Radar Detectors
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 412
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
Several years ago a a cop pulled me over for speeding. I pointed to the radar detector and told him I picked him up a couple miles before he had any chance of picking me up. I checked my speed and set my cruise control and kept checking it the whole time. There is no way I was speeding. He said it must have been the other car. There were several of us on the road and the radar must not be very accurate at pin pointing the target, but the cop new it was either me or the other car so the cop sped off to catch the other guy, I caught up to him a few miles down the road and he had the other guy pulled over. The radar detector helped prove I was not speeding and saved me from getting a ticket by mistake. If something like that happens only one time, then the money was well spent.
Added: By the was Costco has battery operated radar detectors for about $90.
Added: By the was Costco has battery operated radar detectors for about $90.
That police officer wasn't using Radar properly. I run radar on a daily (well when I'm working anyway) basis. The way we're taught here in VA is to visually estimate the speed of the vehicle, then confirm it with radar. Once you run radar for a while, you get good at estimating speeds of vehicles. I can typically tell you the speed of most vehicles within 2-3 MPH with just my eyes. It takes practice, but that's how Radar operators are supposed to use it. It's not supposed to be a mindless activity that you see a number on the display, Radar is a something that requires constant attention to ensure you don't pull over the wrong vehicle.
Radar is like a shotgun. It shoots a wide spread beam. If you have a pack of cars there's no way to single out a single vehicle. It may be the largest vehicle, or the fastest vehicle, or the most radar-reflective vehicle (not a motorcycle) that is registering the speed. It's up to the Radar operator to be able to tell which car it is due to the visual speed estimation. LIDAR, or Laser is like a sniper rifle. You can pick out individual cars out of a pack up to something like a half a mile away. Radar is still in use and it has it's place. It's nearly impossible to argue a LIDAR ticket and win. By the time that detector goes off, the officer already has your speed. And more then likely, you're still a quarter-mile away and probably can't even see the officer.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Radar
Been running Escort ZR-3 and ZR-4 shifters (newly installed) for over 5 years and its caught and 'shifted' every radar trap I've ever run into using laser 100% of the time. It makes no difference if your the first vehicle shot or if it picked up secondary reading from a vehicle in front. I'm surprised the officers here aren't familiar with the equipment - it's what you shot every single time your laser gun comes back without a speed reading. The Blinder is considered the best on the market since it is supposed to cover even more guns than the Escort system - but my equipment apparently covers all the laser guns in and around Atlanta. Makes laser guns pretty much useless since it blocks the speed reading and allows you to slow down if you were over the posted speed limit. 100% legal in Georgia.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,717
Likes: 35
Been running Escort ZR-3 and ZR-4 shifters (newly installed) for over 5 years and its caught and 'shifted' every radar trap I've ever run into using laser 100% of the time. It makes no difference if your the first vehicle shot or if it picked up secondary reading from a vehicle in front. I'm surprised the officers here aren't familiar with the equipment - it's what you shot every single time your laser gun comes back without a speed reading. The Blinder is considered the best on the market since it is supposed to cover even more guns than the Escort system - but my equipment apparently covers all the laser guns in and around Atlanta. Makes laser guns pretty much useless since it blocks the speed reading and allows you to slow down if you were over the posted speed limit. 100% legal in Georgia.
Most cops around Atlanta give everyone 15 MPH over the limit before they write a ticket.Unless your stopped by a GSP Trooper other cops by LAW can't write you unless your going at least 10 MPH over, unless you are in a school zone. The speed limits around Atlanta are posted at 65 and 70 MPH on Interstates, except for through the city and 285 .You have to be really hauling to even have to worry about a ticket.
To each their own but I really don't see the cost / benefit unless you are just a habitual speeder. Ride near the speed limit and enjoy the ride.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 31
From: Western Illinois, land of bad roads, and corrupt politicians
That would be a radar avoidance system. There are also things you can use with it, along the road. They are usually white with black numbers. Match the numbers with your radar avoidance gauge and you won't get pulled over for speeding.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, Texas
These systems do work against LASER. they use LED's to confuse the light return to the LASER. The officer gets error codes instead of a speed or distance reading. They however do not work against RADAR or VASCAR. Since your spending $500 to $800 for the equipment you gotta weigh weather it's worth it.
Most cops around Atlanta give everyone 15 MPH over the limit before they write a ticket.Unless your stopped by a GSP Trooper other cops by LAW can't write you unless your going at least 10 MPH over, unless you are in a school zone. The speed limits around Atlanta are posted at 65 and 70 MPH on Interstates, except for through the city and 285 .You have to be really hauling to even have to worry about a ticket.
To each their own but I really don't see the cost / benefit unless you are just a habitual speeder. Ride near the speed limit and enjoy the ride.
Most cops around Atlanta give everyone 15 MPH over the limit before they write a ticket.Unless your stopped by a GSP Trooper other cops by LAW can't write you unless your going at least 10 MPH over, unless you are in a school zone. The speed limits around Atlanta are posted at 65 and 70 MPH on Interstates, except for through the city and 285 .You have to be really hauling to even have to worry about a ticket.
To each their own but I really don't see the cost / benefit unless you are just a habitual speeder. Ride near the speed limit and enjoy the ride.
I'd like to THINK that if I set my cruise @ 9-10 mph over the limit I should be OK, but am a little gun shy.
I'm not a habitual speeder, and don't take unnecessary risks, but on open stretches of highway with little or no traffic, during the day in clear weather, I'd like to shorten my trip a little.....
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 73
From: MA
Quote:
Originally Posted by soos
My scoot came with a radar detector installed. It's called a Speed-O-Meter. Hasn't failed me yet.
Good point, I stand corrected. Thanks.
Originally Posted by soos
My scoot came with a radar detector installed. It's called a Speed-O-Meter. Hasn't failed me yet.
Good point, I stand corrected. Thanks.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 412
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
Been running Escort ZR-3 and ZR-4 shifters (newly installed) for over 5 years and its caught and 'shifted' every radar trap I've ever run into using laser 100% of the time. It makes no difference if your the first vehicle shot or if it picked up secondary reading from a vehicle in front. I'm surprised the officers here aren't familiar with the equipment - it's what you shot every single time your laser gun comes back without a speed reading. The Blinder is considered the best on the market since it is supposed to cover even more guns than the Escort system - but my equipment apparently covers all the laser guns in and around Atlanta. Makes laser guns pretty much useless since it blocks the speed reading and allows you to slow down if you were over the posted speed limit. 100% legal in Georgia.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
danzio
Touring Models
20
Apr 10, 2015 12:15 PM
