Are radar detectors worth the money?
08-05-2010, 07:37 AM
#31
Members
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Chicago
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 535i
Model Year: 2008
between V1 and escort 9500ix... I chose escort just because it does not go off so often. I hate false alarm - after a while I get so used to them that I don't pay attention. V1 has arrows, which are amazing, but it is too chattery. My escort already saved me from red light cameras at least few times...
08-05-2010, 08:23 AM
#32
08-06-2010, 09:32 AM
#33
Former Vendor
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: SoCal
Posts: 5,051
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: 14 550i
i turn off X band and K band on my V1. no more chatter.
between V1 and escort 9500ix... I chose escort just because it does not go off so often. I hate false alarm - after a while I get so used to them that I don't pay attention. V1 has arrows, which are amazing, but it is too chattery. My escort already saved me from red light cameras at least few times...
08-06-2010, 10:17 AM
#34
Members
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 550I M Sport, Premium pkg, Logic 7, Sport Automatic Trans, Paddle Shifters, Nav, Comfort Access, Rear Shades, Satellite, PDC
I had a friend explain it this way. Speeding fines are more of a tax and a source of revenue for municipalities than it is a criminal offense. Otherwise the penalties would be more severe. Tickets are priced by politicians more to balance economics to keep the revenue stream. Having a radar detector is like having a good CPA. It helps you avoid taxation.
08-06-2010, 10:25 AM
#35
Members
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have had a radar detector since I started driving and probably will continue with it. Radar detectors used to be great because just about every police dept used radar (mostly Ka band) to police speeders. Laser was a relatively new speeding enforcement technology and they weren't cheap for police departments. However, as is the case with all technology, the cost for laser guns decreased and at this point just about every police department uses them. Radar is constantly shot so you get a heads up from your detector. However, laser is "instant-on". So your radar detector (with laser detection) will go off, but it is too late. You can buy expensive ($1-$2k) laser jammers that are installed in your bumpers. I've never needed to go that far.
08-06-2010, 11:43 AM
#37
Members
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Plano TX
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 545i - 2001 325i
Totally worth the money i cant tell you how many times it has saved me from expensive tickets and i dont have the most expensive on just a passport 8500xi paid 140 bucks for it 2 years ago and i have not got a ticket since then and my way of driving has not changed. The new 9500xi even comes with gps to mark speed traps and detects red light cameras. Make sure you check if its legal in your state.
08-06-2010, 01:47 PM
#38
Members
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: NJ
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not entirely true, radar can be instant on as well (aka POP mode), but luckily I've found with my V1 that most cops seem to be running a constant signal which makes it easy for us...
08-06-2010, 01:49 PM
#39
Members
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: NJ
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
08-06-2010, 01:56 PM
#40
Contributors
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ocean Springs, MS
Posts: 573
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2007 Sapphire Black Metallic 525i. Beige Dakota Leather, Premium package, bluetooth, BMW Assist, Xenon adaptive lights, Sirius radio