Radar Detectors

[y2jdaddy]

Anyone know of any good but not too expensive radar detectors or can recommend one that would be great to own?

[HONDER]

It's what all the BIG BOYS are using at www.NSXPrime.com.

[adam1991]

Valentine 1. There is no other.

Once you've owned one, you'll know why. It's like why you own a Honda and not a Chevy.

[Effen Fish]

I still use Escort brand. Didn't Escort and Bel merge? There is reportedly a good Bel model out there, search the web for detector tests and look for it.

Don't forget to see how each make is mounted (suction cup or visor clip), and if they come with a coiled cord for a lighter socket, or a straight cord for hard-wiring. It's not as easy to hard-wire extras anymore. I miss the days that the automakers just had a screw post on the fuse box for attaching extras.

[Inspector1]

Check out this site for information............
http://www.radarbusters.com/support/product-tests/Default.asp?ovchn=OVR&ovcpn=overture&ovcrn=radar+detector+test&ovtac=PPC

I1:)

[billinaz]

They are pretty useless here.

I use Laser alot, and since they beamwith is so small, the detectors never go off. The beam never gets above the level of the hood, so no signal.

For the radar, we switch it on and it gets the speeds instantly, so when you realize its there, too late.

[Inspector1]

Most patrols are using laser now, Beem off your front plate if you have one, the only time my laser goes off is when they beam thru me to someone else.
Did you see the Laser jammer systems they have?

I1:)

[billinaz]

Never seen one that works.

We dont have front plates here, the engine or headlight works great.

[snakehair]

Around here in Maryland, the word is if you use a radar detector and get stopped anyway, it is a "you played the game and you lost" attitude.
The troopers will show no mercy and not cut any slack in writing up the speed traveled.
The police know just where and how to pretty make any detector null and void. Generally the State is more interested in controlling traffic, but the locals will stop you pretty quick for most violations.

[benjamming]

Originally posted by billinaz
Never seen one that works.


http://www.speedzones.com/

[benjamming]

Originally posted by Inspector1
Check out this site for information............
http://www.radarbusters.com/support/product-tests/Default.asp?ovchn=OVR&ovcpn=overture&ovcrn=radar+detector+test&ovtac=PPC

I1:)

That appears to be a sales site. You have to be very weary of a sales site offering "independent" testing. But I didn't spend a lot of time on the site.

[billinaz]

Maybe I should clarify my post.

Of all the people that I gave "driving awards" to, none of their laser or radar detectors worked.

Ive seen many namae brands on the dash and visors of cars, and they all claimed to have spent alot on them.

[Inspector1]

Originally posted by benjamming
That appears to be a sales site. You have to be very weary of a sales site offering "independent" testing. But I didn't spend a lot of time on the site.

check this out........from their site.....
http://www.radarbusters.com/support/speedlabs-2004/Default.asp

They show the same test???


I guess if you only sell videos and calendars that makes you impartial??:scratch:

I1;)

[OwAce]

so i always wondered this, why are radar detectors legal in some states.

if we go by the premise that they prevent you from being caught (which from billinaz posts and testimony doesnt seem to happen)
then the state gathers no revenue, people drive faster, blah blah blha bad things happen, only good thing people get where they want to faster.

now if we assume that people drive faster, and they cant avoid getting caught then states get more revenue, and presto i think i know why they are legal in some states and illegal in others.

now just give me some of your thought,

like i said earlier ive lost braincells, so who knwos what im thinking

[billinaz]

There are only 2 or 3 states that I know of that enacted local ordinaces against radar detectors....

Who knows why, maybe they think it gives the driver an incentive to speed?

[benjamming]

Virginia, Washington DC, all military installations, and all commercial vehicles are the locations that I'm aware of where a radar detector is illegal. It seems there are some local spots that may have banned them as well. A few states have banned laser jammers as well I believe, but I don't think it has been tested through the courts yet.

[benjamming]

Originally posted by Inspector1
check this out........from their site.....
http://www.radarbusters.com/support/speedlabs-2004/Default.asp

They show the same test???


