radar detectors and massachusetts cops (bel rx 65)

[abond2014]

hey guys,

i live in the worcestor area in mass and i recently got a radar detector, a "Beltronics RX 65 and i was wondering if there are any useful tips on how to use it that the manual may not cover. Also the cops in mass, what radar band do they use ? i am going to assume K or KA so should i turn off x band? even though i get alot of false alerts in my town or K band... any radar detector tips or mass police tips are greatly appreciated

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[Jack ffr1846]

You need to really just get used to it. You'll learn to "read" the signals after a while. And remember that cops can figure out where high ambient signals are that'll trip your detector and they can set up there and get you. (any CVS, most grocery stores, any airport)

I have V1's in all my cars. Last ticket was in 1987. You have to also read traffic and not be stupid about how you're driving.

[sowrxy]

Haha i live in weaternmass an from what ive herd state cops will have you before your detector even picks them up.

[skimobile]

Also, a radar detector won't protect you if they use Laser (LIDAR),.... it will just signal to inform you that you're screwed.

[Legatron02]

Electric doors will trigger it... thats why it goes off around CVS, Grocery stores etc...

[WRXLTD]

Originally Posted by skimobile

Also, a radar detector won't protect you if they use Laser (LIDAR),.... it will just signal to inform you that you're screwed.

^ Exactly. I see more and more cops using laser at speed traps.

Any radar/laser detector these days is just a waste of money.

[vision.dynamix]

They're not a total waste of money if you know how to use them properly. Even if they were still using just radar, a radar detector doesn't mean you'll be getting away.

Laser Jammers are awesome also.

As is speeding smartly and being able to scan the road and spot targets.

[Jack ffr1846]

Detectors are not a waste of money but they are not going to.....all by themselves....save you from getting nabbed.

Laser spreads with distance. The good news with this is that when the guy in front of you is getting zapped, your laser detector will still go off. I've had this happen many times. But I tend to drive in the right lane, since most of Eastern Mass feels that they must be in at least the middle lane. So while the guy in the middle is getting pulled over for 72mph, I'm hearing the laser detector going off and slowing down from 75.

Laser is no more deadly than instant on or aircraft detection. NH does random arial detection with the pack of state police cars just waiting for you. Has been going on for at least 30 years. Instant on is easier because they can "shoot" one guy and you hear the strong hit, then it's off. Very different from a random electric door proximity sensor.

I like my Valentines because they tell me the direction and number of hits. Helps in places with normal ambient hits. If I'm going north into Nashua on 3, I know I'm getting an ambient hit. If I see a second hit ahead, I know that they're waiting around the corner (a common place where they wait). Same on the turnpike east, next to the right turn guard rail after exit 12. Be aware. But a waste of money? No.....can't agree with that at all.

[nhmtns]

The absolute best thing I ever did to not get speeding tickets was grow up. Teenager and 20's = had that invincible mentality and got my license revoked in MA and NY for too many speeding tickets. 30's = 1 ticket. 40's = 0 tickets.

[ctrain]

I agree with most points that a radar detector alone will not prevent you from getting tickets, but also a smart approach to driving is equally important. I also think that a radar detector increases your ability to learn how to judge traffic patterns and learn about spots where police will be sitting and waiting for speeders.So if you are driving smart and the detector goes off you might remember that next time you are going through that area at a higher speed.

[SpamBot]

Originally Posted by vision.dynamix

speeding smartly

Bit of an oxymoron, no?

[vision.dynamix]

Originally Posted by SpamBot

Bit of an oxymoron, no?

Not necessarily.

[wizzman]

Do more track days. The more I do, the slower I drive on the street.

[massbmx]

I agree with whats been said in here mostly. The radar detector cant save you 100% of the time but if you learn to "use" it properly its can certainly help. I wanted to add that one thing I've noticed is if you do get pulled over with one you are more likely to get a ticket because cops seem to love still getting someone using one. Then again I got a ticket a couple years back where he had no radar on and tried to play it off like he did. I mentioned that my detector didnt go off to him and he changed his tune a bit. Granted I still got a ticket but for 30 mph less than he was originally saying (which was way out of whack anyways). But yes radar detectors are a grear tool if used properly.

[XplicitRacingDesign]

Originally Posted by nhmtns

The absolute best thing I ever did to not get speeding tickets was grow up. Teenager and 20's = had that invincible mentality and got my license revoked in MA and NY for too many speeding tickets. 30's = 1 ticket. 40's = 0 tickets.

I'm 28 and owned a 94 Z28 after about 6 months of having my license. (18-20) then at 20 I bought my STi. I've had one speeding ticket in the 10 years I've had my license. A BIG part is just paying attention to your surroundings. Cop cars, even most undercover ones aren't that hard to spot if you look for certain details.

