Radar Detectors 2019

[O3H]

Who has one as we approach 2020 + ?
Is it still a thing
https://www.speedtrap.org/michigan-speed-trap-cities/

[Meddle]

I'm not sure how these were ever legal anywhere. The sole purpose of them is to evade speed limit enforcement. There is no other function to them.

They also 'receive police radio frequencies' which has mostly always been banned motor vehicles in MI without special permission. And that reception is meant to further the violation of law.

[Bigdd]

They are still a thing,.. but the ones from 5+ years ago are all but useless.

The blind spot warning system [[BLIS) on many new cars is on the same frequency as police radar systems [[K-Band ?),.. so older detectors just alert all the time.

The newer units have very intelligent filters to deal with this. As a result, they are a bit on the pricey side,.. and so are not as prolific as they used to be.

The top units are;

Uniden R3 $400.00

Escort MAX 360, $500.00 [[Adds ft and rear arrows, but does not have as good a filtering suite as the Uniden's).

If you haven't stepped up to these models,.. you're better off just not having one.


And yeah,.. they are illegal in some places. Canada, Washington D.C. and Virginia.

[Meddle]

Might be a cool result if PDs set up a bunch of low level, battery powered decoy transmitters that would send random, intermittent signals. Detectors would be tripping all the time 'falsely' [[but legitimately) and essentially become untrustworthy.

[O3H]

With everyone wanting MORE hp like the HellCat and such,
these things should be flying off the shelves everyday.

[Bigdd]

Might be a cool result if PDs set up a bunch of low level, battery powered decoy transmitters that would send random, intermittent signals. Detectors would be tripping all the time 'falsely' [[but legitimately) and essentially become untrustworthy.

Models like the Uniden can be set to figure these out. And the Escort does it automatically. They both have GPS to know where they are,.. and if they see the same unit at the same location more than once or twice,.. they "learn" that it's false, an automatic door, etc,.. and they won't alert again.

Some units have phone apps,.. and every unit syncs with the user's phone to transmit signals [[real or false) to the other detectors. So your unit will know about the speed trap long before you even get there [[or know to ignore a falsie)

[Meddle]

^^ It was not uncommon for our deputies to sit in the same spot day after day, week after week and catch violators one after the other, sometimes two at a time.

If a decoy were used, it could be moved quite easily. In fact, I've seen decoy cars parked in medians with radars active.

I can remember DPD traffic cars [[the white ones) parked in the same places running radar so often I used to wave at the guys as I went by.

[Ray1936]

I can remember DPD traffic cars [[the white ones) parked in the same places running radar so often I used to wave at the guys as I went by.

Oh, that was YOU that waved at me? Me, center, circa 1974. God, I was beautiful then.

[Meddle]

No, I remember the slick top Chevies, not sure what years, late 70s sometime. I do remember the pants and boots though!! :-)

[Meddle]

Dang, is that a Mars bar with the clear 'lightning' stripes?

[Jimaz]

I'm sure the technology has changed but I used a radar detector consistently back in the early 2000s. At that time the prevailing wisdom was that they're just toys. They won't prevent getting speeding tickets because by the time you detect their radar, the cops have already acquired your speed. But they were useful for mapping out areas where radar guns are and are not typically used.

When I first moved into an area where no one knew me, I was getting pinged all the time. That was unusual. I drove a very aggressive-looking Mustang but I never speed in traffic. I used the detector only out of curiosity. One day a squad car pinned me in while I was parked. He said they had a report of a "suspicious character" [[probable cause). He checked my papers and everything was in order. After that the pinging abruptly stopped. I think it's pretty obvious they were targeting me, trying to catch me speeding so they could legally ID that new guy in town. LOL!

Sorry to put you through all the trouble, officer.

[Ray1936]

Dang, is that a Mars bar with the clear 'lightning' stripes?

As I recall, yeah. Nothing like today's strobe lights, though. Lights on today's police vehicles remind me of something from around Devil's Tower in Wyoming. With the same music.

[Meddle]

I could talk lights and sirens for a while. I remember a lot of DPD variations including the silly shaped red ones of the early 80s.