I guess if you only sell videos and calendars that makes you impartial??:scratch:

I1;)

Like I said I didn't spend a lot of time on their site. I still stand my post saying that sales sites make me leary. I didn't say it was bad, just makes me leary. In other words, go through it with a fine tooth comb & verify everything they claim. :cool:

[RTexasF]

The new Escort seems to have taken a strong lead with a Bel model just behind it. Escort did buy Bel and have taken it to new heights as opposed to where they were. I visited three radar test sites and they all picked the new Escort as the leader. That would be my choice were I in the market.

I used to be a solid Valentine fan but it's just not keeping up with the pack.

I still have the old style Escort cordless. It has saved me a few times but I consider it just above having no detector at all....it ain't too swift.

[benjamming]

Originally posted by RTexasF
The new Escort seems to have taken a strong lead with a Bel model just behind it. Escort did buy Bel and have taken it to new heights as opposed to where they were. I visited three radar test sites and they all picked the new Escort as the leader. That would be my choice were I in the market.

I used to be a solid Valentine fan but it's just not keeping up with the pack.


I am beginning to agree with you on all counts. I like the arrows the V1 offers, but they still haven't upgraded to detect POP3. Their excuse is that the police can't use it in court, but it tells me that one is sitting out there! Major mistake by Mike.

When we build our house my wife will be 30 miles from work (she's 2 miles now). She'll need a new radar detector, so I'll probably give her mine, & buy an Escort X50.

[franklin]

I had always thought that the radar detecter picked up the signal from cops cars making it aware that they were in the area, but then again what do i know?

[Shumax]

They are pretty useless here.

I use Laser alot, and since they beamwith is so small, the detectors never go off. The beam never gets above the level of the hood, so no signal.

For the radar, we switch it on and it gets the speeds instantly, so when you realize its there, too late.


Laser is as you described it, but let's add more detail. Because it's such a small beam, you are forced to be rather close to the target in order to be effective.

As an example, if the target is 500ft. away, it's easier to hit them than if they are 1000ft. You have to hold the gun extremely still in order to get a reading. If they are 1000ft. away, it's near impossible to lock in a reading. If they are 500ft. away, it's easier. My distances may be off, but the point is very valid----laser requires the partol officer to be MUCH closer to the target.

So, going on that theory, you have to be able to see them coming. Hitting them as they crest a hill is tough, if not impossible. 500ft? I can see a patrol car 500ft. away. When they get you is if you are coming around a corner, they are out of their car with the laser gun drawn and sitting on the window frame to keep it still. Sounds like an ambush to me.

Radar? Sure, instant-on or "pulse" is tough. However, it's a wider wave and really fills the air with waves that the V1 or Passport 8500 can pick up at considerable distance. Starts as a faint chirp and then if the patrol officer continues to "pulse" tragets in front, or rear of you, it gets more intense as you get closer to the patrol officer. Direct hit with instant-on, or pulse? Forget it. The officer has you. Again, he has to be close enough to see you to do that, so you should be able to see him with enough time to slow down. Keep in mind that if you crest a hill and he's in the middle, all he has to do is swallow the coffee and hit the switch on the radar. No real steady aiming, etc.

Those are perfect situations. Reality is that we all aren't looking for patrol officers. With laser, they end up so close to you when the fire to obtain a reading that it's silly if you don't see them. Radar isn't the same as they can lock you in much further out than 1000ft.

I've used many Cincinnati Microwave/Escort products. I switched to Valentine One when Mike Valentine left Cincinnati Microwave in the late 80's. I've had one speeding ticket in the last 5-years with the V1. It was an ambush event where I came around a corner and the officer was about spread out over his hood to steady his laser gun. Hit me and then 100ft. past him was another patrol car that waived me over. I thought patrol officers never ambush? :dunno:

Anyway, I deserved it as I was going 75 in a 60 in an area that I shouldn't have been going that fast----too much traffic.

Moral of the story? The V1 or the Passport 8500 X50 are the only choices to consider. Even then, you have to be smart. If you're going to go 100mph, don't buy a radar detector, buy a good life insurance policy. If you plan to move with traffic and not stick out in the pack, they'll keep you out of trouble when others aren't able to.

Shumax

[Shumax]

I am beginning to agree with you on all counts. I like the arrows the V1 offers, but they still haven't upgraded to detect POP3. Their excuse is that the police can't use it in court, but it tells me that one is sitting out there! Major mistake by Mike.

When we build our house my wife will be 30 miles from work (she's 2 miles now). She'll need a new radar detector, so I'll probably give her mine, & buy an Escort X50.