[DJHiRoller]

As others here have stated, it's a great tool that you have to learn to use. I've been using my V1 for years and wouldn't go on a road trip without it. While it's not magic, it will keep you from getting a stupid ticket. Especially in a little towns where the speed limit drops quickly from 50 to 30mph. In addition to avoiding a ticket, it also let's you prepare for the panic breaking by the cars in front of you that see the speed trap at the last moment.

[WRXLTD]

Originally Posted by XplicitRacingDesign

A BIG part is just paying attention to your surroundings. Cop cars, even most undercover ones aren't that hard to spot if you look for certain details.

Best answer so far.

Using your head & paying attention is the best way of avoiding a speeding ticket.

Other tips that have helped me are:

1) Stay out of the left lane. use it only to pass.

2) Try to stay in one lane as much as possible...constant lane changes just brings attention.

3) Don't speed alone. I usually wait for a "rabbit" to pass me, then stay in his shawdow. This way you mostly just look in your review mirror for cops coming from behind.

4) Stay off the Mass Pike.

[stevejones19]

^^^ #3 is the biggest one. Speeding alone negates any use of a radar detector. And driving across country 3 times, you can always find someone driving quicker than everyone else. Let them be the one to slam on the brakes when its too late and let you know.

[NateLS1]

I stopped getting tickets when I stopped using a radar detector. It was like a false sense of security to me. I try to keep my speeding to within 10mph of the limit on highways, which has worked out quite well.

[nhmtns]

I didn't really care that much about driving safely when I was a dumb teenager. My friends and I used to drive way too fast like idiots, and I got several tickets because of it. Then I did six coast to coast trips (all solo) during my 20's and accumulated several more tickets in random states. My Mass plates made me an easy target. I still didn't seem to care that much though.

Originally Posted by NateLS1

I try to keep my speeding to within 10mph of the limit on highways, which has worked out quite well.

One I got older and more mature, I adopted this ^^^ approach. No more tickets.

[JustMatt]

Originally Posted by WRXLTD

3) Don't speed alone. I usually wait for a "rabbit" to pass me, then stay in his shawdow. This way you mostly just look in your review mirror for cops coming from behind.

This is my main defense against tickets. Was going up to my in-laws winter place in VT and was keeping about 1/4 mile or so behind a big tricked out truck that was doing 90 on Rt 91 north. Barely saw a VT statie behind a snowbank I went by and immediately slowed down. He pulled up behind me for a second before passing me and hitting the lights to pull over the truck. Knocked it back down to 65 and ended up passing another statie behind a snowbank a few miles later. Felt like I dodged a bullet on that one since I think I was an idiot and was procrastinating on re-registering my car.

Now that my car has the MPG meter on the dash and I have a 100 mile round trip commute to work, that is keeping me at the speed limit and in the right hand lane for almost all of my driving. It also has the side benefit of making my commute much less stressful without having to be pissed at the jackholes doing 66 in the left hand lane.

[amarks563]

I've found that familiarity with roads and traffic help me a lot more than a radar detector would, at least on the highway. I'd imagine though that the radar detector will become part of that familiarity, where you have awareness of what a false hit is relatively soon after you start using it. It also helps that there are a lot of speeders in Massachusetts...cops seem to be somewhat tolerant of highway speeders, provided you aren't calling attention to yourself or being excessive.

How to Beat Speed Traps and Drive Safely Part 1 - Live and Let Drive - YouTube

How to Beat Speed Traps and Drive Safely Part 1 - Live and Let Drive - YouTube

I don't know how legitimately helpful the video is, but it does have some decent tips, and I'm a bit of a sucker for Alex Roy's presentation style. Sadly, there doesn't appear to be a part 2, despite the title.

[Elky]

I've got a radar detector question that I've been hesitant to ask, but this thread seems as good a place as any.

Often on my commute home from work (Mass 95N between exits 19 and 29) I repeatedly get a K band hit that starts at full signal and quickly tapers down. I've been assuming that it's cars with adaptive cruise control, any thoughts? It's usually in heavy slow traffic so I don't think it would be instant on radar or anything. Im using a Passport 8500 for reference.

[Garandman]

Track days, what he said.....

I had radar detectors from 1978 until 1990. When the instant-on became prevalent I sold off my last one.

Main reason is that if you get stopped with one, 99% of the time you are going to get a ticket. I LOVE the guys who pass me on the Mass Pike with one sitting on their dash, or anyone else moving fast: I refer to them as my "radar detector."

[sowrxy]

Originally Posted by Garandman

. I LOVE the guys who pass me on the Mass Pike with one sitting on their dash, or anyone else moving fast: I refer to them as my "radar detector."

This!