Radar detector tips/ suggestions?

[1995E]

I'm trying to get a decent/ top of the line radar detector for the best buck of about 300 max I'd pay for.

I've done some research but I want to know what radar detectors have worked for you guys. I want to find one that plugs into the rear view mirror since I have the electrochromatic mirror.

Any suggestions would be helpful like how to use one and stuff! I need it for a trip this summer.

Thanks!

 

[VinceL]

My suggestion is driving somewhere near the speed limit and saving yourself up to $300.00!

Kidding aside, I wonder what the total cost of speeding is in an Explorer? Increased gas consumption, speeding tickets, or radar detector and fewer speeding tickets, lol.

 

[ExploreThis2012]

I tend to agree with Vince. I have an Escort 8500 although I have heard good reviews of the Valentine product. I mounted my detector just to the right of the mirror. Looks clean and has good visibility front and rear.

However, that said, I recently got a ticket (my fault ) when the highway patrol clicked on his radar unit just as I rounded a bend and I didn't have time to slow down. The new Explorer is so quiet and I just didn't feel the speed like I did in my old SUV. $376.00 latter...

In addition, no detector will offer you much protection of laser radar.

I still use the Escort but I do not speed, just want to know where those Smokey's are.

 

[w1kedz]

Like ExploreThis2012 said, no detector will really protect you from Laser/Lidar, you would need some sort of obfuscation (usually a bumper engineered to absorb the laser, etc).

That being said, in California most of the Highway Patrol drive around with Ka turned on all the time. I use a 100$ iRadar (made by cobra, configurable by the iPhone/ipod touch) and I get roughly a 2 mile warning of either a cop jumping on the freeway behind me, or sitting on the side of the road in front. It has pretty good POP protection (instant on, like ExploreThis2012 said he got caught with), and has saved me a couple of times.

I've been argued with in the past about the quality of a 100$ radar detector vs. spending 400+ for one, but I swear by mine. I used wire taps to tap the harness where the map lights are for acc/ground, I didn't use the mirror tap that people here are talking about. Cost for wiring was roughly $1.34, I couldn't see spending the 25$ for the cable they are using.

If you need pics, let me know!

 

[w1kedz]

One additional note/question... does anyone reading this sometimes consider their radar detector a "Prius" detector? Whenever I get within a half mile of a prius on the freeway, the radar detector starts spitting out X, K, and Ka alerts randomly. I usually end up having to turn it off completely until either the Prius exits the freeway, or I do.

 

[ExploreThis2012]

One additional note/question... does anyone reading this sometimes consider their radar detector a "Prius" detector? Whenever I get within a half mile of a prius on the freeway, the radar detector starts spitting out X, K, and Ka alerts randomly. I usually end up having to turn it off completely until either the Prius exits the freeway, or I do.

Yes, my display says "Ugly car in vicinity" Just kidding. No, mine does not go off near the Prius. That may be the difference between $100 and $300 detectors.

 

[RocketNerd]

I use a Valentine 1 (V1) and have it mounted just above, and slightly to the left of the rear view mirror. I personally like have the unit mounted high so that it's harder to see for the people behind me.

As far as wiring, the V1 uses a standard telephone cord (RJ-11?). Since the X is the wife's, I opted not to wire tap. Instead, I ran the chord in the headliner, down through the front pillar, under the steering column dash, and up through the center console. If you look in the front aux ports, you can remove the bottom section and a small hole will give you access to run the wire directly to the accessory lighter. I personally like this option since I don't have to worry about splicing wires (although, I may change my mind in the future).

From a quality standpoint, Valentine 1 and Escort are some of the top line models. One feature I like about the V1 is the fact that it will detect location, and the number (i.e., front, rear, side). I've come across a few instances in which I picked up two hits, one DPS covering the opposite facing traffic and the other about a 1/4 mile ahead. Once I passed the first officer, my V1 picked up the second hiding underneath the overpass in front me.

Obviously, YMMV, but just another opinion. One more thing, I recently had some power issues with my V1 (it's about five years old), so I sent it in thinking I would have to pay a repair fee. Instead, I received it back in the mail a week later, no repair fee, and the unit was in perfect working condition.

 

[1995E]

I checked the reviews and the Valentine 1 radar detector seems really good. How much and where did you get yours?

 

[RocketNerd]

I don't remember how much I paid for my V1, but I purchased it direct from Valentine.

 

[travishamockery]

I don't remember how much I paid for my V1, but I purchased it direct from Valentine.

I have one too. I'm pretty sure it's $400 new and only sold by Valentine 1. That being said, you can find them used now and then on forums for $300.

I love mine, have power tapped from the rear mirror using an adapter.

 

[vurb]

Assuming we're talking buying new, the Passport 8500 X50 Black with Red Display ($300) is the best radar you're going to get under $300. Or for $339 you can get it with the SmartCord Live, which will connect the radar to your iphone/android via bluetooth for radar social networking and GPS functionality.

This radar can be easily plugged in to the back of your mirror with no cutting or splicing by using a Stealth Cord for an Infiniti G35/G37 (has the smaller probes which are needed in the back of the Explorer mirror). See this link to order: http://www.stealthcords.com/shop/product.php?productid=16164&cat=279&page=1

 

[Alan in AZ]

I have both Escort 8500 x50 and Valentine 1 (different cars) both are good - you do get what you pay for.

Mount them high to the screen for best results. I think the only way to do this is to hardwire to an accessory or ignition switched line. Both have RJ11 plugs and thin cable that can be routed through the headliner and down the A pillar - then routed to the fuse panel - use an "add-a-fuse" plug in tap - no vehicle wiring changes.

