Prefered Radar Detector...

[_Lac_Man_]

I'm just curious about this, see what you guys have or want when it comes to radar detectors.

I have a Valentine One, I think they are great, I've upgraded from the old model, used the V1 for the past 7 or 8 years. I like it a lot, especially the fact that I can see where the radar/laser is, although in AZ no departments use laser. I've caught a police officer over 3 miles ahead of time on the way to California...not that I needed that much time, but it gives me a little more confidence when I scoff at the officer when I pass 'em.

Nowadays I rarely come across an actual patrol call shooting radar, it's all photo-radar vans/SUVs or the new permanent photo-radar cameras on the highways or on busy streets (they are installing over 100 across AZ). My V1 has nothing on these new methods, so I'm back on the market for a solution. Sprays for license plates: tried it, no bueno, license plate covers: either don't work or police hassle.

So I came across the Escort Passport 9500i/xi/ci. It's a GPS based unit so you can program locations of speed traps and red light cameras. So I'm really into it. It's about $100 more than what I paid for the V1, but I figure the V1 isn't doing much anymore. So it seems worth it, these new permanent cameras are handing out tickets left and right, up to 3 of them on a 5 mile stretch, crazy.

Sorry for the rant - anyone have experience with the Passport 9500, or what are you doing now that patrol car-radar/laser is dying?

 

[SkyStorm82]

Sorry can't help you.

I'm curious though. How much over the limit do those speed cameras allow?

 

[_Lac_Man_]

They allow 11 mph over the speed limit - the new permanent cameras that is. And they are a pain in the pooper, everyone will be cruising at say, 75 in a 65 zone, camera is coming up, everyone slams on their brakes like a kid chasing his basketball just ran across the street. Then everyone speeds back up until the next camera, which wouldn't be a big deal if there weren't many cameras, but for instance, on the 51 freeway - southbound, there are two cameras within two exits of eachother, this is a busy freeway before and after work, so this just adds to the drama that is rush-hour traffic.

The vans that sit on the shoulder or sidewalk vary depending on city, for example, Scottsdale is more lenient, I mean, they "let" you go a little faster, 8 or 9 if I remember correctly - my buddy's dad is a cop in Phoenix, but i's been a while since we talked about the subject. On the other hand, if you dare to speed in a little town called Paradise Valley, it'll snap your picture if your 6 or above over the limit, and if you're on a residential street, you better not be more than 2 over.

 

[Wigwam_Motel]

Wish I had one a few weeks ago. :sadstare:

 

[tuffy]

I have the escort 8500 and love it (I've had it for 3+ years). It has saved my a$$ a few times already. I'm not a speed demon, but sometimes I end up going faster than I realize. Every time it starts beeping on the ka band, I immediately look at my speedo and adjust as necessary.

The 9500 sounds awesome with the gps capabilities. We don't have speed cameras in Utah (yet), but I have heard how horrible they have been in Arizona lately.

 

[Cigary43]

I don't want to break your hearts here but I have talked with too many policeman and dept. heads and there isn't anything on the market that will beat radar,,,,as soon as they light up the radar and it hits you,,,,you're meatloaf. If you think your $200 or $400 detector is working it's only because you haven't been zapped while you are speeding. If you are detected from the air,,,boom,,,you're dead. If you get caught with a detector in some states you get an extra bonus of having to pay a fine on top of speeding. Just stay within 10 miles an hour of the speed limit on freeways and 5 mph on all the others and save the money you would have used for detectors and buy some cigars,,at least one thing going up in smoke is cigar smoke.

 

[mnelson]

I don't want to break your hearts here but I have talked with too many policeman and dept. heads and there isn't anything on the market that will beat radar,,,,as soon as they light up the radar and it hits you,,,,you're meatloaf. If you think your $200 or $400 detector is working it's only because you haven't been zapped while you are speeding. If you are detected from the air,,,boom,,,you're dead. If you get caught with a detector in some states you get an extra bonus of having to pay a fine on top of speeding. Just stay within 10 miles an hour of the speed limit on freeways and 5 mph on all the others and save the money you would have used for detectors and buy some cigars,,at least one thing going up in smoke is cigar smoke.

I wouldnt say that, My dad has a Calibre K40 with the 2 laser jammers on his GS and my roomates brother (MD State Trooper) hit him with his radar gun (laser) and the gun displayed errors. My dad said it also picks up 99% of regular k band radar two with hardly any errors. However i think it cost like $1500 bucks so this is only for people who are serious about speeding or just have the worst luck.....

Also i dont know how those speed cameras work but i would imagine they are using the same kind of bands the police use which the Calibre picks up.

 

[oneaday]

I've own a 9500 and it is an amazing detector, it's my third Escort. Saved me twice this month, both times I got over a mile warning . It really does work well as a reminder on the stationary radar when I'm the only one around, tells you how far away and how fast you are going.

 

[sportsmedjosh]

To me its a V1 or nothing combined with a laser jammer.

 

[Saully]

I just drive under the limit +10

 

[jwintosh]

i know they're illegal in some states....

