Well since i got my little speeding ticket I think its safe to say im going to invest in a radar detector just in case. Which one is the absolute best, and un detectable by the cops ?

 

Passport 8500 is the best right now, unless you want to spend $1000.00 on the kind that mounts on your front and rear bumper, then has to be wired through your car. The 8500 is one sweet b**ch. It costs $300.00 but is well worth it, especially if you get busted often. Go to www.radartest.com to check out the 8500 and its competition.

 

i have a bel 980, its fine. Rated second on radartest.com too... who knows how legit they are but IMHO its a killer radar detector and I got it for only $200

 

I sell both the Bel 980 and the Escort/Passport 8500
I have the 980 in my car and works great

 

How about the Valentine One? Right now, I have a Cobra radar dectector, the silver looking one. I just ordered a Valentine One. My friend has one and it worked great. I don't know about the other detectors, but I have seen the Valentine One works it magic in person, so that's what I went with.

 

I just ordered the Bel 936. I looked at all the tests on radartest.com then I decided I don't care about perfect laser detection because you're almost always dead by the time you find out.

Anyway, I got it from sounddomain.com (they had the best price) I got it for $139 shipped. I'll fill you guys in with a review once I've had it for a while.

 

Dead by the time you find out ? How ? Arent radar detectors supposed to not let that happen !??!?!?

 

With laser it is very hard for a detector to pick up and give actual warning until it hits you. The spread of the signal with laser is almost nothing at all, while the spread for the others is very large. Thus, you are not near as likely to pick up a cop aiming his/her gun at someone else with a laser as you are with the other bands. Although with a laser the cop must be almost right in front of or behind you and can't be moving. The weather also greatly affects laser guns.

 

Oh, I just bought the 8500 a couple of weeks ago and it has already saved me at least once. I just got on the freeway and was up to around 80 already at around midnight and then it went crazy so I put on my brakes and not long afterwards I saw a cop in the median with its lights off. Would never have "seen" it in time otherwise.

 

I have a V1 and I think its the best. Not only does it tell me where the radar is coming from but the warning ranges are incredible. It has more than paid for itself in saves. Supposedly the guy that does www.radartest.com is biased according to the V1 web site but you should read what both of them have to say and formulate your own decision.

 

I agree...I have been following radar dectector testing FOREVER...and the LEGIT tests almost always come out with the V1 on top...the guy who wrote radartest.com blatently lies about several things regarding the V1...he says that it's the heaviest by far..when in actuality the 8500 is heavier..and he says that the V1 is not programmable..which is also false (look on the V1 website to find out how). I have had a V1 for almost 2 years...and the last speeding ticket I got was....OMG just over 2 years ago. The V1s laser range is amazing...I have gotten a laser warning almost 5 miles in advance once or twice on a flat straight road. Go V1....you won't regret it.

 

mikelly,

As a RADAR and LIDAR expert, I can tell you that no radar
detector no matter how good they claim cannot, I repeat
cannot detect a lidar in time to protect you.

First off, what do the words mean?
RADAR: RAdio Detection And Ranging
LASER: Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation
LIDAR: Laser Infrared Detection And Ranging or LIght Detection And Ranging

Doppler effect: Similar to how the sound changes when a train passes you, any freqency emitted or reflected from a moving source will appear to be higher when the source is approaching and lower when it is traveling away from you.

RADAR works by emitting a high-frequency low-power radio signal in the direction of the target. The frequency varies depending on the band, X, K, or Ka. The higher the frequency, the tighter the beam and the less power required. The higher bands are also less likely to bounce off other objects and create false signals.

X band was the first, and has a pretty wide beam. This means it is much harder to accurately identify one target. At a few hundred yards the entire road is covered by the beam. K band was next, and increased accuracy with a tighter beam. It still spread pretty wide, however, and this can be used to beat tickets if there are other nearby targets, especially if they are larger than your vehicle (RADAR does not lock onto the closest or fastest target). Ka band is the newest, and being the highest frequency, has the tightest beam. Theoretically, this also makes it harder to detect, but in the real world I've found that Ka band detection range is far more than needed to protect you in most situations.

