Blackmax12

So, with the way these babies get up and go, there must be a fair amount of us using radar/laser detectors. I'm considering getting one as my single ticket so far will cost me a small fortune. What's everyone using?

dr_2010SV

Escort Passport 9500ix. An excellent radar, the damn thing picks up signals from around corners and when they are parked well off the road taking a break. It has the GPS lock-out feature that works great along with a red light/speed camera database.
This radar will pick-up signals from so far away I actually think it's a false indication but low and behold there's the cop a mile down the road.
Not cheap $ but I think they're on sale at Radarbusters right now.

Note, it is not a laser detector!

ololly

Actually it is a laser detector. But it has to physically "see" the laser in order to trigger the alarm. Concealing the detector will remove this capability.

It detects the laser as an invitation for you to stop and get the ticket

BTW I'm using Beltronics STiR+ and Laser Interceptor.

dr_2010SV

OK, so it will detect laser, but not jam it. And your right as you should just pull over and take your ticket with a big grin.

ololly

And that is why I have Laser Interceptor installed. Haven't had a chance to test it yet and a little scared to do it. Price of testing might be higher than I expect (with a ticket and insurance hike in case it doesn't work)

It detects the lidar all right, but whether it shifts it? I don't know. People say it does...

dr_2010SV

There's not a lot of off freeway laser use by LEO around here and since I thankfully don't need to comute the freeways to work on a daily basis I haven't been that concerned about getting a jammer set-up.

I know some jammers will give you just one shot at slowing down after they hit you before your re-targeted....if you didn't heed that warning it's likely too late.
I have thought about getting the veil stuff for the front plate and headlights though.

ololly

I don't know the color of your car, so can't tell you whether it's feasable to put Veil on. If you have dark car and no chrome grill then it probably will make sense to put Veil on. Otherwise there will be a lot of other reflecting surfaces. Besides Veil will decrease your light output from the headlights and it is a PIA to remove.

dr_2010SV

Yep....Crimson Black. Easier to just keep it cool the majority of the time and know where they "lay in waiting".

Jig9798

Yup, this is what I do. No need to speed by ...

I've had too many tickets to count. I remember one where the cop pulled me over and looked at my windshield, pointed to my Escort and asked

LEO - "did that thing work?"
ME - "Yup"
LEO - "Why didn't you slow down?"
ME - "I was slowing down"
LEO - shakes head

My detector was stolen a few years back, since then i'm ...
"2 miles an hour, so everybody sees you"

dr_2010SV

Yeah, I know what you mean. I have mine hard wired and mounted at the top of the windshield. My car has a dark enough tint strip across the top that you can't see it from the outside.
A LEO would have to bend down and look up through the open drivers side window to see it.
I thought by having it mounted behind that level of tint would affect it's functionality but it doesn't.
I do lock it up or take it with me if I leave the vehicle unattended in certain circumstances.

ololly

I've hardwired mine too. The display is in rear view mirror

controls are in a compartment between armrest

and a shifter and antenna is hidden behind the grill. Hard to notice and/or steal

PetitFrereMaxima

iTrader: (2)

Buy the ONE and only: VALENTINE 1.

http://my6thgen.org/f11/escort-9500i...d-i-buy-18241/

I promise you, once you see the arrows work, you will wonder why you will consider any other radar detector. Besides, they have a 30 day full refund policy if you do not like it.

Read my thread and see for yourself. My Maxima is trained to RUN. When I get on the freeway, I try to slow it down. It is just used to going fast, all I do is say we are going out of town and I will be spending my time trying to convince it to take it easy. And for the saves the V1 has done for me, I say it is totally worth it. The arrows are just golden.

Read my thread and see for yourself...

http://my6thgen.org/f11/escort-9500i...d-i-buy-18241/

Rafik Jabbour

I use an old Passport X50 that works fine in Dubai, but it physically has to spot Laser. Our freeways are straight ones so makes it easier for the detector to spot it.

