If you're looking to buy a radar detector for your car, you need to gather all the information you can before you order or walk into a store. You should know that there are three different kinds you may choose from.

There are the traditional ones with cords, the cordless ones, and the remote mounted ones. The purpose of all of these is the same: to beep when they receive laser or radar signals, thus enabling drivers to know when they are coming close to police activity. It is very helpful to you when you're driving because it helps you slow down if you've gotten careless and have been speeding.

The detectors with cords are the traditional tried-and-true ones and are usually placed on the dashboard with a suction cup. The good part about this is that it doesn't need batteries because it's plugged in and usually goes over the auto's suction fuse box. It also has been made to detect even the hard-to-detect radars, including the new POP radars that the other kinds of detectors cannot pick up.

So it may be a bit ungainly, but it's very reliable. Cordless models are very convenient. They don't have to be plugged in or professionally installed. They're portable, meaning they can be put in and taken out easily to prevent theft. There are no cords hanging around to get in your way.

But there are drawbacks. As was said above, unless they're on the very high end of the price spectrum, they don't pick up all radar signals, such as the POP. They also need batteries replaced at least every three weeks, which can be expensive and bothersome. Once you purchase something like this, you might want to forget about it and not have to maintain it all the time.

The remote mounted radar detectors are the most expensive, and in addition they really should be installed professionally. But they can be installed anywhere, which ensures that thieves cannot look into your vehicle, see it, and break a window to steal it. You're not taking it in and out of the car, so it's less likely to be lost. And such models are very adept at picking up all kinds of radar signals, thus ensuring you'll be warned of any speed traps, police, or cameras.

Before purchasing one, assess your particular driving needs so you can get the right type of detector. Also check the laws in your country and local area. If it is illegal to have one, you want to be careful because you could be fined or punished in some other way and that might not be worth the risk. The reason you get one of these is to avoid tickets and jail, not to get tickets and wind up in jail!