Escort Redline

JCE · 08-22-2010, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michigan M3

The reason I am looking at the redline over the 9500ix is because I don't need the gps system. Michigan doesn't use cameras and I don't run red lights so its pointless in So Cal. The extra range seems to be the big selling point and I'm not really interested in the V1 based on the reviews I've read. The reason I asked about radar is because I received a ticket the other day and the cop claims to have lasered me but for some reason didn't pull me over until a mile and a half later. So theoretically if I had a laser detector I would have known I was hit and couldve pulled off on a side street to duck the cop before he was able to cross traffic and follow me down the road and reach me a mile and a half after.

You gonna buy a detector in case a cop takes his time to pull you over?

There is no reason to believe it would have picked it up anyway. I got hit recently and it didn't go off....lasers shoot the front of the car in a narrow area that may fall outside of the detector's "line of sight".

You need a laser jammer. I have a post over on the electronics section titles "got popped today" with some minor info and some posts about the uselessness of laser detectors. You can do a search on the forum and the internet and find out alot of info. I'm done with the research.

I have decided to purchase a jammer for an xmas present to myself later this year to go with my Escort 8500, probably Laser Interceptor pending outcome of some legal issues. Else, Blinder.

sheepboy · 08-22-2010, 06:50 PM

Here is my short experience with radar detector:

Background info: 37 years old, driving since I was 16 and never owned a radar detector until last month, when I bought a Valentine 1 after extensive research. Zero speeding tickets in my life, not that I do not speed but I always relied on common sense as oppose to electronics to keep me out of trouble.

Brand new M3, Valentine 1 in the dash, 37-mile daily commute each way. The Valentine picked up some cruisers with regular radars, even from miles away due to the radar reflection mention here and saved me a few times. It is pretty sensitive, but with lots and lots of false alarms, which did not bother me that much as I know there is a trade off between sensitivity and specificity and, due to laws of physics, you can’t have both in the same detector.

Last week I was overtaking a car in a long straight line in the highway. Laser warning pops up for about 1 second. I slowed down as quickly as I could. The next thing I see is a police cruiser coming out of a big depression at the side of the road, virtually invisible to the incoming traffic... $310 fine for driving at 96mph on a 65mph area. So now, after spending good money on the V1, I got my first ever speeding ticket and my insurance premium will go up as a consequence.

Bottom line: 1) I still use the radar detector for the regular radar, but I am back to relying on common sense and the radar detector is becoming more of an annoyance by the day; 2) If the laser warning goes off, regardless of your detector brand, you already got a ticket. After the warning, it is just a matter of looking around to figure out how you missed the sideway cruiser at the side of the road...

devo · 08-22-2010, 06:50 PM

These debates are comical. A detector IS very likely going to help the OP avoid at least ONE ticket and likely more. There are so many variables that it is time poorly spent trying to debate the absolute pros and cons; that's because there are no absolutes with radar detection.

fredwlau · 08-22-2010, 08:52 PM

I bought the escort redline a couple months back and the range is very good but only on radar, like everyone else has said, lidar detection is obsolete. I've had a huge problem with false alarms though and I thought there was a way to mark the areas where there's a false alarm on a redline but it didn't seem to work on mine, that problem was countered by the feature telling you exactly what band and frequency the redline was picking up so you'd know if it was a cop or not.

ersin · 08-28-2010, 09:35 AM

The Redline is a very sensitive detector. It's "ramp up" performance is however, abysmal. When it detects a radar signal it is likely to go full scale even though the gun is miles away. It also is not very responsive, which is a feature you need to be able to detect the LEOs using the "quick trigger" technique. Fortunately, these things can be improved with software if only Escort would be willing. A V1 or Bel STi-R (if you can get one, they don't sell them anymore, it's not the same as the STi Driver model) are the best high end models with these attributes.

It is possible to detect laser from scatter. It's happened to me. It is not something I would depend upon. Nearly all detectors sold today will detect laser but I believe the V1 has the best sensitivity for this, and is probably the only one that is really up to the job. But this is no real defense against laser. Get a jammer. VEIL (look it up) and license plate covers can help but only if you have a jammer.

On other thing: if you get a jammer then install it correctly and test it against a real laser gun. Go to radardetector.net for more information. Trust me, you really need to get to one of the meets where people bring or rent lidar guns. It will open your eyes.

Cheers.

AlpWtE92 · 10-18-2010, 05:49 PM

I have a V1 and frankly rarely use it now. It was more useful when I first got it three years ago and saved me a few times, but nowadays, I see more and more officers in my area using Lidar/Radar. I've driven by officers using Lidar/Radar with my V1 "on" probably 5-6 times and it's only gone off once. I now just rely on common sense, and generally don't speed much on highways. I'll save the fast driving for the track.

