3]

I use a Valentine One in my car, but not on the bike. To be honest, with the Garmin Zumo with GPS, XM radio/mp3 player, NAVtraffic, etc. I have enough already to distract me.

In the car, however, the radar detector has saved me many times. As others have said, it is not a perfect solution. It really does not help with laser, although it will let you know that you have just been zapped. It also does not help much with the NJ State Troopers who mostly use instant-on, but it can give you a warning if the signal is bouncing off of other vehicles.

However, the best reason to have a radar detector is the local police forces who still have the old always-on radar. A radar detector really helps you avoid the small town speed traps.

The reason I like the Valentine One is the so-called "bogey" counter. It tells you how many sources of radar there are, which really helps. For example, I know a place near my house on Rt 46 in NJ where there is a store that always sets off my V1. Every once in a while, though, the bogey counter shows a 2 instead of 1, so I know that a cop is hiding nearby. If I did not have the bogey detector, I would probably always ignore the warning at that particular place, and I might get nabbed.

[Doug]

I love my Passport 8500

[Johan_SA]

How effective are the radar detectors that "jam" those of the cops? They are advertising them here in SA but I still have an old one in my car. Is it worth the upgrade?

[TicTac50]

I have Passport 8500 and my riding buddy has a Valentine One.
Valentine One picks up the signal much better then my Passport 8500.
I wish I had a Valentine One.