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79535
I forgot to mention the huge amount of false signals the V1 throws. You always get higher sensitivity with greater false alarms.
Passport 9500ix
- Thread starter Peter B
- Start date
Marketing hype...trust me..the 9500 does not even have a rear radar antenna; only a rear facing laser sensor.
Any detector will have "360 degree" coverage when you are very close to the radar source. If a cop is close behind you or close left/right your front antenna will eventually pick up the signal.
As you get closer to the radar source it will reflect around inside your car, other cars, buildings, signs, and finally be strong enough to be picked up by the front antenna. So any detector can claim 360 degree protection even though it only has a front antenna.
The V1 does have a rear facing radar antenna so it is much closer to 360 degree protection. But to be anal a detector would need front, rear, and left/right antennas to really claim 360 degree protection...and each of these would have to cover 90 degrees. In the end though cops don't clock you from the side because they can't tell your speed from that angle.
Now back to the 9500 and its narrow front view. The difference between the 9500 and the V1 is very apparent in twisty roads or where you have hills or elevation changes. The V1 front/rear view is wide and sensitive so it picks up early reflections bouncing around the corners before you actually see the cop. With the 9500 you hear nothing, and then BOOM full bars as the cop comes into view around the corners. Scary to say the least.
Narrowing the front view is an easy way to match the competition when comparing strait line sensitivity. It also helps reduce false alarms, which tend to be left or right of your car as you drive.
For the record I use the 9500 in the MS3 (lucky so far in the corners). I use the V1 on the sport bike where I have the greater chance of receiving a more painful ticket.
I am also in Colorado with a lot of mountain curvy roads in my area so the front view issue is more important where I drive/ride.
All the above is when the cop radar is ON full time. Instant ON is another story, but the V1 even helps there with its wider view and ability to pick up more reflections as cops turn their radar on/off clocking cars in front of you.
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synthetic-ms3
Member
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- Mazdaspeed3, black mica, 2008.5
I considered a passport 9500ix but found it rather pricy ($500) and besides i know where all the red light camera intersections are around town.... After much research I bought a Beltronics RX-65 new off ebay for $275 (woulda been $350 if i were to buy it locally). I've only had it 3 months and its payed itself off tenfold.... IMO the passport is overpriced and offers the same if not slightly better protection then that of models $200 lesser.
Peter,
Yes, good radar detectors do work well in many situations. You are probably more likely to get a ticket if they see your detector, or the cord/mounting even if you hide the detector.
Laser - You would have to spend a lot of money on a jammer. Almost none them work very well and might be illegal where you live. Basically a roll of the dice with a lot invested.
Even the ones that hide your speed might throw a code to the cop that they have been jammed. Don't waste any money on sprays, covers, or other BS...they don't work. Maybe a filtered license plate (again might be illegal) and a totally black car might help....but the new gear the cops have is really good...
We are pretty much screwed against a good laser operator. Our only hope is by chance you get a hit on your detector that they are targeting a car right in front or next to you....very rare. However, laser operators must be stationary and SEE you....which means you should also be able to SEE them...hopefully before they pull the trigger.
Situational awareness as another poster mentioned is your best defense against laser.
Texaco
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MikeHTally
Member
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- 2008.5 Speed3, 2006 Chrysler 300C, 2003 Ram 1500
Nah, just keep using the shifter the car came with.
There have been some pretty good reviews on the ZR4 Laser Shifter. Most laser guns will "punch through" your jamming and get a valid reading on your speed when you get real close to the cop. Hopefully by that time you have had a decent warning and are going the speed limit before they get a reading.
I also heard the mounting position of the ZR4 is extremely important. A few degrees off up or down can hurt its performance.
It has been over a year since I looked at the laser jammers...maybe these new ones work better...? Buy it and let us all know!
I also heard the mounting position of the ZR4 is extremely important. A few degrees off up or down can hurt its performance.
It has been over a year since I looked at the laser jammers...maybe these new ones work better...? Buy it and let us all know!
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79535
I hate radar detectors. I drove my moms car around for a couple months. She has the passport 9500 with the gps feature and all that. Was very annoying. The thing went off ALL the time and I rarely saw a cop. Almost caused an accident because im always fumbling to turn off that obnoxious beep. After about 5 weeks I just kept it unplugged.
I would say it works if you speed on highways a lot but other than that its useless.
I would say it works if you speed on highways a lot but other than that its useless.
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79535
Lol I love my V1. I don't leave home without it. It works great on the highway (like i mentioned earlier, 1 to 2 minute advance on a cop approaching on highway) and it works great in town. I guess I have gotten used to the false alerts. It has saved me many times in town.
Around here, most cops throw a KA band rather than just K band. Even when they throw K band, it acts differently than when it is an intersection/automatic door sensors.
Around here, most cops throw a KA band rather than just K band. Even when they throw K band, it acts differently than when it is an intersection/automatic door sensors.