You are misinformed. I just had my V1 upgraded with the POP technology.

Cincinnati Microwave/Escort is missing the boat. You have to buy a new $300 unit every couple of years to be current. Mike just upgrades it for $75.

I've used both the X50 and the V1 with the upgraded POP. The V1 is great. The X50 drives me nuts as I can't tell where the source is coming from. BEEP----great. Is it behind me, to the side, in front? I react differently in each situation.

[billinaz]

Yes, you have to hold the laser steady to get a target at 1000 ft, but Ive done it. At that distance, beamwidth is 3 1/2 square feet...

Im in an unmarked car......... so close in isnt a problem!

[Shumax]

Yes, you have to hold the laser steady to get a target at 1000 ft, but Ive done it. At that distance, beamwidth is 3 1/2 square feet...

Im in an unmarked car......... so close in isnt a problem!

Marked/unmarked shouldn't really matter. You still have to be stationary when you shoot. If you're stationary, I'll likely see you 1000ft. away as it's probable that you'll be sitting in the median, on the side of the road, etc. It's not like radar where you can be moving. Unless I am missing something?

[billinaz]

Yes. If you are driving down a road are you going to stop at every car you see?

One of my favorite spots is a hotel parking lot exit. Looks like just another car getting ready to pull out.......

We have also had someone standing with a laser and no car in sight... however the motorcycles sitting down the road a little are more than happy to greet you.....

[Tink]

occasional speeder. I drive around 40,000 miles per year and am sometimes in a hurry. Now that I've bought a HAH, I'll probably speed even less trying to obtain great mileage. However...

I have gotten tickes with my detector. AND, I've avoided several as well. In addition, when I haven't intended to speed, but it's crept up, it has alerted me to the need to pay attention, too.

It's not fool-proof, but certainly worth the money.
Tink

[Shumax]

Yes. If you are driving down a road are you going to stop at every car you see? No. But I'll slow down as I'll be able to see them at 1,000ft.


The rest of what you describe sounds like an ambush. Exactly the thing that any good patrol officer will tell you they never do.

[mrjtree]

so i always wondered this, why are radar detectors legal in some states.

if we go by the premise that they prevent you from being caught (which from billinaz posts and testimony doesnt seem to happen)
then the state gathers no revenue, people drive faster, blah blah blha bad things happen, only good thing people get where they want to faster.

now if we assume that people drive faster, and they cant avoid getting caught then states get more revenue, and presto i think i know why they are legal in some states and illegal in others.

now just give me some of your thought,

like i said earlier ive lost braincells, so who knwos what im thinking


I had the same question way back when (in the old days of 1985) when I bought my first Escort housed in a metal case. For those of us "lucky enough" to drive back then experienced driving without the existence of instant-on or laser radar. The Escort would go off in plenty of time to slow down.

Anyhow, I recall reading somewhere that radar detectors are justified on the premise that people are allowed to "monitor" or listen to the air waves. Think of it as a radio for certain stations or frequencies. Having said that, I couldn't tell you on what grounds the jurisdictions justify banning their use. According to the Escort website (http://www.escortradar.com/radar-detector-faq.htm#q2) and one other (http://www.afn.org/~afn09444/scanlaws/radar4.html), radar detectors are legal for use in non-commercial vehicles in all states except VA and DC. Minnesota takes a back door approach by banning things hanging from the windsheilds (see second website link).

Currently, I do not use a radar detector, but if I were to buy one I'd stick with an Escort/Passport. For now, I just try not to be the fastest one on the road and travel in a group of cars in the left lane (preferably not the first car). Also rely on "get out of jail free" cards from my friends who are police officers.

[billinaz]

No. But I'll slow down as I'll be able to see them at 1,000ft.


The rest of what you describe sounds like an ambush. Exactly the thing that any good patrol officer will tell you they never do.


OK, so then you must not need a radar detector if you are not speeding with another car in sight... or you drive in a desolate area.

I see you must have a very negative opinion of the police. Ambush is one heck of an accusation. Observing how people drive without the presence of a marked patrol car is not "ambushing" anyone. Do you expect the officers to sit in the middle of the road with all their lights on and a noisy X band radar scattering a radar beam to let you know they are there?

Please let me know how you arrive at what any good patrol officer would or would not do. Is this your opinion?... Must be, because what I described is SOP everywhere.

