I Need Radar detecter Opinions

[1LtCAP 4,262]

Radar detector equals automatic speeding ticket.

the times i got pulled over, when i used to run a detector........that wasn't what got me the "automatic" speeding ticket. that was my mouth, as i was pretty stupidly mouthy to police when i was that young.

 

 these days, i use other drivers as my "radar detector".

[Maksim 1,504]

my V1 is Concealed..

I've had it since 2005 and it's just something that's always been in the car. I've still received tickets from getting flipped, but it will pick up a signal from very far away. I have to say, radar detectors are more annoying recently then ever. Typically you pick up signals from shopping center automatic doors and red light cameras, but now every friggen audi and bmw gives off a k-band and infinity trucks give off laser signals. My fathers 5 series was giving me Ka when parked(car off) right behind him.  older Trail Blazer tail lights used to set off the laser in traffic to the point i would just turn off the V1.

What? BMW gives off Ka? How....

[Malsua 1,422]

Im really interested in the valentine1, i know there are professional reviews out there but i dont trust them each one is being paid by the other manufacturer in my opinion. id like to know some first hand experience with the V1 the design and reputation intrigued me Pros and cons thanks

I've owned a V1 since 1995.  I stopped using it when I rode the bus to NYC in the late 90s.  I started using it again in 2008 and did the trade up program to a new one.

 

I have the detector mounted above the passenger visor and the remote display down on the console.  The wires are mostly concealed, a casual observer or LEO would be very unlikely to notice it.

 

I've used other detectors and frankly without the arrows, I get annoyed not knowing where to look.

 

I turned off X band.  Very few police use it any longer.  Most use KA, some fewer use K.  I think in the 6 mos I had X on, I saw one real cop, the other 90 billion were falses.

 

There are no false KA and few false K.  If you plan to leave X on, get a SAAVY.

 

Who cares about laser...you need to get a whole system to prevent that, and I'm not a speed demon, I just want to level the playing field.

[factorx81 0]

I've owned a V1 since 1995.  I stopped using it when I rode the bus to NYC in the late 90s.  I started using it again in 2008 and did the trade up program to a new one.

 

I have the detector mounted above the passenger visor and the remote display down on the console.  The wires are mostly concealed, a casual observer or LEO would be very unlikely to notice it.

 

I've used other detectors and frankly without the arrows, I get annoyed not knowing where to look.

 

I turned off X band.  Very few police use it any longer.  Most use KA, some fewer use K.  I think in the 6 mos I had X on, I saw one real cop, the other 90 billion were falses.

 

There are no false KA and few false K.  If you plan to leave X on, get a SAAVY.

 

Who cares about laser...you need to get a whole system to prevent that, and I'm not a speed demon, I just want to level the playing field.

I have an escort redline. It works well I often pick up the signal well before I can even see them. I have to disagree on Xband though I think it depends on the town. Im pretty sure all the unmarked in my town use X and the marked use Ka.

[Jon 264]

I run a V1 on my fun car and have been pulled over in it only twice in 6 years. Both times, I got hit with laser. That is with multiple 'spirited' trips back and forth to Florida. A V1 coupled with a decent laser jammer is the absolute best setup you can have.

[Pew Pew Plates 358]

For all the naysayers, they do work and "instant on" is rarely used and when it is used, usually the cop is too trigger happy and you pick it up a mile out when he shoots someone else with it, anyways. Someone who isn't me went from here to Niagara Falls in 5 hours with stops, set the cruise control to 110 (left at 1am, no traffic) and only slowed down for the police. It worked....

[claptrap 0]

Escort passport 9500ix or ix I forget which order the letters come in.

 

Great range and it has GPS that tells you where all the red light cameras are when u update it

[Bob2222 316]

1. V-1. There is no substitute. I've been buying Mike Valentine's stuff since he designed the original Escort when he worked for Cincinnati Microwave. He's a Porsche nut and has a Carrera GT (among others), so the profits are going to a good cause.

