Message-Id: <QYNif1y00WB3AXGEoF@andrew.cmu.edu>
Date: Tue,  9 May 89 09:42:25 -0400 (EDT)
From: Percival Tieng <pt0o+@andrew.cmu.edu>
To: +dist+/afs/andrew/usr17/pt0o/.dlists/radar@andrew.cmu.edu
Subject: radar detector summary


Ok, here it is.

I'm not sure how to summarize it all - so all the original replies to
me have been posted below.  I accidentally deleted some of the names
so please forgive me if you were not correctly acknowledged.

Anyway, the majority opinion seems to be that the Passport is best -
priced in the $250-$300 range.  One of you recommended the Cobra.

Aside from brand-naming, the concensus seems to be that it's really
worth the price for a radar detector.  Personally, I haven't been
successful at dodging speeding tickets at all.  I've had three - in
three different states (CA,PA,WY).  In all, I've spent about $180 on
these three tickets.

On the other extreme, Mr Stewart recommends against buying a radar
detector.  See his post below for more of why not to buy one.

As for the technical features, it seems that there are two bands -
X and K - and both are standard on most radar detectors.  The problem
with radar detectors is that highway patrols are relying less on
them and using new and different methods.  (as in instant on (?) where
they aim the gun at you and just take a reading within a short period
of time - usually just a spike out of your detector - too late for any
slowdown.

And for the legality question, it's legal in most states except for VA,
CT, DC... And there are horror stories of detectors being busted
in front of you if caught with it.  It's just wise, in general, to
hide it once you get stopped.

Everyone though was in agreement that the best rule is still to drive
cautiously.  But some just say "Happy speeding!".

Thanks to all that replied...

_____________________________________________

Radar detectors are illegal in some states, such as Virginia.  In those
states, if you are stopped by the police, you will be in more trouble when
they find your radar detector.  Otherwise, I suppose there isn't anything
they can do.

Paul McKee
mckee@galley.ece.cmu.edu
------------------------
I don't know much about them but bought one the other day.  I bought a
Uniden RD9 for $119.  I will be using it on the highway mostly.  The feature
I found to be valuable is separate X and K band indicators.  All the door
opener use X band so it is nice to be able to ignor this.  This model seems
to work well, seems to have a durable metal case, can turn off the lights or
sound independently, and was reasonably priced.  Good luck!

-----------
Radar detectors are legal in some states and illegal in others. They rely on a
policeman  recording the suspected speed of another car, and the radar signal
bounced off that car and the other vehicles around it bring detected inside
your car. Thus, the more sensitive the detector is, the better. A daft
policeman will clock all the cars, a good policeman will first see if you are
speeding with his eyes, then when he is sure that you are speeding, he will
train his gun on you, aim carefully, and fire once. At that point you will
probably not have seen the police car yet, your radar detector will go off,
and you will most probably have a ticket. So, they work sometimes, and
sometimes not.

   In one instance a fellow was doing 65mph in a 55mph zone, he was stopped,
the policeman saw his detector, said he was intending to speed, and gave him a
ticket.

----------------------------

From: David B. Stewart <stewart@faraday.ece.cmu.edu>


Don't waste your money on a Radar detector; it's not worth it.

When I drive, I usually average at least 75 mph, and I go as fast as 100 mph
on open highways.  In seven years, I have only gotten one speeding ticket,
and it wasn't a radar that was used to clock me; it was an airplane!
There are many ways to avoid getting
caught by a radar without using a radar detector.
A lot of these methods are discussed in a book entitled "How to drive
fast and not get caught."  You are better off spending $10.00 on this book
than spending $150 on a good radar detector.  Just by applying the methods
in there, I have managed to avoid radar traps by being able to see the
signs associated with radar traps, and being able to hide from them (for
example, if you drive behind a truck, a radar will not pick you up)
And for that matter,my speeding ticket was $55.00 in New York,
for travelling 74 mph.  I could
get 3 tickets before it even makes up the price of the radar detector;
so why bother wasting money on that radar detector.

~dave
-------------------------
From: "Robert Leonard Cochran, Jr." <rc0o+@andrew.cmu.edu>
    I have a Cobra Trapshooter Radar Detector, which is considered one of the
top-of-the-line models.  I bought it for $249 new and have never had any
trouble since then.  It is accurate up to almost a mile, giving plenty of time
to slow down and is not illegal around here.  My grandfather is a Maryland
Police Officer, and he tells me that the only places in the country that do
not allow RD's are Connecticut, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Hope this info helps.
                              -Rob
---------------------
From: Ali Ojjeh <ao0d+@andrew.cmu.edu>


The Passport is the best.
True it is the most expensive but it is worth it.

The whistler is good if you drive at 20miles over spd limit.
If you do more ... you need a passport.

I have an ECM which is a modified passport. And that is the best you
can get. Not only it warns in advance ... but also YOU get to choose
what speed smokey is going to read. That's right... it emits a doppler
effect that would neutralize your car's... This is what high tech is
all about. If you are interested in ECM, I can tell you where to buy
it.

