So looked around the forum and found that there was sooo many radar posts hahaha (as usual), so had a few questions...

1. How many people have radar detectors & still have gotten pulled over (did you get a ticket?
(i know that they're not full proof)
2. Is it worth it? (i think i know the answer to this already... i know some people would say nooo.... just drive slower, but i tend to catch myself going a bit over speedlimit at times...)
3. With new laser technology is it worth getting a radar detector?

yeah... i think that's about it... thinking about getting the V1.

 

I thinks its a must in the Mini. I myself find to go over speed limits quite often. Hey its a really fun car why not be safe? I would get the escort I had better experience with it. I owned both and the V1 just looks nasty to my taste and it beeps always. I got one ticket since I have the radar that about 2 years ago. I was going 15mph he was just right under the bridge.

 

A radar detector will NOT keep you from getting tickets.
It will help give you warning that someone is monitoring your speed.

I have had plenty of warnings (2 today) with my V1 that keep me from getting the attention I don't want.

NJ troopers use Laser and KA instant on
(though Infinity trucks set the laser detector off due to the smart cruise-control and GM LED taillights and some neon signs do the same)

Local constibles still use X and K as well as laser, both Instant on, constant on for Radar.

Yeah, its worth it.
I have my V1 hardwired (following instructions from the forums) with a remote in front of the tach.

 

What he ^ said...
+1

Exactly my setup and my experience...
But so far, I've had 28,000 high intensity fun miles in my MINI with no tix, thanks to my V1 and paying attention and knowing the tactics of the LEOs...

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=125979

No stops since the V1

Had a Cobra in my last car ignored it got stopped, questioned about the detector was given a verbal warning for my speed.

V1 provides a piece of mind (because it tells me everything and I interpret it) that I refuse to drive without, the V1 always travels with me now, MINI or otherwise.

 

Another thing with good radar dectors is that the thrill of the hunt is intoxicating. I got an Escort 9500i. Quiet but effective. It has not let me down with real threats. As for laser, I got a jammer. Check my sig.

 

I've got an Escort from a couple years ago that I like very much. I only really run it for long drives / road trips, though. I use it not to avoid tickets but to help remind me to keep my speed in check.

 

haha yeah i know, just wondering whether how effective is... knew someone who had a v1, kinda seemed annoying (kept beeping as we went by supermarkets, and stuff like that....)

so escort is somethin to look into? as well as a lazer jammer?

aren't the laser jammers illegal (in CA)?

 

i have V1, excelent product. wasnt really sure if it was worth all the money and if it could live up to they hype when i got it, but it did and still does. gives great peace of mind. has saved me several times. i have gotten pulled over when ive had once, a cop was pacing behind me, at night, unmarked car on the highway, and just keeping the same steady speed with me in the left lane...and i just happened to be the lucky car in front of him so he pulled me over, wheres i was just going with the speed of the traffic infront and behind me but such as life.

 

My wife and I have the V1s in our MINIs. It's true that they make a lot of noise if you leave them in the full-auto/full-sensitivity highway mode all the time, but there are two other basic modes that intelligently filter out a lot of the junk. In addition, you can fine-tune the alerts you get by programming the unit.

The "bogey counter" and directional arrows on the V1 are features I didn't fully appreciate until I got used to them - now I can't imagine not having them.

 

Ditto^

 

CA, UT, and MN all have statutes which make laser jammers illegal. Other states are fine. VA and Washington, DC also ban all radar/laser detectors (though if you've got a good enough lawyer and some cash to spend, you can probably challenge that law). Radar jammers are banned by federal statute in all 50 states.

My suggestion would be to read through some stuff at radarbusters.com to get an idea of what might work best for you.

Personal suggestion:

Escort 8500 X50 - The 9500i has a built in GPS to tell you your speed and let you mark traps etc etc, but you can do all that with a nav unit you may already have in your car. Save the 100$ and get the same thing without the GPS.

Note that no matter what, you want to be able to "hear" at a distance. Check reviews to see how close the detectors had to be before they heard the radar gun, the farther away when you hear that first hit, the easier it is for you to react in time. Also this is quite helpful in the areas where officers are using POP (instant on). Just don't let a short burst make you think it's a false alarm. Vigilance plus a detector should keep you from getting a ticket via radar.

That said, there are a few ways police can nail you for speeding without using radar at all. Spaced out white lines that run the width of the road are a pretty good sign that visual timing is used in that area, either from the ground or the air. Stay safe, be reasonable, and you can keep yourself clear of that dreaded "License and registration."

Short version:

Yes, they're worth it, if only to remind you to keep an eye on your speed. It's easy to sneak up on speeds higher than the limit, particularly on an interstate when you're keeping up with everyone else, but that's not a valid excuse to a trooper.

 

The GPS also allows you to lock out false signals, but alert you with new signals. Very useful for your routine daily commute. Also, in auto-sensitivity mode, it adjusts it's filtering based on speed. To me, it's worth the extra money. I drive mainly around the nyc area, and the detector is eerily quiet but effective. If you can turn X and K band off in your area, though, then the GPS features will be moot.

Also, while the escort detectors don't have arrows, the expert meter display is very cool. It will display up to 9 signals at a time showing the type and strength of each.

Try out the 9500i or 8500 and the V1. They have 30 day guarantees if you buy directly from them.