 

2. Don't mount it smack in the middle of the windshield. Be a little discreet. I have mine hidden so it's not visible from outside the car, but that's mostly because I'm concerned about thieves. I also use the remote display with a "mute" switch.

 

 

[10X 3,296]

I've always heard that by the time you pick up the radar they already tagged you. Any truth to that?

Not entirely.   If the radar is being used in traffic, you'll pick up all kinds of advanced warnings-usually way before you are in sight of the speed trap, giving you ample time to check your speed and see if you need to adjust.    That's the most common scenario.

 

If you're alone on the road and the radar is off until you are close enough for a read, then no, the detector won't help.

[blksheep 466]

That's why when I would be getting pulled over I am already ripping it off the window and stashing under back seat...

Or atleast used to....

Stuffing things under the seat about to get pulled over? Smart

[bry@n 195]

Not entirely. If the radar is being used in traffic, you'll pick up all kinds of advanced warnings-usually way before you are in sight of the speed trap, giving you ample time to check your speed and see if you need to adjust. That's the most common scenario.

 

If you're alone on the road and the radar is off until you are close enough for a read, then no, the detector won't help.

You

Will also catch little blips when there is no traffic. I was just able to catch a blip

In the wee hours a week ago. Cop was using I/o. I saw this and was within 10mph when I passed him.

 

There is no 100 % shield. You can spend serious money to jam the gun signal when they are using lidar and that will help but at what cost.

 

I drive 40k miles a year and generally never have an issue.

[Malsua 1,422]

I have an escort redline. It works well I often pick up the signal well before I can even see them. I have to disagree on Xband though I think it depends on the town. Im pretty sure all the unmarked in my town use X and the marked use Ka.

 

The V1 also gets them way out there.  

 

As far as Xband, I'm in North Jersey and 90% of my travel is in the same place over and over, your region may be different.   I wouldn't turn it off out of the gate...just watch and see what you see.

 

As for instant on...They just can't keep off the trigger and unless they have the discipline to hold off for 60+ seconds at a time, I'll catch it before I get to them.

 

If you get a single blip where there is normally no Radar, this is where the Valentine matters.  If it's in front of you, you can take appropriate measures...behind..who cares.

 

I do like the GPS options and marking to keep the chatter down but my solution was to dump X band.   I should probably get a Saavy to just mute it out.

 

There are options to set thresholds on K on the V1...and I did it for the rear and that helps some too on falses.   

[Krdshrk 3,877]

What? BMW gives off Ka? How....

 

Yeah it's f'ing annoying.  Those Blind spot detection/Emergency "too close" braking sensors use radar.

 

http://www.radardetectorforum.org/showthread.php?t=11516

[Holeshot 3]

For all the naysayers, they do work and "instant on" is rarely used and when it is used, usually the cop is too trigger happy and you pick it up a mile out when he shoots someone else with it, anyways. Someone who isn't me went from here to Niagara Falls in 5 hours with stops, set the cruise control to 110 (left at 1am, no traffic) and only slowed down for the police. It worked....

 

How's it work on detecting Deer and other animals at that speed?

 

Sorry 110 mph for that length of time on a public road not only does not impress me, but is F'n stupid!

[Avi 12]

I've owned a V1 since 1995.  I stopped using it when I rode the bus to NYC in the late 90s.  I started using it again in 2008 and did the trade up program to a new one.

 

I have the detector mounted above the passenger visor and the remote display down on the console.  The wires are mostly concealed, a casual observer or LEO would be very unlikely to notice it.

 

I've used other detectors and frankly without the arrows, I get annoyed not knowing where to look.

 

I turned off X band.  Very few police use it any longer.  Most use KA, some fewer use K.  I think in the 6 mos I had X on, I saw one real cop, the other 90 billion were falses.

 

There are no false KA and few false K.  If you plan to leave X on, get a SAAVY.

 

Who cares about laser...you need to get a whole system to prevent that, and I'm not a speed demon, I just want to level the playing field.

doesnt NJSP still use X band?

