Anyone using a radar detector in their Maverick?

[sajohnson]

I like spending time in my Maverick. I'm usually alone, I can listen to whatever music/podcast, or I can just drive in silence. Therapy.

Yep!

I retired in 2010, but when I was working my commute was often the best part of my day.

I drove a modified 2002 WRX (which I still have) that was a blast to drive.

I generally worked 3-11 pm, so it was a reverse commute. The highway was almost deserted coming home at night.

Sponsored

 

[prsncat]

I've been using the Valentine One for years; I'm on my second one. It usually lives in the ST, but I have a Blendmount mirror mount in both the ST and the Maverick, so the V1 goes where I go.

I am also on my second Valentine One and love it. I also use universal mounts, allowing me to transfer it between vehicles. FWIW, I reached out to their customer service to have the K-band sensing turned off since most highway patrol and police departments don't use K-band radar detectors. It also slightly reduced false alerts caused by automotive technology using K-band for blind-spot detection and adaptive cruise control systems.

 

[710-oil-614]

This is all actually good discourse and wasn't necessarily expecting it from either side! I generally don't drive fast enough to get a ticket but I do like having the advanced notice of when law enforcement may be around looking to ticket someone.

I do drive spiritedly on road trips. Is it worth the money? Most likely not. Until it saves me from a ticket....

 

[TheRef]

Those were the days! My handle was "Space Trucker". An homage to one of my favorite classic rock bands "Deep Purple". Also tied to my hometown Houston, also known as "Space City". Say Ref, my daughter and son-in-law live in Auburn/Opelika. Great area! I'll be there in mid-August to see my third granddaughter born

Enjoy Auburn when you visit, it's a great small city to live in, even for a lot of us retired folks. I drove a Chevy Nova and my handle was Novacaine. Huntsville, AL is known as "Rocket City".
Congratulations on the new grandchild - nothing like'em!

 

[Pointyears]

As a retired lead foot, my experience was that while radar detectors can be useful in some situations (the cop shoots a vehicle 1/4 mile ahead) radar is normally left off.

In fact, legally it is only supposed to be used to confirm a visual estimation of speed. Some cops may leave it running with an alarm set for whatever speed they feel warrants a ticket, but many hide (on say an onramp) and only shoot the occasional car traveling at "a high rate of fuel consumption." The radar beam is traveling away from approaching cars. IOW, there's a good chance there will be no warning at all, even with the best detector.

Also, they sometimes use VASCAR. There's nothing to detect.

In addition, sadly, more depts are using either completely unmarked cars and/or marked cars that are not identifiable unless they are right beside you. They are easy to pass.

In short, you WILL get caught. I used RADAR detectors and a CB radio continuously. I had the same commute for 25 years and knew the usual hiding places. I managed to keep my license, but just barely.

Although I rarely drive anymore (by choice, except RV tips) I still wish we had a system like Germany -- strict licensing requirements, thorough vehicle inspections, and sections of open rural interstate with no speed limit.

While we're waiting for that to happen, my advice is to use the "10% rule" -- i.e., run 77 (or less) in a 70 mph zone.

That doesn't mean you can't have fun, but limit it to deserted back roads. You might still get lit up, but the chance is generally lower.

I use the points rule: 9mph is a 1 point ticket so in a 65 zone, don't go above 74.

 

[Pointyears]

I am also on my second Valentine One and love it. I also use universal mounts, allowing me to transfer it between vehicles. FWIW, I reached out to their customer service to have the K-band sensing turned off since most highway patrol and police departments don't use K-band radar detectors. It also slightly reduced false alerts caused by automotive technology using K-band for blind-spot detection and adaptive cruise control systems.

Escort pretty much eliminated that in newer firmware. While K can be turned off in the Escort app, I'd never do that because while the MD State police use KA and laser, the local departments use K all the time...and I drive a lot in MD.

 

[Shakesbear]

Escort pretty much eliminated that in newer firmware. While K can be turned off in the Escort app, I'd never do that because while the MD State police use KA and laser, but the local departments use K all the time...and I drive a lot in MD.

