Radar Detecor, who uses what?
05-31-2012, 08:22 AM
#1
Radar Detecor, who uses what?
Is it against the rules to discuss police radars that are installed in a car? Or the purchasing of a police radar?
I know they are illegal in some states but they're not in mine (Colorado).
I know they are illegal in some states but they're not in mine (Colorado).
05-31-2012, 09:33 AM
#6
Yea i just want it for some added sense of security. What kind do you guys have or recommend?
My friend that's a cop says you need to get the correct type because police have upped theyre speed radars..
My friend that's a cop says you need to get the correct type because police have upped theyre speed radars..
05-31-2012, 10:14 AM
#8
I have a cobra that still pics up almost every cop, including Laser. It's saved me from at least 4 good tickets. The more you pay, the better you get. The Valentine and Passport are two of the best ones on the market. They have pretty much every option as well as detecting multiple targets. The Valentine even has directional targeting to determine if they are in front, rear or even the side of you. A good Radar detector like thatwill lighten your wallet though...
05-31-2012, 10:56 AM
#11
05-31-2012, 12:39 PM
#14
Passport and Beltronics are the exact same company. Escort's are generally more feature laden and thus more expensive than the Beltronics are. However, in the case of the escort x50 and Beltronics v8, they share the EXACT SAME platform making them detect radar guns from the same distance. So if you don't need so many features, which you don't because most of the features are simply convenience related, save your money and get the Beltronics V8. The v8 is also the same as the Beltronics V955. The Beltronics V series were made specifically for Best Buy and a specific price point. That being said, if you dip below about the $150 mark the radar detectors ability to warn you enough ahead of time is greatly reduced. If you get a cheap Cobra at Wal-Mart or Best Buy then you will be disappointed at when it warns you because you will probably see the cop first before it warns you and the detection from the rear is just plain terrible. The V8 is rated the best detetor under $300 whereas the Escort 9500ix is the top rated period. Here is a good site for unbiased ratings http://www.radarbusters.com/
That detector is mounted way to high my friend. It will greatly reduce its detecting ability especially for Laser which is already a crapshoot
That detector is mounted way to high my friend. It will greatly reduce its detecting ability especially for Laser which is already a crapshoot
Last edited by NmexMAX; 05-31-2012 at 02:22 PM.
05-31-2012, 12:49 PM
#15
I havent had any issues with it in the few years Ive owned it. I still pick up cops that my friends don't seem to pick up... whether it be Ka or LASER.
05-31-2012, 01:23 PM
#17
And thank for all the input guys. There's so many different options, it's so hard to choose. Seems like every one likes the Beltronics/passports
05-31-2012, 01:53 PM
#19
So what is the probability of these ACTUALLY saving you from a ticket? Like actually picking up the cop before they see you and having the time to slow down?
I've been hearing lately that since police are using "laser" radars, it's almost impossible to see them before they see you. Usually it's about the same exact time, thus rendering the radar detector useless. Is this true?
I've never been too educated on radar detectors, I usually just take my chances and know where to keep an eye out for cops. But hey, if they actually work well, ~$300 is a small price to pay in my opinion. Tickets are usually in the ~$200 range here anyways.....
I've been hearing lately that since police are using "laser" radars, it's almost impossible to see them before they see you. Usually it's about the same exact time, thus rendering the radar detector useless. Is this true?
I've never been too educated on radar detectors, I usually just take my chances and know where to keep an eye out for cops. But hey, if they actually work well, ~$300 is a small price to pay in my opinion. Tickets are usually in the ~$200 range here anyways.....
Last edited by AZ89two4tsx; 05-31-2012 at 01:53 PM. Reason: tyop :)
05-31-2012, 02:02 PM
#20
I bought an Escort Passport 8500 used on eBay for $80. It works very well and warns me well ahead of time before I see the cops. I live in the mountains with lots of curves and hills, and it still performs very well. I've had it for a little over a year now, and that thing already saved me +/- $1000 in tickets...
Worth it? Yeah if you are not a right lane driver...
Worth it? Yeah if you are not a right lane driver...
