Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Why Hypermiling With A Radar Detector Is Smart

Jammer · 10-04-2009, 02:23 AM

Valentine One radar and laser detectors
Ok, I'm sure many of you think I am crazy for Hypermiling with a powerful CB Radio with a 7 foot CB Antenna on the roof, a fairly expensive dual horn radar detector called a Valentine One, a GPS, a cell phone charger and even more.

So it came to no surprise when a member advised me to lose the cb antenna, but I am a faithful supporter of my powerful cb that allows me to talk to other drivers as much as 20 miles away through mountains. Then next, in another active thread a good member pointed out that I wont need my radar detector no more. This was GREAT TIMING because of what just happen to me in the daylight hours, only a few hours ago:

OK, for all of the drivers here that drive on flat land, you may not need a radar detector if you are Hypermiling. What I have to say is for drivers that regularly drive through hilly areas and/or drive in mountains.What it boils down to is all of the drivers here that practice driving in EOC a lot! Have you ever came down a long steep slope that levels out and is just perfect to let the car run on gravity all the way down the hill to then use such high speed to coast you right on for another mile to a stop sigh (for example). Well has anyone else been on say a 55MPH road and think nothing of going 65 or more at the base of the hill, after all you do not expect to be cruising at this speed for more than a few seconds, right?

Here is what just happen to me today (Oct 03 2009) in the few seconds, please check it out:

Not far from where I live is a tall mountain which has a very safe 3 lane road that winds down from it in a steep incline which latter flattens out in the Vally and one can stay in EOC all the way down to the first stop sign and the speeds are perfect. Well, the speeds are perfect if you allow your little car do go 65-70MPH for a few seconds before hitting the base of the mountain, and it's a 55 zone. I bet you already see where I am going with this!

While I was driving in EOC going down the hill there were 2 other cars about 1/2 mile in front of me. My radar detector started beeping and the arrow was pointing straigh in front of me, no chance of a false alarm. I had plenty of time, and I just hated having to hit my brakes while I past the state boy going up the hill as I was moving at 53MPH. If it was not for that detector I would of likely of been clocked at 65 to 70 MPH because I use that speed to let my car unwind all of the way to the stop sign down in the Vally, then I bump start about 20 feet from the stop sign. It works perfect.

So word to the wise, even though were all doing things that are pretty safe and to save fuel, whenever your going down a hill or mountain either watch your speed and keep it under PS, OR at least invest in one of the better radar detectors (Escort Redline, Bel, Valentine One) and buy only what you can afford of these brands and you should be less likely to get a ticket for hypermiling over the posted speed limit. Avoid the Cobra brand detectors because the reviews are poor, and it's a fact they leak out microwaves which, in turn, sets off other brands of radar detectors and it should be safer for the driver to use a RD that is not broadcasting signals. Its bad EMF, the better detectors are very well shielded and should be harmless to drivers..

Also please understand that the police can pace your car to get a speed with no gun, and if you are the only car on the roads for miles, a cop will wait to spot a car he suspects is speeding and then they got ya. So if your running EOC off the top of a large hill with enough incline to move your car 10-20 MPH OVER the posted speed limit, then a detector will most likely only go off as the police lock in your speed, thus making a detector useless. They work if there is light to moderate traffic, as a good detector will alert a driver to the radar use directed at the cars in front of you, which gives you time to brake or gear down.

The same rules apply to Laser speed guns, however be warned that MOST Laser detectors only go beep AS THEY CLOCK YOU. Of all the detectors on the market, my information from various sources show The Valentine One wins out when compared to other brands at picking up police laser gun up to 1000 feet, maybe more, away.(most laser tests stopped at 1000 feet, so the V1 did not have a chance to show it's REAL range on laser guns) Of course that is just enough to slow down, and barely time for that if your speeding real bad! Otherwise most every review shows other brands of combo radar/laser detectors have very poorer reception on laser. Another note - Be advise that police LASER guns can NOT be used when they are driving their cars. Laser speed detection only works right when the police officer stops and keeps the gun perfectly still, normally braced on something, So if you pick up laser from a moving car, it's most likely the sun setting, or the LED headlights fooling the detector because the light spectrum is in reality what laser is- LIGHT.

Also radar detectors are great for letting drivers know where the police may be patrolling at after DARK! A V1 will point right to the radar source, so this information can be used along with your hypermiling skills at night.

UPDATED: Thanks to the comment by 99Metro below were reminded that anytime we are driving very slow as compared to the posted speed limit (especially late at night!!) that we all should treat our radar detectors in the opposite way that most drivers use them- SPEED UP TO P.S. UPON WARNING AND KEEP ENGINE ON UNTIL THE POLICE ARE NO LONGER WATCHING. We could easily appear to be intoxicated if we are driving too slow, especially late at night with little to no traffic around us.

