I have a feeling that there are many people on this forum who use a radar detector. What kind do you use, and how do you like it? I am tired of having to watch for cops all the time.
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I would post my opinion but i dont know which one i should by either. Jon

 

I've owned 2 Original Passports, great but obsolete. The Bels false alarm too much, and break.
I just spent $400 on a new Valentine 1, and love it. I hated blowing that kind of coin, but I'm never gonna slow down, might as well protect myself.

 

Hey bill u ever gonna by another lx protege. Give me some examples of why u love this valentine one so much ive been thinking of dropping 400 down on it also ..Jon

 

I have a whistler, however it failed me today!! I got a freakin' ticket! However i am going to fight the bitch!!
There was no speed limit posted!

 

is teh V1 really worth it ?

I've wanted one for the longest time..
always seen the ads in R&T.
but $400 is a lot of money!!

 

do the detectors pick up on lazer technology too? or is it just radar?

 

I've got a Cobra in my 91 and it works great for me. Got it from Best Buy for $100 with a $10 rebate.

Adam
91 LX

 

i have the cobra too, but it goes off late at night (false alarm) when you pass all the closed stores, they set the store security alarms and i guess it picks em up and goes apeshit. but it works, god dammit it works. its just that i didnt get it in time to save myself from a $188 ticket.

 

Valentine's also has upgrades, so you can always stay with or ahead of the other competitors.

 

I disagree highly with you there.. I used to have a Whistler and when I bought my Escort Passport 7500, I decided I'll never go backwards and get a cheaper detector. Lots of people buy radar detectors and think they're safe from everything but laser's but thats actually very inaccurate. In order to protect yourself, you need to know how they work.

When a cop is driving along, they have a sensitivity level for how far out their radar goes. The cops / state troopers looking for speeders keep this turned down. When they see someone they suspect is speeding, they ramp it up and nail you. This usually only happens on highways but I've had it happen several times on hills where they come up the other side. In this case, radar detectors won't do you much good. On the flip side, I can detect sheriff's crusing around with their radar on miles away. Either way, I like knowing I've been tagged.

When a cop scans you, check your speed. Lots of cops will also get pissed off by radar detectors so if you are pulled over and it isn't a stealth setup, if you don't think they've seen it, get it the hell off your windshield and away from your glove box. A radar gun (at least the older ones, I don't know if this has changed) also locks in the police officer's speed when they scan you so it wouldn't hurt to ask to see the gun, especially if you know you're out of the warning range. Going to court with this is all dependant on the judge. Personally I wouldn't go this route as I work in a small town and don't want the local authorities pissed at me.

Overall in my opinion, your best detector is your eyes on the highway. Watch for troopers parked or driving towards you and you can prevent most tickets.

Personally, I plan on upgrading eventually to the Passport 8500 or V1 as both have great reviews. One feature I love about the V1 is the directional meter which displays where a signal is coming from. I'll do more research then though.

Hopefully I was some help

 

and I'll bet good money that it does not... I base this on a professional opinion (I am an RF engineer) and not just on what a magazine tells me.


re: the original question....l

This topic has been beat to death on here before. Try a search and you'll see.

For my 0.02 about it, get a Valentine One if you can afford it.

 

oh, yeah... and when it comes to laser, because of the nature of the beast (highly directional, "instant on") you're hosed if the detector sees it...

also, see the comments above by trahma... all good advice!

 

that's probably the best advice of any about speeding... no matter what brand of detector you have, if you drive stupid you will get caught....

 

I was using a BEL, but don't use it much any more. Traffic is too slow here in Charleston. Also, I was on a freeway going about 70-75 when all of a sudden the radar detector went crazy. By then it was too late as I passed a cop at the end of a bridge. It is suppose to be protected against "instant on" radars, but failed to do so. Luckily no blue lights in the rear view mirror that day! Ever since, I was thinking of Escort or Valentine. They probably work better. Charleston police also use planes in speed traps on rural highways (Hwy.17). Some use the stop watch method which of course is undetectable. Laslty, they are building a rather large and long bridge and have cops dressed as bridge construction workers sitting in golf carts clocking people and radio-ing ahead to the patrol unit at the end of the bridge on the car that is speeding. I have seen a 5-series BMW undercover cop, one that is decaled with highway patrol, on top of the Z28s, Harley Davidsons, and Crown Vics. What will they think of next??

MisterT