I’m planning to go on a long trip around the country where speed limits are ridiculously low, even on highways, and that’s all the road police care about (even the slightest of speed-limit infringements) and was wondering if a radar/speeding-camera detector would be worth it.
Can’t use Waze or anything like that because these apps don’t have enough data on Southeast Asia (Vietnam specifically).
If they are at all reliable, how much should I expect to spend on the one that wouldn’t get me in trouble?
Do they work as well at night as during the day?
And is there anything else I should know about them?
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Here’s an idea: Maybe just drive speed limit.
Some places may have speed traps, so it may just be a way for the police/local government to make quick money.
Drive the speed limit, it’s there for a reason. Don’t be so selfish.
(I’m assuming US) a radar detector is definitely worth imo. It practically pays for itself if it prevents a speeding ticket at least once, but the main thing to keep in mind is that it will only pick up cops that are actively trying to detect speed. Meaning, you should still be on the look out for cops on the road and not to confuse it with a “cop detector”. And a lot of times, it picks up other noise (toll booths, random security systems, etc) – it takes a little while to get used to differentiating false positives.
But after a while, it becomes kind of like another sense available that you can use as you drive to know when/where you need to slow down. And if anything, it’s peace of mind too. You’d honestly be surprised by how many cops you pass on the road that aren’t actually tracking your speed (these by the way won’t show up on the radar detector because the cop isn’t actively radaring you). As long as you slow down and don’t give them any reason, you should be okay.
As per cost, I’d budget around $500 to $700. I found this one to be quite good: https://store.valentine1.com/Store/item.asp?i=20020
Edit: (to answer the night/day question) time of day makes zero difference in a radar detector because science. It’s the same level of effectiveness throughout the day. Just make sure it has a clear view to the front and back windows and you should be all set.
Thanks for the suggestion.
I’m in Vietnam by the way. Would you say there isn’t such a thing as a cheap radar detector? Got not more than 50-80usd to spend.
Poor assumption on my part. As for cheaper alternatives, I don’t know any off hand but I’d imagine you’d have to do the tuning yourself (for better or for worse) which means your false positives will vary.
Are you sure they use radar in your country? Here the police used lasers. They do not set off detectors.
But then I did see auto-shops sell speed-radar detectors. I’m just not sure if it’s worth it.
There are also laser blockers. The policeman cant get a reading when enabled
Would you say they’re worth it?
Check the legality of them in your area. Where I live (in the US) they are illegal.
Have you done much driving in Vietnam?
If you’re screaming up and down the highway from Hanoi to ho chi Minh then maybe worth it.
Otherwise IDK how it could be worth it? You can’t drive fast at all on city streets et cetera in Vietnam.
Also what is the fine? I’ve always found the fines in SEA to be pocket change.
Thanks for the info.
I definitely do not plan to speed within cities, that’s for sure!
It’s just for country roads, which is where I’ve been caught going 85 km/h on a deserted highway with a 80 km/h speed limit. It was a ridiculous situation where they refused the bribe and almost made me lose my driver’s license.
Also, I wouldn’t call it pocket change as the average bribe would be costlier than (or at least the same as) your average speed radar detector in the local auto shops. I’ve just never owned one and was wondering if it’s a sham.
Ridiculous situation?
Are you referring to this post?
It feels like you’re not mentioning something in this post. Either way… Don’t speed in the country either
That somehow depends on what “the country” is you are driving in.
