I have been kicking around the idea of getting a radar detector. I was wondering what do the cops mainly use around here(Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery)? Also anyone actually get any use out of theirs? MD is all hills and non-straight roads so not sure how much it would help.

I was looking at either Passport 8500, Solo 2, or maybe a Valentine.

 

I think you're best radar detector is you're eyes. Most people will not react in time to a lazer gun, Maybe a radar gun with the Officer on the other side of the hill. I'm a cadet for a department in Maryland, and my buddies and I got bored and we tried to react to a lazer and radar. I have a V1 and I could not react fast enough to lazer. My friend has the passport 8500 and he got nailed every time. To answer you're question you will not react fast enough to beat the lazer but if you were coming over the hill the V1 did detect the radar and gave me an alert for radar (we tried it) The V1 is a little older but it works. the passport 8500 did not give my friend enough time to slow down for the over the hill test.

 

I use this $60 detector and it has saved me quite a few times. You just need to have another car or a "blocker" I like to call them, in front of you to take the first radar hit. I know this site that sells Radar and laser jammers/detectors. I'll post the link later on today when I get back to my CPU.

Edit:
Here's the site.
http://www.jammersstore.com/jammers.htm

 

The RADAR detectors aren't just LASER(Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation) detectors. They detect many things on a Police Cruiser. They detect his CB radio, his LASER gun of course, his RADAR, etc. That's why radio towers sometimes trigger them, as well as banks. These things do not make you invulnerable to LASERs or RADAR guns. But they do give you a very good chance at preventing a ticket. They go off even when a cop is NEARBY, man. He doesn't have to be hitting you with the LASER or RADAR gun. That would be pointless. Of course no one can out maneuver a LASER or RADAR wave. That's ridiculous. But if you want full coverage there are jammers that porsche and other car companies already mount into their front bumper and rear bumper as an option off the lot. You can also buy them online, but they cost a pretty penny, if you speed a lot it'll eventually have paid for its self.

 

MD state troopers mostly use radar. Howard and Anne Arundel counties mostly use radar as well. Montgomery and PG counties use laser. Laser detection is worthless BTW. My Passport 8500 only goes off when the laser is aimed at my car - then it's too late. In Montgomery county I just slow down in spots that are nortorious for speed traps.

 

I have yet to see a Radar or Laser Detector that goes off just from a Patrol unit rolling around with radar and laser guns off. When I go to work today I'll try you're theory with my detector and with a couple of different ones too. I don't buy the fact that detectors go off from radio towers, cb radios and banks. Most detectors are triggered by automatic opening doors

 

Radar detectors detect operating radar only. Cop in range with his gun on, traffic radar on the interstates (what the DOT uses to determine the flow of traffic) and automatic door openers are the main things that set off detectors.

 

My V1 works great. It let me know right away that I got nailed by a laser a few weeks ago. (insert sarcasm)

It was great, I got to pull over before the cop even flipped his lights. He thanked me for pulling over before he got going after me. Made his life easier. Then he reduced the ticket from way over the limit to just over the limit. I couldn't thank him enough.


Other than using a jammer, which I had and it sucked, you're going to be hard pressed to avoid a laser. I have given up and now go the limit on 270. Too many cops out there lately.

Cory

 

i heard V1 is really good. my brother and his friend both have Passport's and they just look nice and sleek and they are better than most radar detectors. V1 is what you want for great performance and Passports just look nice (in my opinion)

 

http://www.radartest.com/

read the review comparing the Passport and the V1

 

You guys are right about the LASER it's tough. I have had my V1 for about 8 years now and it has paid for itself many times over. The first "mod" I tell new Evo owners I meet to get is a "Valentine 1". I'm 44 and have had my share of tickets. The suprising thing I have found about having a radar detector is the number of times it has saved me from tickets due to not seeing posted speeds change. The 50 to 35, or a 40 to 25 where the nice officer is just sitting on the other side of the reduced limit sign. I was not out making a top speed run. I was just driving around town listening to music or friends in the car and did not notice I was going 37 in that 25 zone. The V1 has saved me EVERYTIME that has happend.

My Valentine 1 is always paying close attention, even when I may not be.

signed V1 nut swinger

Mike

 

V1 all the way, but the laser will get you every time. Hasn't gotten me yet (knock on wood). But, The V1 has more than paid for itself.

 

We have the V1 and love it. No... you can't avoid laser but for all the other bands that cops use (Ka, K) it's great. Saved our @ss many a times.

 

V1...no speeding tickets since 2000

 

Just put it away when you roll down into FFX county... they no likey...

Better yet: avoid FFX county!