Finally clawing my way back into the good graces of my insurance company after several tickets in a short time a couple years ago. Now, I am on the verge of a TL; how will I resist driving fast?

What radar/laser detectors do you recommend? Most of the folks around here use Laser and I believe its illegal to have a detector in Ohio, so its gotta be hidden.

What's in use? recommended? and effective?
thanks in advance
M

 

Having a detector is illegal in only couple of states and Ohio is NOT one of them.

My advice: don't be cheap and get one of the two best detectors: Valentine One or Escort (corded one). Even with these, you'd be screwed 90% of the time you're targeted with a LIDAR.

I simply accept the price of tickets and potential higher insurance premiums as a cost of driving the way I want to drive! If I can afford to pay $34,000 for the car that gives me an enormous pleasure from driving it as opposed to a $15,000 econobox, I sure as hell can afford extra $200-300 a year in fines and higher premiums (averaged over 10 years).

 

I like the Escort Solo 2 as it duals as cordless/corded. LIDAR is virtually a non-issue here as it is too costly. No wires no tickets and I so far have been notified of all radar traps well in advance. The slight advantage of a corded unit is far outweighed by the convenience of no wires, at least for me it is.

 

I swear by my Valentine One (second one I've owned). It's always been amazing on X/K/Ka, but I recently picked up LIDAR (laser) from around a bend when I was doing 75-80. Saved me a bunch.

TIP: call them and order a "returned" unit (fully tested/certified just returned within their refund period). It will save you $50...

 

I've had a Valentine One for over a year now. I had looked at V1 for over 6 years and always bought "the cheaper model" because I thought it couldn't possibly be worth the extra money. It is. In the past I've owned Passport's, Unidens and Cobras. The V1 is by far the best. The arrows pointing where the threat is coming from and the number of threats, plus the flashing arrow for the greatest threat are worth the money alone. I've found it does an excellent job of warning me on x,k and ka. I've been hit with LIDAR twice and was warned in sufficient time to slow down. I've had tickets in the past, but none in the last year with the V1. Additionally, you can use plain phone cord of any length to power the V1, so channeling it through your vehicle for placement is easy. The V1 is also upgradable through the company, so it never becomes obsolete.

Check out www.radartest.com or the Car and Driver tests (or was it Road and Track?).

Anyway, I'll never purchase any other Detector. You can also buy a remote display, so that at night no one can see you detector in the window.

You won't be disappointed by the V1.

 

I had the escort hard wired through the rear view mirror and am very happy. I sits up high and is hidden from the passenger by the mirror. I toyed with getting the V1, but hate waiting for stuff as I require immediate satisfaction after I make a decision. Either one, the escort or the V1 will save you money and do pretty much the same thing.

Have fun and drive fast!

 

When driving through a state where a radar detector is illegal, how can cops tell if you have one? I've heard of radar detector detectors, are these a myth? Is the only way you get in trouble if the cop actually sees it?

 

The radar detector detectors do exist, that's why all modern radar detectors claim they can detect one and shut down before being caught. I for one do not wish to test how well these anti detector detectors work. I believe in Virginia you get a ticket and your radar detector is confiscated, if they catch you using one.

Also, given that 90% of traps in Northern Virginia are done with Lasers and those are a lot harder to avoid, a radar detector here is not very useful.

 

If you had picked up a LIDAR signal, then chances are that you were hit. You probably were not going sufficiently fast enough for the cop to pull you over. Also note, that LIDAR is prone to false alarms, specifically from LED tail lamps. So, if you did not see a cop, then the chances are it was a false alarm.

 

I've owned about 6 different radar detectors over the years and the V1 is by far the best. I wish it was smaller, but once you have the arrow indicators, you won't want to go back. It's expensive, but the best. There are other good ones out there also, I just like mine the best. Good luck.

 

They aren't a myth as I had an older model and was pulled over and the cop said "We've picked up a radar detector in your car" . To make a long story short I denied it, they found it and ripped it out. I then got a BEL-tronics stealth which is the same company that makes the radar detector detectors. Now most of the better ones are stealth.

 

RhodeRunner,

I disagree. I was in crowded traffic in Atlanta and I got a brief, probably "scattered Lidar" signal just before I went around a bend and saw the cop on the inside of the highway "shooting" the LIDAR gun over his driver door (then got a continuous signal). He was only aiming at the "fast lane" that I was in and must have shot at the vehicles ahead.

The second time was strange. I was in crowded traffic on I-75 in florida and got a LIDAR signal. Within 1000 feet I saw a tripod device and then a patrol car sitting 20 feet behind it in woods in the median. Didn't look like the LIDAR setups I've seen.