Bottom line on radar dectors: I would not recommend anyone getting one nowadays unless you get a laser jammer or live in an area where the authorities have not upgraded to Lidar/Laser. In places like the Bay Area, a radar detector alone is a very unreliable way to prevent tickets. At best, it detects some officers using old technology, at worst, it gives you a false sense of security that actually increases your chances of getting a ticket.

08-22-2010, 06:50 PM	#24
sheepboy Second Lieutenant 58 Rep 224 Posts Drives: 2011 E93 M3 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Here is my short experience with radar detector: Background info: 37 years old, driving since I was 16 and never owned a radar detector until last month, when I bought a Valentine 1 after extensive research. Zero speeding tickets in my life, not that I do not speed but I always relied on common sense as oppose to electronics to keep me out of trouble. Brand new M3, Valentine 1 in the dash, 37-mile daily commute each way. The Valentine picked up some cruisers with regular radars, even from miles away due to the radar reflection mention here and saved me a few times. It is pretty sensitive, but with lots and lots of false alarms, which did not bother me that much as I know there is a trade off between sensitivity and specificity and, due to laws of physics, you can’t have both in the same detector. Last week I was overtaking a car in a long straight line in the highway. Laser warning pops up for about 1 second. I slowed down as quickly as I could. The next thing I see is a police cruiser coming out of a big depression at the side of the road, virtually invisible to the incoming traffic... $310 fine for driving at 96mph on a 65mph area. So now, after spending good money on the V1, I got my first ever speeding ticket and my insurance premium will go up as a consequence. Bottom line: 1) I still use the radar detector for the regular radar, but I am back to relying on common sense and the radar detector is becoming more of an annoyance by the day; 2) If the laser warning goes off, regardless of your detector brand, you already got a ticket. After the warning, it is just a matter of looking around to figure out how you missed the sideway cruiser at the side of the road... __________________ 2011 M3 Convertible / IB / Black on CF interior / ZCW / ZPP / ZTP / 19"wheels / MDCT / Premium sound / iPod adapter / Alarm / Park distance control / HD radio / A big smile in my face!
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08-22-2010, 06:50 PM	#25
devo Colonel 755 Rep 2,736 Posts Drives: Bimmers & Porsches Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	These debates are comical. A detector IS very likely going to help the OP avoid at least ONE ticket and likely more. There are so many variables that it is time poorly spent trying to debate the absolute pros and cons; that's because there are no absolutes with radar detection.
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08-22-2010, 08:52 PM	#26
fredwlau Private First Class 40 Rep 151 Posts Drives: JB3 e90 335i, e92 SG 6MT M3 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pennsylvania iTrader: (0)	I bought the escort redline a couple months back and the range is very good but only on radar, like everyone else has said, lidar detection is obsolete. I've had a huge problem with false alarms though and I thought there was a way to mark the areas where there's a false alarm on a redline but it didn't seem to work on mine, that problem was countered by the feature telling you exactly what band and frequency the redline was picking up so you'd know if it was a cop or not.
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08-28-2010, 09:35 AM	#27
ersin Brigadier General 126 Rep 4,144 Posts Drives: 17 YMB F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (1)	The Redline is a very sensitive detector. It's "ramp up" performance is however, abysmal. When it detects a radar signal it is likely to go full scale even though the gun is miles away. It also is not very responsive, which is a feature you need to be able to detect the LEOs using the "quick trigger" technique. Fortunately, these things can be improved with software if only Escort would be willing. A V1 or Bel STi-R (if you can get one, they don't sell them anymore, it's not the same as the STi Driver model) are the best high end models with these attributes. It is possible to detect laser from scatter. It's happened to me. It is not something I would depend upon. Nearly all detectors sold today will detect laser but I believe the V1 has the best sensitivity for this, and is probably the only one that is really up to the job. But this is no real defense against laser. Get a jammer. VEIL (look it up) and license plate covers can help but only if you have a jammer. On other thing: if you get a jammer then install it correctly and test it against a real laser gun. Go to radardetector.net for more information. Trust me, you really need to get to one of the meets where people bring or rent lidar guns. It will open your eyes. Cheers. __________________ 2017 F80 YMB.
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10-18-2010, 05:49 PM	#28
AlpWtE92 First Lieutenant 22 Rep 319 Posts Drives: '08 AW E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SF / Bay Area iTrader: (0)	I have a V1 and frankly rarely use it now. It was more useful when I first got it three years ago and saved me a few times, but nowadays, I see more and more officers in my area using Lidar/Radar. I've driven by officers using Lidar/Radar with my V1 "on" probably 5-6 times and it's only gone off once. I now just rely on common sense, and generally don't speed much on highways. I'll save the fast driving for the track. Bottom line on radar dectors: I would not recommend anyone getting one nowadays unless you get a laser jammer or live in an area where the authorities have not upgraded to Lidar/Laser. In places like the Bay Area, a radar detector alone is a very unreliable way to prevent tickets. At best, it detects some officers using old technology, at worst, it gives you a false sense of security that actually increases your chances of getting a ticket.
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