Best Detector

[John Shields]

Originally Posted by VictoryMuscleCars

Radar detectors do work for most types of speed scan systems used by police. I did not see Mythbusters, but I wonder if they were testing Laser effectiveness with detectors. It is true that if a detector starts beeping due to picking up Laser there's essentially no help or hope... you're getting a ticket. In order for police to use Laser they must be in a fixed location... meaning they cannot drive and use Laser at the same time. So, keep an eye out at all times.

The radar bands that can be used in a moving vehicle are listed out below (info that was shared with me from Escort):

X band - 20% are police the remaining 80% would be alarms, garage doors etc.

Ka band - 20% are police the remaining 80% would be alarms, garage doors etc.

K band - 60% are police the remaining 40% would be alarms, garage doors etc.

The community that I live in the police basically utilize speed scan systems all time (K & Ka bands)... the patrol men are basically casting a net across the city while driving. When my Escort radar goes off I immediately slow it down big time. If it's an actual police man I'm thankful and if I pick up 2 more "false" alerts my system stores as a false positive. Pretty sweet!

I'm in no way suggesting or condoning speeding in any way. I don't speed that much, but at times it's pretty tough with a 400 hp vehicle.

For me I just like watching the watchers and having a sense of what the police are doing, if you will. And I totally agree with John... don't speed.

You're confusing LIDAR and RADAR. There exists NO LIDAR detectors in the U.S. There are scramblers, but they're expensive ($500+) and illegal. "Laser" is LIDAR... never to be confused by RADAR. Most departments use these even the BFE cities, so using a detector is virtually useless (looks cool on the dash ). Imagine pulling someone over and walking up to them to find a working RADAR detector. Then they tell you, "Well I just bought this piece of garbage and obviously it doesn't work". Yeah I don't have to, I've heard it before.

RADAR detectors work on a line of sight premise. They don't detect RADAR unless it can see it. Like I said, if the Officer is doing what he's supposed to, confirming your speed with a gun AFTER he see's you, then you'll never detect it (if you do, you've already been "tagged"). Anyone who says, "I've been saved many times" is confused. They were lucky in that the Officer didn't have the gun on and locked them in. Which is irregardless anyway... they're used for confirmation of speed not getting the speed. Which means the Officer can still pull you over and cite you just based on his visual estimation. If he didn't pull you over it's because he didn't want, not because the device saved you.

There's a lot of common misconceptions with these devices and lot of people run around with what they think is a peace of mind. The only piece of mind being had is the company they bought the thing from, and they're able to take these people to the bank every quarter with positive sales.

[Tallboy]

Originally Posted by John Shields

You're confusing LIDAR and RADAR. There exists NO LIDAR detectors in the U.S. There are scramblers, but they're expensive ($500+) and illegal. "Laser" is LIDAR... never to be confused by RADAR. Most departments use these even the BFE cities, so using a detector is virtually useless (looks cool on the dash ). Imagine pulling someone over and walking up to them to find a working RADAR detector. Then they tell you, "Well I just bought this piece of garbage and obviously it doesn't work". Yeah I don't have to, I've heard it before.

RADAR detectors work on a line of sight premise. They don't detect RADAR unless it can see it. Like I said, if the Officer is doing what he's supposed to, confirming your speed with a gun AFTER he see's you, then you'll never detect it (if you do, you've already been "tagged"). Anyone who says, "I've been saved many times" is confused. They were lucky in that the Officer didn't have the gun on and locked them in. Which is irregardless anyway... they're used for confirmation of speed not getting the speed. Which means the Officer can still pull you over and cite you just based on his visual estimation.

There's a lot of common misconceptions with these devices and lot of people run around with what they think is a peace of mind. The only piece of mind being had is the company they bought the thing from, and they're able to take these people to the bank every quarter with positive sales.

My Passport9500 detects laser. I know, because it lights up with the word "Laser". Plus, when I see a couple short blips of K or KA, I know someone is watching.