When the RADAR signal strikes a metallic object, a large part of the signal is reflected back (and in all directions also). The RADAR unit receives this reflection, and compares it to the original signal. The difference in frequency caused by the Doppler effect is directly related to the speed. A microcomputer in the unit translates the frequency shift into a human-readable speed display.

RADAR locks onto the strongest return signal. This is typically from the largest object in view of the beam. If you are being followed by an 18-wheeler, the gun may very well lock onto its signal even if you are going faster or are closer. This can be used to your benefit in court, so always make a mental note of the cars around you if it appears you are about to be stopped by a RADAR gun-wielding cop.

LIDAR works by emitting a very narrow laser beam in the far infrared range (904nm). This beam is aimed by a telescopic rifle-type sight on the unit, and is reflected by any light-reflective surface, such as a front plate, headlight, windshield, chrome grill, etc. The LASER is pulsed, and the receiver calculates the time difference between the pulses. As an object gets closer, each subsequent pulse will take less time to travel to and from the object. Like the RADAR, this is translated to a speed display. In addition, because the time for the pulse to return was measured, the device also displays the distance. LIDAR is extremely accurate in good conditions when used properly.

LIDAR has an extremely narrow beam spread. At 1000 feet, the beam is only 3 feet wide, which doesn't even extend from your plate (the target) to your windshield-mounted detector, which is why LASER detectors rarely work. If you've been targeted by LIDAR, you may not know until you see the red and blue lights behind you.

OTHER SPEED SYSTEMS: There are a number of other systems in use for calculating vehicle speed. In many places, VASCAR is used extensively. This is a system where the car is timed as it travels between two marks on the pavement. There is no way to detect this, other than to look for the marks. In most places they are an angled stripe leading from the fog line (solid white strip on the right) to the edge of the pavement. Airplanes are used often on open highways to pace cars, or they use the VASCAR marks to time you.

Now that you understand what RADAR and LIDAR can do. The
best defense is to know terrain of the road you're on.
Always use other vehicles to shield yourself, slow down
and let a speeder pass you going up a hill or a curb if
you can't see the road passed 2 miles, lastily never
travel on the fast lane unless you're just passing a car.
Always be aware of your surroundings.

I have prepared numerous defense against radar and won
every case for my friends. As for the LIDAR the judge
just congratulate on my friend for the briefing and
slapped him with the fine. Most if not all the states
you will lose in a court against a LIDAR. Luckily for
you guys Ohio is the only state using 75% LIDAR vs 90%
RADAR use by 49 states. Hope this was helpful

mike

 

Almost forgot I use bel 960 on my Max and Cobra 9000 on
my wife's Toyota Previa van. Both of them never failed me
yet.

mike

 

Passport SR-1

 

You wasted your money my friend....V1 is old technology.

 

There is now another company and another website that did tests on the V1, Passport, bel, etc and the Passport STILL blew away the V1. I don't believe that guy is biased, especially now that 2 companys got ratings. The V1 is not the best, it won't beat the Passport. The only thing the V1 has is arrows, who cares for arrows, if it goes off hit the damn brakes.

 

About the cobra, somone on this board had a 96 maxima was red and nicly modded, was from Niles, IL if i remember correctly.... anyways he had a cobra and couldn't make it to a maxima meet because his licensed was suspended from speeding, so shows you how good that one might be.....

Ohio seems to be pretty serious about speeding, my sister and four other cars were flagged over by a trooper stopped in the middle of the turnpike, evidently an airplane had timed em all by those white lines and they all got tickets, ikes....

-Nate

 

everyone has their own preferences. I personally LIKE the arrows and it telling me how many radar signals there are. Why slow down when you don't have to. What's the other website? I'd like to take a look.

 

speed something...I can't remember the name. Paul posted it a while back. Anyways, the Passport can pickup up to 9 different signals at once. It has a great boget counter that blows away V1 like I said, it does everything the V1 does and more, except the arrows. People who bought the Passport investigated the radars more and bought the ones that work. V1 owners didn't do this.

