Laser and Radar Detectors

iScott · #1 04-24-2008, 10:40 AM

Need one very soon. Looks like Valentine 1 and the Escort Passport 9500i are the front runners. Anyone have another suggestion or, more importantly, experience with either or another one you think is better? Or a point in the right direction might help. My prince range is about $400.

Visirale · #2 04-24-2008, 10:45 AM

Don't get the 9500i. The GPS nonsense is... well nonsense. Cops are well aware of people marking common spots (ie radar signs that are not really enforced) and will do stakeouts at spots people blank out as a non-threat.

Valentine is very nice... I didn't have the money, so I got the escort 8500x50. It works like a charm. It has probably saved me at least $1000 probably more in would-be speeding tickets. If you have the money, go valentine for sure. The arrows are so convenient.

Don't let their advertising fool you. By the time laser is detected, you've been clocked already. If you want protection from that, you'll need laser jammers (illegal, but no one can really see them... $400 or so for those, still need a radar detector).

bassman1185 · #3 04-24-2008, 11:55 AM

I used to use a radar detector. It saved my butt a few times, but I ended up becoming dependant on it and assuming that it would save my butt every time. I got three tickets over the span of about a year and a half, and ended up just tossing it in my back seat and being more careful. It's been about two years now with no more tickets.

i_got_a_mohawk · #4 04-24-2008, 12:57 PM

Ever think about, oh, i dont know, just not speeding ?

Philbiker · #5 04-24-2008, 01:00 PM

Radar detectors are illegal in VA. However, when I lived in PA I bought one. That was about 13 years ago, and I got a Bel 945i. I still use it only on long road trips out of state.

Things to remember.

* Laser detectors usually only go off after you're already clocked. I don't know if they have any practical usefulness.
* Radar frequency bands which the police use don't change even when they get new equipment. It's regulated (by the FCC?) so it's kind of like radio - a radio bought 50 years ago can pick up the same stations that a modern radio can pick up.

I don't know if my old 945i is well regarded or not, but I can tell you this - I've used it on many long road trips on both my motorcycle and in my car. I've seen it go off a zillion times; very often after it goes off (and I slow down) I pass an obvious radar source, whether it is a cop or a street sign that says "YOUR SPEED: XX" or something like that.

Bottom line: I have never gotten a ticket when using my Bel 945i radar detector. I don't think it's very well regarded but I needed something motorcycle friendly, the 945 goes in my tankbag and detects through the nylon no problem, with a helmet earpiece as an indicator. Works great in this mode.

I do not do crazy speed though - if the limit's 55 I never go over 80, and usually drive betwene 65 and 75.

scottice · #6 04-24-2008, 01:01 PM

I used the radar detectors in college when I lived in Seattle. They worked fine most of the time, but alot of times the red bars went crazy and I was already busted. Smart cops will fire just frequently enough to avoid being detected by your car that is 1/2 mile away. I suggest just slowing down.

bassfacekevin · #7 04-24-2008, 01:29 PM

I would suggest looking around. The bel 8500x50 is a good choice. One of the main features you should look at is "pop" radar detection. The better rated the pop is, the better chance you will beat a ticket, as most leos use that now (much harder to detect than a steady radar signal) Also, the V1 is an excellent choice if you have the money. Steer very clear of anything cobra, as they have a ton of leakage, causing many other radar detector users to go nuts when you drive by.

Basshole · #8 04-24-2008, 01:31 PM

Valentine FTW. Everyone who owns one knows.

PaleMelanesian · #9 04-24-2008, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Ever think about, oh, i dont know, just not speeding ?

+1

Basshole · #10 04-24-2008, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Ever think about, oh, i dont know, just not speeding ?

Things must be different in Scotland. No one does the posted limit here. NO ONE. I have a radar gun, I know.

Thus, it becomes a game of "Revenue Russian Roulette".

Personally, I prefer to remove myself from the pool of available random police "benefactors" by using electronic countermeasures where legal and appropriate.

PaleMelanesian · #11 04-24-2008, 01:48 PM

Just because everyone else does, doesn't mean you must. You CAN go slower than the flow. You'll save gas, too.

Basshole · #12 04-24-2008, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

Just because everyone else does, doesn't mean you must. You CAN go slower than the flow. You'll save gas, too.

That'll get you run over on the NJ Turnpike.

Cute sentiment, though.

i_got_a_mohawk · #13 04-24-2008, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basshole

Things must be different in Scotland. No one does the posted limit here. NO ONE. I have a radar gun, I know.

Thus, it becomes a game of "Revenue Russian Roulette".

Personally, I prefer to remove myself from the pool of available random police "benefactors" by using electronic countermeasures where legal and appropriate.

When i was in the states, we followed the speed limits, and surprisingly most people were moving at the same speed as us . . .

But fine, risk your life and others

Basshole · #14 04-24-2008, 01:52 PM

Funny, I don't recall the OP asking whether anyone here approved of his use of a detector...I think he just wanted advice on some particular models.

Ya'll go back to mindin' yer own affairs now, ya hear?

I own a Valentine One, and I LOVE IT!!

RWP · #15 04-24-2008, 01:53 PM

In Virginia radar detectors are illegal which really bugs me. I really don't care because I don't want one and don't really speed anymore but a radar detector is a RADIO! How can they make a radio illegal? What is next? AM and FM because they don't like something about that too? Maybe satellite radio because they don't like Howard Stern?

i_got_a_mohawk · #16 04-24-2008, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basshole

Funny, I don't recall the OP asking whether anyone here approved of his use of a detector...I think he just wanted advice on some particular models.

Ya'll go back to mindin' yer own affairs now, ya hear?

I own a Valentine One, and I LOVE IT!!

Oh well, good luck wrapping your cars

Basshole · #17 04-24-2008, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Oh well, good luck wrapping your cars

Actually, it's proven to be invaluable in avoiding accidents. I get so much advance warning on all radar, that I know precisely when the field of nitwits ahead of me is about to do the sudden, abrupt, en masse brake pedal stomp long before they do...gives me a chance to make some room.

Nice deal all around, really.

PaleMelanesian · #18 04-24-2008, 02:08 PM

If you're not right up against their bumpers, you have a good advanced warning, too. Your eyes.

I have heard about the NJ turnpike. Everyone says it's bad, so I'll trust you on that.

Basshole · #19 04-24-2008, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

If you're not right up against their bumpers, you have a good advanced warning, too. Your eyes.

I have heard about the NJ turnpike. Everyone says it's bad, so I'll trust you on that.

Then you would know that if you regularly provide "adequate" following distance, someone will jump in to fill that space.

Nice try.

PaleMelanesian · #20 04-24-2008, 02:16 PM

You go on ahead and do it your way, and I'll do it my way. I can maintain a good buffer just fine. Those that do jump in are racing off into the sunset and gone in a couple seconds anyway. Or racing up to the red light only to stop again.