[John Shields]

Originally Posted by Tallboy

My Passport9500 detects laser. I know, because it lights up with the word "Laser". Plus, when I see a couple short blips of K or KA, I know someone is watching.

If it detects the LASER then you're already hit. Which I don't think it does. I think it's picking up RADAR and telling you that as a gimmick. Laser is a return system in that it hits and object and then reads back instantly the speed (less than 2 seconds). Which means that there's no cone for which to pick up on a detector (the beam has a width but not a cone). A user can hit a license plate and there's no way it will pick it up.

RADAR on the other hand has a cone and can be detected... but like I said, it's also too late since you've been tagged and the user already estimated your speed with + or - 3mph (1mph if they're an Instructor).

So I highly doubt that device is telling you an accurate story. But if anyone is in Colorado with these devices I'd love to test them for you. But I think you're going to be disappointed.

I welcome anyone/everyone to educate themselves. Search LIDAR vs RADAR and find some legitimate sources to read up on. Of possible interest is this one:

Article

The laser beam is very narrow (about 4 feet wide at 1,000 feet), which allows the lidar operator to select the target vehicle. The lidar signal only hits one vehicle, so there's little doubt which vehicle's speed the unit displays. As an operator, you can obtain a speed reading for a specific vehicle as long as you have a direct line of sight with that vehicle.

4 feet at a 1,000 feet distance is the front bumper and therefore undetectable.

[Tallboy]

Originally Posted by John Shields

If it detects the LASER then you're already hit. Which I don't think it does. I think it's picking up RADAR and telling you that as a gimmick. Laser is a return system in that it hits and object and then reads back instantly the speed. Which means that there's no cone for which to pick up on a detector. A user can hit a license plate and there's no way it will pick it up.

RADAR on the other hand has a cone and can be detected... but like I said, it's also too late since you've been tagged and the user already estimated your speed with + or - 3mph (1mph if they're an Instructor).

So I highly doubt that device is telling you an accurate story. But if anyone is in Colorado with these devices I'd love to test them for you. But I think you're going to be disappointed.

My neighbor is Florida Highway Patrol. I bought this until on his recommendation. We tested it with his cruiser, which is Laser and Ka equipped. [VERY few cuisers have laser.] When he hit me with Laser, the detector lights up with word "Laser". When he hit me with Ka, it lights up with "Ka".

[razorduck]

I think my head is going to explode!

[fearless]

Originally Posted by John Shields

None they don't work. Get the episode of MythBusters where they do the RADAR testing and then the photo camera stuff. If the RADAR detector picks it up, you've already been tagged. Not to mention most departments have moved on to LIDAR (laser) and there's no detectors for those (though some claim to have made scramblers... but they don't work for the other and vice versa).

My suggestion... don't speed. Simple as that. But if you want to spend hundreds on a system that picks up microwave ovens and other electronics then be my guess. But like I said, if you're picking it up, they've picked you up too. Unless of course they're sitting there with their RADAR waving around and not really looking for stops.

Most departments dont use laser in Texas very few. And the top notch detectors like high end escort and v1 work great your miss informed radar bounces and they are very sensitive(hence the high price) and they will pick up even the faintest signals.

Now most of the time if Laser locks on its over for you the beam laser shoots is not wide and travels faster. But theres way more radar units than laser probably 1 in 15 cops have laser around here.

[mikeSS]

Originally Posted by VictoryMuscleCars

Radar detectors do work for most types of speed scan systems used by police. I did not see Mythbusters, but I wonder if they were testing Laser effectiveness with detectors. It is true that if a detector starts beeping due to picking up Laser there's essentially no help or hope... you're getting a ticket. In order for police to use Laser they must be in a fixed location... meaning they cannot drive and use Laser at the same time. So, keep an eye out at all times.

The radar bands that can be used in a moving vehicle are listed out below (info that was shared with me from Escort):

X band - 20% are police the remaining 80% would be alarms, garage doors etc.

Ka band - 20% are police the remaining 80% would be alarms, garage doors etc.

