with great power, comes great law enforcement attention . . .

[20 BLK WRX 04]

last night on 155 got pulled over for doing 57 on a 45 (or so officer messen says). luckily for me he reduced the charge to parking on pavement. anywho, now that i own a cop magnet, i need a radar detector. i was wondering what models you guys would suggest. my buddy works at best buy, so price probably wont be a problem. thanks for the advice!

[cazwrx187]

If your buddy works at best buy, get any Escort Passport model.  They all rock.

Or if you want the best, get a Valentine 1.

[RedRoof2]

 I wouldn't even bother with a radar detector.  The new units that some law enforcement agencies are using have ranges exceeding a half mile and near-instant readout.  By the time the detector beeps and your foot moves to the pedal, they've already recorded your speed.

I wouldn't exactly say a wrx has great power   Just don't be a hoon and/or have a loud exhaust and other flashy items.  Most colonie cops will leave you alone if you're driving like Joe Average.

[LarenF3D5]

Mine is pull me over blue and I've only had a cop even look at me when I was doing 70 in a 40. I earned that one. It seems like people get harassed the most for tint and exhaust. That seems to be the magnet more than the car itself. Its just our community is prone to these modifications.

[Photofixer]

Ive gotten a mile detection easy with a passport.. and the new x50 has the Pop KA detection    350.00

[idipskoalmint]

<< V1 user

[gebby1029]

I was looking into radar detectors as well even though I rarely exceed the speed limit by 10mph.  I would be using it just to cover my butt when I do get the urge to open it up (usually at night after work).  But i know RedRoof2's statement has truth to it.  I am just curious as to how often and where are cops using equipment that will get my speed without warning.

A friend of mine (local subie owner I tried to get on here) has an 8500i and likes it a lot.  I believe the 9500i can be used on conjunction with a GPS to flag and eliminate false readings which seems like a decent feature.  And of course the Valentine One is suppose to be the best though I would rather be responsibly slow than pay that much for one, especially new.

[9925leggy]

last night on 155 got pulled over for doing 57 on a 45 (or so officer messen says). luckily for me he reduced the charge to parking on pavement. anywho, now that i own a cop magnet, i need a radar detector. i was wondering what models you guys would suggest. my buddy works at best buy, so price probably wont be a problem. thanks for the advice!

hahahaha hes a real good friend of mine prolly the most down to earth guy you could have a run in with

[20 BLK WRX 04]

hahahaha hes a real good friend of mine prolly the most down to earth guy you could have a run in with

he seemed like an ok guy. im sure he's pretty chill when he's not in cop mode lol

ps. hey chuck! its sean that works at best buy btw

[WRXer]

Got a V1 in Feb. It has made me slightly more confident since it saved me twice since then. The range is amazing.

[Photofixer]

Really ... I heard the Escort had the range...   

[9925leggy]

ive been in my buddys car with a v1 and before i was not so impressed but seeing it in action i was very impressed really good range

[bigfishs]

I got v1 and am and enjoying the arrows. If the cop is tagging the cars in front of you with pop radar you will know he's there so the detectors do still help.

[mrplow83]

Id go with a V1 if anything.  The only problem is, is that the cops around here are slowly switching to lasers which lock onto your speed in .3 seconds.  With that in mind, your brain couldn't think fast enough to put foot on brake before you got tagged.  Mind you that the KA radar bands are still highly used, but with the laser setups it wont be long until they are completely replaced.

Also FYI, cops can take your radar detector if they do in fact pull you over.  Do like most of my friends do, keep it in a concealed location (so they can't see it from outside the car) and have it mounted on a velcro pad so you can always yank it off before the cop gets up to your window.

[ckb1985]

Also FYI, cops can take your radar detector if they do in fact pull you over.  Do like most of my friends do, keep it in a concealed location (so they can't see it from outside the car) and have it mounted on a velcro pad so you can always yank it off before the cop gets up to your window.

Thats not legal. Radar detectors are perfectly legal and there for not subject to seizure in NY any way. There is at least one state that has outlawed them but here they are as legal as your car stereo.

[RedRoof2]

With the State being so far in the red,I really am surprised they don't try it since they already have the means to do so.