05-31-2012, 02:08 PM
#21
Most cops especially the state patrol use the K band or Ka band rear and front facing constant-on or instant-on radar and the detectors that we have recommended are greta at letting you know. On a clear day a good platform will alert you to a cop sitting up ahead at least a mile ahead of time depending on the terrain. Laser as you speak of is inherently hard to detect because it is not constantly on so thus cant alert you to anything. The benefit you have is that a cop has to be stationary to use a laser and has to have a clear shot at you and can only target 1 car at a time. If you are in traffic then your detector will alert you if the car ahead of you or several cars ahead of you have been targeted. The most difficult time to detect is when you are the only one on the road or leading the pack. Then it is simply alerting you to the fact you are getting a ticket. You cant be going 100mph in a 45 and expect to have a ton of warning, even though you still will have ample time to slow it down. They are certainly worth the money though and with the K/Ka band that most cops and state patrol officers have constantly on, detectors work great. X band is hardly used anymore and usually a false alarm such as an automatic door that the higher end detectors can filter out or you can turn the detection completely off. Use this for reference http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...-8-6-09-a.html
Last edited by ShocknAwe; 05-31-2012 at 02:23 PM.
06-01-2012, 05:44 PM
#23
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Quad Cities, IA
Posts: 78
I use an older Escort Passport 5000 that works good. I also use the Trapster app on my phone whenever I can, pretty dependable to alert me of known speed traps and the occasional live radar trap.
06-02-2012, 09:53 PM
#25
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 13
I have a Valentine 1 hardwired and mounted above the rearview mirror and I love it. It's saved me more times than I can count (paid itself off at least 8x over in the time I've owned it)
Because of the way laser works, laser detectors really can only tell you "yes, you just got clocked", and not much more.
Because of the way laser works, laser detectors really can only tell you "yes, you just got clocked", and not much more.
06-03-2012, 05:01 PM
#26
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Carol Stream, IL
Posts: 77
I use the Escort 8500 x50 Black (newest version of x50). GREAT RANGE!!! I use it wisely, don't really speed too much just like to have that little bit of reassurance when driving. I do a lot of highway driving and this unit is great!
06-03-2012, 10:29 PM
#28
I use a Bel 980 radar detector and a separate Uniden Police scanner programmed to local police and highway patrol. Saved my butt several times!
Last edited by maximadave; 06-03-2012 at 10:37 PM.
06-04-2012, 04:53 AM
#30
I bought one a few months back that tell you when there's trains coming. Pretty cool. I haven't had a chance to see if it acutally works but I did park my car and faced a police with a radar gun to see if it will mess it up but he pulled someone before and he took over 40 mins so I left.
Maybe I'll find one and see if it gives me the L (Laser) alert.
Maybe I'll find one and see if it gives me the L (Laser) alert.
06-04-2012, 10:18 AM
#31
I just ordered this one the other day. Waiting for it in the mail. Cant wait.
06-22-2012, 09:33 PM
#34
Escort Redline. No issues with 99% of the dummies.
Laser is becoming more prevalent on interstates and perhaps wherever there is a rich municipality.
The more population there is, expect more laser. Except for State. They could be using it anywhere (ie Illinois).
But that can be jammed.
Laser is becoming more prevalent on interstates and perhaps wherever there is a rich municipality.
The more population there is, expect more laser. Except for State. They could be using it anywhere (ie Illinois).
But that can be jammed.
Last edited by Child_uv_KoRn; 06-22-2012 at 09:40 PM.
07-09-2012, 11:40 PM
#36
Bought a Cobra 9400 XRS in 2005 after a speeding ticket and used it for about 5 years before the speaker inside blew and couldn't find another device I could pull the speaker from to replace it. It was $120 new from Best Buy and it saved me from tons of speeding tickets. I would actually recommend it. Simply Don't rely on a radar detector, I know people/friends who automatically think they can speed and be a honey badger just because they have a radar installed 
Currently I'm using a Passport 8500 X50 that came with my 2002 and while its super effin' sensitive compared to my Cobra, it has saved me from a few tickets in the last month of owning it. Its a good radar but oddly I kinda like my Cobra better... just sounded cooler
Currently I'm using a Passport 8500 X50 that came with my 2002 and while its super effin' sensitive compared to my Cobra, it has saved me from a few tickets in the last month of owning it. Its a good radar but oddly I kinda like my Cobra better... just sounded cooler
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