And patrol officers are not traffic officers,,,,, different missions.....

[Shumax]

OK, so then you must not need a radar detector if you are not speeding with another car in sight... or you drive in a desolate area.

I see you must have a very negative opinion of the police. Ambush is one heck of an accusation. Observing how people drive without the presence of a marked patrol car is not "ambushing" anyone. Do you expect the officers to sit in the middle of the road with all their lights on and a noisy X band radar scattering a radar beam to let you know they are there?

Please let me know how you arrive at what any good patrol officer would or would not do. Is this your opinion?... Must be, because what I described is SOP everywhere.

And patrol officers are not traffic officers,,,,, different missions.....

You sir, are way too uptight. Try relaxing and not reading into things so much.

[billinaz]

Not uptight, responding to the accusations.


1.)The rest of what you describe sounds like an ambush.

Ambush?... no doing a job.


2.)Exactly the thing that any good patrol officer will tell you they never do.


Let me know what you do for a living so that I can tell you what you are doing wrong. This is even though one may have no clue as to what they are talking about.

[Shumax]

Not uptight, responding to the accusations.


1.)The rest of what you describe sounds like an ambush.

Ambush?... no doing a job.


2.)Exactly the thing that any good patrol officer will tell you they never do.


Let me know what you do for a living so that I can tell you what you are doing wrong. This is even though one may have no clue as to what they are talking about.

Again, you have your pants in a wad. You're taking it as a character attack for no reason at all. Try relaxing and growing up a bit. It'll build character...trust me.

[Tink]

"The rest of what you describe sounds like an ambush. Exactly the thing that any good patrol officer will tell you they never do" sounds like a character attack to me. I think the officer has kept himself in check much more than Shumax.

I speed. I use a radar detector. I hope not to get caught. But if I do, I understand I was outside the law and if the officer caught me while hiding behind a billboard, it wasn't his fault; it was mine. His job is to enforce the law. Slamming someone for enforcing the law because they weren't advertising their presence is ludicrous.

Billinaz, I hope you never have the opportunity to "stop" me, but if you do or don't, thanks for the job you do.

Tink


Again, you have your pants in a wad. You're taking it as a character attack for no reason at all. Try relaxing and growing up a bit. It'll build character...trust me.

p.s.
I think the character is evident. Something about a pot and a kettle and both being black comes to mind.

[Shumax]

"The rest of what you describe sounds like an ambush. Exactly the thing that any good patrol officer will tell you they never do" sounds like a character attack to me. I think the officer has kept himself in check much more than Shumax.

I speed. I use a radar detector. I hope not to get caught. But if I do, I understand I was outside the law and if the officer caught me while hiding behind a billboard, it wasn't his fault; it was mine. His job is to enforce the law. Slamming someone for enforcing the law because they weren't advertising their presence is ludicrous.

Billinaz, I hope you never have the opportunity to "stop" me, but if you do or don't, thanks for the job you do.

Tink




p.s.
I think the character is evident. Something about a pot and a kettle and both being black comes to mind.


You see, folks, what you don't get is that the message wasn't meant to be personal. If you're offended by someone's opinion, tough. That's life. I don't care to debate an opinion. Your's isn't right or wrong and neither is mine.

Do I deserve a ticket if I'm speeding? We'll obviously! Do I try to avoid it? You damn well better believe it.

So, try not to let a silly posting board ruin your day and just relax. :wave:

[billinaz]

Do I have a negative feeling about your opinion of speed... nope. If YOU choose to drive a certain way, then you obviously make that choice. I made no references to your choices. It basically comes down to a game of cat and mouse. Some use electronic means as a way of not getting nailed for speeding. Do I care?..nope. Its almost like a game.... I dont care one bit if someone wants to use a radar detector.

A city here recently put officers in a bucket truck (the one that raises a worker up to a power line) and they used laser on traffic and other officers stopped them and issued the tickets.

They have airplanes that use speed measurements (time/distance) and other officers stop the cars.

There are red light cameras, speed cameras that sit by the road and take your photo... other officers give you the ticket later (we have 60 days to issue a civil ticket)

Kind of a cat and mouse game huh?... Am I offended by that... nope. I play the game just from another angle. Would I have caught the guy doing 103 in a 40 MPH zone through a very heavy residential and commercial area? Probably not if he spotted a big marked car sitting by the side of the road.