But I don't recall any as identifiable as the Federal Superbeacon with the blue glass domes, the ones that oscillated about 60 degrees instead of full rotation. Most people only recognize them from the original Hawaii Five 0 opening sequence.

I had one with a red dome at one point, but no more. I still see blues for sale sometimes, but the prices are ridiculous.

[O3H]

Seems to still be a HOT topic 2019, sales going strong for detectors

https://www.ratedradardetector.org/b...adar-detector/

https://www.ratedradardetector.org/b...-laser-jammer/

Wonder where the Uber and Lyfts stand on there use ?

[Pat001]

I’m surprised no one’s mentioned the Waze app. In addition to being a great nav tool, Waze users warn each other when they see cops with radar guns so ppl behind them know in advance. It's not 100 percent but it's pretty good. In some situations Waze is better than radar bc by the time your radar detector lights up, or a cop lights you up with a laser it’s usually too late. Waze also warns you about speed cameras or red light cameras. Saved me a bundle when driving in Maryland and DC where speed cameras and red light cameras are everywhere, and in Ohio where radar cops seem to be everywhere. And - Waze is legal everywhere, and it's free.

[Maof]

I’m surprised no one’s mentioned the Waze app. In addition to being a great nav tool, Waze users warn each other when they see cops with radar guns so ppl behind them know in advance. It's not 100 percent but it's pretty good. In some situations Waze is better than radar bc by the time your radar detector lights up, or a cop lights you up with a laser it’s usually too late. Waze also warns you about speed cameras or red light cameras. Saved me a bundle when driving in Maryland and DC where speed cameras and red light cameras are everywhere, and in Ohio where radar cops seem to be everywhere. And - Waze is legal everywhere, and it's free.

Was just going to mention Waze. We have used it many times, especially coming home from out east in the beginning of a snow storm. We were able to divert several fender benders and were prepared for road closures. It was just on the news a week or so ago that local police departments are asking to not use the app.

[One Shot]

How about just doing the speed limit? Save the expense of a detector and possible ticket/rate increase?
I've always had. Now I use it just as a reminder to myself to keep an eye on my speed.

[Zacha341]

Love your photos when you post them!

Oh, that was YOU that waved at me? Me, center, circa 1974. God, I was beautiful then.

[Zacha341]

Yes, I am no speed demon on the road [[so worry about tickets for that is minimal), but use Waze sometimes and yes, it tells you how fast you're going and the hazards coming up. Free app!

Was just going to mention Waze. We have used it many times, especially coming home from out east in the beginning of a snow storm...

[softailrider]

Sometimes you just get in the mood to put your foot down. Got to pick your spots.

[Pat001]

It was just on the news a week or so ago that local police departments are asking to not use the app.

I saw the same story -- New York wants to prohibit Waze users from reporting were cops are located. Not sure how enforceable that would be but in a city where you can get busted selling loose cigarettes, they'll find a way.

[Zacha341]

Hah. I like cars and a tad of power, but some folks put that petal-to-the-metal action in the absolute wrong weather!!

From this Sundays sudden evening snow storm from the slow lane I observed some super-higher speeders zipped by, WB 94. As I caught up there they were: pile-up, crunched-crashed. Folks were walking about in the freeway looking at their damaged cars. Thankfully, no one seemed badly hurt.

I was able to tip-toe speed my car up exit US-10 north. Not sure why folks are driving faster now in ice and snow. I'm not.

Sometimes you just get in the mood to put your foot down. Got to pick your spots.

[Zacha341]

New York, New York. They continue to be so very special!

I saw the same story -- New York wants to prohibit Waze users from reporting were cops are located. Not sure how enforceable that would be but in a city where you can get busted selling loose cigarettes, they'll find a way.

[Pat001]

Not sure why folks are driving faster now in ice and snow. I'm not.

I used to drive to work on Square Lake road between Middlebelt and Telegraph where it’s all blind curves, hills and double yellow no passing. The ONLY time anyone has passed me on that stretch is during a snow storm. And it has happened more than once. WTF is wrong with people??

[Zacha341]

^^^ Just nuts! Then you have the person going too slow, and still slip-sliding and fish tailing!