# Do people still use radar detectors in their vehicles? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 27, 2018, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-still-use-radar-detectors-in-their-vehicles/813247 "2018-04-27T23:37:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2018, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-still-use-radar-detectors-in-their-vehicles/813247/1 "2018-04-27T23:37:36Z")
They were all the rage in the 1990s. Haven’t seen too many over the past 10 or 15 years. Just curious. ---
**Author:** ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-still-use-radar-detectors-in-their-vehicles/813247/2 "2018-04-28T00:16:02Z")
??? ---
**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-still-use-radar-detectors-in-their-vehicles/813247/3 "2018-04-28T00:16:21Z")
My cousin swears by his. I use my cruise control to stay safe. Pisses off people behind me sometimes, but not my problem. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-still-use-radar-detectors-in-their-vehicles/813247/4 "2018-04-28T02:15:52Z")
I haven’t thought about radar detectors in quite a while. Don’t most new cars today use radar collision avoidance systems? Wouldn’t that interfere with radar detectors? And do police still use radar rather than lidar? ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-still-use-radar-detectors-in-their-vehicles/813247/5 "2018-04-28T02:48:23Z")
My boss bought 4 radar detectors for her family members for Christmas gifts. Before that, I had not heard anyone mention a radar detector for YEARS. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-still-use-radar-detectors-in-their-vehicles/813247/6 "2018-04-28T03:03:33Z")
Yeah, it’s been about a decade since I’ve seen or heard of anyone using one. I just use Waze to keep me somewhat aware of where cops have been spotted, but that’s obviously not perfect. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-still-use-radar-detectors-in-their-vehicles/813247/7 "2018-04-28T03:09:31Z")
I had 3 or 4 of them over the years, but haven’t had one in at least 15 years. I found it was easier not to tear down the road at 20 over than to rely on the fuzzbuster. Besides it get really annoying when people would see that you have one and start tailgaiting so they could watch it. I never understood that, if you know I have one, just watch my speed, you don’t actually have to see it for yourself. On at least one of mine you could dim or shut off the light specifically so people wouldn’t do that. ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-still-use-radar-detectors-in-their-vehicles/813247/8 "2018-04-28T03:16:50Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I had 3 or 4 of them over the years, but haven’t had one in at least 15 years. I found it was easier not to tear down the road at 20 over than to rely on the fuzzbuster. > Besides it get really annoying when people would see that you have one and start tailgaiting so they could watch it. I never understood that, if you know I have one, just watch my speed, you don’t actually have to see it for yourself. On at least one of mine you could dim or shut off the light specifically so people wouldn’t do that. Fuzzbuster! Thats a good one! I’ve had one and its now a paperweight for rockauto receipts. Was useful in the suburbs with really hungry cops but since I mostly stick to the city I have no need for it. Cops, better fish to fry and all of that. ---
**Author:** ![caligulathegod](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caligulathegod/32/9685_2.png) [@caligulathegod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caligulathegod)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-still-use-radar-detectors-in-their-vehicles/813247/9 "2018-04-28T03:21:28Z")
I had one in the 90s and it would go off all the time. All it accomplished was reminding me to not speed. The laser was worthless. Anytime I was notified about laser…there he is. No warning whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-still-use-radar-detectors-in-their-vehicles/813247/10 "2018-04-28T03:32:56Z")
Those things never seemed to work properly. Years ago I used to keep a hot dog on my dash and would check every once in a while to see if it was heating up, but I could never tell whether it was from police radar or the car’s defroster, so I gave up. ---
**Author:** ![DooWahDiddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@DooWahDiddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DooWahDiddy)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-still-use-radar-detectors-in-their-vehicles/813247/11 "2018-04-28T03:55:07Z")
Newman: Well, you’ll never guess what happened to me today. I was, uh, driving home on the Palisades Parkway, when I look in the rearview mirror and what did I see? The _fuzz_. And it’s funny, because my new radar detector was on, but I didn’t hear a thing. Isn’t that strange? Kramer: Yeah, that’s strange. Newman: Because a radar detector, as I understand it, DETECTS RADAR. With a series of beeps and flashing lights. But oddly, for some reason, I didn’t hear a thing. Except for the sound of a police siren. Kramer: Well, that’s queer. Newman: I WANT MY HELMET BACK. You give me back my helmet, and you’re gonna pay for that ticket. Kramer: Oh yeah, you better think again, mojambo. ---
