Radar detectors....to buy or not to buy

[MP3Architect]

In the last week i have been pulled over twice. The first time was by 3 constables (I guess they were expecting a chase). So I've been thinking that maybe I should finally by a radar detector. Only I don't know too much about them. I'm trying to justify shelling out the money right now on either a Cobra 9700 or the Escort 8500.
Can someone please help me. From what I know they only work if a cop is shining his radar at you. Is this true? Because I always thought that if it was that way, wouldn't it be too late then since he has you on radar? Or does it strait up detect a cop car? And i know it says 360 degrees on these detectors, but is it really like that? If I have a cop a couple of car legnths back in another lane will it warn me? I've never had any real experience with detectors before. Thanks for any help.

 

[TiGrayMsp716]

With a radar detector you're actually trying to catch the stray radar beams from the cops clocking someone ahead of you.

 

[SkinnyJoint]

ok depends if they are using k/ka band which is most common out there for the time being. When they are using this band its pretty much constant as in he doesnt hit one car at a time think of it as a beem thats just shooting out of his car hitting them all. although yes they can just choose to hit one car most cops dont i.e. lazy. So if there streaming this band then u will pick it up no problem.
now laser is a little different, it is more one car at a time, so you would have to pick it up when he was clocking someone else which is fine but its for a split second, so you would just have to know your detector as in what band just went off, and if you were the only car on a highway for some strech detector would be useless on laser. but like i said most comes use k/ka and so you would pick it up.

overall i highely recomend them, i have one in my p5 and my 240 they have saved me countless times. as for brands both of mine are cobra so i would recomend them

 

[daedalus]

I got the Solo S2 and it was the best investment I have ever made. Saved my ass countless times and wouldnt trade it for the world. Would've paid for itself with one ticket, so it is an Investment.

 

[Pretzellogic]

Slowing down works pretty good, too

 

[SkinnyJoint]

of course slowing down is great.... but somtimes need for speed, and or ur in a hurry somewhere i mainly only use mine on the expressway cuz in town im pretty slow driver

 

[bonesmp5]

a few years back -- didnt they have something that went over your front plate to help detour the lazer or something like that ---

anyone ever see it ?? so they still make it or what ever it was

 

[daedalus]

they still make them... i found a cheap one (around 400.00) that is supposed to be really good but i cant remember where.... It started with an "L"...

They are illegal in my state, but that isnt going to stop me from getting one. Its not like a cop could tell the difference.

 

[SkinnyJoint]

valentine 1 is the name i believe

 

[bonesmp5]

do you remeber how the plate cover works -- does it just replace having the detector in the windshield or does it actually pulse or block the radars beam ??

i cant remember - it was like 6 years ago that i saw it lol

 

[MSPRCRX44]

do you remeber how the plate cover works -- does it just replace having the detector in the windshield or does it actually pulse or block the radars beam ??

i cant remember - it was like 6 years ago that i saw it lol

i think soundomain.com has the one you are talking about if i am not mistaken. you should check it out.

 

[Murray]

I haven't gotten a single ticket since I bought my V1 (over 2 years ago). This is due to 2 factors:

1. The V1 has warned me of several very nasty speed traps I wouldn't have seen otherwise, just enough in advance to slow down (so the guy that blew past me got pulled over instead).
2. The constant false alarming due to door openers (Wal-Mart, eek) makes me ridiculously paranoid so I rarely speed any more unless I know the street very well.

That said, I won't drive a sporty-looking car without one ever again. Between my lower insurance rates and lack of tickets, I've recovered the $400 spent on the V1 several times.

The key is to make sure you get a good one. If you get something cheap, you're not doing anything but giving yourself a false sense of security and it will come back to bite you in the ass. The main reason I like the V1 so much (besides its crazy high sensitivity) is that it actually comes with a guide on how to interpret its beeps and readout ... it gives you all the information it picks up and it's up to you to interpret it properly. After a few weeks with it in the car, it really becomes second nature. I haven't had any experience with the other models mentioned so I can't make any comparisons in that respect.

Side note: Laser detection of any kind is nearly useless. Chances are that if you get hit well enough to set off your detector, you're screwed. Also, many new GM vehicles' center stop lights will false alarm it, which is EXTREMELY irritating. Unfortunately, they're beaming a light frequency that's a legit laser frequency, so it can't just be filtered out.

Oooo ... and look ... V1 just started offering a POP upgrade for my detector. $55 and I get the latest hardware / firmware and another year on the warranty. I'm there. (rockon)

 

[SkinnyJoint]

i have no doubt the valentineis a great detector but u can get a great one for 120 bux as well thats how much my cobra was and it interprets everything just fine even has voice alert and that sorta s*** as well as auto mute for those kmarts and such it knows to auto mute so its not driving u crazy which is a good feature if u ask me.

 

[kriemer]

Try the web site at www.speedzones.com to get an excellent evaluation about all different brand of radar detectors.

 

[Badger Biker]

I second the V1.

Laser protection: http://www.lidatek.com

 

[Gbourdon]

LinuxRacr has the the S2 with the laser shifter IIRC.

 

[II-Savy]

The 8500 has again beat everyone in the tests. These are not priced to bad on eBay.

 

[Murray]

auto mute for those kmarts and such it knows to auto mute so its not driving u crazy which is a good feature if u ask me.

That's the one thing I miss on my V1 ... automute. I've gotten used to all the beeping but it drives passengers (read: my girl) nuts.

 

[memo79]

of course slowing down is great.... but somtimes need for speed, and or ur in a hurry somewhere i mainly only use mine on the expressway cuz in town im pretty slow driver

In a hurry?? Leave earlier.

 

[peepsalot]

I got a 8500 for a decent price on ebay. Can someone tell me what pop is? The unit came with it disabled by default, but I switched it on.

do you remeber how the plate cover works -- does it just replace having the detector in the windshield or does it actually pulse or block the radars beam ??

i cant remember - it was like 6 years ago that i saw it lol

The license plate covers are passive laser jamming. The theory is that the cover absorbs just the right wavelength for the lasers which is somewhere in infrared, or near infrared. I read the exact wavelength once, can't remember right now, 910nm or something. When the beam cannot reflect off your car, they can't get a reading on you.

The most reflective places on your car are your headlights and license plate, so this is supposedly where cops aim. I think they also make a film coating you can put over your lights, and a paint too(looks clear) that absorbs this wavelength.

The active laser jammers ($400+ units) work by flooding the laser gun with light on it's wavelength, so it can't even read it's signal back. I bet someone could make themselves for closer to $50 with enough high powered leds of the correct wavelength. The only thing I am wondering is if the acitve laser jammers try to emulate the pulsing (which I believe laser guns do), or if they shine a steady light constantly. If they pulse, you'd have to find out what frequency and make a circuit that power the leds like that. Wish I had some more info to make a sweet jammer of my own for cheapo.

I don't know the effectiveness of these methods, and I don't have either of them, but it is something I have done a bit a research on.