Why buy a "Detectable" Radar Detector?

[Snowman269]

If you read any forums where LEO's hang out and they are discussing traffic stops, if they pull over someone with a RD, "They ARE Getting A Ticket-No Reductions!" & they won 't be talking themselves out of it either! I have read this over and over!

Harshest ticket I got 15 - 20 years ago, the LEO pulled me outta my car and dug around for my Crap Cobra RD. He said he detected it! NO WAY was I going to have something that told them to look at me again!

Even though it's legal in my state to drive with a RD. Knowing that many LEO's have that attitude, I will only buy undetectable detectors, such as the STi, Redline, etc... And then hang it behind window tint with no cord exposed for less attention.

How many of you have switched to a stealth model and how many of you don't care because it's legal to have a RD.

Obviously, if you slam on the brakes, the car's front end diving or brake lights give you away, a stealth detector doesn't help that. But when asked why I hit the brakes, I reply because I saw them, or the car in front of me hit the brakes, etc. they usually respond "okay".

Undetectable or not & why.

[NormSky]

I just have the power disconnect handy when running the V1 where I shouldn't by law.

[Snowman269]

I'm thinking they already detected you.

[Roadghost]

Yeah, you have to wonder where people's heads are who by detectable RDs. The highway police all over the place have Spectre these days. I heard that they wait until they detect an RD, quick-trigger them when they get close, then hit them hard with speeding fines. If you have an STi you just sail on by. Detectable RDs are old technology now.

[Hunter]

whatever works for you..go for it.

[SteadySpeedin]

As for your ticket 15-20 years ago, you should have said "No, you may not search my vehicle". He would have still given you a ticket, but NEVER consent to any searches. Outside of VA and DC, only the cops that do commercial vehicle enforcement have spectres (the devices that detect radar detectors). So, unless you're a trucker or live in VA/DC, you have nothing to worry about. IMO, the best overall detector is the V1 and it's detectable. Not that I care, because of the reasons that I stated above.

[Jag42]

Spectre are rare. Selected Tx Dps have them in DOT Tahoes. Having a Spectre can be annoying when 100 radar detectors are coming at you a mile away.

[jdong]

Of all the police cruisers I've looked in (I've not driven through RD-illegal states yet), I've yet to see one with a Spectre. And so far on these forums, I've only heard of Texas DPS using the Spectre+IO ambush strategy, so I don't think it's as prevalent as one makes it sound.


As far as why you'd own a non-detectable RD, it's probably either features, form factor, or price. If there existed a detector with arrows and GPS location+lockout features, detects quick trigger, and is available in remote install and windshield mount form factor, and is $400, you're right, only morons would pick another detector

Unfortunately, for now, there isn't, so if you don't want to pay $500 for a stealth detector that is just good at detecting radar and being stealth vs a $400 one that detects radar as well or better with arrows vs a $500 detector that is good at detecting radar and uses GPS for quietness and red light cameras.... *shrug*

For most of us we live in an area where we'd be extremely unlikely to see a Spectre. Stealth just doesn't have all that great of an advantage.

[Jag42]

What good does it do by owning a stealth Redline but will not alert to QT radar under 600-700ms. Every RD has there strengths and weaknesses.

[North Alabama]

It is like saying why own a RD that cannot clean the air in your auto or a RD that cannot pick up safety warnings and decode them. The reason is that those RDs suck in what they are suppose to do and that is to keep the driver from getting a ticket. It is my thought and mine only, get a V1 because Bel/Escorts are too slow for my States Troopers Stalker I/O.....