A little help with all this

SpeedCheetahAl · #6 (**permalink**) 2008-12-11

I'd say if you're on limited budget, start by dealing with the threat you are most concerned about first. You can always add in other products later when your budget allows. (Watch out - after your first big save, this stuff gets real addictive real quick!)

So let us know what kind of trap you are most worried about being caught by, and that will help us guide you further. Please be specific - don't just say "all of them."

As you know bikes present a different set of challenges to a car. The next thing you need to think about is how you are going to receive the alerts on a bike. After all, the best detector in the world is not going to help if you don't know when it's going off.

You have to think about whether you want to see the alerts, or hear the alerts, or both.

If you want to hear alerts, do you have an intercom system that perhaps you can link your kit up with? Do you wear ear plugs, if not a simple earphone might be OK to get you started.

If you want to see alerts, bear in mind that the normal displays on the RD are pretty useless on a bike, especially in sunny conditions. If you wear a helmet, you should check out the wireless helmet displays like our own Cheetah VizAlert.

If you do wear a helment and want to see alerts I'd recommend a very decent mid-range detector like the Bel RX65, teamed up with the Cheetah VizAlert Helmet display. This also gives you a degree of flexibility because when your budget allows you can add in a Blinder Laser Jammer system. The VizAlert display is the only helmet display that works with jammers like the Blinder as well as some of the decent radar detectors.

Hope this helps.

On a different matter, if you haven't checked it out yet, I recommend you visit Pashnit.com for details on some amazing NorCal group rides. Brilliant site.

Mstaples · #7 (**permalink**) 2008-12-11

SpeedCheetahAl,

Hey, thanks for the response. Helps me narrow things down a bit.

I am worried about a repeat of what happened last night: A cop hiding along side the road... parked out of sight. In this case, I was on a country road at night, completely alone (my biggest mistake), cruising home on a straightaway with no traffic anyware within miles. It was VERY dark. So dark that all the cop had to do was sit along side the road with his lights off and his radar on. So I was cruising at 65 (typical for that road), and the speed limit established in 1912 for Model-T fords driven by 90 year old bingo-players was 45.

I ride a cruiser. I'm not on a sport bike. I think a visible light would work. I don't think I need a screamer or a headset. I ride in all weather... pouring rain or whatever... but I'm probably slowed by the rain enough so that I don't have to worry about being nabbed for speeding (probably).

I would prefer cordless. I don't think I'm worried about Freeway riding. Mostly, I'm pretty good at hiding in traffic...or I'm lane splitting. It's the lone cop on a mission in the middle of nowhere, behind a tree, that I don't know how to deal with. And absolutely NO ONE does the speed limit out here, so it's pretty much open season on all vehicles for these police. They just can't write tickets fast enough.

What do you think?

Veil Guy · #8 (**permalink**) 2008-12-11

Cordless radar detectors do not provide the same level as hard-wired ones do as their power conservation modes ultimately come at the expense of quickness and/or sensitivity.

Given your description of your particular circumstance, no radar detector may been able to afford you a measure of protection. A well trained and patient officer operating instant-on radar selectively and against a lone approaching target will generally be the winner, I am afraid.

It's important to remember, that radar detectors are just that radar detectors, not cop detectors.

Believe me, I have been there before, myself.

Veil Guy

Mstaples · #9 (**permalink**) 2008-12-11

Well thanks for the honesty. Probably saving me a lot of money and a failed sense of security.

Veil Guy · #10 (**permalink**) 2008-12-11

Mstaples,

No problem. That doesn't mean I wouldn't start building your defense arsenal. I would certainly start doing that.

But even with all of these terrific countermeasures, it is important to keep in perspective the limitations and the risks.

As a rule of thumb, I drive as if I don't have any countermeasures installed. In fact, my driving behavior is unaffected by the presence or lack-thereof a radar detector.

I try first to rely on my ability to spot trouble. In most circumstances, regardless of the speed measurement device(s) employed, there exists a finite amount of time that an officer has to observe your behavior and make a decision as to whether or not you are going to be targeted.

It is in this discreet time period where the advantage will favor the more attentive operator.

At this point the radar detector or countermeasure becomes just a tool. An important tool, no doubt, but a tool, nonetheless.

Knowing the limitations of any given targeting scenario is a healthy thing.

So, my post was not to discourage you in any way, but simply serve as a basis for establishing a solid foundation for moving forward.

Veil Guy