Which radar detector?

[fjpikul]

Ron, I've used the Escort variations for years. On many trips with many GT guys heading to Rallies or whatever, the V1 seemed to pick up a split second earlier, but not enough to make a difference. The laser is instant on, and if the LEO is shooting you from above (say an overpass), your detector won't pick it up cause the lense is focused forward (it is a magnifying lense). I have many hundreds of thousands of miles on my Escort and it has saved me many times, but no detector is infallible. The laser jammers are cute, but really expensive and must be professionally installed. There is a lot of info here on the Forum so a search might help.

 

[GTMikey]

I don't know about jammers but I retired my V1 for an iCobra (cheap $ too) which also uses an iPhone app and crowd sourcing to know about speed traps and permanent speed cameras, etc. in your vicinity. I got a lot of false signals from the V1 but I know it has fans

I just bought this and used it on the Shelby 50th Bash/Road Rally. Worked Great, has a great Iphone app that goes with it that allows you turn off X-Band or any Band for that matter. Crowd Sourcing is awesome because it gets smarter with time... KA Band = CHP

 

[roketman]

Thank you for the link to laser reviews.I bought the Laser Elite x4

 

[otis]

I have the escort unit with laser jammers front and rear in my R8. It's a great unit, but the lack of direction from where the signal is coming from is frustrating. Thats the V1s strong suit, but laser is it's weakness. I have not had any tickets and have been saved about 4-5x from certain tickets. The laser jammer protection is its best feature, but the GPS part is my favorite. After going past a fixed signal more than once it stores the information and mutes it's self. If a Leo is sitting near a speed sign it does know if the exact location or type of radar is different and signals you. It also is upgradable via the Internet. Plug it in for updates like speed cameras and popular speed traps.

I also have the K40 calibre in my 911 and it's decent, but not great. The radar has front and rear transponders and does tell you front or rear. It doesn't tell you from the side and how many signals, but it does tell you what type Ka or X band so that helps. It's weakness is laser blocking. Several independent testers have found its laser capability lacking. Knock on wood no tickets in this car either. No upgrades or fancy features. Bluetooth communication between front and rear sensors to the main unit so no wires thru the firewall.

I also have the V1 in the FGT. Its the only one not hard wired and my least favorite (just for that reason). It's a little too sensitive (too many false signals), doesn't have the GPS feature, and has poor laser detection. It's radar range is about a second faster than the other two. I love the arrows. If they had a hard wired version with good laser block, internet updates, and GPS localizing it would be great.

When you boil off the fat the Escort has the best features just missing radar localization (arrows). This would be my choice with the options currently available.

You can make your own custom V1 with really cool custom laser blockers, but that's using multiple different non integrated systems. They are the best of all worlds, but good luck finding an installer and someone who is competent who you trust tearing into your car.

Rob

 

[2112]

As I mentioned in another thread, I am about to retire all of my V-1s. LIDAR is the preferred choice of Revenue enhancement officers out here and the V-1 Will not pick them up, even when you see them standing on the side of the road tagging you. :frown Valentine is resting on their 15 year old laurels.

Anxious to see what you think of your new Jammer Ron. Mounting location is key.

Updated link;

http://www.radardetector.org/

 

[Fubar]

FYI jammer are now illegal here in Texas. However, before the capital officially passed legislation banning their use; police in the Dallas area were know to issue a Class C: Interfering with the Duties of an Officer. I'd be surprised if California hasn't already begun some equally absurd behavior.

 

[2112]

It is all about the shakedown.

No jammer is going to prevent you from being busted if you are driving Negligently. :rolleyes

 

[FBA]

Yesterday, I hit 170...
I scoped the area very carefully (Mexico)- is that negligent? LOL

 

[Ed Sims]

V1

Ed

 

[roketman]

I have had a V1 for ever.I have all the updates and have had no issues.I did however just buy a Redlaser unit made by Escort.I plan on running both to see which is more effective.Anyone else tried this?

 

[GEE-TEE]

Is there a good batter/wireless unit available which can easily be carried or switched between cars?

 

[RALPHIE]

Is there a good batter/wireless unit available which can easily be carried or switched between cars?

Escort's Solo Model is a cordless/wireless system -

http://www.escortradar.com/solos3/

 

[2112]

I have had a V1 for ever.I have all the updates and have had no issues.I did however just buy a Redlaser unit made by Escort.I plan on running both to see which is more effective.Anyone else tried this?

I thought you said in the OP that your V1 didn't give you a peep ahile being tagged? My V1s are all updated too and they will not give any indication of Laser/LIDAR usage, even when it is damn obvious it is happening.

 

[FBA]

Escort's Solo Model is a cordless/wireless system -

http://www.escortradar.com/solos3/

Just be aware that the Solo, as good as it is, suffers big from performance when compared to the fixed units. Been there done that with the Solo before!

 

[roketman]

I thought you said in the OP that your V1 didn't give you a peep ahile being tagged? My V1s are all updated too and they will not give any indication of Laser/LIDAR usage, even when it is damn obvious it is happening.

Yes you are correct.No laser warning.

 

[Fubar]

I have gotten Laser alerts on the V1 but the window is pretty narrow for detection. As I understand it, the officer's best location for targeting a vehicle is the front license plate. The V1 would not be able to pick up the beam (nor any other detector) unless reflection or the instability of the officer's hand came into play. This is just based on a YouTube video I watched about it, so BS level could be very high.

I'm not sure if it's been mentioned but the new escorts offer a phone application that connects their detector to your phone via bluetooth. It will send alerts to a database and then rebroadcast those alerts to other phone app users so that laser traps can be seen before it's too late. It requires a lot of app user to be affective tho and I doubt it has found that many full-time users. It wouldn't surprise me if the Texas law applies to this app also. It is "interfering with the duties of an officer" in a way.

 

[2112]

Yes you are correct.No laser warning.

My suspicion is either what Mark said about the small window, or, They are onto us and are changing their frequencies so our detectors won't work.

I used to get warnings with LIDAR but it has been several years now since I got tipped off. :bored

 

[tony h]

Take a look at Stinger DSi.

I had one fit to my car - the card version.

Benefit is that if stopped, the credit card size module can be withdrawn, held in a certain way and all the jamming software is removed! This means that any tests can be done and in theory you should be safe.

Once back home, the card is inserted into the PC and the jamming software can be easily loaded back onto the card....simples.

Not sure if available in US but worthy of investigation?

Just a warning, they are not cheap. Think mine was about £3000 which will be about $4500 - that said, what price your licence??

Tony

 

[GEE-TEE]

Thanks Ralphie.

 

[Wwabbit]

Thank you for the link to laser reviews.I bought the Laser Elite x4

How's that working out?