OT.....but radar detectors

[Pilotadjuster]

Sheryl

Oh well, good thing I don't have to teach em how to spell landing...

 

[empenage]

ali:
They dont work, save your money, less distractions.

 

[B737G]

ali:
They dont work, save your money, less distractions.

Actually, I have a Valentine 1 radar/laser detector and it works quite well. It has paid for itself many times over. When it comes to instant on, there is nothing that will save you. You just have to be smart about when and where you choose to speed. I am very involved with the Porsche 928 Owners Club and when we get together, some very high speeds are seen. Speeding is very safe if it is done in the right place at the right time. I will never pass another car at high speed as I in no way want to endanger someone else but, at times, I like to push my '89GT and feel it can be done safely. The car was designed to drive at high speeds for hours and I see no harm in doing so if it is done with safety in mind. It is my opinion that tickets are merely a way for a county to generate revenue and not so much about safety. The accident rate in Germany is much lower although they tend to be more lethal. Since the speed limit was increased in the U.S. from 55 on interstates the accident rates have actually gone down. The Valentine 1 is expensive but it definately works and quite well at that.

 

[Toro]

To Falcon Capt

In regards to going to jail for driving 20mph over the posted speed limit, I believe it's just about any state. 20+mph over the speed limit is one manner of defining reckless driving, and can get you a trip to the slammer. However, that doesn't mean it's going to happen, it would likely depend on the situation. If you're doing 20+ over the limit in a school zone, you can pretty much guarantee you'll be behind bars. But if you're doing it on an open stretch of a Texas highway, you're just gonna get a fat fine.

One thing to add to the guys below who have worked in law enforcement - advice given to me by my mom, a cop for eight years. True, being polite to the troop might help you out of a ticket, but it has another advantage -- trying to later dispute the ticket in court. If you're raising a big stink and being a jerk, the cop's probably going to remember you and maybe even go out of his way to show up at your court dispute.

 

[FastCargo]

Speeding...

It's funny...in my younger days I was a speeding kind of guy. But I was smart about it...open highway, alone, no weaving in and out of traffic...etc.

I actually drive pretty close to the limit now...started 7 years ago to make sure my records were clean for the airlines...now it's just habit.

Got a story though...had a 90 Eagle Talon TSi...you know, sporty 2 door, turbo , all wheel drive, etc. Back in 1992, I was driving from Sacramento, CA to Denver, CO...about an 18 hour drive on I-80...with very desolate parts in Nevada, Utah. My car didn't have cruise control, so I'm just doing foot pressure thing. Well, in Nevada/Utah...droning along...highway hypnosis...next thing I know... the speedo is reading 105 mph.

Whoa!!

But there is no one around, and I can see for miles...so I keep the hammer down for a while. However, I notice that the time between stops for fuel seems to be shorter than I remember.

It finally hits me, once I do a bit of timing and some math. Any time I am saving in going fast than 80 mph, I am losing with the increased fuel consumption! I really noticed it when I could acutally perceive the fuel gauge decreasing!

Since then, for long trips, I tend to stay around 75 mph...makes me wonder if different cars have different 'most efficient' speeds (ie a speed where you spend the least amount of time in your car for a distance traveled...assuming multiple fuel stops).

Okay...coming in from left field!

FastCargo

 

[Dep676]

You are better off without one. They are pretty useless anyway. As one pointed out they don't detect laser's. Most cops around here don't sit with radar on anyway. They wait until you are insight and hit the button. Then it's too late for your detector to work. By then you are busted and going to get a ticket especially if they see you have a detector. Depending on how much over you were going it may get reduced. If you have a detector don't count on it. I know I wouldn't reduce it for you. Just set your cruise at ten over or just under ten over and you should be fine. If your record is good and you do get pulled over don't lie about it. If they ask how fast you were going tell them. They already know and they just want to see if you will lie to them. That makes them really upset. They don't have to reduce it or let you go. If you are nice about it and don't lie. They may reduce or even let you off. Save your money and bye something else with it. Don't waste your money on a laser or radar detector. It may save you once but not ususally more than that.

 

[B737G]

Dep676, I have to disagree with you. Detectors can pick up laser. Take a look at valentines website at www.valentine1.com. There are other manufacturers as well. I have had mine for over one year and it has paid for itself many times over. Even if the police are using instant on, you will typically get a brief warning as he engages cars up ahead and this gives you enough time to slow. The valentine actually tells you if the laser/radar is coming from in front/behind or even the side. Obviously the best way to avoid a ticket is to obey the speed limit but, the valentine 1 works very well for those who cannot resist the occassional high speed run. We have an awful lot of members in the Porsche Club who swear by them.

 

[Dep676]

Yeah I agree with you also. However the original post was about radar detectors not laser detectors. It may have paid off for now. Your time will come and you will wish you didn't have it hanging on the dash. There is no forgiving when you walk up to a car and see that. Then you don't have time to hide it. They will see that too. Just remember don't lie about how fast you were going. They do help but it only takes once for you to get caught and then you will pay enough in fines to buy another detector.

 

[imploded]

v1 user and abuser

The V1 has saved my bacon from the pan more than once. Properly mounted, with a remote LED light in my peripheral vision (for my motorcycle, it's hidden inside my car with a remote display), I get laser warnings before they've had "enough" time to paint me (and I know, also, which towns use laser around me, so I'm not as, erm, fast?); but with radar, it is rarely a contest. I'll know, I'd be a solid 90% of the time, before I'm in range to be hit with radar.

On the motorcycle, even at nominal speeds, I can get down pretty quick. But, more and more... I speeding more on the track than on the streets. Frankly, it's pretty retarded to 100+ on city roads...

Cheers!

--EDIT--

Also, when I've been nailed, I never, ever lie. I know I've been caught, I'm going to acknowledge to the officer when he tells me what I was doing (for legal reasons)

 

[PSM727]

Monitoring

I feel it is every citizen's right to know when he/she is being monitored. How can detectors be made illegal in some states, ie. CT? It all seems a little anti-American to me.