radar detectors... worth it? do they really work?

**suede** · 12-05-2008, 11:34 PM

Originally Posted by c5z28

escort x50 as well anyone have those kits to splice in the electrics so the chord does not hang down?

Just look at the side of the detector where the plut goes in and it will show you whitch part of the plug is pos and neg, then like i did was go to radioshack and buy a plug and cord that the wires can be separated, and just use some logic...conect pos to pos and neg to a ground.... mine i ran my pos to the ign in the fuse box and the ground to one of the bolts for the ttop- done in 30 min

**korndawg** · 12-07-2008, 08:18 PM

A good friend of mine is a state patrolmen and he claims they are a waste of money. I am, however, gonna purchase the Whistler Pro78 and we're gonna go out and do some 'testing'. He says for the most part, they only use Ka. Laser is used sometimes too and he claims there's no beating that because of the accuracy. Guess we'll see how it all unfolds. I haven't owned a detector in 10 years and I know back then they were worthless, so hopefully todays tech is leaps and bounds better.

**Z28Thunder** · 12-07-2008, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by korndawg

A good friend of mine is a state patrolmen and he claims they are a waste of money. I am, however, gonna purchase the Whistler Pro78 and we're gonna go out and do some 'testing'. He says for the most part, they only use Ka. Laser is used sometimes too and he claims there's no beating that because of the accuracy. Guess we'll see how it all unfolds. I haven't owned a detector in 10 years and I know back then they were worthless, so hopefully todays tech is leaps and bounds better.

Hmm bought a Whistler back in 1988. I still have it and use it with the Z28. I was a Marine back then. And the drive from New River N.C to B.A. Oklahoma was 95 % highway. It saved me from a ton of tickets back then and still does. WHen you are alerted 2/3 miles ahead of time... My new daily is a Lincoln LS and I spent the extra money and went V1.. The Whistler from 88 is still very good. The V1 out preforms it big time. With the V1 I know long before I see them..

**jad628** · 12-08-2008, 03:25 AM

Originally Posted by emoFTW

Hey guys waht is your opinion on these things??? i have been debating about one for some time now, what is a good brand? and do they really work?

Yes, they help with RADAR, but they are useless against VASCAR. If you are in a state that uses it, expect the reliance on a RADAR detector to catch up with you. VASCAR is a time/distance measurement device and you cannot "pick it up".

Just be careful.

**Sarge** · 12-08-2008, 05:06 AM

Originally Posted by korndawg

A good friend of mine is a state patrolmen and he claims they are a waste of money. I am, however, gonna purchase the Whistler Pro78 and we're gonna go out and do some 'testing'. He says for the most part, they only use Ka. Laser is used sometimes too and he claims there's no beating that because of the accuracy. Guess we'll see how it all unfolds. I haven't owned a detector in 10 years and I know back then they were worthless, so hopefully todays tech is leaps and bounds better.

If they shoot any car in front of you or behind you with Laser you get an alarm....then you know they are "around" so yes we can beat laser....if they shoot you out in the middle of nowhere all alone they got you...same applies with instant on.....99% of the PoPo's use constant on Ka.

**00 formula** · 12-08-2008, 06:28 AM

Originally Posted by Sarge

If they shoot any car in front of you or behind you with Laser you get an alarm....then you know they are "around" so yes we can beat laser....if they shoot you out in the middle of nowhere all alone they got you...same applies with instant on.....99% of the PoPo's use constant on Ka.

That's true but the only times I've ever picked up laser on mine was when there were no cars around me. Fortunately I wasn't speeding and it did give her enough time to put her clothes back on just in case

**jad628** · 12-08-2008, 06:42 AM

Ever see a couple of unusual markings on the road a few hundred yards apart?

Just hope you weren't going too fast in between 'em. Your senses are the only detectors for some types of speed measurement devices. Let's see someone box that up.

**suede** · 12-08-2008, 06:55 AM

Originally Posted by jad628

Ever see a couple of unusual markings on the road a few hundred yards apart?

Just hope you weren't going too fast in between 'em. Your senses are the only detectors for some types of speed measurement devices. Let's see someone box that up.

RPG?

take that bird right outa the sky...

**jad628** · 12-08-2008, 07:01 AM

Originally Posted by suede

RPG?

take that bird right outa the sky...

Doesn't take an aircraft. It's old technology with a new twist. Old-timers used whammy bars and would start a stop watch at the first sound and stop it at the second sound. Take the time and use a formula, viola, your speed.

**SouthernBornThriller** · 12-08-2008, 07:04 AM

Originally Posted by jad628

Doesn't take an aircraft. It's old technology with a new twist. Old-timers used whammy bars and would start a stop watch at the first sound and stop it at the second sound. Take the time and use a formula, viola, your speed.

Okay, I'll bite. Do they use that here in Charlotte?

