How to Choose Your Radar Detector

How to Choose Your Radar Detector



Confused by all the choices out there?

Selecting the radar detector that is just right for your driving conditions can be very confusing.

Because of this I have put together this short overview on how to select your radar detector and have also put together a more extensive, 78-page Buyers Guide which you can download here.

As a retired police officer, a certified traffic radar instructor an expert in the speed counter measurement industry, I am here to help you select the best radar detector and/or laser jammer for your budget and also help you understand some of the many features that are important in your selection.

The Purpose of a Radar Detector


First, you must understand the purpose of a radar detector, regardless of the manufacture's claims, is to protect yourself from getting a deserved or undeserved speeding ticket, by a police officer using a radar gun.

Radar Detectors are NOT Cop Detectors!


One of the most frequent comments I receive from new radar detector users goes something like this:

“I purchased a radar detector a few days ago and have driven past a number of cops and my detector never alerted. Is there something wrong with my detector?”

No, there is nothing wrong with your radar detector.

Your radar detector is designed to alert to radar and laser signals it receives, it is not a cop car detector.

Most patrol cars do not have radar guns installed in them unless they are assigned to a traffic duty.

And if the officer does have a radar gun, it may not be turned on.

Therefore your radar detector will not alert in these situations.


Radar Detectors SUCK at Detecting Laser!



Each day more and more police departments moving to laser (lidar) enforcement instead of using radar guns.

Laser guns transmit a beam of infrared light at a frequency of 330 terahertz.

This invisible light beam is only 18 inches wide at 500 feet and gets smaller and smaller as you approach the officer.

When police use laser they aim this narrow light beam at a reflective area on your car like your headlamps or front license plate.

Therefore your radar detector would NEVER alert unless it was within this narrow beam of light.

Because of this you need you need either a laser jammer and/or the Veil Stealth Coating to protect yourself from these deadly laser attacks.