Radar Detector
07-18-2003, 12:38 PM
#2
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,371
i have a $130 bel 916 which is last years model and it works really good only had one speeding ticket with it in the 2 years ive had it and he paced me but if i could go back i would get the one thats high $100s because it has a city x only mode because x is always a false alarm but keeps k and ka on highway which is the only radar cops use in my area
07-18-2003, 05:37 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 234
the stupidity is high here. 
v1 or a escort 8500 are comparable, i myself use the v1.
the escort goes for about 300$, I'd drop the extra $50 for the escort. if you want to pay more, get the v1..and you wont buy another detector.
v1 or a escort 8500 are comparable, i myself use the v1.
the escort goes for about 300$, I'd drop the extra $50 for the escort. if you want to pay more, get the v1..and you wont buy another detector.
07-18-2003, 08:14 PM
#7
Originally posted by White93SE
the stupidity is high here.
v1 or a escort 8500 are comparable, i myself use the v1.
the escort goes for about 300$, I'd drop the extra $50 for the escort. if you want to pay more, get the v1..and you wont buy another detector.
the stupidity is high here.
v1 or a escort 8500 are comparable, i myself use the v1.
the escort goes for about 300$, I'd drop the extra $50 for the escort. if you want to pay more, get the v1..and you wont buy another detector.
07-19-2003, 08:36 AM
#9
If you're going to get a radar detector you doing it for a reason. So why waste money on cheap radar detectors. Over the years I've used MANY detectors. I finally broke down and bought a V1. I will NEVER go back. Not only does it have better range then most any unit out there (there are a couple that come close or even better) but what puts the V1 WAY out in front of the other units is the indicators for number of radars, direction of radar and worst threat. All the others just give you an indicator for type (x,k,ka,lasar) but the V1 tells you WHERE it's coming from.
Spend the $400 for the V1 or don't spend the money. You'll need to save that money for tickets and increased insurance premiums later on.
Spend the $400 for the V1 or don't spend the money. You'll need to save that money for tickets and increased insurance premiums later on.
07-19-2003, 08:19 PM
#11
Originally posted by gowirelessnj
i have the escort passport 7500. Not bad and does the job.
i have the escort passport 7500. Not bad and does the job.
07-19-2003, 11:41 PM
#12
interesting. i did not know the val is directional indicating. that is awesome. i have the bel express 916. it was only like 100 bucks. but it works excellently. i used it on a road trip from albany, ny to los angeles in my S14 and i drove like a total speed demon. and it protected me fully. the worst area for cops i have ever in my life experienced was in ohio. the whole state is an angry speed-trap. the detector was lit up like a christmas tree all night and i beat the smokies at their game. but the val sounds really great.
07-20-2003, 07:13 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 358
i bought a Whistler brand, 3 years ago. i think i paid like 130 for it. Even with the hot florida sun, and being melted onto the dash a few times, the thing still works. (kinda) Perhaps its just luck, but ever since i've had it in the car, i've been pulled over once for illegal tint, never for speeding. a while ago my friend borrowed it to take on a road trip up north with, in the span of 2 weeks that he was gone, i got 2 speeding tickets. was like a bad omen or something.
07-20-2003, 09:56 AM
#14
Originally posted by bonzelite
interesting. i did not know the val is directional indicating. that is awesome. i have the bel express 916. it was only like 100 bucks. but it works excellently. i used it on a road trip from albany, ny to los angeles in my S14 and i drove like a total speed demon. and it protected me fully. the worst area for cops i have ever in my life experienced was in ohio. the whole state is an angry speed-trap. the detector was lit up like a christmas tree all night and i beat the smokies at their game. but the val sounds really great.
interesting. i did not know the val is directional indicating. that is awesome. i have the bel express 916. it was only like 100 bucks. but it works excellently. i used it on a road trip from albany, ny to los angeles in my S14 and i drove like a total speed demon. and it protected me fully. the worst area for cops i have ever in my life experienced was in ohio. the whole state is an angry speed-trap. the detector was lit up like a christmas tree all night and i beat the smokies at their game. but the val sounds really great.
