Got 1st speeding ticket in my WRX..need a radar detector!

[msgsti217]

Well, the guy asked about radar detection suggestions, so instead of telling him all the ways to avoid speeding tickets (most to all of us speed, whether its 3mph over to 20mph over), I'll give a suggestion.

Many people already mentioned it, but it is by far the best radar detector on the market: V1. I saw a video of the Escort 9500i that supposedly is able to block out false signals and hone in on radar / lazers. The video showed it blocking out the false signal, but also blocked out a radar gun that was a little further down the road. Also, the arrows of the V1 are invaluable, at least in my opinion. I've had the V1 for quite a while, and it has saved me multiple times, so to me it is well worth the money.

[EJ257]

By biggest fear is pacing at night - when you're driving along on a busy road in the dark, it is pretty hard to tell that the guy behind you can give you a ticket. Radar/laser detectors don't help with pacing. I've been stopped once due to being paced by a following officer. Fortunately, I was able to convince him to let me off with a warning.

Solution: don't speed @ night

Many people already mentioned it, but it is by far the best radar detector on the market: V1.

The best radar detector on the market is your ability to follow the white/black signs that mark the legal limit.

I hardly ever go a speed that will legitimately get me pulled over (I've been pulled over a handful of times for < 5mph over the limit). I didn't have a radar detector until I ordered parts for my last tune, and never really had an issue, with one exception that was six years and 125K miles ago. Where people get into trouble is the false sense of security that a radar detector gives you as a driver. The key to successfully using a detector is to not change your driving habits, but use it to help you in those cases where you're simply not paying enough attention.

Honestly, I purchased my V1 not to avoid speeding tickets, but to avoid exhaust tickets at night. I've been pulled over more than once for having a little bit of fun getting up to speed (cops going opposite direction or behind me, I had no clue).

[wrxtreme06]

i love how this thread is a year old. the OP probably wont even read this lol

[Vez]

i love how this thread is a year old. the OP probably wont even read this lol

LMAO ...I didn't even realize that.

...Ka Band, from my experience around PA, is "usually" electronic construction signs(same goes for Ku). For me, K Band is where I see the most cops and it's usually 18.0xx. A few times I've seen a cop with 18.1xx, but it's mostly the first I listed. I've had my laser alarm go off a few times, but I was never able to figure out the source. I know they have used planes and helicopters to tag people on 422, but I never saw anything.

[Mikie13]

Where people get into trouble is the false sense of security that a radar detector gives you as a driver. The key to successfully using a detector is to not change your driving habits, but use it to help you in those cases where you're simply not paying enough attention.

^^^This is 100% truth.

...Ka Band, from my experience around PA, is "usually" electronic construction signs(same goes for Ku). For me, K Band is where I see the most cops and it's usually 18.0xx. A few times I've seen a cop with 18.1xx, but it's mostly the first I listed. I've had my laser alarm go off a few times, but I was never able to figure out the source. I know they have used planes and helicopters to tag people on 422, but I never saw anything.

All I know is around the Philly area, there are no such things as Radars. Only Radars used are the handhelds by Staties. They may be using Laser as well, but other than that, I don't get anything around the area that will get me pulled over.

Seriously the easiest thing to do is just keep your head on a swivel. If you know where the only places that cops can sit and hide and radar you, then you know to slow down a half mile before that spot. That has helped me over the last 4 years to not get a ticket. When I had a Cobra Radar detector, I got 3 speeding tickets, simply for the false sense of security. By the time a radar or laser gets picked up by your detector, 7 out of 10 times, its already gotten you...think about it. Just be smart with your driving....common sense.

[Poohbear]

Valantines are amazing so long as you get the firmware upgrades, but the internals are a little outdated... Escort makes a heck of a detector but they are a little pricey, and prices go up if you want the blue read out... It surprised me that more people dont consider belltronics... the new STI driver preforms just as well as the escort (better in some conditions) and identifies signal bands... (this means you can determine legit threat vs false signals) and gives you the ability to program/ ignore signals you know are false (IE the airport you always drive by that sets off your detector)... That and the STI driver is undetectable to radar detector detectors. so you can run in places like Virginia or DC where it is illegal to run them in your auto... But remember thats illegal...