Abt radar detectors, they are legal everywhere in the US except
in CT, DC and VA. If smokey sees your detector in any of those
states he will smash it in front of you. (That's what happened
with my Whistler in 1985 in VA) and also will give an additional
ticket.

Look at it as an investment ...Buy an ECM.
-----------------------------
From: Jim Quinlan <quinlan@maxwell.ece.cmu.edu>

There was a comparison from either "Raod and Track" or "Car and Driver"
in the past two years that should answer all your questions.

> How accurate are they?

There are two bands; in one band accuracy counts, in the other,
accuracy does not count since the result of improved accuracy is
picking up more garage door openers.  A lot of attention is being
paid for detecters with "smarts" that can distinguish the real signals
from the bogus.

> Do they detect the radar with enough time
> for you to slow down?

In most cases, yes.

> Are they legal (as in what will the policeman
> do if he sees that you have one of these things)?

Varies with state laws; legal in PA.

> What are some of the things that should be considered when buying a
> radar detector?  Any general comments and anecdotes would be
> appreciated too.

Read the article I mentioned above if you can find it.  I've been happy
with my "cheapie" detector that I obtained through mail-order for $30.
Note also that current radar detectors have problems with the new
"off-on" radar guns, which by the way, the state of PA just bought 30 along
with a speed tracking Cesna!

Caveat emptor,

jq
---------------------------
From: Joe Sutherland <js6l+@andrew.cmu.edu>
To: Percival Tieng <pt0o+@andrew.cmu.edu>

I have a Passport, $295 COD via UPS, pretty convenient.

I've had it since last July, when I started traveling between Pittsburgh
and DC.  It has clearly SAVED my ass at least twice so far.  I typically
drive 70-75 and have gotten warnings in as little as 1/4 mile from line
of site of Bear and have been able to slow down.  I occasionally get some
false alarms but these are usually caused by things that are always on
(like automatic entry systems) that you get to know and expect along
frequently traveled routes.

Now the bad news.  Some Bears don't use radar any more because everybodys
got detectors.  Case in point is Maryland.  Although I have seen a few
Maryland Bears with radar (and thus have avoided getting stopped)  I have
also seen a few using vascar and also just clocking BEHIND you (sneaky
bastards) in heavy traffic (I got nailed by one of these types once).
Maryland does, however have lower fines (only $55 for 75 in a 55, as
compared with PA at $92.50).  Also, detectors are ILLEGAL in VA, DC
(why do I live here???) and Connecticut.  If you are stopped with one
in VA it's $300 fine and they confiscate the device until you show up
for trial.  I'm not sure what the laws are like for DC and CT.  I still
use my passport in VA, though, especially at night when the Bears can't
see it on my windshield.  I have also been able to use it during the
day, but you have to have quick reflexes to be able to pull it off and
hide it if you see a Bear (once, whilst doing ~75 on I-66 just west of
Manasas (it's a 65 zone), I was able to get the warning from the Passport
pull it off the windshield and slow down before passing the Bear.

All the reviews I've read have placed Passport at #1, so I figured my
license was worth it.  Happy speeding!!!

Joe.
---------------------------
From: Zachary Shanes Levow <zl04+@andrew.cmu.edu>


I don't remember all of your questions, but I will try to answer
a bunch.  First, your question as to how effective that they are.
I have always driven with one, and it has saved my rear at least
20 times- that is well over $1000.  If you get a decent one, you
can get a good warning(around half a mile) that is twenty seconds
if you'r going 90 m.p.h.  I don't know where you are from, but if
you have to ask if they are illegal they probably aren't where
you live.  In some states like west virginia and others they are
and will result in a fine and confiscation, so in those states,
you'll probably want a remote(one with a sensor that fits in your
grill) the only problem with remotes is that they can only pick
up in one direction.  Some people actually buy two(one for the a
front and one for the back.  But illegal or not, when you're pulled
over try to hide it.  First, many insurance companies won't like it,
and second, a radar detector is a sign that you speed often, and
cops listen a lot less if they think that you weren't just late for
a date.  But, one of the most important things to remember with a
radar detector is not to rely completely on it.  They sometimes give
off false alarms, and they sometimes don't go off if the cop is right
behind you.  Because, police don't always use radar.  I've never
gotten a ticket, and I attribute about half of that to the detector.
You've always got to keep your eyes open.  But the closest I've ever
come to getting cought was when I assumed that the detector was
giving off a false alarm(there was nobody on the road but a couple
of motorcycles- we don't have motorcycle cops in the city that I'm
from, but I was way south)  Whistlers aren't bad, especially for
the price, but I would say that is a worthy investment(if you've
got the money 'cause it'll save you alot mor in tickets) to get
a really good one(escort or cobra or the like) I drive with a
cobra and it's great.  That's about all for me.
                                Happy Speeding,
                                 -Z