Anyone using a radar detector in their Maverick?

[710-oil-614]

Not trying to be argumentative, but it's impossible for any of us to know every piece of equipment a cop does or does not have.

It does stand to reason that at least some cops take a very dim view of any detectors/scanners/ jammers -- anything used to premeditatedly break the law.

Personally, I never let that bother me. I used a wide assortment of devices over the years. I'm just passing on what I've read and been told directly by LEOs.

I'm sure many others do not care. After all, detectors are legal almost everywhere, and any experienced cop can easily beat a detector.

What purpose does a radar detector detector serve LEOs outside of VA? Genuine question.

Why would they spend resources on a piece of equipment that detects legal activity? What purpose does that serve? What benefit does it provide to LEOs?

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[sajohnson]

What purpose does a radar detector detector serve LEOs outside of VA? Genuine question.

Why would they spend resources on a piece of equipment that detects legal activity? What purpose does that serve? What benefit does it provide to LEOs?

At the risk of repeating myself -- there are some cops that seriously frown on radar detectors and jammers.

Those that do have strong feelings against them may want to punish people who use them. Detectors are legal, so the cop obviously cannot do anything about the detector directly. What they can do is single out detector users for special attention.

As I mentioned, in addition to using a detector detector, they can shoot cars from the rear and see if any of the drivers hit their brakes.

I'm not suggesting that happens routinely, but it does happen. It's something to be aware of.

 

[710-oil-614]

At the risk of repeating myself -- there are some cops that seriously frown on radar detectors and jammers.

Those that do have strong feelings against them may want to punish people who use them. Detectors are legal, so the cop obviously cannot do anything about the detector directly. What they can do is single out detector users for special attention.

As I mentioned, in addition to using a detector detector, they can shoot cars from the rear and see if any of the drivers hit their brakes.

I'm not suggesting that happens routinely, but it does happen. It's something to be aware of.

I promise you law enforcement has a lot more to worry about than speeding and those who have legal detectors.

Anecdotally your experience may be different but they are not here in legal states with raging mega huge boners hunting down folks with radar detectors. Lmao

 

[Milous]

It’s really easy to NOT speed. A radar detector would be useless for me.

Radar detectors are not just handy to prevent speeding tickets, they also often alert to police presence in city or rural traffic - for example, coming up to a Stop sign or right turn on a red light, an alert can "remind" you to make a 100% complete stop - years ago I got nailed for a "California Stop" and since then such alerts have saved me a few times.

 

[UP-TO-90]

"There is also an app with Escort that is called Drive Smarter which has known locations of red light cameras (none in my city), speed cameras, etc and then live alerts from other users in the area so it's really a nice 1-2 punch."

I've used Waze for many years which does all that (superior to Google Maps but now owned by them). Frankly, I kinda assumed everybody had Waze at this point for the real time instant alerts on everything from hidden cops to red light (and speed) cameras to debris in the roadway, etc.

By the way, I have a Beltronics radar detector that's got to be at least 15 years old and still going strong. Always alerts me in plenty of time although it does have more false alerts than desired. But after all these years I can tell the difference immediately by the sound of the alert...

 

[TonyP19]

I haven't used one since I was in the Army. Honestly, I usually just do 75 in a 70. Cop buddy of mine says they won't even put down their coffee for anyone under 10 MPH over unless they appear wreckless.

My cousin is married to an Atlanta Police Officer. He says they put the coffee down at 80.

 

[whitef]

"There is also an app with Escort that is called Drive Smarter which has known locations of red light cameras (none in my city), speed cameras, etc and then live alerts from other users in the area so it's really a nice 1-2 punch."

I've used Waze for many years which does all that (superior to Google Maps but now owned by them). Frankly, I kinda assumed everybody had Waze at this point for the real time instant alerts on everything from hidden cops to red light (and speed) cameras to debris in the roadway, etc.

By the way, I have a Beltronics radar detector that's got to be at least 15 years old and still going strong. Always alerts me in plenty of time although it does have more false alerts than desired. But after all these years I can tell the difference immediately by the sound of the alert...

I just read the terms of service and privacy policy of Drive Smarter, as I added a 360c to use when I go fetch cars.

it's a privacy problem, so won't be using it.

 

[peisenmann]

I have been running Escort detectors since the early 2000's and they have been solid. I do think Uniden has closed the gap but for sheer distance Escort is the champ for me. Alerted me on a long straightaway 6 miles before passing the cop. I have it mounted with a Blendmount. Looks clean and don't have to worry about suction cups giving away. Regarding VA - been on two round trips in the last two months - Norfolk (I85/I95/Rt 58) and then thru to PA (I40/74/I79) and back. Used the detector w/o issue but stayed in a pack and when alerted I would turn it off. There is just no way that they could figure out who had the detector. Haven't had a speeding ticket yet, but 1000's of alerts over the years. Good luck with your wiring. I did the wiring with my dash cam but leave the detector with the coiled cord and cigarette lighter.

 

[Jims Maverick]

I recently went down to Tail of the Dragon with the Civic X forum with a buddy in his Type R (FL5). He runs a Uniden R7 and I was generally impressed with the advanced alert of radar that we received. Multiple times running at high speeds he got alerts 20-30 seconds before we saw a cop.

I'm not really a fast driver and I actually avoid the freeway now during my daily commutes because of the hybrid but I do run some decently high speeds on my way to North Carolina and the coast in the summer. That made me look into and recently purchase an Escort Max 360c mkii. I went with it because has GPS lockout for repeat alerts that are not a radar from law enforcement which is nice in a large and developed city.

So far I've had it alert to officers multiple times in that same 20-30 seconds before we could see them. Just curious if any folks have one and what you're running if you do.

I do plan to tap the power above and run. the cord into that so eventually it should look quite clean.

Generally, I stick with the flow of traffic in the middle lane. Avoid on and off ramp traffic and let the lead foots pass on my left. Haven't had a speeding ticket in 40+ years. I use cruise control and let everyone do their own thing....

 

[TKranbuhl]

I drive a Maverick. Why would I need a radar detector?

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