 

uh huh.. im sure v1 doesnt work

 

Personally, if I had the choice I would go with a radar jammer along with the detector. Rocky Mountain Radar makes a radar/laser jammer called the Phaser for about $180. For $300, the Phantom can be a detector as well. If you already have a detector buy the $180 one and your detector can be hooked up to it as well. RMR is so confident in their technology they'll pay your ticket if you get one within a year. Here is the website:
http://www.radarscramblers.com/rocky_mountain_radar.htm

 

test after test have shown that the passive jammers from rocky mountain radar don't work. The only jammers that work are active and those are illegal. As for them paying your ticket, K40 does the same, and even if they did pay for your ticket, you'll still have to pay the insurance surcharge.

 

Passport 8500

 

Ohio S*CKS!! I got stopped last year by a trooper/plane team. Said the plane clocked my speed at an AVERAGE time over distance)of 87 in a 55 (are they the only state left without a 65 limit???) God forbid I be looking UP while buzzing down the road. Talked my way out of it, thankfully, but the radar detector obviously didn't go off, and I barely had enough time to yank it from the windshield before stopping. I've never driven fast through Ohio since...even at night, I'm paranoid at every small plane that flies over/near the highway.

 

mikelly:
Nice explanation of radar/lidar. Is lidar widely accepted in court now? Last reading I did on the subject, it still didn't have the solid reputation of radar and was considered pretty fallible, especially with a lawyer.

 

www.speedzones.com
www.radartest.com

You make the decision..

 

damn, every time i read about the new 8500, I want it.

I wonder if I could somehow set it up stealth like my v1?

anyone wanna buy my v1 if i upgrade?

 

since we're on the topic of speeding..... i don't know about other states, but I know in illinois if you get a ticket (and you really need to get out of it) you can check and see if the the officer has been trained in radar gun use in the last 6 months, you can check to see if the gun has been calibrated in the last 6 months, and if the tool that calibrates the gun has been checked for accuracy readings in the last 6 months ....

If any of those have not been done, you should be able to get out of the ticket... I don't know how often this really works but about 2 years ago my friend got out of a ticket that way, personally I just pay em everytime because I am guilty so....

About fuzzbusters, does anyone know where you can pick up one (not a kit to build one)? I know they're illegeal but so is trying to max out your car .....


-Nate

 

Botos,

Fars as I know both LIDAR/LASER are accepted by the courts
in Ohio state. They have done extensive studies on this
matter and most judges are familiar with the device. That's
the reason why it isn't winnable in a court and they know
it. The other 49 states, it is winnable in a court as the
judges within those states rely heavily on the police
technicians as their experts.

If anybody get a ticket instead of paying for it just go
to court. You're going to pay anyway if you go or not. You
don't have to be a radar/Lidar expert. Just show up!! If
the office that gave you a ticket isn't there you win and
the case is dismissed. You can kind of get an idea if you're
going to win or not by knowing when you were ticketed. If
you were caught and you were the only car on the road the
cop won't show up. If you were caught among hundreds of
cars around you most likely he'll show up(He probably
ticketed dozens of cars). He don't want several cases
dismissed. End of months is a bad time to get caught as
the cops has to make a quota. The first week of a new
month, you'll get off with a warning charge.

I know some of you were thinking about getting a radar or
laser jammers. DON'T!!!! They don't work and it's illegal.
But most of all they don't work!!! Again they don't work..

If you live in TN, TX, or OK. The cops don't show themselves
on the highway. They have undercover cars that look like
junk cars on the road except the signature police rims and
brandnew blackwalls. If you live in DC or VA, make sure
you buy radar detectors that have VG-2 and radar detectors
are well hidden. I've seen them confiscated a few and
smashed a few on the ground. Radar detectors are illegal
in both of those states as well as Canada. Hopefull this
helps...

mike

 

My V1 is a good detector, but it is chatty as hell. It's ALWAYS going off. I've had to build a keen 'seventh sense' to know when the V1 REALLY MEANS IT and when it's just some ******* other thing.