I do agree, though, that if a cop uses LIDAR and just targets you, your done. I also believe if a state trooper uses Ka and instant on and your the only car out there or happen to go over a hill or turn the corner just as he uses it, your done. Doesn't matter if you have any radar detector or not. I don't tend to speed when I'm alone on a road unless there's a lot of visibility. I don't speed as much on rural roads because of the twists and turns and because of dangers in going around corners and over hills with someone suddenly stopped in the road.

Well, that was a long reply. When I used to live in MD and DC and drove the PA turnpike I used CB and radar. The truckers tell you exactly where the cops are, what they're doing and when they change position (when they're 'rollin''). Now truckers can't use radar detectors, however.

With x and K I get a long distance warning. Ka is much shorter (nature of its wavelength) and LIDAR is under 1000 feet, so, as you say, you might be the target by the time you get a signal.

Damn that was long

DC

 

Good reply, Johnson. My escort has been duped by a GMC Envoy, and by what I believe to be an infrared sensor on a crane doing roadside work. I don't think LIDAR has made it to Rhode Island yet, and if so, I don't think the cops would know what to do with it.

 

Then how did you end up with a TL? Most people who own one (at least one with a NAV) have had to wait several weeks for the color combo they wanted to come in...

 

V1 all the way. Had mine for over 6 years now, and being able to see the direction of the cop is a big plus.

 

I will probably get beamed for this... but here it is..

I own a Passport 8500 and it works fine. Yes, I am sure V1 is great(it better work for that much of money). Well two features that V1 owners stress didn't convince me enough to make the purchase V1. and I think V1 was $150 more than Passport when I purchased it.

1. Arrow... who cares... if you are getting hit.. just slow down.. besides.. if the beep gets stronger.. then the police vehicle is in front of you.. if it gets weaker you are moving away from the vehicle.. if it constantly chirps behind you then its crusing behind you in a same direction...

2. numbers of hits... I know V1 gives you number of hits.. but passport can actually track 8 different signals with the band and it also gives you the signal strength as well..

For these two reasons I couldn't justify getting V1.

additionally, having an expensive radar will not prevent you from getting a ticket.. best way is to drive smart and use radar accordingly.. don't trust it too much.. I know in NJ, most of the state troopers leave their radars off... only local cops got them on... Police officers are taught to judge your speed by counting the white lane lines you are flying thru during certain seconds..

oh and don't weave in and out.. that's one sure way to get a ticket...

 

after reading through this thread i just remembered this one incident i was pooled over for being on the carpool lane on ramp instead of the regular lane..anyway, to make a long story short, when the cop was asking me questions, he spots my GPS ( i have a GARMIN STREETPILOT 2610) and asks me if its a radar detector...i wanted to laugh my ass off and tell him how stooooopid he was. But i tried to keep a straight face and said that it was a GPS. He didn't believe me so i had to turn it on and show it to him ( DUMB COP)....heheh that's it...But i guess he got the last laugh because he still gave me a ticket which i plan to contest (ticketassasin.com)

 

RhodeRunner,

I do get false lidar alerts that are brief, especially in the toll booths on bridges in florida. Don't know why. I'm sure its some equipment they have there.

DC

 

MyJohnson EZ Pass sets off my KA band...

 

I have an Escort 8500, and it works great for what I need it for. My only complaint is the coiled cord which runs down the right side of my dash to the power adapter. UGLY.

-X-

 

Get the hardwire kit, it costs under $20 with shipping. With it you can burry the wire and connect it straight to the fusepanel so it can turn on and off with the car.

 

Escort 8500 has kept me clean with no tickets for 40 months and traveling 150,000 miles... (knock on wood, i know i will get busted for braging) i went with the hardwire, here is how it looks.
http://www.nhgainesville.com/tl

 

The old Escort 8500 and the V1 are virtually neck-and-neck as far as performance: See here.

However, notice I said the "old" Escort 8500. I went to the http://www.escortstore.com website, and found out that the new Escort 8500 X50 is coming out with 50% better Ka sensitivity (and a blue display to match my TL!). This should soundly kick the V1's butt, with better false alert filtering to boot.

I placed my order this morning.

 

yeah as u guyz can see, the best ones are basically Escort 8500 n V1. i guess the choice is upto u, depending on which one fits your needs best, or which one u like better.

 

I have BEL 985.. was a 980...

Works great and never a ticket.. maybe not all the bells and whistles as the escort but it is LOUD and it is always right on..

