Hello gang,

I was wondering if you guys have any advice regarding radar detectors. I read a little on the net, I figured detection systems it should have and so on .. but I want some user opinions.

If you have a radar detector and you like it, let me know..

Is there an alternative to having a wire going from the 12v output to the detector? I just like the dash to look clean.

If you think they are a waste of money.. well let me know about those stories too

Thanks a bunch.

-Phil

 

I got the top of the line from Beltronics(when I bought it, a few years back) I think it's the 980 or something like that, it has the LED screen, etc. That is really not necessary, but there are ways to hid the wiring. I used the flat straight cord that came with it and ran it from the outlet in the armrest. I have the cord running down on the passenger side, under the center console, up under the glove box, and tucked through the dash by the passenger side door. Then I have it pushed back between the windsheild and the dash so all that you can really see is the little bit of wire sticking out where the detector is mounted to the windshield. I can probably take some pics with my phone so you can get an idea of when I'm talkin about, but I'll have to put them in my yahoo pictures and link them that way. I should be able to have them up later today.

 

too bad it's against the law in Ontario, Canada :o(

I've seen a local cop show where the cops detected the detector in some guy's car somehow and gave him a ticket for that plus confiscated the detector.

Is there a detector that cops can't scan/find/detect ?

 

If you want to go with the best, it's time to visit the V1 website:

www.valentineone.com

It's $400...but worth the money.

Another is the Escort Passport 8500 XE.

www.escortradar.com

I had a 7500 first and upgraded to the 8500XE last year. The XE is about $300 depending on whether you want a red or blue LED display.

I have heard some issues with people using Bel about picking up a lot of "noise" and end up going with one of these two brands.

You can get a direct wire kit for these and hard wire the unit to the fuse box. The best place to put it is on the top left corner of the windshield. That way, nobody sees your detector unless they're in the car with you because it blends in with the sun strip at the top. Having the strip also helps out because it reduces a lot of other noise you will pick up from bounced signals, automatic doors at shopping centers, and unfortunately even cruise control laser and proximity sensors on cars.

If you decide to wire like that, the only wire that you will see is a little edge coming out from the roof to the detector. The rest will come from either fuse box and run along the A-Frame and over the roof.

 

I have solo radar detector the latest one . The dash look clean becouse it is wireless.
I'm selling mine so you can check them on ebay and make me an offer

 

Don't get a wireless one. They suck! V1 or 8500 Your in FL so I wouldn't get anything but those. Preference on the V1

 

All of the ways that you guys are talking about wiring your radar detector seem so complicated. About two months ago i wired a radar detector into my sisters car. The detector is placed on the top of the wind shield to the right of the rear view mirror. You can wire the radar detector into anything that has power, in this case i wired it into the lights above the rear view mirror. All you need to know how to do is solder wires. I can take pictures of the way it is done, and give you details if you need them, but someone will have to give me their Email address so they can host the pictures for me. Just let me know what i can do for you and i can do it.

 

If you use it wisely you will be fine... I have one for the last 3 years... Use it carefully and you will be fine....



In regards to the radar I have the passport 8500 x50, and can't count the times it has saved me from a ticket.

 

If you get the passport radars, they have a kit for "hardwire" the radar, some people put mount the radar towards the top where the blue part of the windshield so the radar is less noticeable and thief and cops wont see it as easy.

Also if you bring it to an audio shop they will hardwire for you for like $25 - $40 bucks without the kit

 

Click this link

And type "radar"

You'll find all the answers you'll need regarding which detector to purchase. This has been covered hundreds of times.

 

I have the 8500-X50 also and its great! One of the reasons I chose it
over the Valentine V1 is that in tests it is less detectable by VG2. (VG2 is
a radar detector-detector that cops use a lot in Ontario and the 8500-X50 was
VG2 immune!)

 

I have an even easier way. The hard wire kit has 2 wires a +power & a black ground. Run the wire from the detector to where the fuse box is. Take out a fuse that gets power when the car is on. Strip + wire. Wrap around one prong of the fuse. Push back into the fuse box. Now you have power. Strip the ground wire, wrap around any metal screw & tighten. Your done.

 

Just bought one two weeks ago that says it has VG2 cloaking, so it is undetectable by VG2 detectors. I noticed that almost all the new ones had this feature. Other than that, don't speed around blind corners(I've seen the cops around a corner before the detector went off) and over hills as well.

 

http://www.shopping.com/xPR-Escort_Solo_S2

you can use a wire or batteries

 

V1 > *

 

escort 8500 or escort 8500 x50.

I have used both, own the 8500, and let me tell you... It as paid for it self more than a few times....Espically around holidays, when the pigs are out hunting... I recommend out of all the fuzzz busters that I have prevoulsly owned and used.. It self caliberates, which is a nice feature and its been on top for the last 4 years or so.. Oh yah, you can preprogram like, NO X band, which automatic doors at malls and etc.. I never get false alarms, it chips and its the real deal.. I was such a fan of it, I got my bro the x50 for christmas last year. I really didnt notice a difference between the two, besides the x50 decal but you can get some great deals on ebay. Just make sure you buy new and not used..

