radar, detectorIs there really any advantage of having a a radar detector in your car? Is it "too late" by the time a radar detector detects a cop clocking you? Is there any point in having one in your car?
I'm looking for a list of some pro/cons here, so I made this a CW.
Generally, detectors are not worth their while. They cost money and don't save you from getting caught if you do go over the limit, and they might bring you an additional fine.
Keep in mind that in many countries it's illegal to even have a detector in the car (even if it's turned OFF! even if it's not yours, etc. etc.). Similarly, some countries prohibit the use or even possession of navigation units that contain locations of speed traps.
Needless to say, you're better off staying under or reasonably near the actual speed limits...
A little background:
Laser measurement is instantaneous and precise. So laser detectors are useless because if they work at all, it's certainly too late when they alert you because you've already been measured.
Radar is more of a wide-angle approach, so a radar detector might alert you in time, but there's no guarantee and there's a good chance it is being triggered by something else instead. So effectively, a radar detector is also not very useful.
My laser detector rarely goes off. It's my understanding that if you do get a laser alert, it's almost always too late. I generally ignore X-band signals since they are almost always false. When I get a Ka band alert, I pay attention.
Since regular radar travels a pretty good distance and bounces around, you'll often get alerted before you're the target.
The behavior of the traffic around you can tell you a lot. A radar detector can provide additional information on top of your own awareness.
One feature I really like is auto-mute which reduces the volume of the audio alert after a few beeps at the set volume.
I've found that I've usually seen an ambulance or fire truck by the time the emergency vehicle alert goes off. I've only gotten false alarms for train alerts.
I use an older Cobra that has laser, voice alert, compass, etc.
Some jurisdictions prohibit or limit the use of radar detectors.
All that having been said, the usual disclaimers apply. Drive within the speed limit, etc.
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