Not all that familiar with the detectors. You'd be better off waiting for a "consumer report" kind of post by those who own them! They can be quite effective. You can sometimes get indications from farther away than the radar will lock on to you, even. But again, I have never owned one.

I don't speed THAT much, and I know where they sit, anyway, so I know where to be extra careful around here. (There is also the fact that my signature is on a LOT of the calibration certificates in this area ---- provided I am not really being stupid or dangerous, I often get a wave and a smile instead of a ticket. Or a "watch it" over the state band channel if I am in the company van.)

Yea, the instant on (actually called the "HOLD" button by most radar manufacturers) is hard to get around.

A big part of avoiding tickets is to develop a "feel" for areas that are preferred by officers to sit and watch. Like the bottom area between two hills (and school zones - where no sane adult speeds, anyway.)