Radar Detector Valentine 1

[TheEngineer]

Does anyone use a radar detector? I just returned from a session in court. Was there because I contested a traffic ticket for making a prohibited turn. There were many drivers there who had a speeding ticket. All were caught by radar. One in particular did 43 in a 30MPH zone and it was in a construction area. His ticket doubled. $153.00 plus costs. I never want to have to go to court again! Just bought a Valentine and wonder if the group has any words to the wise?

'69 280SL,Signal Red,Automatic,retired engineer, West-Seattle,WA

[hauser]

Peter, Valentine is an excellent choice!  I have one and it hasn't let me down yet.  What I really like about other than being the best detector is that it will let you know what direction the signal is coming from.  It also lets you know how many sources are out there trying to ruin your day.

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

[Douglas]

I believe that's still the Gold Standard among radar detectors out there.*



*This message does not condone driving above posted speed limits. Professional driver used on closed road to simulate actual driving conditions. Please drive responsibly and buckle up.

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[Rolf]

I know in some states it's illegal to have one and in others to use. Just remember the cost of radar detectors is hundreds of dollars and the cost of the radar is thousands. They do help but are not fool proof. I stay with traffic which travels around 70 to 75 mph on the Jersey Turnpike even though the speed limit, on the northern end is 55.

Rolf
1966 230SL Auto
1992 300D
1991 FLHS

[dseretakis]

Just drive a slow car for a while.  A 115 or 123 diesel should do the trick.  You will adjust your driving style and speed to accomodate the car.  That happened to me with my 220D.  I don't drive fast anymore not even when in a 300hp car.
Dimitri

[paulr]

I use the 12 points on my licence to keep me within the speed limit.......these days, nice !

paulr
1970 280 SL

[Cees Klumper]

Use of radar detectors is prohibited in The Netherlands. I drive right around the speed limit, and on long trips a bit slower - this saves a lot of precious gasoline and costs little in the way of extra time (again, even on long trips) and also makes for more relaxed driving. So my speeding tickets run around $50 a year, typically for driving 54 km in some 50 km zone ...

I'll add a 'blonde joke' here: when use of radar detectors was not prohibited yet, I had a detector in my then (1993)-daily car, an Audi. And I had a (very) blonde girlfriend at the time who once asked how it was that the detector knew about the police car up ahead. I told her jokingly that there was a tiny camera inside the detector, that could recognize the police car from its paint and markings - she believed me. This is the same girl that would wind up her quartz watch every morning. I guess these jokes do have at least some basis in reality?

Cees ("Case") Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[Paddy_Crow]

I used to use a radar detector back in the eighties, but since they started developing more sophisticated radar and laser guns, I gave it up. Now I just try to stay within 10 MPH of the limit.

[RBurg]

We might want to look at the web site Cleandrivingrecord.com

Has information how to contest a ticket that may not be legal.
Has the officer is certified and how long ago was his certification !
The officer that clocked you - is he present in court (exp airplane with ground cop. check it out. Many more idea.
Good Luck and drive safely!


Ron - Minnesota
71 280SL Tobacco "O GIGI"
03 525 BMW BlACK/BLACk
97 E420 Silver Mist