You should also try a higher end detector against you're $100 Bel. Once you see the difference you'll understand why there is SUCH a price difference.
07-20-2003, 11:21 AM
#15
Originally posted by shoult
YOu should know that it is illegal to use a radar detector in Ohio. It is also illegal in Viginia and the District of Columbia.
You should also try a higher end detector against you're $100 Bel. Once you see the difference you'll understand why there is SUCH a price difference.
YOu should know that it is illegal to use a radar detector in Ohio. It is also illegal in Viginia and the District of Columbia.
You should also try a higher end detector against you're $100 Bel. Once you see the difference you'll understand why there is SUCH a price difference.
i'm going to get the val now. you all have piqued my interest. my Bel works great, but is already heat damaged. a small LED burned out. so the readout looks like it has a missing tooth. i take it out of the car every time i leave it now. a PIA but worth it to protect it from broiling in the sun.
07-20-2003, 12:18 PM
#16
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 13
I'm from Ohio. It is not illegal to use a radar detector here. We do have a very large state highway patrol. One of only two dedicated police orginazations in the nation to just patol the highway. Only California and Ohio have dedicated state highway patrol. I have been pulled over many times with the radar detector on hanging in the windshield and staties never said a word. My cheap detector has kept me from getting a speeding ticket as long as it's on and they use radar. First ticket was because I had it off, Second I was clocked by an Airplane. Ohio has numerous fixed and rotating wing aircraft used to do nothing but clock speeders. But two tickets in 10+ years of driving, and well over 150,000 miles isn't too bad.
07-20-2003, 12:37 PM
#17
ok, people. 93teg44444 is from Ohio. it is *legal* to have radar detectors there. my Bel saves my aS$ all of the time. it did all the way through Ohio. i'm telling you, that state is hard. there are cops everywhere. i was stunned. without my detector there, i would have had my license revoked. i drove like 90-100 as much as possible through there that night. and the police presence on the roads there is unparalleled and omnipresent. the strongest i have ever seen in my life.
in fact, THE fastest car i have ever seen on state roads was in Ohio. that night, as i was going at least 80, probably 90, a state trooper, probably to make a statement, blew by me as if my car was parked. the sound his cruiser made was like a howling/screaming noise. like a missile passing by the ear at close range. i had never seen an automobile on a highway overtake me or anything that fast. EVER. it was a Crown Victoria. he must have been going 120 or 130. within two eye blinks his car was on the horizon. tiny red lights as dots.
it was as if he was saying "we see you and we know you are tracking us, but we are bigger than you and can shut you down if we want to."
in fact, THE fastest car i have ever seen on state roads was in Ohio. that night, as i was going at least 80, probably 90, a state trooper, probably to make a statement, blew by me as if my car was parked. the sound his cruiser made was like a howling/screaming noise. like a missile passing by the ear at close range. i had never seen an automobile on a highway overtake me or anything that fast. EVER. it was a Crown Victoria. he must have been going 120 or 130. within two eye blinks his car was on the horizon. tiny red lights as dots.
it was as if he was saying "we see you and we know you are tracking us, but we are bigger than you and can shut you down if we want to."
07-21-2003, 12:29 AM
#19
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,371
Originally posted by bonzelite
interesting. i did not know the val is directional indicating. that is awesome. i have the bel express 916. it was only like 100 bucks. but it works excellently. i used it on a road trip from albany, ny to los angeles in my S14 and i drove like a total speed demon. and it protected me fully. the worst area for cops i have ever in my life experienced was in ohio. the whole state is an angry speed-trap. the detector was lit up like a christmas tree all night and i beat the smokies at their game. but the val sounds really great.
interesting. i did not know the val is directional indicating. that is awesome. i have the bel express 916. it was only like 100 bucks. but it works excellently. i used it on a road trip from albany, ny to los angeles in my S14 and i drove like a total speed demon. and it protected me fully. the worst area for cops i have ever in my life experienced was in ohio. the whole state is an angry speed-trap. the detector was lit up like a christmas tree all night and i beat the smokies at their game. but the val sounds really great.
