BUSTED - on the Autobahn!!!
Written: Jan 22 '00 (Updated Jan 24 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: other car geeks will think you're cool
Cons: you won't know whether it's your cell phone or a radar cop, until the photo cops' flash goes off...
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| cjaugey's Full Review: Beltronics BEL 870 Radar Detector |
I own a BEL 855STI radar detector, which I purchased with the intention of protecting my wallet (and driver license) when driving on the Autobahn in the western region of Germany, where I live.
I'll begin with a few words on what this machine is intended to to and follow up with my judgement on its performance.
Most people are aware of the fact that on the autobahn, one tends to reach frightening speeds (legally) of over 120 mph, frequently. Most American citizens do not know, however, that on many parts of the autobahn there is a speed limit. Sections without a speed limit are often "interrupted" by short, unwelcome, sections with regulated maximum driving speed.
Now, this is where it get dangerous: You drive along at over 100mph and - suddenly - the limit is set to 60 mph. Obviously you don't react by slamming the brake, but you slowly slow down. German radar cops seem to love exactly these spots and regularly hide somewhere shortly after the speed limit begins.
Ok. Here the radar detector should come in and protect me from becoming the prey of such ruthless tax payer hunters.
After I purchased the BEL ("THE ABSOLUTE BEST AVAILABLE", as a friend of mine who is a dealer of such equipment, assured me) the first disappointment were the permanent falses. Not only does the thing go off when passing gas stations and automatic door openers. Even on the freeway it keeps beeping for no apparent reason.
Alright, I thought, just turn down the volume and switch it off in the city. The funny thing is, that after 5 months of ownership, I still had not "met" a radar cop.
Well, what can I say. In the 6th month I DID "meet" one. I was driving at 20mph over legal speed limit and my super-machine actually went off - about half a second (!) before the photo cops' flash went off, as well...
They did get a nice picture of me swearing at the useless toy on my windshield and at myself, for joining the community of morons who fall prey to the marketing of manufacturers of senseless electronic car-equipment.
There is one BEAUTIFUL side effect to owning a radar detector, though: Every time your cell phone rings, the radar detector goes off. So even when the music is playing at maximum volume, you will SEE the phone ringing on the LED of your radar detector. The downside to this is that after a while your reaction to a beeping radar detector is picking up the cell phone, not hitting the brake...! You see, maybe you DO need such a toy... ;-)
My advice: go and buy your wife 100 roses instead. A much better investment, trust me.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
cjaugey
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Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 3 members
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