10-04-2009, 02:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jammer Chevy and CB Radio Lover Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: East Kentucky Posts: 302 Thanks: 13 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Why Hypermiling With A Radar Detector Is Smart Valentine One radar and laser detectors Ok, I'm sure many of you think I am crazy for Hypermiling with a powerful CB Radio with a 7 foot CB Antenna on the roof, a fairly expensive dual horn radar detector called a Valentine One, a GPS, a cell phone charger and even more. So it came to no surprise when a member advised me to lose the cb antenna, but I am a faithful supporter of my powerful cb that allows me to talk to other drivers as much as 20 miles away through mountains. Then next, in another active thread a good member pointed out that I wont need my radar detector no more. This was GREAT TIMING because of what just happen to me in the daylight hours, only a few hours ago: OK, for all of the drivers here that drive on flat land, you may not need a radar detector if you are Hypermiling. What I have to say is for drivers that regularly drive through hilly areas and/or drive in mountains.What it boils down to is all of the drivers here that practice driving in EOC a lot! Have you ever came down a long steep slope that levels out and is just perfect to let the car run on gravity all the way down the hill to then use such high speed to coast you right on for another mile to a stop sigh (for example). Well has anyone else been on say a 55MPH road and think nothing of going 65 or more at the base of the hill, after all you do not expect to be cruising at this speed for more than a few seconds, right? Here is what just happen to me today (Oct 03 2009) in the few seconds, please check it out: Not far from where I live is a tall mountain which has a very safe 3 lane road that winds down from it in a steep incline which latter flattens out in the Vally and one can stay in EOC all the way down to the first stop sign and the speeds are perfect. Well, the speeds are perfect if you allow your little car do go 65-70MPH for a few seconds before hitting the base of the mountain, and it's a 55 zone. I bet you already see where I am going with this! While I was driving in EOC going down the hill there were 2 other cars about 1/2 mile in front of me. My radar detector started beeping and the arrow was pointing straigh in front of me, no chance of a false alarm. I had plenty of time, and I just hated having to hit my brakes while I past the state boy going up the hill as I was moving at 53MPH. If it was not for that detector I would of likely of been clocked at 65 to 70 MPH because I use that speed to let my car unwind all of the way to the stop sign down in the Vally, then I bump start about 20 feet from the stop sign. It works perfect. So word to the wise, even though were all doing things that are pretty safe and to save fuel, whenever your going down a hill or mountain either watch your speed and keep it under PS, OR at least invest in one of the better radar detectors (Escort Redline, Bel, Valentine One) and buy only what you can afford of these brands and you should be less likely to get a ticket for hypermiling over the posted speed limit. Avoid the Cobra brand detectors because the reviews are poor, and it's a fact they leak out microwaves which, in turn, sets off other brands of radar detectors and it should be safer for the driver to use a RD that is not broadcasting signals. Its bad EMF, the better detectors are very well shielded and should be harmless to drivers.. Also please understand that the police can pace your car to get a speed with no gun, and if you are the only car on the roads for miles, a cop will wait to spot a car he suspects is speeding and then they got ya. So if your running EOC off the top of a large hill with enough incline to move your car 10-20 MPH OVER the posted speed limit, then a detector will most likely only go off as the police lock in your speed, thus making a detector useless. They work if there is light to moderate traffic, as a good detector will alert a driver to the radar use directed at the cars in front of you, which gives you time to brake or gear down. The same rules apply to Laser speed guns, however be warned that MOST Laser detectors only go beep AS THEY CLOCK YOU. Of all the detectors on the market, my information from various sources show The Valentine One wins out when compared to other brands at picking up police laser gun up to 1000 feet, maybe more, away.(most laser tests stopped at 1000 feet, so the V1 did not have a chance to show it's REAL range on laser guns) Of course that is just enough to slow down, and barely time for that if your speeding real bad! Otherwise most every review shows other brands of combo radar/laser detectors have very poorer reception on laser. Another note - Be advise that police LASER guns can NOT be used when they are driving their cars. Laser speed detection only works right when the police officer stops and keeps the gun perfectly still, normally braced on something, So if you pick up laser from a moving car, it's most likely the sun setting, or the LED headlights fooling the detector because the light spectrum is in reality what laser is- LIGHT. Also radar detectors are great for letting drivers know where the police may be patrolling at after DARK! A V1 will point right to the radar source, so this information can be used along with your hypermiling skills at night. UPDATED: Thanks to the comment by 99Metro below were reminded that anytime we are driving very slow as compared to the posted speed limit (especially late at night!!) that we all should treat our radar detectors in the opposite way that most drivers use them- SPEED UP TO P.S. UPON WARNING AND KEEP ENGINE ON UNTIL THE POLICE ARE NO LONGER WATCHING. We could easily appear to be intoxicated if we are driving too slow, especially late at night with little to no traffic around us. Last edited by Jammer; 10-05-2009 at 07:25 PM..