07-21-2003, 10:53 AM
#21
Originally posted by 93teg44444
I'm from Ohio. It is not illegal to use a radar detector here.
I'm from Ohio. It is not illegal to use a radar detector here.
Virginia and DC still ban detectors. Several more states ban detectors in commericial vehicles.
While I was digging I found that Wisconsin doesn't ban detectors, but bans things hanging from your windsheild. That could be used to ticket you for a detector.
07-21-2003, 03:35 PM
#24
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 15
I've had my passport 8500 for about 1 1/2 years and I've only gotten one ticket. I was going 110 down a county hwy at 11pm, only car on the road, the bam!!! Lazer from 100 feet!! The cop was sittin in the entrance for a field shootin over the top of his car.Needless to say the judge was none too happy with me and suspended my liscense for a month and threw a $300 fine on top of it.(Lesson here, DON'T SPEED BY YOURSELF!!!) Other than that the thing has payed for it's self 5 times over! I might even get the laser jammer for it.. 
Yes it's legal to jam laser because the FDA governs it and hasn't made it illegal,YET! but jamming radar IS illegal because the FCC governs it and they have made it illegal. At least here in WI...
Yes it's legal to jam laser because the FDA governs it and hasn't made it illegal,YET! but jamming radar IS illegal because the FCC governs it and they have made it illegal. At least here in WI...
07-22-2003, 01:44 AM
#30
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 773
I just get sick to my stomach whenever I ride with any of my friends. They all drive 10+ over the speed limit, dodging in and out of cars, expressing themselves on the road like they don't care how they drive, they just have to get there before anyone else would. They think that they own the road, and by that they can do whatever speed they wish, ignoring the regular flow of traffic by trying to beat it. Unless you drive like they do, save the money for the radar detector, and put it towards somewhere else.
I _do not_ want to drive like they do, because I hate it when someone does it around me. Plus, after wasting all that gas getting up to speed, then having to burn it all off slowing down (heating up your brakes, therefore weakening your ability to stop, depending on the brakes), what's the point? You gained 10 feet and surpassed 2 cars that are now directly behind you at the stoplight. Weaving in and out of traffic, or blowing by someone at 10+ the speed limit, just so you can get there 5 minutes sooner, is NOT worth it. If you want to be a race car driver, go take a few classes and do that. It's much more fun and rewarding (positive cash prizes and recognition, rather than negative cash prizes [tickets] and court time).
Thank god that I only got 1 ticket, and even that was dismissed without prejudice (because the officer didn't file the ticket two days after he cited me for it; he can still refile the ticket if he wants to, but chances are [and judging that it has been 3 months after it occured] slim to nothing that he will do that). I was doing 60 in a 45 on my way to school one morning and he caught me at the crest of the hill as he was coming the other way. I was trying to move past an Acura MDX, black on black, that is nearly impossible to see through or around.
The "ticket", looking at how my friends drive, and looking at how the majority of traffic moves has really influenced the way that I drive. To be smooth and consistent (not speeding up to only slow down faster) is a much more valuable driving skill than speeding past other cars, making yourself look like a total jack a$$ in the process.
I _do not_ want to drive like they do, because I hate it when someone does it around me. Plus, after wasting all that gas getting up to speed, then having to burn it all off slowing down (heating up your brakes, therefore weakening your ability to stop, depending on the brakes), what's the point? You gained 10 feet and surpassed 2 cars that are now directly behind you at the stoplight. Weaving in and out of traffic, or blowing by someone at 10+ the speed limit, just so you can get there 5 minutes sooner, is NOT worth it. If you want to be a race car driver, go take a few classes and do that. It's much more fun and rewarding (positive cash prizes and recognition, rather than negative cash prizes [tickets] and court time).
Thank god that I only got 1 ticket, and even that was dismissed without prejudice (because the officer didn't file the ticket two days after he cited me for it; he can still refile the ticket if he wants to, but chances are [and judging that it has been 3 months after it occured] slim to nothing that he will do that). I was doing 60 in a 45 on my way to school one morning and he caught me at the crest of the hill as he was coming the other way. I was trying to move past an Acura MDX, black on black, that is nearly impossible to see through or around.