I've had times downtown when I've got like 8 warnings going off. It's just impossible to pay much attention to the thing .. these guys need to add a feature where you can "fingerprint" the frequency of each interfering item, and ignore that particular item in the future... add it to some NVRAM "ignore" list inside the device. Someone make that please.

thank you

 

Yeh, that'd be really neat, if it weren't for the fact that they don't work at all.

Why not save the $300 -- $5 to tape a nine-volt battery to your dashboard, and $295 to put toward a "ticket fund?"

 

have you tried putting it into advanced logic mode? Advanced logic mode mutes all the X-band reception when you're in the city and it just flashes on the display and it also mutes some K-band stuff as well depending on what the computer thinks the threat is...

 

MaineI30,

The reason why your detector alert you more often is because
it's picking up X-Band. Only backwards cops in a flea size
village have an X-Band gun. Your detector mostly likely
are picking up. Automatic door openners like the ones used
in department stores, It can pickup garage openners, other
radar detectors, and high power CB from a Semis.

I wouldn't worry about X-Band unless you go into a very
small town.

mike

 

X band is used on the NJ turnpike..

 

most of new jersey still uses x-band. NJ State Police still uses x-band.

 

Got the escort recently for $260 shipped. Hadn't used a detector in 4 years and this one has much fewer falsies. anyways, on my trip to Vermont from Cleveland this past weekend, I feel I definitely escaped two tickets. One was a NY state speed trap involving a total of 6 police cars. One on top of a bridge using LIDAR,with the others used for engagement. With the 8500, I had just enough time to slow down. Basically looked over at the unit alarming, saw that it was "LASER," looked ahead for the shooter as I slowed down. Almost thought it was a false alarm because I almost did not look up on top of the bridge. Manual says to take all laser alarming seriously. I second that. Second time was with K band. Police car was actually in the other direction but parked near the mouth of a U turn in the median--I think he was shooting both ways.

Verdict: I think the 8500 is excellent. Still alarms a lot in the city and has the occasional falsy but it can save you some agony.

BTW, is it generally agreed that one should remove your detector from view once a police car is in pursuit to stop you?

 

Actually you would be incorrect. I programmed the V1 to ignore X band long ago.

 

Thanks for the helpful post on the 8500. Good review!

Ah therein lies the rub. My v1 is stealth-installed, so a cop, etc. can't see it, even if he's standing at my door, peering in as he hands me a ticket.

I was hoping there'd be a way to stealth-install an 8500. Anyone???

 

I've got a Bel 880 and it has EXCELLENT sensitivity on all bands. I've picked up cops on all radar bands (X,K,Ka) with PLENTY of warning in all cases, except for the time I got nailed for a cheese-ball 78/65 when some loser cop in PA had an instant-on radar and nailed my a$$

The Bel 880 is pretty cheap and definitely gets the job done and will save you a pretty hefty chunk of change vs. a Passport 8500 or a Valentine 1.

==========

As for laser stuff, the direct beam of a laser might not spread nearly as much as a radar beam does - that much is true. But when a laser hits a target the beam also reflects in a zillion directions as well, and widens, because no surface is perfectly smooth and the very short wavelength of laser light will make even your smooth front license plate (if you have one) look pretty much like rugged terrain - so it's gonna spread in all directions.

I've picked up laser from a cop on my Bel 880 with a bit of warning too. The best defense against laser is to run in the lane furthest from where cops like to sit. If they like to sit on the median then try to stay on the right, and vice versa.

===========

Anyways, I strongly recommend the Bel 880. It's saved me numerous times for only $160 or so. I think those more expensive detectors from Escort (Passport) and Valentine 1 are real nice, but a bit overkill if you ask me. My Bel 880 is more than enough for me.

 

I'm as worried about selectivity as I am sensitivity. Seems like the 8500 is the best on that.