I take my job seriously, and have given something most people who work a M-F 9 to 5 job dont usually think about. Ive missed holidays, weekends, birthdays (Christmas!) with my kids because I had to WORK. Getting called in the middle of the night to go investigate a fatal accident is not something most people have to do. Wanna guess what causes these? What was I doing? Trying to stop people from doing dumb things on the road that endanger everyone else. Working screwey hours looking for the drunks who kill and injure people each year. I even had my police car rear ended by one drunk (who had no license from a previous DUI) while I was dealing with another drunk I had stopped.

The whole idea is to get someones USUAL driving pattern not the way they drive past a big marked police car with a lightbar, etc on it.

Ive had conversations with people about their radar/lidar detectors and so far not a single person I stopped with a lidar detector had it go off. I brought the laser to their car and show them it really does work... but thanks to the small beamwith their detector did not go off.


You however chose to go outside the relm of civil postings and took a cheap shot. Your accusation that I somehow am doing something that I should not be doing is insulting.

That is the only part of your post that I found insulting. Your opinions are OK with me... until they attack someone.

If you look at others opinion of your post, then Im sure you will agree that you made the offending statement.

Assume your job profession was as an accountant. If I posted that you were doing things the way that they teach any good accountant not to do it... does that not sound like Im making a character attack into your accounting practices?


POT: Try relaxing and growing up a bit.

Good advice, hopefully you take it.

[princess]

First, "radar detectors" are known to be a waste of money by many kinds of law enforcement agencies. Having had friends & family in the "cop" business, they have said this to me several times over the years. I'm sure some do work better than others though. I've never bothered to buy one. AND have never got a ticket.

People & machines make mistakes, I was sitting still ready to move out of a driveway. Close by was one of those trailers with the speed zapper...to let you know your speed at the time. I was the ONLY car..... it claimed I was going 40mph. Maybe the belts were, but I wasn't!

Logically in any traffic court they're going to believe a machine over a person... machines always tell the truth according to the info given them. That doesn't mean they're always right, but they don't CHOOSE to tell it any differently.

Secondly, "laying in wait" is not an AMBUSH! According to statistics speed kills. That ticket you or your buddy got, may save your life or that of your loved one! This is coming from a speeder. If I get a ticket it will be deserved even if I'm not speeding at the time! I have got away with it plenty of times!! So even IF I was caught in a "speed trap", who cares. Usually the point to having one cop zap & another chase & write is for safety & it's just easier that way!

Third, I agree with Tink! The various forms of "cops" out there are a blessing to the rest of us. Yeah, it's a pain to get caught, but they really are on our side! If you don't want a ticket, don't speed. Relying on a detector may not work! Are there some with an attitude? You betcha! But the vast majority are doing their job, just as the rest of us. A bad experience or two shouldn't make you believe the whole bunch is bad.

Fourth, we DO all have a right to our opinions, we DON'T have the right to be disrespectful to others for their's. So maybe it's all in the wording..... Isn't the whole point of a forum to share a variety of opinions? So when we don't agree on the opinion, let's agree to be nice! :)

[Shumax]

You however chose to go outside the relm of civil postings and took a cheap shot. Your accusation that I somehow am doing something that I should not be doing is insulting.

That is the only part of your post that I found insulting. Your opinions are OK with me... until they attack someone.


There in lies your problem, billinaz. It wasn't a "cheap shot". It wasn't even meant to be insulting, that is, until you received it that way.

I can't control how you receive something. I've said it at least three times that I am not trying to beat up on you. I respect what you do; I have family that does what you do. Some of them agree with me, some don't. That's fine. I just don't choose to take it as an attack. Again, it's an opinion and one that not only I believe in, but they do, too. If you don't like it, ignore it. It's that simple, billinaz.

I think what you do is fine. Nothing against you. So leave it be.

[benjamming]

You are misinformed. I just had my V1 upgraded with the POP technology.

Cincinnati Microwave/Escort is missing the boat. You have to buy a new $300 unit every couple of years to be current. Mike just upgrades it for $75.

I've used both the X50 and the V1 with the upgraded POP. The V1 is great. The X50 drives me nuts as I can't tell where the source is coming from. BEEP----great. Is it behind me, to the side, in front? I react differently in each situation.