 

[Cigary43]

I was just trying to say that no matter what is on the market one day will be obsolete in just a short time. Why do you think that any radar company will not guarantee their product? There have been too many programs available to the general public letting them know you cannot beat police radar unless they are using old models and from what it sounds like the Trooper from Maryland is either using old equipment or doesn't know how to use it. I have talked with CHP, San Diego, Ma, NY, Ga. Fl, MO, KS, Co, and I get the same story from them. When you are tagged with their radar you are 'toast' and they have a stack of tickets that prove their point. Telling others that you can beat the system is like telling people that you can beat Vegas playing Roulette,,,,the house always wins.

Refer to this---http://www.lodinews.com/articles/2008/05/12/features/columnists/dyer_amanda_080512.txt

I wouldnt say that, My dad has a Calibre K40 with the 2 laser jammers on his GS and my roomates brother (MD State Trooper) hit him with his radar gun (laser) and the gun displayed errors. My dad said it also picks up 99% of regular k band radar two with hardly any errors. However i think it cost like $1500 bucks so this is only for people who are serious about speeding or just have the worst luck.....

Also i dont know how those speed cameras work but i would imagine they are using the same kind of bands the police use which the Calibre picks up.

 

[cvm4]

I was talking to an inlaw I haven't seen in a while over Thanksgiving and he told me that in MS the Highway Patrol only run KX band :king: He knows this because he orders the parts or does the bidding on them, can't remember.

 

[mnelson]

I was just trying to say that no matter what is on the market one day will be obsolete in just a short time. Why do you think that any radar company will not guarantee their product? There have been too many programs available to the general public letting them know you cannot beat police radar unless they are using old models and from what it sounds like the Trooper from Maryland is either using old equipment or doesn't know how to use it. I have talked with CHP, San Diego, Ma, NY, Ga. Fl, MO, KS, Co, and I get the same story from them. When you are tagged with their radar you are 'toast' and they have a stack of tickets that prove their point. Telling others that you can beat the system is like telling people that you can beat Vegas playing Roulette,,,,the house always wins.

Refer to this---http://www.lodinews.com/articles/2008/05/12/features/columnists/dyer_amanda_080512.txt

The state trooper who tested my dads system just got a brand new undercover all black car because of his record, i highly doubt they outfitted it with "old equipment" and i am sure he knows how to use the equipment after being a trooper for over 5 years......

dont get me wrong, he was absolutely shocked when his laser was jammed by my dads system,. But he couldn't do anything because laser is governed by the FDA (crazy right?) and they dont have any federal laws banning the use of laser jamming devices (unlike Radar, which is illegal to jam)
According to the calibre site, the K40 calibre system deactivates All Police Laser Guns Including Kustom Pro Laser III, Stalker LZ-1, Laser Atlanta Speed Laser & LTI UltraLyte. Which looks like most of the latest and greatest guns....

Using you analogy of "no matter what is on the market one day will be obsolete in just a short time" you should never buy any electronic equipment, ever. Of course it is going to become obsolete, not sure the time period, but eventually yes. Also the way radar works has never changed, however the frequency/bands may change which may make your product inferior.

Also my dad has had that system in his car for 3 or 4 years and has never once gotten a ticket (believe me when i say he brags about that shit all the time, especially when my sister or i get a ticket) and it does not look like it will be obsolete for at least a few more years. Unless you know of something that is coming out???


Looking at the article,
You are never going to beat a radar detector with a car, however you can detect when you are being hit. It is simple really, inorder for the police officer to get your speed with radar he needs to hit your car with the system, the detector simply warns you when there is a radar system hitting your car. I believe that most good detectors will warn you when you are being hit before the radar system hitting you is able to register the signal.
Now if the cop turns on the system after you are inside his range, then yes you are fucked.

Also no radar detector will outsmart your ability to asses situations, you should always keep your eyes peeled for hints of oncoming speed traps or police.

 

[mnelson]

I was talking to an inlaw I haven't seen in a while over Thanksgiving and he told me that in MS the Highway Patrol only run KX band :king: He knows this because he orders the parts or does the bidding on them, can't remember.

what is Kx?

I thought the only allocated police bands were X, K, and Ka?

 

[cvm4]

May'be it was X & K and he tried to pull some fast police gibberish on me :scratchhe

 

[djustice]

I don't want to break your hearts here but I have talked with too many policeman and dept. heads and there isn't anything on the market that will beat radar,,,,as soon as they light up the radar and it hits you,,,,you're meatloaf. If you think your $200 or $400 detector is working it's only because you haven't been zapped while you are speeding. If you are detected from the air,,,boom,,,you're dead. If you get caught with a detector in some states you get an extra bonus of having to pay a fine on top of speeding. Just stay within 10 miles an hour of the speed limit on freeways and 5 mph on all the others and save the money you would have used for detectors and buy some cigars,,at least one thing going up in smoke is cigar smoke.

You're right if a cop hits you with the radar gun then it's to late you're toast. But I use my escort to detect other vehicles in front of me getting hit with the radar gun which allows me to slow down if needed.

 

[CWS]

what is Kx?

I thought the only allocated police bands were X, K, and Ka?

What you use before you switch to KY.:jitb:

 

[cvm4]

What you use before you switch to KY.:jitb:

OH SNAP!!!

 

[oneaday]

What you use before you switch to KY.:jitb:

KY,KY, KY,? OH! Of course........................Kentucky!