If ya ask me, the laser detectors are a cool gadget but a waste of money. A mate of mine has one, he doesnt use it anymore and i'll tell you why in a minute. It works but only when a cop is lasering you with his laser gun... read... kinda a bit late to slow when the laser is on you, the beam of light is only focussed on the vehicle the cop wants to check. if you're are doing 70, he's already got you...
The radar is is a bit better as the cops radar gun is constantly "on" with a wide transmitter beam so you can detect it farther away even before he is focussing on you and slow down before you get in his immediate range, I have one of these radar detectors but i dont use it anymore... The radar detectors tend to detect all IR transmitters. Shop front PIR sensors, traffic light PIR sensors, road sign sensors, etc, so ya get lots of false alarms.. I spose if you buy an expensive one, it will be able to distinguish the false alarms from the real deal.
Over here, the radar guns are gradually being phased out of use, in preference to laser guns. Almost all cops here now use the laser. i'll bet they feel like snipers, picking off cars they want to check. They usually set up their laser guns on a tripod, and stand behind it. They aim the laser gun much like a rifle with an optical scope picking off targets at will, pulling in offenders to ticket them.
We have a posession fine in Ireland. If you are caught with a radar or laser detector its automatically a €1000 on the spot fine plus i think its 4 points put on your driving licence. It is not illegal to sell them (legal loop hole) so they are available to buy in all car accessory shops.... go figure. Apparently the latest version laser gun the cops use here, has a laser detector "detector", so they know you know they know, (if you know what i mean...lol)
It pains me to say it but the best way to beat the ticket is to keep the speed down! On my ZL I have a factory fitted speed light that comes on at 55mph it helps a bit, at least I know when I am exceeding the limit... (read - red light is on most of the time...lol). Maybe you can get an aftermarket accessory that you can fit to give you the same 'light on' at your speed limit? Get to know where the cops are hiding out too on your favourite stretch of road if they have a regular haunt maybe?? I know, I know... who wants to be restricted to ride their ZL at the legal speed limit...
Whatever you do jeffie, it is good to hear you are still with us. That sucks to be done 5 times for speeding.
I wish you better luck in the future,
drive safe.
