Radar detectors...which is most effective?

[SirSpeedy]

V1 arrows serve a useful function. Capable of identifying radar coming from ahead or behind is valuable. The build quality of the V1 and the singular focus of Valentine Labratories sold me. I cannot think of a more functional mod than a radar detector on a M3!

[Griz]

Originally Posted by SirSpeedy

V1 arrows serve a useful function. Capable of identifying radar coming from ahead or behind is valuable.

I retyped my response a couple times, because I mean to ask a non-inflammatory question (I do think the V1 is a great unit). Don't you slow down, regardless of whether the cop is behind or in front? At best, I've always viewed the arrows as a nice-to-have; they'll let you know which direction to look out for lights (unless, perhaps it's cop running radar, calling ahead to other patrol vehicles waiting ahead).

[SHADY1]

I have a V1 detector hard wired installed on my M3 and I was using it with LI laser jammer. (Laser Interceptor) The state I live in just changed the law on laser jammers. Making it easy for them to catch you speeding, because you are stuck with radar alone and it is useless against laser. They also step up using laser. Well since the LI jammer has to sit out in the open, I had it uninstalled. So since the state troopers and reg. police want to cheat with laser guns. I decided I am going to counter, cheat, roll the dice or what ever you want to call it and had the Blinder laser jammer installed on my M3 it hides behind the grill. Last week I was shot 3 times with laser so far no ticket. I also have the blinder laser jammer installed on my daily driver and I use the Bel STi driver radar dectector and that detector really works and can not be picked up by RDD I know this because I was going to a Military school in VA. and never got stopped. I really like the V1the best because I like to know what direction the radar or laser is coming from.

Here are a few pics with the jammers installed

[SirSpeedy]

Originally Posted by Griz

I retyped my response a couple times, because I mean to ask a non-inflammatory question (I do think the V1 is a great unit). Don't you slow down, regardless of whether the cop is behind or in front? At best, I've always viewed the arrows as a nice-to-have; they'll let you know which direction to look out for lights (unless, perhaps it's cop running radar, calling ahead to other patrol vehicles waiting ahead).

Griz,
I do not slow down just because the RD alerts me. I only slow down if I am at risk of being ticketed for speeding. I actually find the radar detector makes me more aware of my speed and discourages speeding.

Arrows are not a requirement of a radar detector. Though I feel it makes the tool more effective.

The V1 manual is full of useful information. One thing I gleaned from the manual and have experienced is the following scenario:
LEO running radar traveling in the same direction as me. Officer is approaching from behind at an increased rate of speed. The rear arrow illuminates and the signal will be weak while progressively increasing as the officer nears.

I'd encourage those interested in learning about the physical limitations of radar and laser to check out the V1manual.

http://www.valentine1.com/V1Info/pdf...nersManual.pdf

[W Cole]

If you don't live in the boonies get a V1 and disable everything but Ka and Laser. I have never gotten a false Ka alert although I do get the occasional false laser alert but a laser interceptor would solve this problem.

If I lived somewhere where cops actually used X or K band radar then the V1 would drive me crazy as it would go off everytime I passed a grocery store. When I had X and K enabled I became conditioned to ignore my V1 as 99% of the time it was a false alert.

[W Cole]

Originally Posted by SHADY1

Well since the LI jammer has to sit out in the open, I had it uninstalled.

Interesting. I was planning on getting an LI as I heard they were the best but I definitely want to do a stealth install. What about the LI makes it bad for behind the grilles?

[Car_Girl]

We have 3 Passport 9500ix devices and they've paid for themselves many times over. I won't live without one in my car - even my SUV!

There are more than one model 9500 as you can get a red display or a blue display and now there's one available with a hardware interface that allows you to report the dynamic location of a police officer and warn others using an app on their phones so you can get advanced warning before your detector detects a signal (of course, that feature is only as good as the amount of users out there using the same system).

I bought one of the 3 as an 'open box' item and I've had it now for a couple years without a single problem. It's one you can 'set and forget' versus the V1 which I understand has a lot of user settings you can tinker with if you're a constant tinkerer and don't mind meddling with it. At least it was that way when I was trying to decide which one to get a few years ago.

I've made the purchase and never looked back and have recommended the same device to many friends and family members.

Good luck and be safe!

[GIdriver]

I have the Escort Redline, good range.

[taljemotors]

https://cobra.com/detail/cobra-irada...ipod-touch.cfm

[HOTJ47]

Definitely go with the Valentine 1. Ive had mine for a while. It works every time.

