Radar detectors in FL

[E36Racer]

Since I'm new to the Miami area I figured I'd ask how do the FL cops typically issue speeding tickets? Trying to figure out if replacing my dead escort 8500 X50 with a newer model, is worth it. My old one paid for itself a couple times over and unfortunately is now a paperweight.

In PA, the state troopers are the only ones to issue tickets on just about all of the major roads/highways and they use radar. They also use helicopters on the turnpike to time you. But on cloudy days the heli's are a no go and you can also see the white lines on the highway. The local police are not allowed to use radar so they sit in spots to time you and estimate your speed, which I think is called VASCAR. So I just got in the habit of only going over the posted limit on the highways where I had some preventative measures.

So how does it work in south FL? Do all police use radar, or only the state troopers? Does either one use VASCAR to time you, or time you from aircraft? Or is it a combo of radar, VASCAR and aircraft? Also, is laser popular down here?

TIA

[njdrive]

Originally Posted by E36Racer

Since I'm new to the Miami area I figured I'd ask how do the FL cops typically issue speeding tickets? Trying to figure out if replacing my dead escort 8500 X50 with a newer model, is worth it. My old one paid for itself a couple times over and unfortunately is now a paperweight.

In PA, the state troopers are the only ones to issue tickets on just about all of the major roads/highways and they use radar. They also use helicopters on the turnpike to time you. But on cloudy days the heli's are a no go and you can also see the white lines on the highway. The local police are not allowed to use radar so they sit in spots to time you and estimate your speed, which I think is called VASCAR. So I just got in the habit of only going over the posted limit on the highways where I had some preventative measures.

So how does it work in south FL? Do all police use radar, or only the state troopers? Does either one use VASCAR to time you, or time you from aircraft? Or is it a combo of radar, VASCAR and aircraft? Also, is laser popular down here?

TIA

The white lines on the highway ??

[E36Racer]

Yes, on the PA turnpike in certain spots you will see a thick white line painted from the grass to the center divider, and another one about 100 yards away. That's what the helicopters use as start/stop points when timing you. They got me once that way, never again.

[E36Racer]

Yes, on the PA turnpike in certain spots you will see a thick white line painted from the grass to the center divider, and another one about 100 yards away. That's what the helicopters use as start/stop points when timing you. They got me once that way, never again.

[BNBM3]

They do use laser sometimes, which may be too late before you know, but they don't use airplanes in the metro areas. I definitely use a radar detector around here, and it works quite well. 9500ix

[s85e90]

+1 for the 9500ix. Too many cops in FL

[E36Racer]

Thanks for the responses. Looks like I'll pull the trigger on a new one. Any thoughts on the 9500ix v.s. the new Max 2 or 360? Seems like they are about the same performance wise but the Max 2 and the 360 have built in Bluetooth for the escort live. Looks like they will also give me $80 if I trade in my 8500 X50

[BNBM3]

You will never use Escort live

[ONEOF40 FS M3]

V1 and Waze

[MiamiE93Vert]

9500xi and Waze; you filter out interference pretty quick. Local uses KA. State Troopers in S.FL use mostly KA band but I am now getting laser pickup sometimes, however, K and X are never speed traps. Coming back from Ft. Meyers on Alligator Alley there was one using instant on laser. Had a C.Gables cop use laser on foot once, but have not seen laser outside of State troopers otherwise. I have picked up laser on some sunpass stations, which makes a ton of sense, so be careful.

BTW, detectors and laser jammers are both legal in FL.

They are getting better about turning off their radar when not shooting and using instant on. Waze can help you pick up instant on so on a long trip it is best with both unless you are in packs of cars.

In the 4 1/2 years my 9500xi paid for itself multiple times over.

[Rbembas_M3]

get the waze app works get and cost nothing. I turn it on and place my iphone up against my nav screen the sound is through my blue tooth

[E36Racer]

I appreciate the informative replies. Given the instant precision of laser, only waze can help with that. However, for regular radar waze is not updated real time enough to eliminate the benefit of also having a detector. I guess now my question is which one to get, the new Max 360, the Max II or the new cheaper X70. My experience with the V1 is that it's a false alert meth addict so I'm not even going to consider it over an escort. I've had both and done the Pepsi challenge with my X50 and the V1 is just annoying background noise that you completely ignore and I don't know if the arrows really add value.

[BNBM3]

I get very few false alerts on my 9500ix ... It's really good about storing false alerts, so on a normal drive, it won't go off at all unless there is an actual cop.

[Cbozz]

i just read the first sentence and have no desire to read the rest!

radar detectors are legal in FL and cops give tickets for speeding (what a stupid question) get a radar detector!