Back in the USA for a bit, and have to do some driving. Was wondering if radar/laser detectors still work these days? If so, what is a good product to buy? Any tips or advice appreciated.
yup they work. mine has saved my ass plenty of times. this is what i use https://www.escortradar.com/passport9500ix/index.php
Yes they definitely do. Depending on your budget you can get quite fancy, with gps enabled ones that learn where false positives are and also have updatable db's of speedcams. The brand I use, and always hear is bulletproof is Escort. You can find a solid used Escort X50 for around 200 on ebay, which is what I have. It doesn't have any fancy gps stuff but it is an awesome little device.
Just be careful, I've heard that a lot of times when you pay for an escort you end up getting one that's different than what was advertised.
Is it going to work IF: You are driving and there is a cop but he does not have his radar turned on. He is just eyeing cars. He then points the radar at the suspected speeders and turns it on. What will the radar detector do then? It will beep but it will be too late.
Be careful about that. Cops really scrutinize the driver while they are being pulled over. If they see quick movements like that, it can possibly to a search. I will say I got pulled over by a Trooper driving from Houston to Dallas on 45 once (before I bought my Escort, was a terrible Cobra or something) at night and quickly, and I thought sneakily, stowed it away, by some miracle he let me off with a warning, but right as he was leaving he turned around and said, btw, don't use that ****ing radar detector, it doesn't help. I'm guessing he could see the led lights on the detector since it was at night. My point is, I got pulled over, cop knew I had a detector, and still let me off. But I wouldn't bet on my odds that would happen again.
I guess if you have a lead foot it is probably worth it but if just follow the speed of other traffic and stick about 10 to 15 MPH over the speed limit on highways I wouldn't bother with spending the money on a radar detector. I don't a detector and haven't gotten a speeding ticket in more than 10 years. Also several jurisdictions don't always use radar and will use old fashioned timing cars between two points.
Do radar and laser detectors work? Yes. Will it save you from getting a ticket? Depends. I have been using detectors for over 15 years. Radar detectors were very useful about 10 years ago before instant on radar and laser came out. If you are approaching a radar source that's constantly on, then sure most of these detectors will pick that up. But now cops don't leave them on. They pop you right as they see you. now here's the other but...as long as he is popping people ahead of you..your detector will pick up the radar waves. Laser on the other hand is whole different animal. There are no advanced warnings. It's such a narrow beam that if your radar picks it up, then 99% chance you're the one that got hit! Go up and down 288 and you will see cops outside their car with it. They can't do it from inside since the glass screws up the laser. My new radar detector = ME. I have picked up some skills over the years to avoid tickets. 1. Never speed through a school zone or neighborhood. Just not worth it. 2. Watch for brake lights from other cars before you go over a hill, or curve. Most people react to cops by braking. 3. Know the areas that are prone to cops and be prepared to slow down. 4. Get Waze app on your smartphone. 5. Don't drive more than 20mph.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Cobra-XRS-888-Radar-Detector-with-Voice-Alert/17217816 I recently bought this inexpensive one from wal-mart and was really impressed with its performance. It has a city/highway option and more times than not it starts going off before I even see a cop. This is definitely a good choice if you can't fork out the couple hundred extra for an escort or a higher end radar.
A valentine one combined with the trapster app is your best bet. Also pick up the skills mentioned above.
