Thread: WARNING: Your radar scrambler is bogus!

My brother-in-law bought the top-of-the-line radar detector/ scrambler earlier this year. The reason he paid top dollar is because it's from one of the companies that says they'll pay your speeding ticket if you get one while using their device. His reasoning was pretty sound; if they're willing to offer that, it must be good.
He was up here visiting us from New Mexico the other day and our conversation landed on how fast we drive. He's been routinely driving over 100 through the NM and AZ flatlands for years. Ever since he got the scrambler he has felt a cloak of invisibility--he's warmed to the comforting feeling that he doesn't have to slam his brakes in panic whenever his detector goes off.
As we talked, I realized that I still had my radar gun in my vehicle. Even better, my sister had left him the truck that's equipped with the scrambler. Well...we had a little time to kill and did a few dozen road tests.
Guess what!!?? The scrambler doesn't work. I triggered his exact speed every time. And, by the way, instant-on K-band (which is what I use) registers the correct speed before your foot can even react to the thought of slamming on your brakes.
Note to self: When your radar detector goes off at close range and the cop doesn't go after you--he has some other reason. It's not because he doesn't know how fast you were going.
My bro-in-law is pissed. He's going to write the company and try to get his money back. I'm glad we checked this out because I was going to buy one if it worked.

Any thoughts on this?

I have some real estate I'd like to sell your brother (for a good price, of course). Any "scramber" that works is also out and out illegal (because it's an unlicensed radio transmitter and interferes with police operations too). You used to be able to buy a kit and build it yourself but the whole thing is so 70's.

Why don't you just go the speed limit and if you get caught speeding, fuk the pigs!

Originally posted by Rascal King
Why don't you just go the speed limit and if you get caught speeding, fuk the pigs!

Why would you "get caught speeding" if you were going the speed limit? This one puzzles me.

instead of a scrambler, how about a detector? The Valentine One i've been using saved my ass numerous times today on Rt 90. The thing literally detects radar from 1/4 mile away. It's really surprised me a few times...

Originally posted by iskibc
Why would you "get caught speeding" if you were going the speed limit? This one puzzles me.

Rascal King's comment about "pigs" . . . . so 70's.

Don't worry, you're fine. RK, on the other hand, is confused.

Originally posted by dipstik
instead of a scrambler, how about a detector? The Valentine One i've been using saved my ass numerous times today on Rt 90. The thing literally detects radar from 1/4 mile away. It's really surprised me a few times...

V1 is amazing. I had mine with me in Florida last week and it picked up radar about 2+ miles away (OK this was on I-75 through Alligator Alley where it's totally straight and flat). But it's still better than any of my old Whistlers.

Hmm, around here police don't ever use radar anyways; all speed checks are done with laser devices; i.e. you won't see it coming.

I found out a bunch of years back that the bast way of solving the problem was getting a car that tops out at 80mph but gets 50ish mpg even when loaded with 3 people and gear for half a year of skiing. Cheaper in a lot of ways.


I tend to believe that with my current lifestyle at least I sorta can't really justify a speeding tickeet to myself. But that's just me.

Originally posted by dipstik
instead of a scrambler, how about a detector?

Yep. We've been using top-of-the line detectors for about as long as we've been making that 1100 mile round-trip. I've done it many times, but my brother-in-law has been doing it at least twice per month for 26 years. What is that, almost 700,000 miles?
He chops 8 hours off the drive at the speeds he travels. For most people the drive is 20+ hours; he does it in a little over 12. If he didn't have a detector he'd have lost his license years ago. But, I digress.

His latest and greatest was this combo scrambler/detector. Now I guess he'll have to go back to using his best radar/laser detector and forget about the scrambling idea.

As far as laser, K-band, and Ka instant-on, if you're the only vehicle on the road for miles and the cop hasn't turned his gun on anyone in front of you for your detector to pick up, I now know from experience that when he presses the trigger he has your speed locked in his device before your foot even touches the pedal. We even tested having the vehicle on cruise control, foot hovering over the brake until the first millisecond of sound and still couldn't beat instant on. If you use a detector you'd better hope the cop ahead is radaring enough people to set-off your detector, and not waiting just for you.

I'm very glad I got rid of my motorcycle and slowed down over the years. That's what has kept me ticket-free for so many years [knock on wood].



_____________________________
"The danger is no longer theoretical."

Obviously, detectors don't/can't replace common sense -- don't expect to get away for long doing 50 in a 25 around town, and if you're the only one out on the highway, keep 'er down. But they've saved my ass way more times than I can remember, and definitely even the cheap ones have been well worth their cost. Many cops, even Staters, still drive around with their radar guns on idle, which a detector will pick up. Very rarely have I ever been hit with laser or instant-on, and not seen it coming from the cars in front of me slamming on their brakes.

Then again, I got pulled over by a fucking airplane two Thanksgivings ago, doing 76 in a 70. I knew the speed trap was there (7 or 8 cars, and its ALWAYS a go), so I slowed down, but the plane clocked me on the straights a couple miles before hand. The cop let me go, without even a warning. Maybe he thought I was cute.

Originally posted by dipstik
instead of a scrambler, how about a detector? The Valentine One i've been using saved my ass numerous times today on Rt 90. The thing literally detects radar from 1/4 mile away. It's really surprised me a few times...

Yes...the V1 is a good as they get...but instant on without traffic in front of you is a no win game. Would never drive without mine.

Endless, how much of a return do you need with that thing?

Could you clock a basketball, say at 50 yards?

Originally posted by BakerBoy

Then again, I got pulled over by a fucking airplane two Thanksgivings ago, doing 76 in a 70.

They pulled you over for 76 in a 70? Don't these guys have anything better to do? Must have been quota time....

Originally posted by Canuk
They pulled you over for 76 in a 70? Don't these guys have anything better to do? Must have been quota time....

No, I got a 72 in a 65 going over blowqualmie pass one time (in the summer, no snow). My wife just got pulled over two days ago for having too dark of tint on the window's (this was Idaho though). It seems that law enforcement has become taxation w/out representation nowadays. The laws are enforced to the extent of obsurd results.

Originally posted by 1080Rider
No, I got a 72 in a 65 going over blowqualmie pass one time (in the summer, no snow). My wife just got pulled over two days ago for having too dark of tint on the window's (this was Idaho though). It seems that law enforcement has become taxation w/out representation nowadays. The laws are enforced to the extent of obsurd results.

Never underestimate the boredom of a traffic cop. Some friends had a bet to hand out the most obscure traffic violation. And the wiiner was...






















A non-functioning high beam indicator lamp.
Don't say I didn't warn you.

i shit you not...

I was pulled over driving from breckenridge to frisco...why?

Cop sez, " Sir, I noticed you have beer leaking from the back of your isuzu trooper."

Me," Thats windshield wiper fluid"

Radar detectors are Gods on the road. Saved my ass so many times.

Originally posted by Snow Dog
Never underestimate the boredom of a traffic cop.

You better shut your mouth right meow.

Detectors are a help, but not even close to a guarantee. There's prolly a dozen methods law enforcement uses that circumvents radar detectors. Still use good judgement and look for other things (visibility, current speed zone, etc...) with the radar detector, and you'll be as "safe" as you can be.

Jammers do not work. Car and Driver recently had a huge article testing them. They are useless. I'm sure you can illegaly construct one, but that's another matter....