Based on my previous experience with detectors (I no longer have one), I have noticed that there were times when I got pulled over even when detector sounded no warning sound. Simply, police officers estimated speed of my car using a visual method. This method is being used quite often in the state of New York. :(

Knowing this, I am wondering if it's really worth spending a few hundred of dollars in the new unit.

Are there any units that warn drivers of presence of police cars on the highway even when speed measuring device is not turned on? :)

Are there any units that warn drivers of presence of police cars on the highway even when speed measuring device is not turned on? :)

Police scanner

I don't have one... after growing up in Virginia(illegal to sell or operate) I know to never take the road for granted... and the main reason I don't have one now(not in VA) is because of this logic:

If a cop can radar you, s/he can see you. If s/he can see you, s/he can see a radar dectector. If s/he can see a radar dector- it's obvious that you speed enough to want or need one.

Nothing would throw up a red flag in my mind as much as a radar detector as to whether or not someone deserves to be pulled over.

You can stealthily mount it, but the principile is the same- nothing to hide means you won't get hassled.

I was driving on a highway, doing 95 in a 75. Its a large highway with 4 lanes, and everyone is speeding. There was a cop sitting on the shoulder that I didn't see until the last second. Just force of habit, I push on the brakes after I pass him. He comes speeding up and pulls me over. I guess he noticed that I had a radar detector, and probably knew that I knew that he didn't use his radar to check the speed. He gave me some "following too closely" BS ticket. It was $45.

If a cop can radar you, s/he can see you. If s/he can see you, s/he can see a radar dectector. If s/he can see a radar dector- it's obvious that you speed enough to want or need one.

...you can pick up a cop's radar from over a mile away. Do you really think they can see your radar detector sitting in your windshield when you're a mile away and there are hundreds of other cars on the road?

Yes it's worth it, with the price of speeding tickets these days, if it gets you out of just ONE for 10+ over the limit it's already paid for itself.

Just for the record, I always drive around 10 over...it's a habit. I got my detector 3 years ago and have been pulled over once since then (2am, instant-on radar, detector couldn't do anything) and he let me off with a verbal warning even with my detector sitting in the windshield. You guys are talking about detectors like it's some illegal contraband that cops hate and will write you up for everything they can imagine if they find one. That's not the case...

I was driving on a highway, doing 95 in a 75. Its a large highway with 4 lanes, and everyone is speeding. There was a cop sitting on the shoulder that I didn't see until the last second. Just force of habit, I push on the brakes after I pass him. He comes speeding up and pulls me over. I guess he noticed that I had a radar detector, and probably knew that I knew that he didn't use his radar to check the speed. He gave me some "following too closely" BS ticket. It was $45.

He probably pulled you over because you were doing 95 in a 75 and he saw you hit your brakes (he knew that you knew you were speeding)...he didn't use his radar to clock you so he knew he couldn't give you a speeding ticket because if you fought it you would win, but he knew you deserved a ticket so he wrote you up for the only thing he could. Sometimes the simplest answer is the right one....

Consider yourself lucky if the ticket was only $45 :p

I'm good friends with a lot of cops in my area. Just the other day I asked them what they do when they pull someone over with a radar detector in the window and their response was, "I give them a ticket no matter how fast they are going, having a radar detector in my mind is an intent to speed." So when you do get pulled over, make sure you hide it real quick when they're not looking :lol: And good luck doing anything "not suspicious" while trying to hide a radar detector.

Speeding is for boys not men. If you were speeding you deserve a ticket.

Speeding is for boys not men. If you were speeding you deserve a ticket.

I like you.

Black-Falcon - Lol I wondered if I was too tough on him!!

I like you.
that didnt sound quite right :eek:

Based on my previous experience with detectors (I no longer have one), I have noticed that there were times when I got pulled over even when detector sounded no warning sound. Simply, police officers estimated speed of my car using a visual method. This method is being used quite often in the state of New York. :(

Knowing this, I am wondering if it's really worth spending a few hundred of dollars in the new unit.

Are there any units that warn drivers of presence of police cars on the highway even when speed measuring device is not turned on? :)


The radar detector is useful, but so is paying attention to your surroundings. In order for a police officer to cite you for speeding using the visual method they need to drive less than 15ft from your vehicle for 5 seconds. If you check your mirrors every 15 seconds you should see him coming up behind you from a mile away and already be slowed down and in the right lane when he gets there.