I personally have a whistler XTR 695 that has been amazing... My friend has a red read out 9500 escort... we placed both in my rex and compared... the XTR was behind the escort by about 20 feet at most... most of the time they both alerted at the same time... the XTR alerted ahead of the escort at times also... And I was able to get my XTR for $200 less then a new escort... (although i think the escort looks sexier)

The worst thing I have seen with detectors now, is that some high end cars and suv's use lasers for cruise control and speed sensing.. these cars make your laser detection go hay wire... but when you start to learn what cars set it off and stay alert to your surroundings its not that big of a deal..

But in the end the best form of avoiding a speeding ticket BESIDES DOING THE SPEED LIMIT is a CB... Radio to truckers ahead to find out where the cops are... Truckers are more then happy to let you know whats ahead of the road...

"breaker break one nine"
"go ahead breaker"
"where are all the local yokels at?"
"you got a plain brown wrapper at 16"
"thanks driver"

Translation >
"hello"
"hi"
"where are the cops running radar"
"there is an unmarked unit at mile marker 16"
"thanks"

In the end your detector is good for warning so long as you dont become overly confidant and dependent on it... You really need to just do the speed limit... However there are many options like jammers also that can run $1500 + install... IMHO a CB and good detector would keep you safe on the highway on those long trips cross country...

[therealrico]

Passport 8500 is worth it, if that thing helps you avoid one ticket the cost of it has already paid for itself when you consider not only the ticket, but future insurance costs from your ticket. The new one even allows you program it so it doesn't give away false signals that you routinely drive by, with GPS. You can also get their laser jammer which is designed to work with the detector. I want to get one!

[08SubieWrx]

Valantines are amazing so long as you get the firmware upgrades, but the internals are a little outdated... Escort makes a heck of a detector but they are a little pricey, and prices go up if you want the blue read out... It surprised me that more people dont consider belltronics... the new STI driver preforms just as well as the escort (better in some conditions) and identifies signal bands... (this means you can determine legit threat vs false signals) and gives you the ability to program/ ignore signals you know are false (IE the airport you always drive by that sets off your detector)... That and the STI driver is undetectable to radar detector detectors. so you can run in places like Virginia or DC where it is illegal to run them in your auto... But remember thats illegal...

I personally have a whistler XTR 695 that has been amazing... My friend has a red read out 9500 escort... we placed both in my rex and compared... the XTR was behind the escort by about 20 feet at most... most of the time they both alerted at the same time... the XTR alerted ahead of the escort at times also... And I was able to get my XTR for $200 less then a new escort... (although i think the escort looks sexier)

The worst thing I have seen with detectors now, is that some high end cars and suv's use lasers for cruise control and speed sensing.. these cars make your laser detection go hay wire... but when you start to learn what cars set it off and stay alert to your surroundings its not that big of a deal..

But in the end the best form of avoiding a speeding ticket BESIDES DOING THE SPEED LIMIT is a CB... Radio to truckers ahead to find out where the cops are... Truckers are more then happy to let you know whats ahead of the road...

"breaker break one nine"
"go ahead breaker"
"where are all the local yokels at?"
"you got a plain brown wrapper at 16"
"thanks driver"

Translation >
"hello"
"hi"
"where are the cops running radar"
"there is an unmarked unit at mile marker 16"
"thanks"

In the end your detector is good for warning so long as you dont become overly confidant and dependent on it... You really need to just do the speed limit... However there are many options like jammers also that can run $1500 + install... IMHO a CB and good detector would keep you safe on the highway on those long trips cross country...

I can't wait to install my CB! I think i'm gonna mount it in my glove box I picked up a Cobra 29LTD Black Chrome... It looks sweet and the 29 series is supposed to be a really good radio... I opted out of the "Bluetooth version" because I thought it would be unnecessary but now i'm second guessing myself and wondering if I should have gotten it... NJ is cracking down on driving while on your cell phone Haha

[cabikejumper]

I used to have a v1 until it got stolen.
I now have a cheap walmart cobra one. It picks up laser and pop. It has saved me thousands of dollars already. Only bad thing is the laser goes off when I hot tje gas hard or when I use my power mirrors.

I have had one speeding ticket with radar on. It went off but I had radio too loud to here it. Was doing 93 in a 60 and slowed to 75 before he locked on. Did dd and got it off my record.

Cobra was only 39.99. Yes cheap but already paid for itself many times over