Who has/uses a radar detector - Page 3 - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Hib Halverson · 02-17-2015

Used a V1 since the early 90s. I've had it upgraded three times.

Just in driving my ZR-1, it's saved it's cost in avoided cites for exceeding the posted speed limit.

That said, I can't say it's made me "immune" from traffic enforcement radar. Twice in 20 or so years, even with my V1 installed and working, I've been zapped with radar and ended up going to "traffic school" because the manner in which the LEO was using the equipment counteracted any advantage a radar warning receiver offered, i.e.: they were properly using "instant on" radar and were well-hidden.

mike100 · 02-17-2015

I find that the use of a radar detector actually helps me to slow down even if I get hits from the other side of the freeway...lets you know where the chp is active. The detector is more valuable when traveling in new areas or on the open interstate where you can quickly get tired of doing 70 mph. I think a lot of people automatically think you are out to beat the system, but if I'm going to pull through 3rd gear to get up to 90+, I'm still looking in all the mirrors and double checking everything.

thirstyzr1 · 02-17-2015

Laser or LIDAR is target specific, if your lidar detector goes off your already pegged. Lic plate difusers may work but the cop will just target another part of your car.
I dont know if Laser jammers are effective or not.
The corvette is one of the most difficult car to get a long range Radar reading from due to its slick shape and fiberglass body. The shape refracts radar waves and the fiberglass does absorb it to a point.
Most police radars do not continuously transmit making radar detectors ineffective.
If you are being targeted by radar and within effective range, the user will have a speed reading before your radar detector goes off.
If the police are operating radar down the road on other traffic, this is where radar detectors are effective.

Safe travels.

Gunny · 02-17-2015

I never leave home without My Valentine !!! It does a terrific job for almost every situation, even laser.

8cam · 02-18-2015

In the days of instant on and laser, a detector is overrated. I haven't used one in 20 years and can chalk up the 3 tickets I've gotten to stupidity - once my own and twice the officer's. Once I was actually slowing down to move right, came out from behind a semi to see a motorcycle cop standing still with a radar gun. Busted, my own fault. I immediately moved over, didn't even make him get on the bike, and followed all the rules Paul posted. I still got a ticket, but I was grateful he marked it down (WAY down) to 69 in a 55. The other two were in the red car, pulled over from the middle of the pack while being passed by SUVs, just because of the car - less than 10 over both times.

These days if your detector goes off it's mostly 3 things - false signals, cops just trying to keep the overall speed down, or you are busted period. You need something much faster than laser with earlier warning.

I use Waze.

Racinfan83 · 02-18-2015

I had that Waze app - ditched it. When I looked and saw that they had nearly every intersection here marked as one with a "red light camera" I figured there were too many stupid people on it for me. I guess they think the "traffic detection cameras" that run the lights are the ones issuing tickets - even though there is a huge difference in size/type/setup from the ones that actually issue the tickets.. (Used to that is - the voters here banned them in our county

) I stick to my detectors and experience eyeballs...

cvette98pacecar · 02-19-2015

Jeff, Get the V1 you wont be disappointed.

ALZR1 · 02-21-2015

V1 here as well saved my Arss A few times.

AL.

WARP TEN · 02-21-2015

As Mike100 noted a radar detector helps keep you alert, regardless of whether you are speeding or not. For example, most construction sites have radar emitters that give you a long range warning to be careful regardless of the reason. And hits that aren't actually aimed at you also get your attention. Best to keep a vigilant eye out in both directions. And remember cruise control is your best friend--haven't had a speeding conviction since 1978 and there were really very few times that the V1 saved me. But it is always nice to know where the bogeys are....Bob

-=Jeff=- · 02-23-2015

Thanks for all the responses.. that purchase has been put on hold for the time being..

I still need to decide if I need/want it or not..

View Poll Results: Radar detector bard?
Escort 8500 x50	6	9.23%
Escort 9500ix	4	6.15%
Valentine v1	25	38.46%
Other	9	13.85%
I can't use one (illegal where I live)	5	7.69%
I don't use one	16	24.62%
Voters: 65. You may not vote on this poll

02-17-2015	#21
Hib Halverson Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: CenCoast California Posts: 899	Re: Who has/uses a radar detector Used a V1 since the early 90s. I've had it upgraded three times. Just in driving my ZR-1, it's saved it's cost in avoided cites for exceeding the posted speed limit. That said, I can't say it's made me "immune" from traffic enforcement radar. Twice in 20 or so years, even with my V1 installed and working, I've been zapped with radar and ended up going to "traffic school" because the manner in which the LEO was using the equipment counteracted any advantage a radar warning receiver offered, i.e.: they were properly using "instant on" radar and were well-hidden. __________________ Hib Halverson Technical Writer former owner 95 VIN 0140 current owner 19 VIN 1878

02-17-2015	#22
mike100 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: San Marcos CA Posts: 1,802	Re: Who has/uses a radar detector I find that the use of a radar detector actually helps me to slow down even if I get hits from the other side of the freeway...lets you know where the chp is active. The detector is more valuable when traveling in new areas or on the open interstate where you can quickly get tired of doing 70 mph. I think a lot of people automatically think you are out to beat the system, but if I'm going to pull through 3rd gear to get up to 90+, I'm still looking in all the mirrors and double checking everything.