I really reccomend the BEL!!

 

 

I made a thread about the X50 in the 2nd. Gen section but as to paying $350.00 for the new blue display is completely pointless..sure it might look better, but I rather pay an extra $100 for arrows..which beats the 8500 b/c of the fact that with the 8500, you yourself have to guess where the signal is coming from rather than on the V1, where it shows you where the signal is coming from.

V1 > 8500

 

I ditto MikeRadio.. I have the BEL 980, 4 years, and not one ticket since. I was getting them on average of once a year, and n'er a one since. It catches K and Ka from pretty long distances. Atlanta doesn't have a lot of Laser, but it finds them when they use it. But laser also goes off for red Neon signs, so pull up to a piercing shop or bar or anything with red neon and it's likely to chirp.

For $300, it has been my life saver.

I did turn of X band as I could find not one instance in georgia where it was a cop, and not a gas station or some automatic door sensor, so I finally just killed the X alert. I like the voice on the 980 as well, announces the band so you don't even have to look.

And it has rear view (but not direction notification) which works as well as front to me. Even with my 20% tinted/mirrored windows.

Mike: anything change on the 985 ??

 

Personally, I don't care the least bit where the radar is coming from. My first response when I hear an unexpected alert from any detector is "gradually but significantly brake to the posted speed limit".

Arrows might be cute for an "after the fact" piece of information, but the main 3 things I want out of any radar detector is:

(1) Sensitivity

(2) Sensitivity

(3) The ability to filter out garbage signals without significantly affecting the sensitivity.

The Escort radar detectors do a better job of garbage rejection than the V1 in all the reviews I have read. With the new Escort 8500 X50, the Escort should be taking the lead in sensitivity for Ka (the one I'm most concerned about).

Yeah, the blue display isn't that important, but it will be more low-key compared to the red displays of the past. I definitely like the blue back-lit Escort Solo S2 LCD display - nicest I've seen so far.

 

What about in NY/NJ/PA - I basically travel between these states. Anyone recommend a radar detector based on these states? What type of detector do they use around the tri-state area? I get my acura in a few weeks and want to be prepared to see what its got on the highway.

Thanks

 

Hey, Mikey - I know it'll be tough, but you may want to wait until after the break-in period of 600 miles before you cut loose ...

 

I have a V1 and an 8500. Both are excellent detectors, each with different strengths and annoyances. Being able to completely filter X band completely is a big plus for the 8500. The V1 doesn't offer that degree of flexibility. I still like the V1 better and use it in the TL. The arrows are not a gimmick. Sure, you slow down for most alerts, but knowing where to look to get visual confirmation matters bigtime to me.

 

The V1 does allow you to turn off X-band or any other band for that matter (see link below). The V1 is awesome!

http://www.valentine1.com/lab/MikesLabRpt3.asp

 

Wow, I had no idea I could do this. Thanks so much for the info.

 

...cheap plastic housing, crappy feeling switchgear and all.

The VALENTINE 1 is an INSTRUMENT - just as the orginal Escort and Passport were..

Test results vary; ALL things considered, the V1 is the way to go - IF you don't mind spending $400.

 

Keeping cost aside....
the deal killer is that all these require a crappy ugly box on the windshield of you beautiful car
no good

 

When I first got the V1, I didn't think much about the arrows. What it really does is show you when you have passed the cop. Whether they are coming from the front or behind you, you will see the directly of arrow change the instant they pass you. To me, it helps me spot where the cops are (and the sigh of relief once they pass!). The previous radar detectors I have had never had the directional indications, and most of the times I am left wondering what happened and where the cop was (or whether I am out of the danger or not...). Once there was a cop behind me for about 20 minutes, and during that time, I could always tell whether he was getting closer or farther away from me by the signal strength. I also knew he was behind me, not in front of me. Without that, I probably would have gone nuts trying to figure out what the cop was...

Whether this convenience is worth $150 is entire personal choice.

 

Good point about the arrows.

Going from a V1 back to a detector without them is like driving with a blindfold on....

The build quality of the V1 is vastly superior to ALL of the other detectors (which use cheap, plastic housings and crappy switchgear). :worship:

 

I suppose the "housing and switchgear" may be important to some people... But I rate a detector on how early a warning and how often I get a ticket due to not being able to react to a speed trap.

No tickets in 7 years with the Bel 980 (then and now 985).

Sorry... no arrows to tell me where the radar is coming from.. but no arrows on tickets that say PLEASE PAY THIS AMOJNT ---> either!!