...you can pick up a cop's radar from over a mile away. Do you really think they can see your radar detector sitting in your windshield when you're a mile away and there are hundreds of other cars on the road?

Yes it's worth it, with the price of speeding tickets these days, if it gets you out of just ONE for 10+ over the limit it's already paid for itself.

Just for the record, I always drive around 10 over...it's a habit. I got my detector 3 years ago and have been pulled over once since then (2am, instant-on radar, detector couldn't do anything) and he let me off with a verbal warning even with my detector sitting in the windshield. You guys are talking about detectors like it's some illegal contraband that cops hate and will write you up for everything they can imagine if they find one. That's not the case...
Valentine One baby - minimum a mile away on a clear day, saved me more times than i have fingers. I am not an idiot on the road but ever so often i hit the gas, but i still managed to get a few tickets in the process. Instant on is the worst noise at 3 am! I say get one, if you realy don't like it there is always new people that want to buy radars.

In order for a police officer to cite you for speeding using the visual method they need to drive less than 15ft from your vehicle for 5 seconds.

Check your local rules and regs, this may or may not be true where you live.

Get nothing less than a passport 7500, really get an 8500 or a valentine. My 7500 has saved me atleast a few times to pay for it self. I have a retarded amount of tickets (i have been pulled over probably 6 times and gotten one warning, and that was also the only time i hadn't been speeding) and maybe a few were because i have a radar sitting in the windshield, thats a good point. Nowa days i really only use mine when im traveling long distances, the rest of the time i just follow the 9 over rule and am safe. Its worth the money just don't be an idiot.

Check your local rules and regs, this may or may not be true where you live.

That's true. I wasn't thinking about different states but the original poster is from NY so it applies to him.

Well i am not waiting for the new Bel STi driver. Radar detector detectors can not pick it up. I have used the V1 but it looks dated compared to the Bel.

On the subject of radar detectors, I use it because i drive trough 3 states to get to work. And i do drive quite quickly sometimes and i can not get any points as i am an airline pilot. So i use it as warning device. I did not buy it so i can drive over the limit.

don't expect a radar detector to make you invincible from speeding tickets. a detector is useful to an extent. always keep your guard up when u drive and don't drive like an idiot and you'll be fine. the detector is a good aid in a lot of situations.
my passport 8500 X50 saved me many times.

Yesterday my wife got nailed by a radar trap on a local street. She was doing 31 in a 25 zone, and the cop had nothing better to do than to ticket her. If she'd had her radar detector connected, she'd have gotten a warning a long time before the cop saw her, and wouldn't have to pay $97.

Save the speed for the track. The cops have enough to worry about other than writing up speeding tickets for knuckleheads who speed on the streets. If you don't speed, you'll save money from gas and radar detector expenses. Use that money to go buy a mod.

Save the speed for the track. The cops have enough to worry about other than writing up speeding tickets for knuckleheads who speed on the streets. If you don't speed, you'll save money from gas and radar detector expenses. Use that money to go buy a mod.

Actually, they dont have anything better to do. That's the problem. The state you live in wants you to slow down from ungodly speeds but they want you to travel 10mph over the speed limit so that they can write you speeding tickets. Its how they keep taxes low. Where do you think all the money to pay their salaries and cop cars, etc. comes from. If not from your tickets then it would need to come from somewhere else in the budget.

Speeding Tickets: An Educated Guide to Avoiding Them and Beating Them by Richard Walace, III. Retired Conn. St. Trooper. A must read for anyone that has gotten, doesn't want to get, doesn't want to get again, or avoid getting a ticket. He himself mentioned that he believes the rad. detectors are a good idea for the instances when you are kinda out of it, and might not be paying total attention. Now, he also does not think it will help you if you're doing 100 in a 55. Then it's tough luck. Also has some other interesting things in there. I bought the book because I'm in the process of fighting one, but his explination as to why you should have one, has convinced me to finally do it. I've been pulled over 3 times, and ticketed all 3 times. Needless to say, enough is enough, and after I get this one done...I'm buying one as well as taking the time to get a CB set up for long distance highway trips (mainly to keep abreast of the situation, not so I can speed heavily).

You're eyes and awareness WILL ALWAYS be your best detection. Me...I have the propencity to get stopped on rural areas where you don't expect anything where the device might very well help you.

BTW, "pop" radar isn't as exact as you might think or have been led to believe. Get the book. It's like 15 from Amazon.