**Author:** ![Bonnie14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@Bonnie14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonnie14)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-still-use-radar-detectors-in-their-vehicles/813247/12 "2018-04-28T06:49:44Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Yeah, it’s been about a decade since I’ve seen or heard of anyone using one. I just use Waze to keep me somewhat aware of where cops have been spotted, but that’s obviously not perfect. My folks, who are in their 80’s, have used radar detectors and the CB radio; trusting that the truckers would know. Recently, however, my father heard about WAZE. He didn’t know how to use it and I showed him. Radar detectors are useless these days. The cops use laser now. ---
**Author:** ![Bonnie14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@Bonnie14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonnie14)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-still-use-radar-detectors-in-their-vehicles/813247/13 "2018-04-28T07:03:25Z")
My father, gosh, probably 10 years ago, got a ticket from an airplane. Apparently he had passed a highway patrol and they clocked him based on the marks on the road. He decided to go to court for it (he was retired and wanted to have the experience). Apparently, if the guy in the plane doesn’t come to court the ticket gets dismissed. at least around here, in flyover country. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-still-use-radar-detectors-in-their-vehicles/813247/14 "2018-04-28T14:22:27Z")
I [asked about this](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=647210) in 2012 and, although a few respondents still used them, there was a general feeling that their time had passed. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-still-use-radar-detectors-in-their-vehicles/813247/15 "2018-04-28T14:31:35Z")
> [@Bonnie14](#): > > Radar detectors are useless these days. The cops use laser now. They’re just called radar detectors, but I think all but one of mine had laser detection as well. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-still-use-radar-detectors-in-their-vehicles/813247/16 "2018-04-28T14:54:14Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > They’re just called radar detectors, but I think all but one of mine had laser detection as well. How good can the laser detection be? The detector can’t cover the whole car and the laser is going to be a fairly small beam, at least compared to waves of radar. IIRC, the issue with radar detectors at the beginning and even now, was that if it went off it was because you had been lased -in other words, too late. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-still-use-radar-detectors-in-their-vehicles/813247/17 "2018-04-28T15:37:33Z")
> [@Bonnie14](#): > > Radar detectors are useless these days. The cops use laser now. Not everywhere. My old Escort still works great. ---
**Author:** ![Bonnie14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@Bonnie14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonnie14)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-still-use-radar-detectors-in-their-vehicles/813247/18 "2018-04-28T15:50:51Z")
[quote=“Ike\_Witt, post:16, topic:813247”] How good can the laser detection be? The detector can’t cover the whole car and the laser is going to be a fairly small beam, at least compared to waves of radar. IIRC, the issue with radar detectors at the beginning and even now, was that if it went off it was because you had been lased -in other words, too late.[/QUOT Peeps still come to traffic court saying ‘it wasn’t me, it was the car next to me’. One of the the judges in my jurisdiction tells them they are full of it because the LASAR is very specific. He is, however, a fair judge and gives points for them just taking the time to come to court. Their fine will be less than if they just paid it. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-still-use-radar-detectors-in-their-vehicles/813247/19 "2018-04-28T16:40:56Z")
In my younger days, when I drove sports cars, I used a radar/laser detector (Valentine One), but after I sold the 350Z a few years ago, I didn’t bother installing it in my Accord. Now I just stay under 10 mph of the speed limit. As others have said, if the cops are using laser, there’s no point in having a detector. If the detector goes off, you’ve been caught. Aside: I wish Google Maps would display the speed limit of the road you’re on and let you set a warning, as many dedicated GPS units do. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-still-use-radar-detectors-in-their-vehicles/813247/20 "2018-04-28T17:28:04Z")
> [@Bonnie14](#): > > Radar detectors are useless these days. The cops use laser now. Not around here; it’s [VASCAR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VASCAR). Just make sure you’re not going too fast wherever you see the painted white lines across the road. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-still-use-radar-detectors-in-their-vehicles/813247.md?page=2)