I’m planning to go on a long trip around the country where speed limits are ridiculously low, even on highways, and that’s all the road police care about (even the slightest of speed-limit infringements) and was wondering if a radar/speeding-camera detector would be worth it.

Can’t use Waze or anything like that because these apps don’t have enough data on Southeast Asia (Vietnam specifically).

If they are at all reliable, how much should I expect to spend on the one that wouldn’t get me in trouble?

Do they work as well at night as during the day?

And is there anything else I should know about them?

  • @[email protected]OP
    0•1 year ago

    Thanks for the info.

    I definitely do not plan to speed within cities, that’s for sure!

    It’s just for country roads, which is where I’ve been caught going 85 km/h on a deserted highway with a 80 km/h speed limit. It was a ridiculous situation where they refused the bribe and almost made me lose my driver’s license.

    Also, I wouldn’t call it pocket change as the average bribe would be costlier than (or at least the same as) your average speed radar detector in the local auto shops. I’ve just never owned one and was wondering if it’s a sham.

    • @[email protected]English
      3•1 year ago

      Could it be that you look like a wealthy foreigner?

      I’ve never paid more than $10USD either “street side” or at the police station anywhere in SEA.

      I know police tend to get itchy palms around special holidays and so on.

      As others have mentioned, you need to be sure your device will detect what the po po are using. Some “police radars” are Lidar / laser. Australia has been using these for 20 years. Undetectable basically.

      Even radar, you’ll only detect them if they’re sending active pings. A hand-held “gun” will only do that when they pull the trigger so to speak.

      • @[email protected]OP
        -2•1 year ago

        Perhaps you’re right. I don’t think I’m particularly wealthy looking, but I for sure don’t have the negotiating skills when it comes to law. What do you usually tell them?

        • @[email protected]English
          1•1 year ago

          I think if you’re a foreigner in a car you’re “wealthy looking”.

          I’m not a particularly skilled negotiator either. I usually just say “I’m on my way to x and I’m going to be late”. Then they will say “oh ok, did you want to pay the fine here?”.