[Pew Pew Plates 358]

How's it work on detecting Deer and other animals at that speed?

 

Sorry 110 mph for that length of time on a public road not only does not impress me, but is F'n stupid!

Never said it was smart, I simply said the detector worked!

 

 

 

doesnt NJSP still use X band?

 

I saw one using it, once.  I was traveling down 78 once behind another spirited driver and I picked up X band.  I was like pfffft nobody uses that, then bam there was a cruiser right in the median and he pulled over the other guy.  So, yes apparently they do but very infrequently

[Malsua 1,422]

doesnt NJSP still use X band?

 

Yeah, maybe.   I've only ever seen them using KA or Laser.    There are certainly X radars still in use  in NJ.  The issue is whether it's enough to worry about VS the amount of falsing.  I've chosen to ignore X.   If I were dead set on leaving X on, I would buy a SAAVY.

[specopsscout 26]

I went with the Passport 9500ix. I did a lot of research before sinking the cash on it, and like the fact that it remembers false signals, and also has a database for cameras and the like. In independent testing, it had one of the longest ranges, as well. Having used some lower end units, l learned where the false signals were, and like most, quickly learned to ignore them. Apparently I wasn't the only one, as I found Officers monitoring traffic in those false signal areas from time to time, as well. I looked at the V1. The Valentine V1 doesn't record the false signals, cameras or speed traps. It just gives you a numerical count of the number of signals you are getting. A friend who ran one got A LOT of false signals on his, as well.  I didn't feel the need for the arrows. Where the Officer is located in relation to me seemed unimportant. The fact that I was about to pass through his signal was. I should mention that I don't routinely speed, or drive like an idiot. I'm normally driving within the speed limit, and I don't regularly or intentionally run red lights. I do however drive Cop magnets, so I'm already at strike one for being in a fast car. I have gotten a couple of traffic tickets in my life. They invariably seemed to come on beautiful days when I was cruising along listening to music with no other cars around...except for the Officer running radar, of course. If I'm the only one on the road, and the Officer is using an Instant On or a Laser, it might not help, but then again...nothing is a hundred percent, including driving the speed limit. I once got a ticket which was later dismissed because the Officer admitted that he had probably tagged a traffic sign that was vibrating in the strong wind, instead of my car; the bright red Z28. The detector gives me that extra warning to look down and make sure I'm doing the right thing, before it's costs me in time, money and aggravation. I'm not a big fan of fines, and surcharges. One ticket alone between fees, court cost, time away from work, and surcharges can quickly surpass the cost of a good detector. It's better to have and not need then need and not have...

As it applies to instant on radar and laser; my detector begins chirping as the Officer hits the cars in front of me. as I get closer, the bars jump with each new hit, until I get a full display when I'm targeted. Also, depending on the unit the Officer is using, many radars seem bleed even when they aren't being actively used, and you'll get weaker signals of varying strength the closer you get. One of the nice features of the Passport is it also displays the exact speed you were traveling when you were hit by the radar. It's a nice way to make sure your speedometer is still calibrated, and I imagine if you were pulled over, and told something contrary, it might give you the motivation to challenge the display or certification of the Officer's radar.

I used the BlendMount to install mine and it's worked great, and given a nice clean finished look.

[Howard 538]

I have an older Passport that works very well.  Its battery operated so no cord hanging down and if ever stopped it is long down before anyone can see it.  As for the newer one that locks stuff out based on GPS I would be very careful of that, cops are not as stupid as those detectors assume.  I have seen cops shooting radar at places that I know always trip my detector for other things - they use that to get people that "know" there is a false signal there.

 

I find the detector very helpful in the quasi residential areas, not on the interstate.  There are too many areas where I live that go form 25 to 35 to 30 to 45 to 40 to 50 to 35 to 25 to 40, you get my idea.