Btw a hint for all people, mount tour radar vertically to get better reading and further range. I've reas this on radardetectors.com

pdub34

I went cheap and tried out the Cobra iRadar here in MA. To be honest driving from NH it saved me from a laser over the hill. So I kept it! $70 well spent. Though it doesn't need your phone to work, it's better if you have too! Please note that if you put the detector to high it significantly reduces the chance of detecting a laser, I passed a statey and it didn't go off because I had it high up. After moving it to my dash works better. The best place to point it is just above your hood.

ololly

There is no radar detector capable of reliably saving you from laser. The chances of laser scatter are extremely slim so I wouldn't count on it.
Radar detector part of it is another story. Cobra works fine against constant on radars. But LEOs rarely keep their radars on constantly. They use "instant on". And when they point their radar gans at you and press the button - you're toast. Stop to get your ticket.

So your survival depends on picking up radar scatter when they "shoot" motorists in front of you. So there is a direct correlation between the price and sensetivity (with false filtering - -you don't want to get too many falses either) of your unit. Cobra in most cases doesn't have this range. So most likely you're going to miss that early warning and it will signal you when you're getting shot.

Another danger of Cobra is that it is easily detectable by "radar detector detector" and you will be fined in the states where it is illegal. The other detectors are harder to detect. And some are impossible (like Escort 9500ci or Bel STiR plus)

ololly

Just to add a few words. It was probably a bad idea to start discussing pro and contra for radar detectors on Maxima 7th specific forum. If you guys are interested in comparing detectors and choose what's best for youI would advise www.radardetectorforum.org.

The best resource ever.

Check this out:
http://www.radardetectorforum.org/wi...r_Should_I_Buy?

dr_2010SV

Yes, well stated on the radar scatter and "instant on" radar. The reason that if I'm on point coming around the bend where they are known to be waiting I will back it down on speed. If I'm back a ways behind other cars I can then pick-up the scatter without being targeted directly. The car(s) that went around me are then being pulled over.
The detector is just a tool and has it's limitations, learning how to use it is the key.

ololly

True that! Radar detector doesn't look for LEOs, it looks for working radars!

pdub34

I agree on that but it has a radar detector detector detector and i get an alert if someone is using it as well! It also has instant on/off detection as well, not while its off of course. Late at night on a highway by yourself I can see it not working but knowing your roads you drive on is very helpful and I can live with it.

http://m.cnet.com/reviews/cobra-iradar/34196878

Amerikaner83

iTrader: (17)

I can't find it online now but many years ago, I cut out one of those single pane comics from the newspaper and taped it to my passenger visor...it had a car driving down the desert road and a road sign that stated "radar detectors detected by radar detector detectors"



It's very apt, but for the life of me I can't find it

pdub34

lol!!!

jeffislouie

I don't mean to jack the thread (sorry), but I'm new and this seemed like a reasonable place to get a reply:
Where are you mounting your radar detector?
I have a Beltronics Vector 995. I mounted it low on the front glass, but the spiral cord pulls on the detector and is a LONG way away from the lighter plug. Is it better to mount by the rear view mirror? I'm curious to see how members have dealt with this.
Is the best solution to hardwire in a detector? That's going to cost some dough....
Forgive me for not searching first, but has anyone tapped into the power in the mirror and just added an out for the detector?
Bottom line: I can't seem to keep from speeding and don't need the hassle of tickets, but I haven't found the best way to mount my detector yet.

ololly

You should research it first. It's on a sticky.

http://forums.maxima.org/7th-generat...t-7th-gen.html

jeffislouie

Thanks. I'm brand new here (literally joined today after stumbling upon the forum). I'll play with the search function first next time. I appreciate the link!

dr_2010SV

For a hardwire use an "add a fuse' it's a much cleaner install.
They look like this one...make sure you get the right size.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...FUFyQgod8E0A6A

Wg2k7

I've had my Escort 8500 x50 since my dad gave it to me for my 16th bday, best bday present ever. Just got it serviced and now have a year warranty and this thing has saved me countless times. I've got it mounted on my rear view mirror so it's tough to see behind the tint strip but it doesn't lose any functionality, and best part is I got rid of the cord by hardwiring it into my mirror.

jeffislouie

How tough was it to hardwire to the mirror? Any chance you have a link with instructions?