The "ticket", looking at how my friends drive, and looking at how the majority of traffic moves has really influenced the way that I drive. To be smooth and consistent (not speeding up to only slow down faster) is a much more valuable driving skill than speeding past other cars, making yourself look like a total jack a$$ in the process.
07-22-2003, 03:19 AM
#31
you make excellent points. to be heeded.
i like to speed. and that is how i am. i speed "responsibly." the whole point of modding and tuning is to break the speed limit, on or off the road. some of us want to be race car drivers as a fantasy, but lack the talent or means and resources or full-devotion to stick with such a career. and they are just building factory cars ever faster. look at how much stock horsepower the new maxima has. if you modded that one, it would easily reach 400 horsepower.
the problem is with the people that you described in your above example.
i like to speed. and that is how i am. i speed "responsibly." the whole point of modding and tuning is to break the speed limit, on or off the road. some of us want to be race car drivers as a fantasy, but lack the talent or means and resources or full-devotion to stick with such a career. and they are just building factory cars ever faster. look at how much stock horsepower the new maxima has. if you modded that one, it would easily reach 400 horsepower.
the problem is with the people that you described in your above example.
07-22-2003, 10:11 AM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 298
Originally posted by bonzelite
soon as the cash is there, it is jam time.
soon as the cash is there, it is jam time.
I have been through several jammers. It is all a bunch of bullsheist marketing. There is no jammer avaiable on the market than can sucessfuly do the job. You can jam laser however, if you want to spend $1500. Escort has a SR-7 or something like that, that does the job. Trust me, I have done extensive research on the subject, and there used to be one jammer on the market that would work for 5 seconds, then shut off because so much power is needed to sucessfuly jam radar. I dont think its available anymore.Another thing, If a cop see's his radar being jamed, and you are by yourself somewhere, he is going to pull you over because in 2000, FCC made it illegal to own or operate any such device. Sorry
If you are smart, and serious, Go with Valentine One or Escort 8500. I myself have the 8500 and it kicks a$$
Dont waste your hard earned money on that bull.
07-22-2003, 01:53 PM
#33
thanks for that info. a while back, i looked into the laser jammer. and it was around the price you said. so i never got it. wasn't worth it to me at the time. i would be more interested in the radar jammer, as radar is still more common. but, i, too, discovered it is highly illegal.
07-22-2003, 11:32 PM
#34
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 773
Originally posted by bonzelite
you make excellent points. to be heeded.
i like to speed. and that is how i am. i speed "responsibly." the whole point of modding and tuning is to break the speed limit, on or off the road. some of us want to be race car drivers as a fantasy, but lack the talent or means and resources or full-devotion to stick with such a career. and they are just building factory cars ever faster. look at how much stock horsepower the new maxima has. if you modded that one, it would easily reach 400 horsepower.
the problem is with the people that you described in your above example.
you make excellent points. to be heeded.
i like to speed. and that is how i am. i speed "responsibly." the whole point of modding and tuning is to break the speed limit, on or off the road. some of us want to be race car drivers as a fantasy, but lack the talent or means and resources or full-devotion to stick with such a career. and they are just building factory cars ever faster. look at how much stock horsepower the new maxima has. if you modded that one, it would easily reach 400 horsepower.
the problem is with the people that you described in your above example.
Maybe when I own a fast car (996 TT?), I'll get some super expensive radar/laser detector and have it to save my a$s on the many tickets that I subject myself. I've heard that car feels quite stable and responsive at 180 MPH.