[specopsscout 26]

The detector only locks out the original false signal. If an Officer is running radar at the location, you get a new signal. I've seen it in action several times with mine. The first time it happened, the Officer was hidden really well and I thought the detector had either broken, or wasn't working as advertised. I was wrong on both accounts.

[ryan_j 0]

If you have a radar detector, don't ever take to Virginia. Leave it a home because if you even have one in your vehicle, even if it's not connected your goose is cooked. 

[ryan_j 0]

Lol been watching to much smokey n the bandit...

 

I think it's valid. I listen to the CB on channel 19 on my ham radio and they do talk about stuff up ahead.

 

Smartphone apps like waze are useful too. Not only do they help you avoid speed traps but also construction zones, accidents, road hazards etc. 

[Dan 177]

#1 way to avoid tickets is using your brain. I'm always on the lookout. I don't go nuts, but 80 in 65 is pretty normal. Its when all of a sudden you are in a 55 area on the highway and not realize and you are still doing 80 that can get you in some hot water. Know the spots where they like to hide, scan rearview mirror often, observe car behavior in front of you, like lots of brake lights out of the blue for no reason.

 

To me the detector is there to enhance the brain, to give that additional cue, or in many cases confirm the suspicion that you have while you are already slowing down. Occasionally it has saved the arse when the brain might be taking a break as well.

 

Only 2 times I've gotten nabbed in the past 10 years was LIDAR. It is very difficult for even the best detectors to alert you quick enough to slow down. The cop would have to be lazing a car pretty close to you in order for your detector to pick up the scatter. If they shoot you first, no detector will save you. Only an active jammer may give you a chance, and that game is a battle of technology which each side continues to up the ante on. Good thing is with LIDAR they need LOS, so if you are scanning the horizon properly , almost always you can see the cop's car before you come into a clear shot for them. Its when you are not paying attention is when the risk goes up tremendously.

[NJWarrior 0]

I've used Beltronics radar detectors for over a decade and have never had a problem.  I currently have a Vector 995 and it has saved me numerous times.  Not as fancy and cool as the V1 or Escorts, but it does the job.

[ryan_j 0]

Dan, you are spot on the money. 

 

Watching the road is my strategy.

[petros600 12]

Passport for me and NJ State Police PBA shield on the window.

 

For the people in north jersey, see if you can donate $50 or $100 to the local FOP to become an associate member(you will get a FOP shield to put on your windshield).

[NJWarrior 0]

If you have a radar detector, don't ever take to Virginia. Leave it a home because if you even have one in your vehicle, even if it's not connected your goose is cooked. 

 

This really isn't accurate.  You can have one in the car, it has to be disconnected and out of reach.  I used to drive from New Jersey to Tennessee frequently and would pull off before entering Virginia to place my detector in the trunk.

 

Virginia law states in part:

 

§ 46.2-1079. Radar detectors; demerit points not to be awarded.

 

"B. A person shall not be guilty of a violation of this section when the device or mechanism in question, at the time of the alleged offense, had no power source and was not readily accessible for use by the driver or any passenger in the vehicle."

 

If, however, as you said, the device was sitting disconnected on your passenger seat you would be screwed.

 

"Except as provided in subsection B of this section, the presence of any such prohibited device or mechanism in or on a motor vehicle on the highways of the Commonwealth shall constitute prima facie evidence of the violation of this section. The Commonwealth need not prove that the device or mechanism in question was in an operative condition or being operated."

[JackDaWack 2,895]

What? BMW gives off Ka? How....

I honestly have no idea but Its happened multiple times driving and parking behind my father. Ussually have to be very close within 2 car lengths.

[JackDaWack 2,895]

I like how cops will get stiff over radar detectors yet have no issues with PBA cards and shields.

[10X 3,296]

If you have a radar detector, don't ever take to Virginia. Leave it a home because if you even have one in your vehicle, even if it's not connected your goose is cooked. 

 

That ticks me off no end--the state is ignoring international law.  I think it was the International Communications Act of 1935 that states that listening on any frequency whatsoever shall not be restricted.  It's only transmitting that can be regulated.