This ensures the detector is always on when you are driving and that is is always off when parked - if you use it every day this is important (you will forget!!).

Alan

 

[ExploreThis2012]

You can tap right into the 12+ wire going to the mirror. This is switched with ignition so that you don't have to run a 12v+ wire all the way back to the fuse block.

However, that said, (I have learned the painful $$ way) just remember there is no protection from radar detectors for instant on Ka band and Lidar used by many agencies.

I use mine to try and even the odds, but have slowed down in recent months!

Actual jammer in the works along with a mod to the software of MFT.

 

[Snoopyto]

You will find in SE, most LEO will use laser or aircraft on the highways. Most radars are so yesterday. There really is no good defense or alert on Laser. Due to some having a shorter lock on distance, the ability of the detector to see it further out is reduced since the officer is using it closer in.

Honestly, I have found your better off to not even have the detector as most consider it evidence of intent to speed thus, they are more adept to write that ticket. But again my own experience.

 

[harlenm]

You will find in SE, most LEO will use laser or aircraft on the highways. Most radars are so yesterday. There really is no good defense or alert on Laser. Due to some having a shorter lock on distance, the ability of the detector to see it further out is reduced since the officer is using it closer in.

Honestly, I have found your better off to not even have the detector as most consider it evidence of intent to speed thus, they are more adept to write that ticket. But again my own experience.

That's complete BS. I was in Florida for 3 weeks, and the day I left to drive home I saw 2 Osceola Sheriff's running radar and 2 Florida State Troopers running radar on I-4.

And the reason why Laser isn't detected is because the beam width of IR is only a few feet at several hundred yards, while radar's beam is hundreds of feet at the same distance.

Edit, one more thing. Laser will never replace radar since radar can be used autonomously, while Laser requires active participation.

 

[Snoopyto]

The question is were they standing still or moving. Some will use radar while moving but majority find their parking area and use Laser. Not saying that radar is totally obsolete, just that it is not used as predominately as it used to be; since laser is more readily available. This a little more true in North Florida as vice South Florida. Also the cost of a laser unit is now similiar in price to a radar if not cheaper. Some has said the Laser Atlanta as vice the Kustom Lasers will not acquire a vehicle as far out as others, thus the beam is as readily visibile to vehicles further down the road. Most municipalities go with low bidder, so Laser Atlanta has a wider saturation than Kustom

Harlenn: I agree with you. But my point is the detector looks for beam. Thus if the officer is not illuminating objects further down the road, the likelihood of the unit detecting it is decreased because the distance is not there. Better laser with longer lock distance = vehicles being checked for speed further down the road = increased chance of detector picking up beam. also usage also can be determined as to how easily statue looks at reliability of radar as vice laser by jurisdiction and by local courts.

 

[briteboy]

I've had an Escort (high end) and Cobra (low end).

But I've discovered in my old age that if you speed "smartly", you can use the cheap one and get great results.

My strategy is to be the SECOND fastest car on the road. Let the guy with absolutely no patience "ride point", and about 1/4 - 1/2 mile ahead of you. Trust me, you wont have to wait long for him to come along and blow your doors off. Then you can chase him.

Otherwise 5-7 mph over the limit usually keeps you out of trouble and gets you there 10 minutes later, if you're on the interstate.

I've gotten to the point where I can smell them over the next hill or around the curve with bushes in the median.

 

[Alan in AZ]

Laser use varies by location a lot (by state and by city).

Here in Arizona there is very little laser its almost all Ka radar.

I do also have a laser jammer (Blinder M25) in my sports car - these are legal - there is no restriction to light scatter jammer emissions as there is with radar jammer emission... buys you just a few seconds.

As I said laser is not that big of a deal here (just a few units out there) - and hasn't changed as as I thought it would over time (yet) - but I hear Washington State and Seattle particularly has lots of laser already ...

However anyway the laser scramblers success depends entirely on how easy it is to target your car. My sports car has very little reflective frontal area (no plate, hidden headlights - little vertical structure) - so its easier to obscure... Much harder on a truck - especially if you have a front plate... metal grill...

The laser jammer device is basically an integrated laser detector and a bank of emitters that activates when it detects a laser burst - it emits high spread laser noise pulse back at the laser gun - gun gets no specific readings. Best method when you hear the alert is to get down to a legal speed then turn the jammer off - so they eventually get a (legal) reading.

Probably not wise to leave it on all the time so they never get a reading at all (tends to piss them off...).

The detector/emitter bank needs to be near what they will aim at - plate/headlights/grill being the most popular choices. The bigger the area they can target the harder it is to protect...

Best not to be going to much over the limit whatever counter-measeures you are using...


When I get my new Explorer the Escort 8500 will go in it - but no laser jammer for the truck

Alan

 

[LeFurg]

Oohoohoo. I'm interested to see what you come up with once your done!!!

 

[harlenm]

However anyway the laser scramblers success depends entirely on how easy it is to target your car. My sports car has very little reflective frontal area (no plate, hidden headlights - little vertical structure) - so its easier to obscure... Much harder on a truck - especially if you have a front plate... metal grill...

Alan

I played with a laser gun once. I was amazed at how difficult it actually was to get a speed reading on oncoming vehicles. Aim had to be perfect, needed to hit the front plate or a headlight, or I couldn't get a speed reading. Also, there was a sign post in my line of sight, and I had to make sure to avoid getting it in the path of the laser, as it would cause the speed reading to be zero. Left very little time to actually get a speed before it would give the vehicles time to slow down.

After about 20 minutes I put the laser gun back as my friend had to respond to a call. But it was fun, and I'm sure quite a few people freaked out.