Quote:
Originally Posted by Regulator75
Anyone still living in the 90's has one.
They detect sliding doors at the Mall, then become a paper weight.  |
Uh huh.
Radar detectors still have a purpose, but the problem is most people either buy a crap one and it fails them (my girlfriend has one that I told her "looks like you press a button and it has chewing gum inside" - rubbish unit), or buy one and don't know how to use it effectively.
First things first, consider where you drive - do you intend on driving anywhere that radar detectors are illegal? Starting in Manitoba and heading east, they tend to be illegal. If so, you'll want to invest in a unit that is RDD-undetectable. Ignore claims of 'VG-2 cloaking', it's rubbish, VG-2 isn't used anymore. You need a Spectre-proof unit; something like either a Beltronics STi Magnum or an Escort Redline. If not, many people swear by the Valentine 1, while others like the Escort Passport 9500i with its GPS integration to warn you about intersection cameras and avoid false positives due to automatic door openers in malls.
Next, you need to know how to configure your detector. If you're running it in the city, you might as well turn off X band and K band - it isn't used in-city. Ka band is used by the Multanova mobile radar vans you see on Deerfoot and around the city - they are notoriously difficult to detect, so buying a quality detector is paramount if you want to be alerted to them. Once on the highway, I'll turn all the bands on. X band is almost never used, but knowing this, I've detected some officers using it. Five or so years ago, I detected an officer in Nanton running X band radar. Saved my ass.
Lastly, you need to know what the detector will (and won't) protect you from.
- It will alert you to radar traps, either manned or (with less range) mobile vans.
- It will not alert you to intersection cameras (which are induction loops, not radar) unless you buy a GPS-enabled unit and install the POIs.
- It will not protect you from an officer pacing you.
- It will not protect you from aircraft speed measuring.
- It will NOT protect you from laser speed traps that the CPS tend to run in-city.
"Hang on James, my radar detector says it detects laser!" Indeed it does, and it's as good as me tapping you on the shoulder and saying "Hey, you're about to get a ticket". Once a laser gun has hit you, you're screwed; the officer has your speed, and you aren't out-braking a laser gun. The size of a laser beam is such that it's incredibly rare for an officer to target another vehicle and have the beam cover a large enough footprint for your detector to detect the laser splash. Simply put, don't rely on a detector for laser protection. Get an active laser diffuser like a Laser Interceptor or Blinder.
If you're going to buy a radar detector, do not cheap out. Buy the best model you possibly can. You are buying a product whose sole purpose is to pay for itself by sparing you tickets. Buying a crap one is a great way to spend even more money because your inferior detector gave you a false sense of security and couldn't detect the officer over the hill, or the Multanova under the overpass.
RadarDetector.org is a great source of information, as are the RadarDetector.net forums. Read up and see which model is right for you.
Personally, I run a Beltronics STi Driver (the first version of the magnesium-encased STi Magnum), also a Spectre RDD-proof unit, as I have family in Manitoba that I used to drive to and visit.
My detector has paid for itself a few times now. I'm planning on getting a remote-mounted Bel STiR unit in my next car. But aside from Multanova mobile cameras, radar detectors are best used for highway driving.
Any more questions, just ask.
Radar detectors
