smbstyle

yep, they were set for city/county/state revenue, and most of the "speed limits" out there have nothing to do with driver safety. Slower does not mean safer.

I-95 in southern VA going into Petersburg, speed limit goes from 65 to 55, and at the sign where it changes, there is almost always a cop shooting radar looking to pop people for 20mph over (average driver around there doing 10 over). There is no reason why it should drop 10 mph in that zone other than for area revenue, and there are a ton of other cities around the US that do the exact same thing.

http://blog.motorists.org/powerful-c...-speed-limits/

smbstyle

Yes, I certainly do, and I tend to go about 10 over on most highways, but it's most handy where the cops are preying on the people in the areas where the speed limit changes for no good reason. See my example on I-95 in VA above. In VA, detectors are illegal, and those who frequent I-95 can tell you there is probably the largest precence of traffic cops shooting radar in that state.

cobrajetjoe

I have never been stopped for doing 10 over.

cdynaco

So what brand detector are you using?

cobrajetjoe

I cant speak for the US, but I hardly think speed zones in Canada were set up so Municipalities or Provinces could make a buck. I do think that police will take advantage of speed zone changes though...

And in the case of accidents..slower is safer. Speed may not be the causation; however, when your involved in one I guarantee you want it to be at slower speeds....faster speeds = greater injuries.

cobrajetjoe

lol

825LTRGT

It's true that most detectors, even the cheap ones will pick up radar a long way off.

Around me most of them use instant on and you are screwed especially over hills. The last one got me for 77 in a 65 going down a hill. Most times, there is not a lot of traffic and quite a bit of open space.

FWIW, I work in the boonies.

The best way is to have someone run blocker for you, IMHO.

GGGforce

I am still using an Escort 8500, covers all the bands and laser. I've heard great things about the 9500ix and the smart cable/cord adapter that connects you to other users via your Android or iPhone.
I am surprised that there is even a thread to debate whether or not a detector is valuable. I've saved myself from dozens and dozens of potential tickets. I rarely go more than 10-15 over, but thats enough to get a nice fine.
My only gripe I'd that it warns you SO early that you start to get antsy waiting to get to the cop.

Fenderaddict2

Common CJ, tell me you've never hit 140 KPH taking the 401 to Mtl. If detectors were legal here, we'd both have 'em.

cobrajetjoe

lol, well that's my point. 10 over...sheeet people don't need them for that, as I said previously I have never been stopped for 10 over. 40 over is another thing...and if someone was driving that fairly regularly then they def need one. But I'd also say that if they drive 40 over all the time, then they drive to fast.

As far as doing 140kph on the 401....I have no recollection of that.

smbstyle

you missed my point.

Nevermind.

smbstyle

Slower LIMITS does not mean a safer road.

For slower DRIVING, yes, in a perfect world we'd all drive 35 mph and there would be no traffic fatalities.

Realistically, when the lawmakers set a speed limit on a highway to 45 or 55 to make it "safer", they aren't.

stupidgenius36

I think I've covered it before, but I'll go over my thoughts again.

If you need it to be undetectable, go with the Beltronics STI.
If you want the best possible detection, go with the Valentine One.
If you want less false alarms, go with the Passport 9500ix.

I personally have a Passport 9500i hardwired in and also with an external speaker wired in as well (for when I'm rockin' out and still gotta hear my alerts). I love it, and I have no complaints whatsoever. However, all 3 of the detectors that I mentioned are very good choices. You just gotta decide which one fits you best.

Nothing can help you with instant-on radar (Note: instant-on radar is NOT laser). As the cop shoots short radar bursts at cars in front of you, you have to hope that your detector can pick up on that short burst. The good ones can. If there's no one in front of your, then you're out of luck.

Radar jammers are illegal everywhere. Laser jammers are only legal in some places, so you'll have to look into it more. But if laser isn't used very much in your area, then it might not be worth spending money on a jammer.

GOOD detectors work very well, if you know how to use it. If there's no one in front of you, then having a detector means nothing. That's not the detector's fault. In light to medium traffic a good detector should alert WAY before you can see the cop.

$300?...I'd recommend spending more than that. It's a RADAR detector, not a COP detector. If his radar isn't on, then there's no way to detect it. It doesn't matter how good a detector is, if the driver has no idea how to use it properly.

Yes. 15mph over isn't that fast, but it'll get you a ticket everytime.

roketman

Couldn't agree more.GO TO THE TRACK! Our cars are mean't to be track day cars.While in the winter mode find some car clubs that you do track events with.Bmw ,Porsche,SCDA,and many other will gladly welcome you. Come join the fun!Its the most fun you can have with your clothes on!

bob

In Va going 20 over is a reckless as is any speed 80 mph and above.

Righy, your car, the rest of us poor bastards just have to make due with our every day run of the mill street Mustangs

striker GT

VA is rough. I once got pulled over on I-81 (65 mph) for going 72. Sad thing was, I had cruise set about 2 over the whole time I was in the state, and sped up simply to pass a slow tractor- trailer so I could get off at an upcoming rest area.

I had my radar detector put away in the center console because I knew they weren't legal, however, the suction cup mount was still on the windshield. The cop asked to see my radar detector, and long story short, while I got off the hook for speeding, I did get a ticket for having an illegal RD. Apparently the rule is any RD must be locked in a compartment not accessible by the driver while driving.

Womprat

I still use my V1 and I really like knowing how it identifies whats a long way away and provide time to steady up! But bottom line is take it to the track, there are enough knuckleheads out there who drive unsafely.

jouster

I put on a LOT of miles every year, and all of my vehicles are on the fast side.
To keep my licence, I set the cruise a bit over the limit and mostly enjoy the ride from there.
But the one luxury I allow myself, especially with the Boss, is to occasionally drop 2 gears and tromp on it when passing. That when I'm most vulnerable, and that's when I like my Valentine detector the most! All I can say is, "So far, so good"!
There,..... I probably jinxed myself by telling that story!
Cheers,
..... did you hear about the optimistic guy that fell out the 25th story window?
He was going by the 15th floor, looked around and said, "Hey! .... so far so good!"

four-walling

I totally agree. It just that occasional 4 or 5 seconds when I need to downshift and step on the gas-on a wide open freeway...

nick_silver

I use the Beltronics GX65 and love it. GPS with database of speed traps and red light cams, you're also to mark false alarms or speed signs so that it will ignore them in the future. You can get it much cheaper from other vendors.

http://www.beltronics.com/store/gx-65.html