subject: Car Radar Detectors - The Features To Look Out For [print this page] Speed traps are deliberately placed where people are most likely to get caught speeding; long stretches of often clear road, amongst other locations. Sometimes we're caught speeding when it was for a good reason like an emergency. Whatever the reasons, we deserve fair warning when such a trap is coming up so we can adjust our speed accordingly to avoid the heavy fines. And while the fines are indeed harsh in this economy and sometimes there just to fund the government, the black mark on your license for the long period of time is also a real damper. To solve these problems, there are devices called car radar detectors. They detect police scanners and spot speed traps ahead of time, so you can slow down for them. While illegal in some countries, they're also legal in many others, so double check what the law is where you live, as breaking the law by having illegal equipment is a whole lot more serious than a speeding fine.
Radar Detectors
A cheap detector will warn you of a scanner, but leave it too late, not warn you thoroughly enough or simply not cover enough devices to provide decent protection. As such, it's important you buy a high-quality detector and through its warnings, it'll easy pay back through avoiding tickets. It's also of note that these detectors do as their name implies; detect. They do not block scanners, so you'll need to slow down or avoid the camera in order for it to be effective.
Good radar detectors will provide you with ten miles worth of range. This is a very good range and will provide you with plenty of time to slow down or change your route. Additionally, many of the higher-tier detectors can also spot 'over-the-hill' and hidden scanners, making them invaluable for such areas.
A key point of any detector is the ability to detect real scanners from false ones. When low-quality, and sometimes high-quality, scanners report a non-existent scanner, it's called a false positive. You'll want a detector that reduces false positives while improving sensitivity so it detects all that much better. Some even have enhanced antenna systems to aid them.
When all the hardware finally does find a speed trap, you'll want to be adequately warned. While a flashing light or LED screen is great, a voice alert is much better. Nothing slows you down quite so much as someone warning you rather promptly.
The installation should be easy and provide all the necessary equipment such as suction cups or clamps. Furthermore, having the latest software for the newest police equipment would be something of outstanding use.