**jad628** · 12-08-2008, 07:09 AM

Originally Posted by SouthernBornThriller

Okay, I'll bite. Do they use that here in Charlotte?

Not whammy bars, but VASCAR has been used for years (SHP mostly). Same premise, and when your speed gets identified to the tenth of a mph (like 87.6 mph), you are usually in deep do-do.

**B34M3R** · 12-08-2008, 07:22 AM

They do that in Florida... I never worried about them... I just found out where they all were... You can haul ass right up to the 2nd mark, and them slam on the brakes... they can't do shit about it if you don't cross the 2nd mark with an AVERAGE speed above the limit.

**jad628** · 12-08-2008, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by B34M3R

They do that in Florida... I never worried about them... I just found out where they all were... You can haul ass right up to the 2nd mark, and them slam on the brakes... they can't do shit about it if you don't cross the 2nd mark with an AVERAGE speed above the limit.

Wanna bet?

**fccs** · 12-08-2008, 08:11 AM

I have a beltronics to, within a few months it will def. pay for itself especially on the highway.

**knightryda01** · 12-08-2008, 09:42 AM

I got the beltronics and it has saved my ass quite a few times. Most recently crusing down the highway and beep beep beep.

I slow down and I'm looking and can't see nothing, then I swear cause it's still beeping and about 1/2 mile later I see the piggy all hiding on the side of the road... lol I was really impressed.

**taylorr12** · 12-08-2008, 09:49 AM

I have a Cobra and last year I bought a Cobra for my Bf, his has already went out and mine islike 1 year and is sarting to go out. My friends have bougt some form walmart and they work better and are cheaper. I think I paid 150$ for mine and 120$ for my Bf's.

**B34M3R** · 12-08-2008, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by jad628

Wanna bet?

Yes. Any estimation as to your actual top speed is not admissible evidence in court.

And, having done it myself, and watched people who I was passing going pass the first mark get pulled over after I reduced my speed to below the speed limit, I'd say that I'm right.

**jad628** · 12-08-2008, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by B34M3R

Yes. Any estimation as to your actual top speed is not admissible evidence in court.

And, having done it myself, and watched people who I was passing going pass the first mark get pulled over after I reduced my speed to below the speed limit, I'd say that I'm right.

And you would be wrong. That's exactly the kind of overly-confident remark that guarantees you a ticket. First of all, a RADAR certified officer in NC can write you a ticket on estimated speed ALONE. Anyone who runs RADAR knows that the device is to support the estimate, not the other way around.

Now back to VASCAR. Don't you think that LEO's can be sneaky too? What makes you believe that FIRST mark isn't really the SECOND one, and what you thought was the last one is actually nothing but a decoy? Ever get out on an Interstate and see what's on the OUTSIDE of guard rails, where mile markers are, etc.?

Hope your luck holds. That's what you've had up to now.

**B34M3R** · 12-08-2008, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by jad628

And you would be wrong. That's exactly the kind of overly-confident remark that guarantees you a ticket. First of all, a RADAR certified officer in NC can write you a ticket on estimated speed ALONE. Anyone who runs RADAR knows that the device is to support the estimate, not the other way around.

Now back to VASCAR. Don't you think that LEO's can be sneaky too? What makes you believe that FIRST mark isn't really the SECOND one, and what you thought was the last one is actually nothing but a decoy? Ever get out on an Interstate and see what's on the OUTSIDE of guard rails, where mile markers are, etc.?

Hope your luck holds. That's what you've had up to now.

Maybe your pro ass should go down to Florida and give the cops down there some tips on milking more money out of unfortunate tourists.

They have several areas set up on the interstates with lines painted down that they use periodically during the high-tourists seasons. And when the cops want to be sneaky they go about it in other ways than choosing 2 bushes to time people driving in between. They are more fond of things like: Hiding behind fake broken down cars with instant on radar, using Cavaliers and Metros equipped with radar, and driving around in modded Mustangs in the high racing areas.

Oh, and cops can't "estimate" a ticket it Florida. The way it should be.

**jad628** · 12-08-2008, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by B34M3R

Maybe your pro ass should go down to Florida and give the cops down there some tips on milking more money out of unfortunate tourists.

They have several areas set up on the interstates with lines painted down that they use periodically during the high-tourists seasons. And when the cops want to be sneaky they go about it in other ways than choosing 2 bushes to time people driving in between. They are more fond of things like: Hiding behind fake broken down cars with instant on radar, using Cavaliers and Metros equipped with radar, and driving around in modded Mustangs in the high racing areas.

Oh, and cops can't "estimate" a ticket it Florida. The way it should be.

I'm just trying to be a cop who speaks the truth. I'd rather mention it here and have someone realize that a radar detector isn't a guarantee and they drive with a bit more restraint. I don't get any joy out of someone making a bad decision and getting hefty fines, a suspended license, and hyper-expensive insurance premiums, when it could have been avoided.

They can choose who to believe here.

Have a nice day.