I am not misinformed, but my information was outdated. The last time I checked the website for an upgrade was the 1st week in January. I typically check the V1 website every 3 months. V1 is indeed now upgradeable to POP mode. However, their website says they are cautious about recommending me to upgrade to the latest & only do the upgrade if you believe police in my area are using the POP mode.

[stevel]

I installed on of these for a customer about a year ago, and he swears that it has saved him many times. for about $1500 it better have. it has "laser shifters"?????? passport srx (http://www.passportsr1.com/srx.htm)

[billinaz]

Effective Communication = when the message transmitted is the same as the message recieved.

When I saw your message

" Exactly the thing that any good patrol officer will tell you they never do"

I interpreted that as a personal insult.

What was one to think from that type of comment?

[stevel]

billinaz... I agree, I would have taken offence also, absolutely, but it is the internet. best forum out there, but missunderandings area way too easy.

bottom line, don't speed, no prob. :) if you insist on driving fast, do it on a track in an autocross club. it isn't that expensive, and it's safe and legal. :)

[billinaz]

Yea, i know. A little editing of a post retroactively would have cleared it up....

[snakehair]

My son has been a Maryland State Trooper for about 15 years. He believes that if you use a detector and want to "play the game", you have no complaint if you lose. And if you are caught with a detector, you will get less mercy than someone that just slipped over the limit. He and others here do not stop drivers just over the limit. You need to be going pretty fast to get stopped. I know I am much more concerned with him being run over during a traffic stop than shot or stabbed by bad guys (and he did 2 years undercover drug Task Force). Speed too fast for conditions is dangerous. Flaunt the law, make up your own, and try to evade, then don't whine if caught, even by "ambush". Billinaz is correct. These guys risk their lives and are out there 24/7 to not only enforce the law, but aid travelers as well. Sounds like someone is trying to justify the cost of their toys.

[Shumax]

Billinaz is correct. These guys risk their lives and are out there 24/7 to not only enforce the law, but aid travelers as well.

That's a good point, one that I don't think anyone has challenged.

Sounds like someone is trying to justify the cost of their toys. You've got to be kidding me, right? There's no need to justify anything.

In my case, I maintain an even 10mph over the HIGHWAY posted limits. I don't speed in town as I don't see the point and find it to be unsafe---traffic lights, more people, intersections, etc. If I get caught on the HIGHWAY, fine. I understand that the law says 65mph. 75mph is breaking the law. Understood. I chose to use a detector to reduce my chances of being caught. I'm not crazy about my speed---going 100mph, etc. I know that there are far worse offenders (80+mph) out there that will be taken aside before I will.

Happy motoring/detecting and patroling. :thmsup:

[EXLNavi]

Just like to add - that while safety is supposed to be the primary concern, state and local gov'ts are using enforcement of the law as revenue generators. In New Jersey when they were first instituting E-Z pass, they said that it would be paid for with fines! Don't even get me started with parking and moving violation fines here in NYC, a major source of revenue for the city.

I agree that it is stupid and dangerous for people to be excessively speeding regularly on the highway though. But it isn't all about safety.

[billinaz]

Personally, most of those I actually stop are at 15 or more over......

[Shumax]

Personally, most of those I actually stop are at 15 or more over......


Excellent. Then I have a Valentine 1 for sale that was JUST upgraded. :D

[EXLNavi]

Personally, most of those I actually stop are at 15 or more over......


15MPH over would qualify as reckless driving in many places and it is completely expected that someone should get ticketed for that. But also understand that I'm not against law enforcement officers doing their jobs. I am against politicians engineering the enforcement of the law and sometimes the laws themselves to generate revenue.

[benjamming]

Off topic!

Shumax,

I have thought about getting my V1 upgraded to POP mode. It's $61.50 with S&H. Is it worth it in your opinion? V1 website indirectly states that I may get more false alarms b/c of cheap (read poorly designed) detectors that will cause it to go off in the POP mode. Any problems with that for you? Do you have more false alarms now?

[Shumax]

Off topic!

Shumax,

I have thought about getting my V1 upgraded to POP mode. It's $61.50 with S&H. Is it worth it in your opinion? V1 website indirectly states that I may get more false alarms b/c of cheap (read poorly designed) detectors that will cause it to go off in the POP mode. Any problems with that for you? Do you have more false alarms now?