One of the big stipulations with EZPass was that it would never be used for speed enforcement.  Think of how many people would ditch the program if they knew they could get caught, or even if they had to worry about how fast they were going.  NYS doesn't want to lose THAT revenue.  Those people will take another highway or just not travel as much.

[Kavik]

I don't get why I keep hearing over and over again that these cars are cop magnets.  Doing >25% over the speed limit is going to stick out in any car.  It's nothing personal, just hearing that phrase over and over again is grating on me after time and 2 WRX's, one of them bright yellow, one of them with a full catless exhaust, plenty of ass-hat type driving and more than my share of speeding....and only 1 ticket with either car for letting my inspection lapse 

Rich, don't even joke about the idea of using ez-pass or toll booth tickets to track speeding.  That's too scary of a thought    But, from what I understand, places that use cameras for speed/red light tickets, I believe they still have to have a reasonable belief based on the photo that they have the correct driver, not just the correct car.

[idipskoalmint]

But, from what I understand, places that use cameras for speed/red light tickets, I believe they still have to have a reasonable belief based on the photo that they have the correct driver, not just the correct car.

Not if you're as smart as this guy:
http://888redlight.wordpress.com/2009/09/13/man-dons-monkey-mask-to-avoid-speeding-ticket/

[mike9402]

I havent gotten a speeding ticket since I got my passport, It's saved me many times! My buddy has a V1 and he loves it, passports just a little cheaper

[Kavik]

LOL exactly Matt, I was going to mention that, but didn't feel like searching for the link. 

but that backs up what I was saying, that they wouldn't be able to automatically ticket you just because it was your car.  "Sorry your honor, I loan my car out quite often, I can't be sure that was me driving it that day" 

[RedRoof2]

And by now the tolls on the Thruway were supposed to be history.I understand what you're saying,but I don't trust the State one bit!

The Thruway I don't mind so much.  It's a self-maintaining system.  They use tolls directly to pay for plowing and upkeep, so as far as i'm concerned that's okay.  They're one of my customers so i'm biased anyway   It's the OTHER stuff i can't stand,  like the bridges down in the city or the rail projects that use state funding, but still charge their own fees.

An officer is going to pull over anybody that justifies the effort,  which usually starts with 10mph over and goes from there.  Otherwise most police I know are willing to let things slide like an exhaust or tint, as long as there aren't other factors compounding it that might make it worthwhile to stop the vehicle.  Things like a young driver, modifications and illegal equipment or whatnot.  Statistically i've been told, it's that profile of driver that has the most OTHER violations during a stop.  Things like warrants, drugs, expired registration, etc.

[deadlydave]

3 cars in a row, 2 of which were red, all with illegal exhaust and flashy paint and/or wheels.  I park every night across the street from the police station, and I haven't had a ticket in the 2 years i've been here.

[9925leggy]

An officer is going to pull over anybody that justifies the effort,  which usually starts with 10mph over and goes from there.  Otherwise most police I know are willing to let things slide like an exhaust or tint, as long as there aren't other factors compounding it that might make it worthwhile to stop the vehicle.  Things like a young driver, modifications and illegal equipment or whatnot.  Statistically i've been told, it's that profile of driver that has the most OTHER violations during a stop.  Things like warrants, drugs, expired registration, etc.

solid truth

[20 BLK WRX 04]

I don't get why I keep hearing over and over again that these cars are cop magnets. 

when i had my blue impreza 2.5rs completely stock i would be able to park within a few feet of a fire hydrant all the time and be left alone. since ive had my wrx i parked it once next to a fire hydrant at least 7 feet away. coincidence? anything with a hood scoop and spoiler is going to at least an eye catcher

[Kavik]

As far as I know,I'm the only one insured to drive my car.Let's say I loan you my car and you wreck it,what happens when the insurance company finds out I wasn't driving?And if what you say to the judge gets back to the insurance company,will they either raise your rates or at worst cancel your policy?

If I wreck your car, my insurance covers it    I've asked that question before of my Geico rep and was told the 2 people in my household are covered to drive my car, and I'm covered no matter what vehicle I'm in (friends cars, family, rentals, whatever)
Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe in NY the insurance always goes with the driver, so as long as I loan it out to a licensed and insured driver, there's no reason for the insurance company, or anyone else, to have anything to say about it. 
Either way, I'd be shocked if the court wasted their time contacting insurance companies to report excuses/testamonies