For the most part radar/laser detectors are a waste of money. The only time a radar dectector can really help you is if your a little distance behind another car when the radar unit gets activated then you'll pick up the signal although you may not be the vehicle being targeted.
The radar units do have instant on so when your detector is going off then your speed is already displayed. I've had people stopped with detectors and they dont go off when the radar is in "standby" mode. The theory that they put out a RF frequency when not being activated I don't think is true in the new units because I haven't seen the detectors going off when the radar is in standby mode. I have seen them go off when I'm back at the car and hit the xmit button. Actually kinda funny when they say..."I didn't have it on" but then you turn the radar unit on and hear the detector up there chirping away....
Now the laser is even better. They are vehcile specific and the ones we use are a shouder mounted type with a red dot that you put on the front of the vehicle. Very accurate and at 2000 feet the beam is about a foot in diameter. They make the various paints, plate covers etc, but IMHO none of them really work and I know the show Mythbusters did a segment on it and they couldn't defeat the radar or laser for that matter.
In CA radar detectors are not illegal, unless your driving a big-rig. Radar jammers are illegal and both the radar units and the lasers will tell you if your being jammed. A little more difficult with the radar to know which vehicle it is if there are alot of vehicles in the beam but real easy with the laser since you only target one vehicle at a time.
I'd figure I'd offer my opinion since I saw the subject. I'm here cuz I like to detail cars, my own as of now, and its a stress relief for me. If you have any more questions let me know and i'll do my best to answer them. Nothings personal out there, just making a living like everyone else......
