from years of experience using a radar / laser detector I will say, like everyone else has, that by the time you get hit by a laser, you're already busted...I guess the only good thing about that is at least you have a heads up that you're about to get pulled over so you have time to toss that joint, or get your girlies head out of your lap (i kid! i kid!) lol

I've only come across cops with laser like twice in the last 5-6 years....I guess that depends on where you live though, and what kind of $$$$ your city / state throws at their law enforcement

as far as K, Ka, & X, they're the most common, and easiest to detect...mine will detect them loooooong before they can get me, and I only have a $125 wal mart bought whistler (that hasn't let me down)...mine has front and rear detecting capabilities (which is common among modern day detectors) with a numbering system that lets you know how far / close they are (1=far, 9=on your a$$)

just learn how to use your detector, and realize it doesn't mean you can ride 80mh in 45's everyday all day...its only there to help you, not prevent you from getting pulled

 

There are devices that will monitor radio signals in the civil defense and cellular phone bands. We have them in the labs where I work. They are heavily licensed and getting caught with one is recipe for long talks with the federal fuzz.

Three choices, in order of preference

-- Valentine K1
-- Passport 8500 (the latest version)
-- Don't go more than 5-8 miles an hour over the speed limit.

Your best defense is your eyes -- if you aren't watching the road one-quarter to half a mile ahead (including the shoulders, cross street intersections, etc) you should not be speeding ... at night, its obviously not so easy -- I'm rarely surprised by law-enforcement with a laser/radar during the day unless they are very well hidden (like the Texas DPS that lie hull down at the 820 North, 183 Split in the mid cities here in D/FW ... buggers think they are flying longbows or something ... very annoying).

Flow with traffic, don't weave through traffic, and use your turn signals. Make yourself less of target than the other maniacs and you are less likely to be having a conversation with a lawyer or JP. If you do get pulled over, keep your hands in plain site (on the wheel), don't get out of the car unless asked and don't mouth off ... they are much more likely to let you go with a warning if you don't try to talk your way out of it. And if you do get tagged going way over the limit -- don't run; they don't like that and they have nice long memories and cameras that can see your plate even when the officer can't (because you think you are too far away).

<editted because I can't type or spell ...>

-- Dave

 

I have a Cobra radar..don't know the model, it was the most expensive at Best Buy though. A simple way to look at it, is that its a device that picks up frequenys being broadcasted through the air. Lazer is way faster on the spectrum than Radar. Thats one of the reasons a lazer is more liklely to get you into trouble...Just my opinion. I also think there good for picking up waves over overpasses or hilly areas, or around long corners.

 

Having one of those wouldn't help in any way. Even if you could pick up a signal, you would have no idea where it is coming from. With repeaters on towers and repeaters in the trunks of police cars, the signals get bounced so many times that you would have no clue where they are. They could literally be hours away but you would pick up the signal from a local repeater. You'd be better off just buying a scanner

 

Agreed -- I just mentioned that they do exist; but your points are very good ones.