First off, do they actually work? By the time it goes off haven't they already got you? Or does it detect the signal when the cop is shooting cars near you? What about ones you can install in the bumper - are they any good? Are there radar detectors that disable/scramble the gun for a short period of time so that you can low down?
What's everybodys recomendation as far as make/model? Are there any that offer to pay any tickets you get while using their project (any loop holes/conditions the manufacturer uses to avoid paying your tickets)?

 

Do they work? READ HERE http://www.howstuffworks.com/radar-detector.htmWhich to buy, READ HERE https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ighlight=radar
and you will get 66 answers

Scrambling the signals? That will get you to jail. Illegal.

 

They are no excuse to go and break the law outright, you can be caught speeding many different ways other than radar and LIDAR. A decent model, used properly and reguarly in the same general geographic area will be effective 90+% of the time. They are really god at preventing someone who is slighty (5-10) over because they're watching the road not their guage from getting a ticket, but if your hauling ___ then you can expect to see some flashing lights. Also they are much more effective when in a pack or following a speeder by 1/4 mile or so, the instant on will get you almost every time. Cops say they're a waste of money, those who have can say they've payed for themselves many times over. I had one but stopped using it about three months ago because no ddept. in my area uses radar reguarly they all do time b/w points and pacing to get speed. Thing I liked about it most was you knew before the corner if a cop had someone pulled over and could adjust your lane accordingly before you where right on top of him. It also caused me to pull over before a cop came speeding by a night w/ no lights at all left his radar on the signal spiked I slowed and went right just before he came by blacked out at night doing 90 in a 35, it saved both our lives cause if I stayed where I was he would have plowed into my rear end.

 

I've a Valentine 1 that I got with a car I bought 5 years ago and love it. As 5 years is a long time (it was already an old model as the car was a '93), they did have an upgrade program too where they take your old unit back and sell you a new model at a modest cost (about 50%) of new. I like an upgrade path although radar isn't something that really changes much. My unit didn't do some of the laser units that got put into service so I upgraded. They are pricey units but do not false (much) and give information you can rely on. If mine goes off, I slow down and always wind up spotting the source - usually a two toned car! These really do work.

My install is very stealth too and DIY took about an hour. The main unit sits out of my line of sight behind the rear view mirror as the little window that detects rear radar is on the far right of the unit so it has a clear view of the rear but I can't see it (nor anyone else as it blends as if part of the rear view mirror). That windscreen is small enough as it is.

I used their remote device (about 40 additional dollars) which give me the visual information you need. It fits very nicely right under the switches and almost has a built in look. Then I ran the wire up to the unit over the glove box, up the A pillar and between the headliner and roof to the main unit. One wire and simple. The power is supplied by the cigarette lighter so it turns on and off with the ignition.

Check 'em out... they work just great!

 

do they actually work? well.. yes. they do work. the only problem is is that some cops dont have it on all of the time. they flick it on. (im talking radar, not laser) you will be driving along on a straight road and then bam.. beep beep beep beep. too late! he got you. he is one of the cops that i cant stand "the flicker" now it works great if the cop is just sitting there with the radar constantly on, you will pick it up from a mile away (as well as automatic doors from walmart) personally, i feel naked without one. they are completely useless to laser. the thing i like about it, is that it lets you know when the gig is up, time to make a choice. my recomendation. get it. i installed mine right above the speedometer. get some sticky velcro and line up the wire hole to the dash. about 4 inches in from the edge i drilled a small 1/8" hole into the dash. it will miss all the guages. i had to splice cut the wire tape it to a hanger and run it down the hole. it will come out on top of the bottom tray under the window switches. now you can splice it back together and plug it into the cig lighter. looks great, you would think its wireless.

 

Escort 8500, saved my life several times

 

I would have to vouch for the Escort 8500! Great unit! Drive within reason and obey the law!

Garrett

 

Valentine V1... enough said.


As mentioned above, LIDAR, is a pain. I think the V1 is the only one that detects it...

 

I used to have one, but was ripped off (two times). Been naked for several years, don't miss it. The smart cops don't keep the radar on.

 

Yes they do work, unless you have the on/off cop like the other poster said-- the flicker!! Now when it comes to laser there is a great solution. Having been a police officer and my whole family is cops i did the research and the fine if cought with this, Its called a Blinder laser jamer!! I have tested with my family and it does work, it give you that 3-4 second the get your speed down and turn it off before it raises the cops eyebrow. it has saved my 3 times for sure, I also use the V-1 and between the two it lets me know when i have been painted with a laser and gives me time to slow down and turn it off, it all happens so fast but the blinder will give 100% protection up to 300 feet away. but by then you are right on top of them so you should see them by then. Now the fine for this unit is diffrent laser/ light is regulated by the food and drug admin. so the fine is like getting a speeding ticket and they have to prove that you were using at the time of the speeding. Now Radar is radio freq so its regualted by the FCC so it a federal crime to jam and radio freq.

 

AMEN BROTHER!!!!!!!!!!!

 

federal crime.. damn. i didnt know that.

