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Apr 21, 2017 17:25:43 GMT
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So after 17 years of criminal free motoring, I got the dreaded speeding fine through the post the other week. 60 in a 50, was one of those mobile cameras that I could barely see because of the traffic and just wasn't paying attention to my speed. Anyway, does anybody use a radar detector that could recommend one for me? I understand you get what you pay for but I'm not ready to shell out £300 for the biggest and best on the market so what's out there on a budget?
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Radar detectors accord83
@accord83
Club Retro Rides Member 51
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Apr 21, 2017 17:43:45 GMT
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I married mine, a sort of verbal tachograph, she cost me a lot more than £300 in the long run though.
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74 Mk1 Escort 1360, 1971 Vauxhall Victor SL2000 Estate.
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Apr 21, 2017 17:44:17 GMT
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I use the two in my face.
23 years of motoring and I too have only been caught once, in the same way you were.
I wouldnt bother personally, just keep em peeled.
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brc76
RR Helper
Posts: 1,108
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Apr 21, 2017 18:15:38 GMT
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In 25 years of driving I've been using a radar detector for the last few years. I wouldn't bother with one in the UK. Most police I think use lazer (that'll be laser for you lot) in the UK, and a detector will just let you know to pull over as you were just done. In the USA it's a totally different story, I would recommend one here. But not a cheap one. I use a escort passport 9500i. I only started using one after getting caught a second time (15 years after the first) and meeting a very unpleasant cop.
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Apr 21, 2017 18:23:08 GMT
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You might want to read up. I'm sure many years ago (90s?) it became illegal to use detectors - which lead to satnavs with "danger speedcamera" warnings at known locations. No idea what the current situation is.
For anyone curious, I have a retro radar detector in my sales ad below...
I recently visited some relatives who live in the village I was brought up, the whole village (population several thousand) now has a blanket 20 mph speed limit.
Don't bother with a radar detector - just hire a man to walk in front with a red flag!
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Apr 21, 2017 18:34:01 GMT
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They're not illegal in the UK. There was talk a few years back about making them illegal but I'll never became law/legislation. I understand it's easy to say 'stick to the limits' and 'keep your eyes open' but let's be honest, we're all human, we make mistakes. As a mechanic, loosing my license would be a P45 for me so I never take the curse word with speeding, might creep up to 80 on the motorway on occasion but for the most part I'm sensible. I'm basically looking to avoid the situation that caught me out, you know the one, your tired, stressed, lots on your mind, driving on autopilot and it just happens. We've all done it. Getting caught has me in attention overdrive now when I'm on the road so hopefully it's a one off. 😉
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Apr 21, 2017 18:45:37 GMT
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I never had any points until a few years ago then quickly got 6, three removed then 3 more , all because of a new job with 4 static cameras and about 12 locations on the way were a mobile van would be . Last straw was when they found one more new place to put it and got me from miles away just coming over the crest of a hill .
I finally did the speed awareness course after years of saying ' I'm not paying to sit in a room and be patronised'
It was bloody good , i knew a lot of but some was new .It has really changed my driving , i get to the same place less stressed and safely.
I positively never speed in a 30 mph zone now , i have learnt not to give a monkeys about who is behind me . TBH i was never bad before but it only takes a few mph and you have a ticket .
I would really say make a effort not to speed , the 30mph zone is a biggy , its much easier sticking to 50mph , 70mph and there are not so tough on that .
Also new fines are coming in which are really high now .
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BT
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,772
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Apr 21, 2017 20:32:33 GMT
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I remember my uncle had one many years ago when I was a mere nipper (1996 or so) in his cosworth. The thing used to go off at all sorts, it used to pick up certain automatic doors on shops. No idea how!
I have a snooper I think it is, it only picks up fixed cameras and I only use it when I'm traveling somewhere new, sometimes when following directions and getting lost things can get away from us, so it just bings and shows the speed I should be doing which most of the time I am.
To be honest I just stick to the limit, I'm pretty boring like that.
Jammers however, or "garage door openers" intrigue me. Mainly on the basis of how they work.
