Anyone have a radar detector?

[mhsjax]

I don't use a radar, have no desire to use a radar, and I don't find saving five minutes on a two hour trip worth risking my life or others because I have no regard to the safety of others around me. You have the need to speed, take it to a track.

Sorry I come on strong here, but loose a close family member like I have to someone who feels they are a "safe" speeder "only" going 15 miles over the posted speed on the highway. This person who killed my cousin 7 years ago was not drunk, was not high, but was using a cell phone, and had a radar detector mounted on their window so they would not get caught speeding. Instead of getting caught by the police their car clipped my cousins and killed her. What was the drivers sentence? 45 DAYS in jail and a suspended license for two years. In return my cousin had a husband of 16 years and two children aged 6 & 11 at the time now without a wife and mother.

There's a reason we have posted speed limits. Driving is not your right, it is a privilege,and with any privilege it should be treated with respect.

I am sorry for your loss. I feel the same way about having 1 drink and driving, my DH was almost killed by a drunk driver, that had just had a bad night and never even had so much as a speeding ticket.

Anyway, just because you use a radar detector, doesn't mean you are going to speed. And if you do speed and lets say the speed limit is 70, which is what it is on our highways, and I end up going 75 or 80. either way, you are probably going to very, very seriously hurt or killed at 70 vs 75 or 80.

I say this because I am one of the rare few that can't stand cruise controls. I feel like I have no control over the car. When traveling with a pack, I may go 5-10 miles over the limit, because that is what they are doing, and even if not I may. It is easy on long trips. you may not watch as closely as you should. A radar detector will warn you and possibly keep you from getting that ticket for 10 miles over.

 

[goofy4prez]

Did you read my OP because it seems to me like you skipped right over it? Sorry for your loss. Don't lump me into the unsafe driver category. I am not a "speeder" and if you read my op you will see why I need a radar detector. I am on the road for 3-4 hours EVERY single day. I work 5-6 days a week so I drive a lot. My risk of getting a ticket it very high, just for going 5mph over the limit which can happen in a mountainous region with the ups and downs. I even use cruise control, but that is not perfect. No one is perfect, except here on the disboards of course.

Still looking for brand suggestions, please. Not so I can go track racing on the highway.

I did read all the posts and I do understand why you want one. I did not intend to paint such a broad brush to include you in my post, my apology to you. I guess I should have just quoted the ones on here suggesting how to speed and get away with it, how to break the car with the handbrake so that the tail lights don't go on or how to keep the car from diving when breaking so the cop don't target you.

You asked for a good brand to use so that you can obey the law and instead several decided to educate others on how to blatantly violate rules of the road which are in place for safety. Again, please accept my apology for placing you in the same group as those knuckleheads who have no regard to other peoples safety and try all they can to dodge a ticket.

I guess some people just lose sight of the fact a 3000 pound mass of steel going 80 miles an hour is going to do some damage. Sure, going 65 will more than likely seriously injury or kill someone as well, but when going 75,80 or even faster breaking distances are greatly increased as well as the stability of the car if having to take evasive actions.

 

[ToyStory Fan]

So back to my original response to the OP...Valentine 1 or Passport 9500 are the 2 I'd recommend.

As for the functionality that folks here seem to be questioning...having taken numerous 5+ hour road trips for my DS's hockey tournaments I can UNEQUIVOCALLY say that my radar detector has DETECTED radar well in advance of being in the "caught" zone. As one poster mentioned if you have a good one, you get long range detection, and with long range detection you get the benefit of others ahead of you being tagged or painted by the radar...this alerts you to the fact that there is a possible speed trap up ahead. I've gotten as much as 3/4 to 1 mile range notification on my V-1.

Now for all of the soap boxers...the OP simply asked for brand suggestions and opinions of the quality of radar detctors that others maybe using or were familiar with, yet it seems the entire post was overridden by everyone giving their 2 cents about the detriments of speeding...I wonder how many of the non-speeders always drive below the speed limit and always use their hands-free device for cell phones. Because to me those are bigger distractions and more careless/reckless offenses than speeding.
As a driver and motorcycle rider I am more offended by and keenly aware and to someone not paying attention to the road by texting or talking on a cell phone than I am with someone driving a little bit over the speed limit and not weaving and changing lanes like an idiot...don't generalize and equate speeding to reckless driving...if you are not comfortable exceeding the speed limit...don't. The OP was looking for some recommendations on a particular type of product...not how he/she should change their driving style or departure times.