That was why I did not remove it....
I feel a little dumm...when I sat in the Customs office for 2 hours while they figure out how to fill in the forms to give me a ticket.

Apparently they could not, and they just forwarded this device and my details to the Schaufhausen polizei. They sent me a "bill" in under 1 week. Quick huh? Faster than a speeding bullet...pun intended.

Also, if the device is "not functioning" or you can prove it (by cutting the power cord or hidding it) they cannot prove it is a radar detector nor can they say you were intending to use it. You can say it is spare part of a bigger vehicle project you are doing in DE and that you are carrying it as a spare part or project part.

Then they will become confused and they cannot "punish" you, but only ask you to bring it out of switzerland, you can give it to a DE friend, for example.
LEGALLY.