Let me put it to you this way. I lived in Cleveland, Ohio but took a new job that required training in Cincinnati, Ohio. I was about 3 miles from V1 and 7 miles from Escort. In that time after I had the V1 updated, I drove to Cleveland from Cincinnati and from Cincinnati to Chicago where I will ultimately live---do so now. I put about 7,000 miles on my car in about 1.5 months with the POP mode added to my V1. I've yet to have it false under POP mode. Mike Valentine did add a feature that displays a "J" when a false signal is received, identified and then jammed. I've seen that a few times, but not that many.

What I did notice is that it's now MUCH more sensitive to laser. Cars like the Trailblazer that had the high intensity 3rd brake light made it go off once in a blue moon. Now it goes off frequently when I am DIRECTLY behind them. I also had a case where I detected stray laser beams nearly .25-.35 mile out. Maybe it was a fluke? I don't know. I'll take a stray "FALSE" on laser any day for increased sensitivity.

Hope that helps!

[lilduke99]

an Escort and a V1. I have relatives in Western NY and I live in Chicago, so I do quite a bit of driving. I have to say that before my V1 got stolen I noticed that it did not pick up 60-70% of the speed traps and whatnot in Indiana and Ohio. They are pretty elaborate and go all out along there for good reason. I've seen some really nasty accidents all too many times. One of my friends got nailed with the V1 in Wisconsin, but I can't tell you much about it because I myself don't believe his story. With the Escort I have not gotten nailed yet (knock on wood :notworthy ) but I have been noticing lately that it is not picking up the IL State Police and the DuPage County Sheriffs here in IL. From what I've heard it's a different band they are using and I need to get another radar or have it reprogramed. The Escort will be 1 yr old next week. I didn't buy the radar detectors because I drive 100 mph all the time. My mom (who is close to 60) got pulled over in Ohio in a Buick rental car just on 1-480 in Cleveland going 63mph (yes the ticket and her spedometer said the same thing) in a 60mph. She was getting passed by most of the traffic, but happened to be the unlucky duck that got zapped with the laser. $175 to the good state of OH. I also hate being in traffic when all the idiots see a police officer somewhere and slam on the brakes. I think the radar detector keeps me sharp and in line, especially on long drives. It's very easy - and human to zone out while driving and look down to see your actually going much faster. And for the cruise control fanatics- it's a great tool, but not realistic when you are sharing the roads with semi's and other crazy drivers. If you rely on cruise control, you should hire a driver or just take a limo.

Overall, I like the Escort. I really don't care where the Police are or what they are up to, I just want to know that they are there. Thus the abscence of the arrow doesn't make much difference to me. My only complaint about the Escort is that every once in awhile when I drive by O'Hare and a large plane is overhead, the Lasar Signal (And it is loud and bright!! :nuts: ) goes off, even if I am sitting in traffic not moving anywhere.

It is what it is. They won't keep you from getting a ticket and they won't make you get a ticket. It's all personal preference. Think about it though - if you are going to get pulled over, you are going to get pulled over regardless of whether or not you have a radar dector.

As far as police go - well I know quite a few of them and while they are pretty hypocritical of me having a radar dector (and one drives an SVT Lightning - not your lazy, slow mom and pop touring buick) it's their job and catching some of the morons on the road does help somewhere along the line.
:thmsup: why can't we all just be friends? :thmsup:

[bagbklyn]

The main reason I brought a valentine was because I had a a cheap $40 whistler 1670, I was on a highway clearview expresway in NY(I-295). My whistler was working perfectly, as soon as I told my girlfriend look on the northbound side there is the cop giving the guy a ticket that is why my radar was going off, turns out there was another cop directly opposite to him on the southbound side with his radar on and he got me for doing 64 in a 55mph zone. The point of this story for me was the only reason I brought valentine was to know if there was more then 1 radar out there. Since valenitne was the only one in the market providing this feature.

[parkgt]

I will be picking up my new 2005 EX-L Nav this week and was wondering about the possibility of doing a hard install of a V1 with remote.

I have done this with about a half a dozen cars and trucks in the past, but wonder how to do this in the Accord.

Has anyone done this?
Where did you put the remote?
Where did you get the power?
How did you get the phone line from down below up to the center of the windshield. The curtain air bags have me worried!

Thanks for any input.