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Apr 21, 2017 20:40:28 GMT
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The mobile speed vans use a laser based system so a radar detector won't help. As Shaw Taylor used to say- keep 'em peeled......
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Needs a bigger hammer mate.......
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Radar detectors Mercdan68
@forddan68
Club Retro Rides Member 68
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Apr 21, 2017 21:08:45 GMT
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^^^^shaw Taylor legend!! I tend to drive sensibly these days , but camera vans really get my goat up , usually parked in places where you or I would get a caution for parking??!!!!
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Fraud owners club member 2003 W211 Mercedes E class 1989 Sierra sapphire 1998 ex bt fiesta van
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Apr 21, 2017 21:17:56 GMT
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The vans in my part of the world usually park up at the same place at the same time of the month. Some forces publish where they are going to be I believe. Its one of the hazards of driving these days, the money goes to the government as well so its not as if local plod can re-invest it catching kiddy fiddlers or something else as useful.
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Needs a bigger hammer mate.......
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brc76
RR Helper
Posts: 1,108
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Apr 21, 2017 22:18:05 GMT
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Radar detector is generic for X, K, Ka and laser detector.
I found the sat nav with fixed location warnings more useful when I lived in the UK
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Last Edit: Apr 21, 2017 22:19:15 GMT by brc76
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generallee
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,071
Member is Online
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Apr 21, 2017 22:29:13 GMT
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Call yourselves a retro motoring forum? No one has mentioned fixing CDs behind the front grille to reflect the rays. Might not work unless the op is driving an RS turbo though...
Sorry, I don't know anything actually useful.
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sal
Part of things
Mk2 Cavalier CD
Posts: 240
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Apr 21, 2017 23:24:40 GMT
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Call yourselves a retro motoring forum? No one has mentioned fixing CDs behind the front grille to reflect the rays. Might not work unless the op is driving an RS turbo though... Sorry, I don't know anything actually useful. I used to have a road angel fitted but it picked up so many false signals I eventually removed it. It's probably still in my garage somewhere. Re the cd method and above questions about the legality of use I looked into it prior to buying the road angel and was told it's ok to detect radar/laser signals but you're not allowed to disrupt them which is essentially what the cd's are meant to do. Whether or not anyone has ever had to remove cd's I've never heard of it myself.
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Last Edit: Apr 21, 2017 23:27:38 GMT by sal
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brc76
RR Helper
Posts: 1,108
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Yeah,the CD thing? Total bull.
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wodge
Part of things
Posts: 455
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Apr 24, 2017 18:55:00 GMT
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Same as hairspray on your number plates stopping the cameras reading them. Lol
My brother has an excellent picture from the speed camera on Southend sea front when he was 18. Slammed Orion with smoke billowing of all 4 tyres as he's tried to slow and his mate giving it the bird out of the back window. Amazingly he only got a warning for 35 in a 30
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Apr 24, 2017 20:51:36 GMT
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I married mine, a sort of verbal tachograph, she cost me a lot more than £300 in the long run though. Yeh I've got one like that, I call it the 'satnag'
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Had a garage door opener fitted to my old 7 for a few years which happened to unfortunately be set off by laser detection and would then transmit static back stopping the reading. Seemed to be quite effective (tested by a friendly officer for his and my interest) but they are now illegal since some muppet decided it would be fun to purposely travel past a laser speed van at very high speed over and over again to prove a point that they couldn't read his speed. To which the courts used the wireless and telegraphy act to get him done for interfering with government signals.
Also had a couple of detectors but they do pick up a lot of signals from active sensor traffic lights and shop doors so pretty useless.
As with most just stick to my own built in visual detectors these days and stay sensible.
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voodoo57
Club Retro Rides Member
That's not 2 metres! come a little...Closer!
Posts: 2,849
Club RR Member Number: 137
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Radar detectors voodoo57
@voodoo57
Club Retro Rides Member 137
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Stick to the road..... stay off the moor! (you'll only get bitten!)
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If we are going old skool you want to paint your numberplate with clear nail varnish.
Not that it worked mind you.
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