Experienced opinions needed

[mjmac01]

I've been contemplating buying a radar detector for some time now. Just recently, I joined this forum and have been thoroughly researching RDs. While the top 3 detectors sound great, the only thing that concerns me are encounters with instant-on and lidar. It really sounds like you're done for if you get hit by one of these. I guess the point I'm trying to make is, despite these two setbacks, is it really worth it to get a detector, and how do you guys go about avoiding those two deadly instances? I just don't want to drop $300 and then get nailed by an instant-on, which with my luck, would probably happen within the first week of buying a detector. So if any of you experienced RD users could give me your two cents, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

[Ace_Racer]

mjmac01 here is my thoughts:

First, you are right both I-O (Instant On) and LIDAR are down right tough to detect with ANY detector. Second, the really honest counter measure is to slow down and not to speed 5 or more. The V1 has a very impressive sensitivity for LIDAR (Laser). No detector can be excellent with I-O. Reguarding the $300 and getting a ticket you just have to play it smart. If you are in an area that uses these two (odds are that you are) then slow down if you are the only one on the road. If there are others then maybe no more than 5 MPH.

Do some research of your area reguarding "hot" spots that the LEO's love to hide in for "speed enforcement". Some times knowledge is the best defense against anything, not just a $300 RD. So I hope you remember this when purchasing if you do. Out of the top 3 and since laser is your biggest threat (aside from I-O) I say go with the V1.

Just don't rely on the V1 alone to save you. While it is the best one for laser you still can get a ticket. Posts like this make me extremely grateful that my biggest threat is only C-O (Constant On) KA and that the CHP where I live aren't sneaky because my town is 90% elderly drivers! So good luck with your decision and I hope I am not coming off hard or mean I am just stating the facts.

Sincerely,

Ace_Racer

[Roadghost]

I think the problem here is the illusion that once you get a detector you can drive carefree over the speed limit and the RD will protect you entirely. Not so. You will always be vulnerable to instant-on and lidar. You will have a better chance of avoiding a ticket with a good RD.

With instant-on you will likely get a warning a mile or less down the road so you slow down. No LEO so you wonder what's up. You're about to speed back up when BANG he's right in front of you and you get another alert. On the other hand, if you don't have a detector you wouldn't know anything and BANG, you get a ticket.

Get a good one. Drive with it for a couple of weeks without speeding. You'll soon learn to understand it.

[Arashi666]

You buy ANY RD to recieve the hit the guys around you are taking,

You buy a Top 3 RD to get better range on potential threats, and of course for the bragging rights

You AVOID Instant-ons by not speeding when youre alone

You avoid LIDAR........ well by not sppeding or maybe praying for some scatter off the guy in front


so it all boils down to this............... Buy a top 3 unit, it doesnt matter which, if money is an issue, X50 red is a good one, but really you cant go wrong with any of them

[AirMoore]

I guess the point I'm trying to make is, despite these two setbacks, is it really worth it to get a detector

If it wasn't worth it we wouldn't have them. :wink:

As for instant-on, a rabbit is key... (a person infront of you who essentially goes by the trap first and sets off the instant-on from the officer, giving you time to slow down).

Lidar: A jammer is really the best way to go, but even a rabbit helps then... if you see the rabbit on their brakes for seemingly no reason... they probably can see something you don't up ahead... LEO, animal, Road hazard etc etc... and you should slow down accordingly anyways.

That is why it is key when using a rabbit not to be so close where the LEO will pull you over anyways, or where you will become part of their rear-bumper if they stop hard, and not to far to where you can't see their brake-lights, those brake-lights are key.

The Top-3/4 detectors will allow you to have a better chance of picking up the instant-on (further) down the road too, so there is that reason among others why they are so expensive.

Also remember if a detector saves you from one ticket... it has paid for itself, 300/350/400/450 it doesn't matter, between the fines of the ticket and the insurence HIKE even one save is worth it.

[joker1911]

i think an rd is always a good idea,

but combining it with laser shield and veil is neccessary for defense against lidar. and obviously a jammer if you have the money.

as for instant on, knowledge is key.


peace,

R

[bauzer71487]

If it wasn't worth it we wouldn't have them. :wink:

As for instant-on, a rabbit is key... (a person infront of you who essentially goes by the trap first and sets off the instant-on from the officer, giving you time to slow down).

Lidar: A jammer is really the best way to go, but even a rabbit helps then... if you see the rabbit on their brakes for seemingly no reason... they probably can see something you don't up ahead... LEO, animal, Road hazard etc etc... and you should slow down accordingly anyways.

That is why it is key when using a rabbit not to be so close where the LEO will pull you over anyways, or where you will become part of their rear-bumper if they stop hard, and not to far to where you can't see their brake-lights, those brake-lights are key.

The Top-3/4 detectors will allow you to have a better chance of picking up the instant-on (further) down the road too, so there is that reason among others why they are so expensive.

Also remember if a detector saves you from one ticket... it has paid for itself, 300/350/400/450 it doesn't matter, between the fines of the ticket and the insurence HIKE even one save is worth it.

Dattle work. X2!!!

[jdreynss]

Even the top three detectors are useless if the person using it does not know what they are doing

[Phozzle]

If it wasn't worth it we wouldn't have them. :wink:

As for instant-on, a rabbit is key... (a person infront of you who essentially goes by the trap first and sets off the instant-on from the officer, giving you time to slow down).

Lidar: A jammer is really the best way to go, but even a rabbit helps then... if you see the rabbit on their brakes for seemingly no reason... they probably can see something you don't up ahead... LEO, animal, Road hazard etc etc... and you should slow down accordingly anyways.

That is why it is key when using a rabbit not to be so close where the LEO will pull you over anyways, or where you will become part of their rear-bumper if they stop hard, and not to far to where you can't see their brake-lights, those brake-lights are key.

The Top-3/4 detectors will allow you to have a better chance of picking up the instant-on (further) down the road too, so there is that reason among others why they are so expensive.

Also remember if a detector saves you from one ticket... it has paid for itself, 300/350/400/450 it doesn't matter, between the fines of the ticket and the insurence HIKE even one save is worth it.

Dattle work. X2!!!

X3

[bunny]

It is all about the rabbits. :twisted: :wink: 8)

But even more importantly, it is about the knowlage of the given area you are driving in. Knowing what the cops use, were they typically are, how fast they pull people over for, and so on. For example, in some areas if you are even going 1 mph over the speed limit you will get pulled over, other times you could be going 20 over the limit and not get pulled over. Like there are spots on I-5 when cops will only give people tickets if they are going over 110 mph. Amazing? Insanly so. I asked a cop while gassing up, but that is only 1 cop. It doesn't mean all are like that.