 

The biggest Myth about radar detectors for the uninitiated is that in metropolitan areas, the detector isn't used to point out radar. It's used to point out the DIFFERENCE in areas.

I will get to that in a moment. When you drive through the countryside, if your radar picks up a signal, its like from 1 of 3 places.

1.) Someone elses cheap radar detector that "leaks"
2.) Highway warnings used to caution you--that I've never experienced, but have read about it.
3.) From a real cop hiding somewhere.

In the City, there are many sources of false alarms. These false alarms are caused by machines that use radar as well. This includes security alarms, door opening mechanisms for garages as well as from grocery stores. For city driving. When the radar goes off, with anything other than a Valentine, you might choose to ignore it since you know it always goes off in that location. But it's possible that one day a cop will position himself in that same area, knowing that your radar detector will go off, and you will ignore it.

Valentine detectors count the number of signals present AND points the location. With automatic doors, they come in pairs for sensing going in and going out. So when you pass by a large store, when you see, 2 or 4 bogies "radar sources" you know what it is. But if you see "3 or 5" sources, it's time to pay attention cause something is different. On this day there is an extra unaccounted for source, and it may very well be a cop.

That's why testing out a radar detector has to be done for a long period of time over the same path of travel, so you can really test it out on how well it warns you.

Here in Los Angeles, the laser warning is pretty much useless, because everything triggers it, and it's really annoying.

 

So is it a moving violation for using the laser jammerr. I thought they were completely legal in most states. I live in FL.
I have a BEL rx65, it works great my dad has a bel express 935 and it also works great and is alot cheaper. It doesn't have some of the cool features the rx65 has but performance/dollar really is great.

 

Royce? Not the same Royce I met at MOTD05?

To answer your question...yes and stick with V1 Best investment you'll ever purchase for your car...

 

I've had two cheap radar detectors and a Valentine One. One of the cheapies got stolen, I still have the other, and I sold the V1. Around here the highway patrol (as well as many city cops) primarily use laser for speed enforcement on the freeway. I've personally been nailed for speeding three times with a radar/laser detector on. Twice with laser, and once with instant on radar (no other cars around). All three times the detectors went off to tell me "you just got busted". Even the V1 won't protect you much from laser.

I still drive 10-11 mph over the speed limit some of the time on freeways and major state routes, which is basically with the flow of traffic. On my Mini break in trip though, I got as high as 20-30 mph over the speed limit in some states down south. I've got a clean driving record now, I haven't had a ticket for 4 1/2 years (I used to average one every two years or so). I find that being very aware of my surroundings at all time and keeping my eyes peeled for the police is the most effective means to prevent tickets around here.

When I get my new Mustang GT later this year I may get another detector, since many of my tickets in the past were in Mustangs. If/when I get another detector, it will probably be another V1. The cordless Escort looks very tempting, but I haven't heard good things about them as compared to the good 12V powered detectors.

-Keith

 

pssss....don't tell anyone, but the radar detector is only as good as the nut behind the wheel I've been clean for over 15 years and have...well...nevermind

 

World’s Greatest… Radar Detectors

 

Oh, my other favorite misconception is that RADAR detectors do just that: detect RADAR. They do not detect LEOs! They're radio receivers, not ultra-sensitive noses that smell donut crumbs and stale coffee! :-)

 

Not sure exactly what you're trying to insinuate. I know numerous people who have had clean records for longer than you, but many of them drive the speed limit all the time, and.........how boring is that.

Do you even use a detector? With laser being used widely and some of the sneaky speedtraps they have around here, a detector doesn't always do any good no matter how good the "nut behind the wheel" is. Are you saying you can slow down in the time between when a cop hits you with lidar and the milliseconds it takes him to receive the signal? Amazing reflexes. Even more amazing brakes. Again, how do you defend against an instant-on radar trap with no other cars around? Do you drive the speed limit all the time? If so, good for you, if not, well, I guess we can't all be as perfect as you are

-Keith

 

I'm not insinuating anything...It's a matter of experience...with the area, road and awareness for the right time for everything...ie, not being in front of a speeding pack, keep yourself blocked from potential targeting point around curves, don't speed around blind corners, 5 second WOT rule (big power helps here) etc... If you know when to expect a radar trap, you don't need super reflexes. Yes...I would never be without my V1 anyway...

 

You can not be protected against radar with out a cord! Valentine One or nothing!

 

I've been using a Bel Air Vector 995 for about 8 months, and have saved my *** quite a few times. I'd love to have the Calibre, but I don't have a grand to dump for a fuzzbuster. I drive about 8 over everywhere, so I pretty much ignore it in the towns and only use it when moving on the highways/open back roads.

Nate
SteyrTMP

 

The laser jammer is not a moving violation, here in utah its a class c misdominor, not a big deal. its very hard for them to prove it was being used at the time of the ticket. It has single handly prevented me from two laser tickets. the V-1 and the Jammer alarms were going Nuts, as soon as I slow down and turn the jammer off, the officer gets a speed reading and then v-1 goes silent. It happens so fast that the office does not rasie his suspions about possible jamming. Its great

 

Any pics? Sounds very clean.