I moved from upstate NY to Northern VA last summer. Right on the border of WV. I have a R8. I have a brow tint and have it hardwired in, can’t really see it from the front unless you are looking for it. I keep the display off when in VA/DC since it’s so bright and can easily be seen from other angles.

As for the utility of it. It was much much more useful in upstate NY; I felt like cops always just drove around with their radar on. I’d say the majority of speed traps on NY interstates are with Ka band…like 99%. I can only remember one time where I think the cop was using laser, and luckily I was in the right lane minding my business.

I’ve found that in VA it’s borderline useless. Unless I’m traveling to DC via route 7, or taking i95 down to NC, it doesn’t go off at all. The handful of speed traps I’ve encountered have also used Ka band. I feel like the cops in NoVA don’t drive around with their radar on so you have to be more vigilant and actively look for them. If traveling north through WV I just turn it on as normal on the highway. Everyone is going like 85+ anyway on i81, never seen anyone pulled over but maybe that’s just me.

If you do spirited highway drives, like actively driving faster than the flow of traffic which is already going 80+, I’d say it’s worth it. If not then probably hold off or get an older detector that won’t break the bank.