Radar Detectors: They SAVE You $$! :)

[Kootenanny]

I never ride without mine (8500 x50 with a H.A.R.D. LED in my helmet).

I have an 8500 X50 as well...I use earbuds, connected to the speaker outlet via an intermediate cable (the unit is mounted "stealth," and I can't see the display).  I'd be interested this "H.A.R.D." LED.

BTW, yeah...the detector has paid for itself, several times over...got it on eBay...

[Oddball]

My V1 has only failed me once.  And I should have known better.  But countless times that it saved other and myself.

[jeepinbanditrider]

I run a Beltronics Vector 995 on a Ram Magnet mount with a Mark Parnes Visual alert.  Works great and I don't have to wire into the detector.  

[Rogue]

My Escort 8500 X50 is mounted via Ram platform mount and the sound is routed to a Bluetooth Dongle, which transmits audio wirelessly to my Chatterbox XBi wireless BT transceiver.  The chatterbox has speakers inside my helmet.  I can hear the audio even with ear protection on.  So no wires for me and I can walk away from the bike and take off my helmet without yanking earbuds off my ears.  The Chatterbox can also be used with a GPS and cellphone as it has a mike as well.

[jeepinbanditrider]

I have a SENA unit.  I just didn't want to buy the SENA SR10 for just a detector and MAYBE a VHF/UHF radio.

[ChrisZRX]

I have a Whistler XTR-695, and its saved me a number of times now.

It came with only a 2.5mm output jack which I didn't like, so I installed a 1/4 in output jack and a switch to turn the built-in speaker on and off.  

Then I took one of my kids old toys apart and swiped the little plastic speaker and put it in my helmet next to my ear (underneath the padding) held in place by velcro.  I also soldered a female 1/4 in jack to it. Using a cable with two male 1/4 in plugs, I'm hardwired to the detector.  It's very loud. I can't have it at full volume even with ear plugs in at highway speeds with the built-in speaker turned off.  

   

[stose85]

Rogue:

Just wanted to let you know (from a former police officer) that if they decide to run radar off and on like I did, the only time you know you've been tagged is when the detector goes off and by that time I've already locked you in. Radar detectors in my opinion are worthless. I can't tell you how many people I wrote tickets to that had their detectors on when I caught them speeding, and those people who would have gotten warnings for 9,10, or 11 mph over instead got a ticket because I SAW they had a detector sitting in the car, or on the motorcycle. Having that type of equipment says, "I speed all the time and I want/deserve a speeding ticket."

Just my two pennies take it for what it's worth. This time it paid for itself, you might not be so lucky next time.  

[expatbrit]

Rogue:

Just wanted to let you know (from a former police officer) that if they decide to run radar off and on like I did, the only time you know you've been tagged is when the detector goes off and by that time I've already locked you in. Radar detectors in my opinion are worthless. I can't tell you how many people I wrote tickets to that had their detectors on when I caught them speeding, and those people who would have gotten warnings for 9,10, or 11 mph over instead got a ticket because I SAW they had a detector sitting in the car, or on the motorcycle. Having that type of equipment says, "I speed all the time and I want/deserve a speeding ticket."

Just my two pennies take it for what it's worth. This time it paid for itself, you might not be so lucky next time.  

Actually the reason I stopped using mine.

[jeepinbanditrider]

Rogue:

Just wanted to let you know (from a former police officer) that if they decide to run radar off and on like I did, the only time you know you've been tagged is when the detector goes off and by that time I've already locked you in. Radar detectors in my opinion are worthless. I can't tell you how many people I wrote tickets to that had their detectors on when I caught them speeding, and those people who would have gotten warnings for 9,10, or 11 mph over instead got a ticket because I SAW they had a detector sitting in the car, or on the motorcycle. Having that type of equipment says, "I speed all the time and I want/deserve a speeding ticket."

Just my two pennies take it for what it's worth. This time it paid for itself, you might not be so lucky next time.  

I just like to know when I'm being electronically monitored by the revenue generators  

Generally those people ignored their radar detectors warnings long before they got to you.  Mine will pick up even weak hits from over a mile out.  if I get even a blip in anything other than X band I'm slowing down for at least a mile or two minimum before I pick my speed back up again.

[stose85]

I just like to know when I'm being electronically monitored by the revenue generators  Lol

I see what you did there.  

Just saying that I spent a lot of time sitting on 169HWY in Kansas running enough time between cars, that you might NOT pick up on my radar because I didn't have it on for the last 5 minutes haha

 

Besides I had enough experience that I didn't need a radar detector to justify a traffic stop for speed. Once you get accustomed to running radar its really only a double check. You actually aren't supposed to write tickets on what the radar says. You check a speed based on what you know, and use the radar to double check what you think they're going. Now 100+mph is just fast it doesn't really matter. Best one I ever had was
78mph in a 30mph zone. He asked for a warning too  

[Dutch]

Rogue:

Just wanted to let you know (from a former police officer) that if they decide to run radar off and on like I did, the only time you know you've been tagged is when the detector goes off and by that time I've already locked you in. Radar detectors in my opinion are worthless. I can't tell you how many people I wrote tickets to that had their detectors on when I caught them speeding, and those people who would have gotten warnings for 9,10, or 11 mph over instead got a ticket because I SAW they had a detector sitting in the car, or on the motorcycle. Having that type of equipment says, "I speed all the time and I want/deserve a speeding ticket."