02-17-2015	#23
thirstyzr1 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Ontario Posts: 111	Re: Who has/uses a radar detector Laser or LIDAR is target specific, if your lidar detector goes off your already pegged. Lic plate difusers may work but the cop will just target another part of your car. I dont know if Laser jammers are effective or not. The corvette is one of the most difficult car to get a long range Radar reading from due to its slick shape and fiberglass body. The shape refracts radar waves and the fiberglass does absorb it to a point. Most police radars do not continuously transmit making radar detectors ineffective. If you are being targeted by radar and within effective range, the user will have a speed reading before your radar detector goes off. If the police are operating radar down the road on other traffic, this is where radar detectors are effective. Safe travels.

02-17-2015	#24
Gunny Join Date: May 2005 Location: Georgia Mountains Posts: 926	Re: Who has/uses a radar detector I never leave home without My Valentine !!! It does a terrific job for almost every situation, even laser.

02-18-2015	#25
8cam Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Atlanta Posts: 451	Re: Who has/uses a radar detector In the days of instant on and laser, a detector is overrated. I haven't used one in 20 years and can chalk up the 3 tickets I've gotten to stupidity - once my own and twice the officer's. Once I was actually slowing down to move right, came out from behind a semi to see a motorcycle cop standing still with a radar gun. Busted, my own fault. I immediately moved over, didn't even make him get on the bike, and followed all the rules Paul posted. I still got a ticket, but I was grateful he marked it down (WAY down) to 69 in a 55. The other two were in the red car, pulled over from the middle of the pack while being passed by SUVs, just because of the car - less than 10 over both times. These days if your detector goes off it's mostly 3 things - false signals, cops just trying to keep the overall speed down, or you are busted period. You need something much faster than laser with earlier warning. I use Waze. __________________ Mark '90 ZR-1 #1322 Daily Driver, 64k and counting Black/Gray [IMG]http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb49/mlitherland/IMG_0326_zps3d50d8cb.jpg[/IMG]

02-18-2015	#26
Racinfan83 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Eastern Missouri Posts: 773	Re: Who has/uses a radar detector I had that Waze app - ditched it. When I looked and saw that they had nearly every intersection here marked as one with a "red light camera" I figured there were too many stupid people on it for me. I guess they think the "traffic detection cameras" that run the lights are the ones issuing tickets - even though there is a huge difference in size/type/setup from the ones that actually issue the tickets.. (Used to that is - the voters here banned them in our county ) I stick to my detectors and experience eyeballs... __________________ [LEFT][SIGPIC][/SIGPIC][/LEFT] [CENTER][COLOR=Indigo][SIZE=4][I][B] Now Sold 1990 ZR-1 #2093, Black on Black..[/B][/I][/SIZE][/COLOR][/CENTER]

02-19-2015	#27
cvette98pacecar Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,479	Re: Who has/uses a radar detector Jeff, Get the V1 you wont be disappointed. __________________ Robert J. DeMarco [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] [COLOR=blue]G[/COLOR][COLOR=red]rand[/COLOR] [COLOR=blue]S[/COLOR][COLOR=red]port[/COLOR] Registry Lifetime Member NCM Lifetime Member #2655 Pacecar Registry Member [COLOR=red]ZOOM Charter Member - ZR-1 Owners of Michigan[/COLOR] [COLOR=plum][I]ZR-1[/I] Registry member since 2012 [/COLOR] [COLOR=black]1990 LPE "368" Aerobody ZR-1, Last ZR-1 built by John[/COLOR] 1991 Callaway Aerobody ZR-1, DRM 500 1991 Shinoda Aerobody Spyder, 1998 Pace Car

02-21-2015	#28
ALZR1 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: chicago Posts: 200	Re: Who has/uses a radar detector V1 here as well saved my Arss A few times. AL.

02-21-2015	#29
WARP TEN Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lake Bluff, IL Posts: 2,094	Re: Who has/uses a radar detector As Mike100 noted a radar detector helps keep you alert, regardless of whether you are speeding or not. For example, most construction sites have radar emitters that give you a long range warning to be careful regardless of the reason. And hits that aren't actually aimed at you also get your attention. Best to keep a vigilant eye out in both directions. And remember cruise control is your best friend--haven't had a speeding conviction since 1978 and there were really very few times that the V1 saved me. But it is always nice to know where the bogeys are....Bob __________________ 2016 Long Beach Red Z06 #10281 "POPS Z" 1995 Polo Green #409 "WARP TEN"--Haibeck 350/510 package, 4.10s, Hurst, Stock Exhaust with QTP Cutouts --Sold but still running strong 1993 Quasar Blue #161 "HIL KING" --Sold but still running strong, now with more than 120,000 miles 1967 Marlboro Maroon/Saddle Corvette Coupe 300 hp/4-spd --Sold a long time ago ZR-1 Net Registry Founding Member #95 NCM Lifetime Member Favorite Quote--Attributed to Mickey Thompson: "Too Much Horsepower is Almost Enough"

02-23-2015	#30
-=Jeff=- Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bartlett, IL Posts: 7,169	Re: Who has/uses a radar detector Thanks for all the responses.. that purchase has been put on hold for the time being.. I still need to decide if I need/want it or not.. __________________ 1990 Corvette ZR-1 #1051 Watson Headers (2" Primary) - Flowmaster Cats - Borla Catback Late Model IH - Plenum Coilovers - 4.10s Custom Interior NCM Lifetime Member #978