Sometimes I like to drive fast. So I have come to the conclusion after recently getting pulled over at 1am on a remote strecht of road in Utah (frequented by clibmers, apparently targeted by local sherrif), that it is probably in my best interest to invest in a radar detector.

I'm heading out on a big road trip from Boulder in a few weeks and so I need to make a decision relatively soon.

Not looking to spend crazy money on a top-end radar, just looking to purchase something that will last a few years and will at least be able to give me a heads up on the fuzz. I understand some fuzz have high tech laser scanners and these are difficult to detect until you are already toast.

Anyways, what do you use or what would you reccommend?

I have the Valentine 1 and have had it for nearly 10 years now. Well worth the extra $$. You still have to drive smartly since instant-on radar and laser can easily get you if you are not paying attention. However most rural areas don't have the money for the high-end radar guns and are usually easy to spot. Also I really like the valentine as it has the directional arrows which is huge in understanding if the cop is behind you catching up, or in front of you.

You will learn to pay better attention to the road because of it.

www.valentine1.com/

Also as a FYI CDOT uses radar along certain spots on I-70 and I-25 to track speeds, once you drive through an area a few times you will get use to the different beeps that may happen.

Lastly the price of a high-end radar detector is almost always cheaper then the insurance premiums you will be paying after a speeding ticket.

actually, i am much more likely to kill somebody while driving the speed limit, as it makes me very, very, very, very sleepy...

I used to drive fast too. Once you get so many speeding tickets that they threaten to take your license away, them you'll think twice about speeding.

Slow down if you ca force yourself, save the gas, and watch for wildlife in rural areas, especially around dusk and dawn.

Any other USEFUL advice that answers my original post?

I will continue to drive fast on long, straight, generally empty stretches of highway such as US 50 in Utah/Nevada and I80 in sections of Wyoming. Save your don't speed lectures for someone who cares.

Hahhahahh If you don't speed, you get rear-ended. If you do speed, you take it in the rear.

Radar detectors are not a bad idea. But I can't tell you that there is one that will stop you from getting an instant-on type of equipment ticket, particularly a laser.
Maybe modern jammers/responders work against those now - they get the signal and more or less instantaneously respond with a signal stronger than the readback of the signal that bounces off of your car. In principle this overwhelms the radar/laser.

Drive 5-10 mph over the speed limit. Turn off the radar detector. Your anxiety over the po po will go way down, you'll enjoy the drive more, and you'll still get there about the same time.

The only way to beat the Fuzz, the Man, is to be happy, man. Just be happy, man.

Watch yourself on 40 up in the empty quarter (Utah state line to around Craig, Hayden).

I use the Escort Passport 8500 X50. It has been very useful and effective and I would recommend it to anyone. There are several of these on craigslist right now in the Denver/Boulder area for under $150. They also make the 9500 which has some GPS capabilities. I would not recommend cheaping out on a radar detector since the cheaper ones do not work.
No matter what you get, you should learn to use it and how to determine a false alarm vs the real thing. (Hint, if you pick up Ka its probably a cop, otherwise its probably not.) Good luck.

It may help in Nevada but mind you, the police do NOT need a reason to pull you over round these parts. I've been pulled over a number of times for bogus reasons. They just want to check you out.

And of course all you green platers are smoking the weed..... Good luck to ya.

I had a buddy who used to dress like a Jehovah (and force anyone in his car to do so as well) while going on climbing trips. He swore it got him out of countless traffic tickets and potential arrests because cops (especially in Utah) don't suspect Jehovah's of packing any narcotics and therefore, are quick to let you be on your way without a search and/or hassle. Of course, all that being said, it probably did get him one ticket; straight to hell that is.

Haha, I guess people are always going to impose their views on you wether you want to hear it or not, especially on MP.

So, 2 reccomendations so far. I looked at the Passport 8500 at Best Buy the other night. I hadn't considered craigslist, that is a good idea.

I'm aware of the instant-on and laser technologies and the difficulties they pose. Most of the speeding I am planning on doing is in rural areas that I really do believe a radar detector could give me at least a chance. If it keeps bubba from giving me a ticket, all the better. He can look all he wants for weed but I got nothing to hide there.

BEL 940/965 or similar in that series. Nearly the same detection distance as the $300+ models and I bought mine for $120 years ago. Pays for itself quickly on the 395.

Cobra brand for around $60 from Walmart. It's already saved me $100's in tickets. Picks up 5 different types of devices cops use, including laser and a rear-facing strobe detector. Has city/highway modes and intellimute. A note about radar detectors: they pick up on cellphone towers and some fluorescent lights, so if it goes off in some frequencies ("X-band" I think), it might not actually be a cop.