[PurM3]

Own passport. It works but with a few false alarms too

[tlr]

V1 + Waze iPhone/Andriod app has served me well.

[jamis]

One of the best radar detectors it terms of style and durability it's the Escort Passport 8500 X50 Radar and Laser Detector (Blue Display). Provides extreme long-range warning on all radar bands, including X, K, superwide Ka, and instant-on POP mode, along with 360-degree laser protection. Ultra-bright blue alphanumeric matrix display with 280 LEDs and three different modes.

[ersin]

The top detectors include the Valentine 1 (windshield mount), Escort Redline (windshield mount), Beltronics STi-R+ (remote mount), and Escort 9500ci (remote mount). The remote mounts are more expensive and require more effort to install.

Pair this with a laser jammer -- the Laser Interceptor and Blinder HP-905 are two of the best. If you go with LI and decide to install the heads vertically in the front grill then get the BMW edition (which rotates the diodes 90 degrees). Or get the LI HP heads (not to be confused with the HP-905) which are more expensive but have a pair of diodes rotated 90 degrees to each other. Two heads up front will work, but four are better. Make sure that they cover as much area as possible and have them tested by someone with a real lidar unit.

There's a ton of information out there on the Internet. Radardetectorforum dot oh ar jee is a good place to get it.


Cheers.

[the_road_less_traveled]

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

V1. Has worked flawlessly for me for about 4 years now.

Got surprised once, but it was an instant on situation with no other cars on the road, etc. basically, the one scenario where all detectors are useless.

This is false. Passport 9500 has POP capability.

[ussoldierforhire]

Originally Posted by mahmud///M

I had trapster. It's garbage. Might as well delete it man

Agreed. Worthless app.

[ersin]

Originally Posted by xfirer1guy

This is false. Passport 9500 has POP capability.

Actually, what he said was that it was an instant on situation, not POP. And again, like the OP said, no detector, not even the 9500ix or 9500ci, will protect you if you're the only one on the road and there wasn't anybody ahead of you for the detector to pick up on.


Cheers.

[the_road_less_traveled]

Originally Posted by ersin

Actually, what he said was that it was an instant on situation, not POP. And again, like the OP said, no detector, not even the 9500ix or 9500ci, will protect you if you're the only one on the road and there wasn't anybody ahead of you for the detector to pick up on.


Cheers.

POP is a form of instant on. There are various forms.

[ersin]

Originally Posted by xfirer1guy

POP is a form of instant on. There are various forms.

POP is the radar automatically sending a signal for a very short time. It's built into the electronics. I/O is the officer only keying the "on" button when she or he is ready to get a reading. POP lasts only a fraction of a second to try to defeat detectors. I/O lasts for as long as the officer holds down the trigger. POP can be used with I/O. But they are two different things.

I/O is a (manual) technique used so that those with detectors down the road don't get early warning, since it isn't transmitting. No transmission, no alert. POP transmits but tries to blast it for so short a time (electronically controlled) that detectors won't alert. However, nearly all detectors currently do detect POP.

This is why more sensitivity in a detector counts. It can pick up the I/O shot if there is traffic far ahead of you. How far depends on how sensitive the detector is. Cheaper detectors can't pick up radar as far ahead and so it may miss the I/O shot for traffic far ahead, but then when you become in range it will alert; however by then it is too late.

But if you're the only one on the road and there is no traffic ahead (or too far ahead for any detector) then, as they say, you're toast.


Cheers.

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by xfirer1guy

This is false. Passport 9500 has POP capability.

Originally Posted by ersin

But if you're the only one on the road and there is no traffic ahead (or too far ahead for any detector) then, as they say, you're toast.

First off, I can't be held accountable for the current accuracy of a technology-related comment that I made over a year ago.

But Ersin reflects my understanding. I was describing a situation where there is no traffic ahead, the officer comes out of nowhere and goes instant on. Don't think any device can anticipate that.

[TheDeliverator]

Be careful, most radar detector review sites are bought and paid for by manufacturers



+1 for Radardetectorforum dot oh ar jee. <------ Loads of quality info


@ersin Definitely need to meet up when my countermeasures are installed.

[Class-of-2016]

Was on the highway the other day with my 9500ix, and it caught a cop on top of the on-off ramp a mile ahead. Alarm goes off, I slow down, I start looking to see "where?" and as I pass the next exit I see the State Trooper coming down the ramp in my rearview. I was like "whew".

A laser caught me one time and it was game over. I got off with a warning. You really need L shifters to make that work. I just don't like the cost and the fact the self-install would be difficult. Oh well.