Radar Detector?

[plc268]

Can I ask a question on this subject a little. Haven't had a sports year in 25 years. Still have my old was a top of the line unit from back then. Sorry can't recall the manufacturer (it's in one of my old boxes in the garage). Since getting my new Mustang been thinking of trying it out. But guessing the radar gun tech has changed significantly. Am I right and it might not even detect the cops anymore? Can someone give me their 2cents? Thanks.

If the cops are using radar, they'll most definitely detect (at least any newer modern radar detector). There's a couple of different bands of radar: X, K, and Ka. X-Band isn't really used by law enforcement anymore, and you'll get tons of false positives in a city. I've seen a couple of cops use K-band, but the majority of K-band alerts are not cops. Ka band is the one most cops use now (cars with adaptive cruise control and similar technology will give you false alerts if the detector doesn't filter them out properly).

You might be referring to laser. And a radar detector is completely useless against laser. Well... not completely. If the radar detector gives you a laser alert, the cop already has your speed. If you're going well over the speed limit, you might as well pull over right away. You can occasionally get an alert of laser if it's bounced off from another car, but it doesn't happen regularly. There are ways of beating laser, which involves laser jammers. But that's a rabbit hole only the truly obsessed go down.

Also, not every place uses laser. A lot of cops prefer to use radar to laser, because radar is more of a set it and forget it solution, whereas laser they have to actively aim it at a car to determine speed.

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[BlackS550]

If the cops are using radar, they'll most definitely detect (at least any newer modern radar detector). There's a couple of different bands of radar: X, K, and Ka. X-Band isn't really used by law enforcement anymore, and you'll get tons of false positives in a city. I've seen a couple of cops use K-band, but the majority of K-band alerts are not cops. Ka band is the one most cops use now (cars with adaptive cruise control and similar technology will give you false alerts if the detector doesn't filter them out properly).

You might be referring to laser. And a radar detector is completely useless against laser. Well... not completely. If the radar detector gives you a laser alert, the cop already has your speed. If you're going well over the speed limit, you might as well pull over right away. You can occasionally get an alert of laser if it's bounced off from another car, but it doesn't happen regularly. There are ways of beating laser, which involves laser jammers. But that's a rabbit hole only the truly obsessed go down.

Also, not every place uses laser. A lot of cops prefer to use radar to laser, because radar is more of a set it and forget it solution, whereas laser they have to actively aim it at a car to determine speed.

im not truly obsessed at all and i have a beltronics sti-r plus w/ laser shifter pros. the system has already paid for itself

 

[Pnasty]

when you see lights, drop a gear and disappear. Really though, whats the benefit of the GPS? what exactly does it do

 

[ecobooststeven]

when you see lights, drop a gear and disappear. Really though, whats the benefit of the GPS? what exactly does it do

With cops in my city driving hemi awd charger pursuits..i rather not try to outrun them with traffic and all that :headbonk::shrug:

GPS allows you to have access to red light camera locations, speed camera locations, false positives etc.

 

[Chameleon]

Any opinions on the Escort Max360? (i'm narrowed down to that vs the V1)

I'm in the same boat. I may just pony up $ for the 360. [MENTION=21315]IslandHopper[/MENTION]

http://blog.caranddriver.com/the-ne...y-jam-escort-max-360-radar-detector-reviewed/

 

[IslandHopper]

I went with the V1

 

[Chameleon]

I went with the V1

Used or new?

 

[IslandHopper]

new... like my car
The problem buying a used one, is you don't know how up-to-date it is or isn't. Even the used ones seem to sell for $250+ ... add another $100 to send it in to V1 to have it upgraded to the latest software and you might as well just buy new.

But... there was a time in my life when saving $50 would have mattered a lot to me... and saving that 50 then got me to the point where I don't care about it now. So buy a used one if the price difference matters to you. I don't ever recommend someone should spend money they don't have.

 

[redgt]

I run the Max 2 with a blendmount and mirror tap but have my 360 coming in this week. It is basically the same unit but with dual antennas and arrows similar to the V1....which for years has been the reason everyone gave to go Valentine vs Escort.

BTW if your going to buy a radar detector you should do like me and get it from Best buy with the extra warranty. Every time a new model comes out mine seems to break and i just take it in and get the new one for the cost difference.

 

[GDP]

new... like my car
The problem buying a used one, is you don't know how up-to-date it is or isn't. Even the used ones seem to sell for $250+ ... add another $100 to send it in to V1 to have it upgraded to the latest software and you might as well just buy new.

But... there was a time in my life when saving $50 would have mattered a lot to me... and saving that 50 then got me to the point where I don't care about it now. So buy a used one if the price difference matters to you. I don't ever recommend someone should spend money they don't have.

Actually it's really easy to know what version it is used. Ask seller for serial and look it up on the Valentine website it will tell you.

Also know these two things while using a detector...

1. NEVER and I mean never speed alone. Make sure there is traffic ahead of you and preferably other speeders. This will give you enough warning to hit the brakes. Reason being is, and I broke my own rule the other day and was hit with pop, if you're the only one you will get sherif running pop on you. Instant on and they have you dead to rights. Your detector at that point is nothing more than a pull over signal.

Happened to me the other day going down a highway alone during the day. Sherif luckily going down the opposite way with median railing in the way with no turn around point. Hit me with pop/instant on. Detector went full on for about a second then back to nothing.

2. I forgot what this was supposed to be. Basically have to not only have a detector but you must understand how it works, what your area runs, how they like to run them, and how to best counter act. Too many stupid people get a detector thinking its a magical device. Then blame them when they get a ticket anyway.

I use a V1 but have a 9500ix on the way.

Oh lastly make sure it's mounted correctly. The higher the better usually. And you're not trying to pickup UFO signals nor underground signals. So level is where you want it pointed.

 

[MikeD1]

^^^ All good advice !

 

[5 O UFO]

I run the Max 2 with a blendmount and mirror tap but have my 360 coming in this week. It is basically the same unit but with dual antennas and arrows similar to the V1....which for years has been the reason everyone gave to go Valentine vs Escort.

BTW if your going to buy a radar detector you should do like me and get it from Best buy with the extra warranty. Every time a new model comes out mine seems to break and i just take it in and get the new one for the cost difference.

Just picked up the Max 2 from Best Buy. Had it in stock. Made them price match Amazon at $466 roughly. They had the Max 2 at MSRP of $599.00. This is another benefit they give on purchase.

 

[BlackS550]

Actually it's really easy to know what version it is used. Ask seller for serial and look it up on the Valentine website it will tell you.

Also know these two things while using a detector...

1. NEVER and I mean never speed alone. Make sure there is traffic ahead of you and preferably other speeders. This will give you enough warning to hit the brakes. Reason being is, and I broke my own rule the other day and was hit with pop, if you're the only one you will get sherif running pop on you. Instant on and they have you dead to rights. Your detector at that point is nothing more than a pull over signal.

Happened to me the other day going down a highway alone during the day. Sherif luckily going down the opposite way with median railing in the way with no turn around point. Hit me with pop/instant on. Detector went full on for about a second then back to nothing.

2. I forgot what this was supposed to be. Basically have to not only have a detector but you must understand how it works, what your area runs, how they like to run them, and how to best counter act. Too many stupid people get a detector thinking its a magical device. Then blame them when they get a ticket anyway.

I use a V1 but have a 9500ix on the way.

Oh lastly make sure it's mounted correctly. The higher the better usually. And you're not trying to pickup UFO signals nor underground signals. So level is where you want it pointed.

"speeding citations can not be issued solely on the use of POP"

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