Blackmax12

I'm really n the fence on whether to buy a detector or not. I just got my first ticket in my Max that will cost me well over $600 between the fine and losing my good driver credit on my insurance for three years. Part of me thinks that I'll have a false sense of security with a detector and could actually increase my risk what with laser and instant on radar being difficult to detect. Maybe I'll just slow down, but what fun is that.

Wg2k7

No link I just went to my buddies that used to do stereo, had him check the voltage and squeezed in some splitter pieces. Real easy but he had all the right stuff. Also my boy has a earlier year 7th gen and his mirror wasn't compatible with the cord so check if you have the right mirror

Blackmax12

I've seen these all over on line. It's just a short cord that plugs into the detector and the other end has two short metal leads that you simply insert into the female plug on the back of your mirror. You order them by the make,year and model so it's sure to fit. Priced at around $25. They are all over Amazon. Only catch is that they say they don't come with wiring instructions so you need a 12v meter or somebody that knows stereo installations to figure out which slot to insert the pins. Also, one of the leads has a built in fuse to protect the detector.
Here's a link to one on Amazon.

jeffislouie

Thanks blackmax.
I'll take a look around and try to figure it out myself. I saw a video on youtube that implies it's as simple as matching up colored wires in the plug behind the mirror. I also have to figure out a mounting solution (I like the one that hangs off the mirror better than the standard suction cups).

Staggered357

I am using the Escort 9500ci... Completely stealth install with display behind the mirror.. VG-2 undetectable with Total shield, laser jammers front and rear, GPS updates for all red light cameras, very pricey but pays for itself in the long run... I am an above a drags driver putting down 25-30k miles per year...
Passport 9500ci installed IN REAR VIEW MIRROR... Hype...

LtLeary

I have an 8500 X50 mounted with Mike's Mounts on my rear view mirror attached to the mirror with invisicord for the power. While I have a light foot, I have found that most LEOs here in FL tend to leave their Radar on whilst at the scene of accidents, traffic stops, public service on the shoulder, etc. With the fog and smoke prevalent in central Florida, I can unequivocally state that having the advanced notice provided by my escort has saved my own and probably others life by taking off the cruise, maneuvering to a center lane (where available) and concentrating on potential "unique" road hazards. I don't believe it really has any value (to me) in avoiding tickets (and as a road warrior, I do tend to spend a lot of my life on the road) but it has been of extreme use in helping me avoid potential hazards (but for the suicidal raccoon last year.)

I can't wait for the day when technology reaches the point that a built in PSA would be broadcast from my Maxima's dash as dispatchers where informed of accidents/road hazards, coupled to the GPS and announced before the officers arrive.

Blackmax12

Don't know about everyone else but I had a heck of a time finding a low profile ATM add on circuit to finish off my Live direct wire install. There was nothing in any parts stores or Radio Shack. Online I could only find no name products on EBay which makes me nervous. I finally stumbled upon American Wiring Supplies in NY. They have an excellent 20 amp rated low profile add on circuit. Here's the link if anyone is interested.
http://americanwiringsupplies.com

atlanta10

Just sold my 6 year old 9500 for 270 bucks and ordered a passport max. Looking forward to getting it!

Blackmax12

Nice! You'll have fun with that puppy. Be sure to post a review once you get it.

atlanta10

I plan to try some videos with it and will absolutely provide a quick overview of my impressions. I guess its in high demand as the wait time is around 30 days to get one right now.