Just my two pennies take it for what it's worth. This time it paid for itself, you might not be so lucky next time.  

I remember a while back where policemen using handheld radar guns were getting testicular cancer – it made me smile.
Perhaps that “vibe” thing really works.

[Bounce]

Rogue:

Just wanted to let you know (from a former police officer) that if they decide to run radar off and on like I did, the only time you know you've been tagged is when the detector goes off and by that time I've already locked you in. Radar detectors in my opinion are worthless. I can't tell you how many people I wrote tickets to that had their detectors on when I caught them speeding, and those people who would have gotten warnings for 9,10, or 11 mph over instead got a ticket because I SAW they had a detector sitting in the car, or on the motorcycle. Having that type of equipment says, "I speed all the time and I want/deserve a speeding ticket."

Just my two pennies take it for what it's worth. This time it paid for itself, you might not be so lucky next time.  

pshaw.

you caught the stupid ones that ran solo or out front in some manner and thought the detector was an invisibility shield. if you use it as one tool in a larger toolkit, then it works wonders.

[Croak]

pshaw.

you caught the stupid ones that ran solo or our front in some manner and thought the detector was an invisibility shield. if you use it as one tool in a larger toolkit, then it works wonders.

This.

[hankd]

Yep...it's a tool, not a guarantee. I consider it to be my 6th, 7th, & 8th senses...it's worth more than just one sense  

[sfalexi]

You know what else saves $$?  Not speeding.

No chance of speeding ticket, better fuel economy.

Alexi <- devils advocate.

[Bounce]

So start posting the limits at what the roads were originally designed to handle. Under posting is done for political/revenue reasons.

[EdSidders]

Around here they still use the portable speed limit signs in the bushes.......Pay Up when stopped-nothing goes on record...

[dietDrThunder]

Rogue:

Just wanted to let you know (from a former police officer) that if they decide to run radar off and on like I did, the only time you know you've been tagged is when the detector goes off and by that time I've already locked you in. Radar detectors in my opinion are worthless. I can't tell you how many people I wrote tickets to that had their detectors on when I caught them speeding, and those people who would have gotten warnings for 9,10, or 11 mph over instead got a ticket because I SAW they had a detector sitting in the car, or on the motorcycle. Having that type of equipment says, "I speed all the time and I want/deserve a speeding ticket."

Just my two pennies take it for what it's worth. This time it paid for itself, you might not be so lucky next time.  

rant on:

(cliffs at bottom)


This is only true of people who either have _really_ crappy detectors, or who have no idea how to use a radar detector effectively.

I have had one speeding ticket in 15+ years (longer really but I can't remember detail farther back), and that one ticket happened because I accidentally unplugged my detector and it wasn't on. My nominal freeway cruising speed in/on any vehicle is approx. 88mph, and even at that speed it is no problem to slow in plenty of time, almost all the time.

To wit, I drive from Nashville to Memphis and back about once every other month or so, and every time I happen upon radar wielding TN Highway Patrol at _least_ twice in each direction. I've been making that trip for maybe 5 years now, and I've never been stopped once. My detector (Bel Magnum STi) detects the radar being shot at other cars somewhere between a mile and 2 miles before I get into effective police radar range, making it a simple matter to slow to non-pull-over speed well before the speed trap. In conditions where there is at least a moderate amount of traffic, not only is it effective, it is almost 100% effective.

Obviously if you're driving on a deserted road and you're the first car along in 10 minutes or whatever, you won't get the advance warning needed for the detector to be effective. Also, laser is exceedingly hard to detect in time (virtually impossible) which is why there are a few effective laser jamming diode setups available. I don't have any yet, as there isn't much laser in my area.

Interestingly, I've heard the 'radar detectors do absolutely nothing' thing _lots_ of times from police or ex-police. It surprises me that so many of them don't take the time to learn this stuff. I mean, I guess it really wouldn't change anything about how they do their job, but still...kinda weird.

The post above about the detector being just one tool in the arsenal is spot on. The detector works, but it's not magic. You still have to be aware of traffic approaching from the rear, watch who you're overtaking, and pay attention to traffic conditions and the geography where you're driving. It's really like anything else...speeding is a skill. Some people are good at it. You catch the people who aren't.

As an aside, IMO it is likely that people like me who pay this much attention to what they are doing and drive with such constant vigilance are _far_ safer on the road at super-legal speeds than the legions of texting/phone talking/kid slapping/book reading idiots we are all surrounded by every day. If any cops read this post and are annoyed that people like me are out there, maybe consider that. Personally, I have been driving, riding and speeding for over 25 years now. I've been a motorcycle courier, an OTR truck driver, and a cab/airport shuttle driver (all in my youth)  and combined with my regular driving, commuting in places like Boston and San Francisco, and recreational motorcycling, I've had exactly two accidents ever. Both were riding out in the country in no traffic, and both happened at under 25mph.


cliffs: yes, they do work...go find dome real criminals

[hankd]

+1

[M.Brane]

 You gotta love somebody who comes to a forum like this, and brags about giving people tickets for speeding in the middle of nowhere. I feel so much safer now.