 

at calling cops "pigs"

 

In Mexico , Spain , Russia and Germani they are dogs

 

wtf u want me to call them.... .. I dont know about where you live but where im from the pigs are pigs.. No crime here so, they bother anyone who has car for no apperent reason.. PIGS!!
But back to the topic of fuzz busters..

 

Oh you mean the people who speed (aka breaking the law)?

Do I speed? Yes all the time. Do I bitch and moan about it when I get caught? I sure do, but is it the cop's fault? No it is mine. They are just doing their job.

 

no, no, no.... We have a misunderstanding here..
Which side you on..? I refer to cops as pigs because of their piggish acts.. Where I live, the cops makes everyone feel like a criminal even when ones not breaking the law.. I was even thinking about becomming a cop myself till I realized that I didnt not want to be one of those pigs.. Not all cops are pigs, but most are in my area..so its safe to generalize the police as PIGS... We need cops in this world, but for the right reasons. I get pulled over for no reason all the time, half the time they are checking to see if i stole the car.. I got the fuzz buster so I can avoid the pigs, more so then speeding. They shoot lazer at you and your getting a ticket... unless your running a jammer and even then Im sure they can figure out that out. Mr. Steve, you shouldnt be affended by the word "pigs", I didnt invent the word for the cops, its been used for sometime now, even before you and me even existed..

 

So has the word nigger and spick does that mean you should use them? It's pretty disrespectful IMO. Are some cops douchebags? Yes most definitely. And if all cops harass you for absolutely no reason then do something about it. Write to your local legislative representatives and complain.

 

NO but u just did... No need for all that.., your drifting into another area here. Those words should never come out in a Acura CL Forum... Pigs on the other hand... do a search. Anyways Mods please lock this up or something, this thread is really off topic. I dont feel like arguing with this man anymore.

 

I didn't use them in a derogatory manner though; only as a comparison. Show some respect. Cops put their life on the line everyday they go to work. I hope the "pigs" are there to help you when you really need them one day.

 

ok mr. steve.... Are we finshed ruing this thread? I know I am.

 

Agree! My gf got a ticket for driving a bisycle Just bc she was riding on the sidewalk . A day before someone stoled my headligts in the same area and another guy got rubbed
So sometimes they are PICS just bc of personality .
They think they can do anything .....accually that's what they do . UNTOCHABLLES.....but full of shit .

 

English next time. Thanks.

 

I have the Escort 8500 X50. Works great. Things I like ... auto mute (beeps for about 3-4 seconds and then mutes itself), has a real mute button on the power adapter (mine is plugged into the dash outlet near the gearshift and it's easy to mute it completely with the push of a button), loud enough, and has a CITY mode where you can eliminate the X Band crap. However, I don't think you can eliminate X band when using AUTO (primary mode for me) or HIGHWAY. Has a bracket that attaches to the front windshield and you can easily remove the RD with a push of a button leaving the bracket in place.

 

I've used my buddies Valentine 1 on several occasions and it worked very well. I personally have an escort passport 8500 and love it. YOu really can't go wrong with either one.

 

I have the Escort 8500 X50 and it works GREAT!!!!

I also have the Escort ZR-3 Shifter that jams the Laser (Lidar) guns.

The ZR-3 Shifter plugs into the phone cord port on the 8500 X50, and it has a hardwired brain that goes under the dash.

I paid about $500 for both on E-bay, and it has saved my a$$ several times!! Well worth the $ if you like to speed!!!

This is the only Lazer Jammer that actually works!

 

this is great, I learned so much more than just about radar detectors.

I've decided that the V1 is out of budget, but I'm wondering if the Escord Solo and the 8500 have any internal differences, other than one can be used with batteries.

And since I feel like I must voice my opinion... I have some cop friends, they tell me some stories of stuff that happens and it is quite scary with some of the stuff they have to go through. However, I know that some of them, in addition to joining the force for "helping" people, they also are mainly looking for an opportunity of an ass woopin. And that in my opinion is the "wrong" reason for being a cop. I guess in the end, if they keep the streets safe, that's what matters. Oh, and somebody needs to show the cops around here how to use the little lever to the left of the steering wheel (turn signals).

Okay, well thanks for all the posts, and not encouraging me to go out and buy a really sexy radar detector at best buy that preferably has a red 'R' emblem on it, and other super slick fast and the furious type logos on it.

Phil

 

Def "V1"

 

I'd save & get the V1. The arrows are so usefull. If you do get the Escort get the 8500. The solo is more for wireless even if it can be plugged in. Someone here had it a tested it & they returned it.