In-Dash Radar Detector

[CREWZIN]

Originally Posted by HBcarnut

I've driven the majority of this country, and a lot of it on two lane back roads. FL does not have amazing roads

BUT, Florida roads are in a lot better shape that a heck of a lot of the rest of the country. Not saying they're the best but without winter weather they hold up better.

I have 94K on my 01 PT with only a hand full of trips up north. My tie rods, bearings the whole rest of the suspension is in perfect shape even with the Eibach lowering springs and Tokico struts and shocks. Compare that with what we are seeing on this forum.

[PTmodrod]

Originally Posted by CREWZIN

...but without winter weather they hold up better.

Actually, I have noticed that buying a Florida car is pretty much the way to go (well... most southern states too) because of the climate they don't tend to turn in to rustballs! No salt on the roads or whatever. Only rust I get is on the brake discs after a heavy rain!

[CanAmSteve]

NY state and perhaps others have radar detector prohibition for commercial vehicles. I believe Virginia has never taken their law "all the way" (i.e. Supreme Court) as it is most likely unconstitutional. But who would pay to fight all the way?

In Canada, radar detectors were illegal (last time I checked) in five provinces and legal in the other five. Mostly illegal east vs legal in the west. Quebec is the harshest - many stories of "allowing" tourists to drive off without a ticket after carefully placing their detector under a tire! There are radar detector detectors, cloaked detectors, VG-2-invisible.. on and on. It's arms proliferation, for sure. I have always felt that since "the airwaves are public property in Canada" it should be illegal for the governemt to tell me what "radio" I can "listen" to. Again - big bucks for a Supreme Court challenge.

(The Act declares that the airwaves are public property, and that the programming of the Canadian broadcasting system is a public service.)

Public Notice CRTC 1993-78

In the UK, detectors are still technically legal but a bill is waiting approval that will change that and make them illegal. That's probably irrelevant, though, as 99% of UK speed enforcement is fixed cameras (mostly rear-facing Gatso-type, but increasingly forward-facing digital average speed systems).

By law the cameras have to be visible, and since the locations are 99.9% fixed (there are some mobile vans) every GPS sat-nav comes with the locations preprogrammed (you can subscribe to monthly updates). Plus you simply learn where your local cameras are. So mostly they catch tourist (from the next county :-)

Most "active" speed enforcement in the UK (what little there is) is done by police patrols (Shock! I saw one just last year.) and fixed laser setups ("campaign enforcement"). You know how well laser detection works... oops. You're nicked!

My experience in the US is that a well-run speed enforcement program is nothing to fear, but many of the County Mountie crew like to go cherry-picking and you need to watch them. They know the spots where people tend to speed (often due to unrealistic speed limits) and hang out there. Recently, in Maine, I had to drive Rt 1 (in my 2005 PT Limited Turbo) late at night. I drive this road all the time but I was amazed how many speed traps had been set up at night. Sheriffs' cars parked in used car lots with the lights off, etc. My Passport was lit up the whole way.

This is where a detector comes in handy. A smart officer doing his/her job will still be able to catch wanton speeders, but the lazy ones who cruise around with their radar on constantly or sit in a hiding spot reading a book and then look up when the preset buzzes you can avoid with a detector. And that's most of them, unfortunately. Note there is a new almost-undetectable super-short instant radar out there. But again, too much work for most local LEOs. They prefer trolling.

In France detectors are very illegal - cops stand at tool booths and look on the dash of foreign cars. Very big fine. Must be a French thing... Also fixed speed cameras now in France.

[HBcarnut]

Originally Posted by CREWZIN

BUT, Florida roads are in a lot better shape that a heck of a lot of the rest of the country. Not saying they're the best but without winter weather they hold up better.

I have 94K on my 01 PT with only a hand full of trips up north. My tie rods, bearings the whole rest of the suspension is in perfect shape even with the Eibach lowering springs and Tokico struts and shocks. Compare that with what we are seeing on this forum.

you are right, the roads are nicely paved. With that said, I put 150K on a fixed up little Acura around the country on "sh***y" roads and my eibachs and tokico's held up great too



But when I think "good driving roads" I think of things like this







Something FL lacks

[Johns Steel Blue]

What's the problem with just driving the speed limit??? Seems it would save you a lot of hassles..

[ucantcme]

Originally Posted by HBcarnut

you are right, the roads are nicely paved. With that said, I put 150K on a fixed up little Acura around the country on "sh***y" roads and my eibachs and tokico's held up great too



But when I think "good driving roads" I think of things like this







Something FL lacks

Not at night, lol

[PTmodrod]

Originally Posted by Johns Steel Blue

What's the problem with just driving the speed limit??? Seems it would save you a lot of hassles..

I am sure that everyone on here speeds sometimes, even if it is just a mistake on a downhill slope of something of that nature. The radar for me is more of a "check your speedo!" warning than a safety net. My average cruising speed is 45-47 MPH usually so I don't really have that many issues! Besides, if I am speeding, how will everyone see how cool my PT looks!?

Originally Posted by HBcarnut

Man I am jealous of you. I have RIDDEN in a car on that road before (mustang GT Convertible) on a trip there and I couldn't stop wishing I was driving...

[Windancer]

Originally Posted by ucantcme

Also in Canada but I doubt you'll be heading up there anytime soon :P.

Totally legal in my province, and hey why wouldn't you head up to our lovely country....lol.

Terry

[Ironman]

Originally Posted by Johns Steel Blue

What's the problem with just driving the speed limit??? Seems it would save you a lot of hassles..

Well, When you are super busy (and believe me, between working full time, going to school full time, and having a finance, I was VERY busy) You have too many places to go, and not enough time to go there in. Those who are business owners may understand this. Speeding is not a choice for some, it is a necessity.

BTW I couldn't see the photos, they were deleted or something to that effect.

[PTmodrod]

Originally Posted by Ironman

...BTW I couldn't see the photos, they were deleted or something to that effect.

Whoops! my bad! I moved them by mistake!!! off to fix that now! sorry!