In Texas, county sheriffs usually utilize K band. City police and DPS use KA. I rarely get a laser warning anymore.

 

[sajohnson]

I use the points rule: 9mph is a 1 point ticket so in a 65 zone, don't go above 74.

When I was commuting, the limit was still 55. All the cops did 70-80+ but many of them were hypocrites and wrote drivers up for less.

The rule was that 30 over = a 5 point ticket, so I kept it to the low 80s. That all but guaranteed a ticket if I was caught (though not always) but it was 2 points instead of 5 (8 was suspension, 12 revocation).

Now though, with 70+ mph limits being the norm, the 10% rule works pretty well.

 

[themartymac]

Side discussion, but BC is starting to introduce variable speed highways with automatic signboards. 120KPH (75mph) in clear/dry conditions, but reduces in response to poor weather or congestion, etc.

I think this is a great idea in concept, as previous BC trials on highways with elevated speed limits were not perfect because folks refused to adjust according to conditions. When the weather and traffic is good, the only reason to limit a proper modern freeway to 75mph or less in most modern vehicles is fuel economy (or Tax collection purposes :-( ). Modern vehicle tech certainly provides a much higher level of performance and safety today, but we still use 50 year old speed limit standards.

 

[d7602002]

I'm old, don't speed much anymore, and haven't kept up with the technology. Are laser jammers even still a thing?

Yes. The newer ones have wiring relays in rheostats, merkle jammers and electronic interference.

 

[sajohnson]

Yes. The newer ones have wiring relays in rheostats, merkle jammers and electronic interference.

Needless to say, I don't care what anyone else does, but experienced cops are good at judging speed. If a vehicle goes blowing past them at well over the average flow of traffic, and at the same time their LIDAR fails to register the speed, a) they're gonna know the driver is speeding, and b) they will strongly suspect they are using a laser jammer.

I haven't read the law in years, but IIRC, any sort of jamming device is illegal in most/all states.

Again, I couldn't care less, just sayin' it's not worth it.

 

[Larrythelunatic]

If he snuck up behind you, it’s because you weren’t going fast enough.
You have to be going faster than they’re going. YOU sneak up on THEM!

Yeah, I have an Escort Max in both in my Mav and in my Mustang. I speed. Lots. I got pulled over the first weekend I had my Mav (no ticket), because I wasn't used to scanning in that vehicle and the cop snuck up behind me. In PA, only the state police are allowed to use radar so obviously the Escort didn't help then.

 

[d7602002]

Needless to say, I don't care what anyone else does, but experienced cops are good at judging speed. If a vehicle goes blowing past them at well over the average flow of traffic, and at the same time their LIDAR fails to register the speed, a) they're gonna know the driver is speeding, and b) they will strongly suspect they are using a laser jammer.

I haven't read the law in years, but IIRC, any sort of jamming device is illegal in most/all states.

Again, I couldn't care less, just sayin' it's not worth it.

I will say you are probably not too old. My comment was just to see how many older people we had and if they'd catch the reference. Those things are actually on the Gonculator.

It's a hogan's heroes episode from like 1968.

 

[sajohnson]

I will say you are probably not too old. My comment was just to see how many older people we had and if they'd catch the reference. Those things are actually on the Gonculator.

It's a hogan's heroes episode from like 1968.

Well, 'not too old' is relative. I'll be eligible for Medicare in a couple months. Hogan's Heroes was one of the shows my brother and I watched regularly.

I found a clip from Hogan's Heroes that includes that scene -- it's toward the beginning:


To be honest though, while I remembered the scene after watching it, even if I had read your post more closely I would not have made the connection.

Thanks for the blast from the past!

 

[WJOHNM]

SPEED KILLS, WHY is everyone in a hurry to burn $5 GAS, I love it when someone flies by me to get to a stop light than has to slam on brakes to stop, then does the same thing at the next light. I know none of you guy/girls would do that. Don't get me wrong I don't drive in the right lane at 10mph under the speed limit, I go 5 /10 over not 15/20, am paying too much for insurance now with a perfect driving record don't need speeding tickets.

Sponsored