takeshi

Yes. Well, let's qualify that. If law enforcement is using radar in your area and they haven't totally converted to low power radar (AFAIK no one has). In some areas like Hawaii (IIRC) they're solely laser. Obviously in such a situation a radar detector would be pointless.

Like any measures/countermeasures game there's always escalation on each side. It's extremely unusual that you can really declare one side outdated (which seems to be how computer geeks are used to viewing things). Someone comes up with a newer, better speed enforcement technology and then someone else comes along with something to counter it. This is exactly why current radar detectors do so much more than just detect X band radar. Every feature on a modern radar detector is a response to a newer and better speed enforcement technology. It has always been like that and it always will be. It's not unlike armor versus anti-armor, copy protection versus pirates, and so on and so on. The world isn't sitting still.

Keep in mind that a radar detector isn't a magical field that prevents you from getting tickets. It's a tool. You still have to be situationally aware. It is also best practice to use a rabbit no matter what the situation. Had the LEO been using constant on radar (like they tend to around here) a good detector would have probably saved you. If he had been using instant on it's hard to say. With a rabbit you would probably pick up the LEO hitting the rabbit ahead of you. Without a rabbit (or if the LEO is very selective) it's trickier to say and you might have ended up with a ticket even with a detector. There really aren't easy black and white answers.

A good traffic attorney is a nice fallback to have.

You generally get what you pay for.

Your question isn't a simple yes or no question. You need to know how law enforcement works in your area (or any area you intend to drive through). You also need to know how to use a radar detector should you decide to get one. By "know how to use" I don't mean how to operate the model you buy. I mean having a reasonable expectation of what the radar detector can and can't do as well as what it is telling you about any given situation. I'd also recommend looking only at the top-of-the-line windshield mount units (V1, 9500ix, etc) at the very least. Anything less is going to give you false confidence IMO. Visit some radar detector forums and do some research.

Not true at all. The V1 has several modes as well as programmable options. However, it does not have GPS, Truelock, or speed-dependent sensitivity (which is what I think you're saying). Selecting one detector over the others involves a bit of subjectivity. Personally, I really prefer the arrows and to be aware of all alerts which is how Valentine Research approaches things. If falses really bother you or tend to make you ignore the detector then consider a GPS/Truelock-equipped model. Best bet is to try each one since the manufacturers offer a 30 day return policy just for this purpose.

If this is your shopping criteria then don't even bother with a radar detector. Even if you're evenly split on two models and decided to use appearance as a tie breaker I would bet that you haven't done enough research. Appearance doesn't mean a thing unless you think a cop will let you go after looking at your radar detector.

Today's V1 looks pretty much like the original but don't let that fool you. The V1 has been constantly updated over the years. Again, don't buy based solely on appearance or even weigh in appearance heavily.

[QUOTE=Penforhire,Oct 23 2008, 07:10 PM]Even then laser can get you with little or no warning.

schhim

I've been pretty lucky too. I haven't gotten pulled over since I got the S. Maybe I'm not driving fast enough...

D Loke

I have the V1, and it has paid for itself.

Of course, instant on will get you every time, but it's less common.

EVAN&MONICA

true but I knowsomeone in your S has gotten a ticket

mrs2kny

I have V1 Integrated in my brain....

Riceboi

[QUOTE=takeshi,Oct 24 2008, 05:57 AM] With a rabbit you would probably pick up the LEO hitting the rabbit ahead of you.

Willie Gee

8500...

it helps. but it's no substitute for common sense.

daktruckie99

When placing a car in front of you at the proper distance for your current speed it's likely that you will catch I/O scatter when the LEO targets the car in front of you.

That is how it works in a perfect world.

zoomkat

Just to refine things, what type of radar band (X, K, Ka, Ku, etc) is commonly seen being used by the local type of police while they are inside parked cars hiding around the curve, behind the bush or over the bridge? I assume lasers and such would need to be aimed and would not be employed in this type of situation. My need is not when I'm traveling with other cars (somebody is usually going faster), but when no other cars are around.

daktruckie99

FYI Ku is not used in North America.

If you are traveling alone and the LEO is 'smart' you're only hope is that they are using Laser and you are equipped with a Laser Interceptor.

Most local cops will use K or Ka, X is rarely used except for New Jersey by their state police AFAIK. Any cop using I/O radar will nail you regardless of what you have in your car. You're best bet is the new Escorts or a V1 and learn to travel with a rabbit on hilly/curvy terrain.