07-23-2003, 02:51 PM
#35
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 15
Here's a interesting article discussing the performance of laser jammers, it also briefly mentions the legal issues involved with jamming radar and laser.
http://www.speedzones.com/lasercounter/lasercounter.htm
I'm not entirely sure of their accuracy on the legal issue, but they, and others, seem confident that jamming laser is not illegal, but radar is, and has some nice fines to go along with it! I also scoured the FDA, and FCC web sites for info on laser regs. but all I could find was laws on the "strength" lasers are allowed to emit. Any body have any concrete evidence? I also had a chat with a local cop who couldn't say if it was legal to jam laser, but he couldn't say it was illegal for sure either.. Radar was a big yes for being illegal, he didn't even have to think about it. I also asked him if he had ever caught any one jamming either form of dection. "If anyone has I didn't know it" Kinda makes me wonder...
http://www.speedzones.com/lasercounter/lasercounter.htm
I'm not entirely sure of their accuracy on the legal issue, but they, and others, seem confident that jamming laser is not illegal, but radar is, and has some nice fines to go along with it! I also scoured the FDA, and FCC web sites for info on laser regs. but all I could find was laws on the "strength" lasers are allowed to emit. Any body have any concrete evidence? I also had a chat with a local cop who couldn't say if it was legal to jam laser, but he couldn't say it was illegal for sure either.. Radar was a big yes for being illegal, he didn't even have to think about it. I also asked him if he had ever caught any one jamming either form of dection. "If anyone has I didn't know it" Kinda makes me wonder...
07-26-2003, 01:28 PM
#36
Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 249
Originally posted by 93teg44444
One of only two dedicated police orginazations in the nation to just patol the highway. Only California and Ohio have dedicated state highway patrol.
One of only two dedicated police orginazations in the nation to just patol the highway. Only California and Ohio have dedicated state highway patrol.
07-26-2003, 02:00 PM
#37
Originally posted by davebond007
Oh, I like to speed as well, just I don't make a habit of it. Save's me $400 for a V1.
Maybe when I own a fast car (996 TT?), I'll get some super expensive radar/laser detector and have it to save my a$s on the many tickets that I subject myself. I've heard that car feels quite stable and responsive at 180 MPH.
Oh, I like to speed as well, just I don't make a habit of it. Save's me $400 for a V1.
Maybe when I own a fast car (996 TT?), I'll get some super expensive radar/laser detector and have it to save my a$s on the many tickets that I subject myself. I've heard that car feels quite stable and responsive at 180 MPH.
with that you will definitely need the Val 1.
07-27-2003, 12:22 AM
#38
in the short time i owned my v1, I realised how blindly I was driving daily....having one alerts you to many options the cops have to get you it's not even funny. What I've learned? 79mph in a 70 might be okay on the interstate AS LONG AS you are NOT weaving and changing lanes or attraction attention to yourself unnecessarily. I commuted 200miles daily for a whole semester and my fiance still thinks i got a ticket but hid it from her. Like someone said, it's all about consistency. Know your roads, watch where you speed, keep your eyes WIDE open, *get a valentine 1* and be a consistent and defensive driver and believe me chances you'll get a ticket will be really reduced. heck I have been ticketless forabout 487 days and counting since I got "smart" on speeding. Pedal to the metal isnt everything....and i never drive the limit.
Now who has the need for speed? got cash to back it up? enter for the gumball 3000 and have fun. Oh and i think the porsche 911 gt2 is the nicest of the lot
Now who has the need for speed? got cash to back it up? enter for the gumball 3000 and have fun. Oh and i think the porsche 911 gt2 is the nicest of the lot
08-14-2003, 12:41 AM
#39
Originally posted by davebond007
Thank god that I only got 1 ticket, and even that was dismissed without prejudice (because the officer didn't file the ticket two days after he cited me for it; he can still refile the ticket if he wants to, but chances are [and judging that it has been 3 months after it occured] slim to nothing that he will do that).
Thank god that I only got 1 ticket, and even that was dismissed without prejudice (because the officer didn't file the ticket two days after he cited me for it; he can still refile the ticket if he wants to, but chances are [and judging that it has been 3 months after it occured] slim to nothing that he will do that).
08-14-2003, 01:08 AM
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 395
go with the v1 i just like being able to know what DIRECTIONS the bogeys are comming from and also i love the bogey counter on the v1 it tells you how many bogeys there are. one cop 2 cop 3 cop 4 5 cop 6 cop 7 cops or more go to the v1 website (www.valentine1.com) to check out all the info on the v1. I myself will be getting the v1 and i am saving up for it as we speak. right now i have some cheap radioshack radar detector that my friend gave me it works but i just hate not know where the radar is comming from