K band - 60% are police the remaining 40% would be alarms, garage doors etc.

The community that I live in the police basically utilize speed scan systems all time (K & Ka bands)... the patrol men are basically casting a net across the city while driving. When my Escort radar goes off I immediately slow it down big time. If it's an actual police man I'm thankful and if I pick up 2 more "false" alerts my system stores as a false positive. Pretty sweet!

I'm in no way suggesting or condoning speeding in any way. I don't speed that much, but at times it's pretty tough with a 400 hp vehicle.

For me I just like watching the watchers and having a sense of what the police are doing, if you will. And I totally agree with John... don't speed.

ya thats not right.... 95% of the time KA is a cop.... 95% of the time K is not a cop for me that is

[John Shields]

Originally Posted by fearless

Most departments dont use laser in Texas very few. And the top notch detectors like high end escort and v1 work great your miss informed radar bounces and they are very sensitive(hence the high price) and they will pick up even the faintest signals.

Now most of the time if Laser locks on its over for you the beam laser shoots is not wide and travels faster. But theres way more radar units than laser probably 1 in 15 cops have laser around here.

If I were you, I'd research that. I'd venture to guess the numbers are more like 1 in 5, where some departments have ONLY LIDAR guns. RADAR is now being used more often as a moving vehicle tool than as a handheld one. The reason being is the cost is almost minimal to upgrade to. A department can get return income on a handful of units that pays for itself in a very short period of time.

The fact is, and my point... is if you want to waste hundreds for that false sense of security... by all means have at it. But again if the detector picks up on something, you're too late. The Officer can stop you by law and you can get prosecuted for JUST his visual estimation and not from the tool. Of course he'd need to be certified which becomes a WHOLE different argument and monster.

[emin7]

Do you guys leave them on your windshields when you park? I know cars used to get broken into for GPS units and suction cup marks on the windshields. Does have one of these in your car make you a target for theft?

[VictoryMuscleCars]

Originally Posted by emin7

Do you guys leave them on your windshields when you park? I know cars used to get broken into for GPS units and suction cup marks on the windshields. Does have one of these in your car make you a target for theft?

Nope, I zip it up in a case and lock in the glove box. If I'm ever in a "suspect" locale I'll set in the trunk.

[John Shields]

Originally Posted by emin7

Do you guys leave them on your windshields when you park? I know cars used to get broken into for GPS units and suction cup marks on the windshields. Does have one of these in your car make you a target for theft?

GPS's are a pretty good target. Though it's usually associated with a lot more being taken than just that. You have to think that Jo Blow the criminal isn't going to want to stock up on GPS's to sell at the pawn shop when most of them are traceable. Maybe once in a blue moon to get a drug fix or something, but more often than not it's the stereo systems they're after. Much bigger market for them and lots more money to be had.

I think you'd run the risk of losing your CD player than a RADAR detector.

[RipperFox]

You all do understand effectiveness of a radar detector is seeded in "how" it is used.
In town, and the open highway are very different. Dont speed in town, radar is not very efffective and laser is in use much more.
Laser is stationary only, so highway use is very limited. And you all do realize that the laser is not what is actually measuring your speed right? The lazer is solely a targeting tool for the officers eye.
Highway is where radar is useful. But you have to always, always, always have a "bird dog". that is someone rolling in front of you, preferably at the same speed, to take that first shot, or trigger the officer to "shoot" the radar. That is where you get the alarm, and get you bacon saved.

[John Shields]

Originally Posted by RipperFox

You all do understand effectiveness of a radar detector is seeded in "how" it is used.
In town, and the open highway are very different. Dont speed in town, radar is not very efffective and laser is in use much more.
Laser is stationary only, so highway use is very limited. And you all do realize that the laser is not what is actually measuring your speed right? The lazer is solely a targeting tool for the officers eye.
Highway is where radar is useful. But you have to always, always, always have a "bird dog". that is someone rolling in front of you, preferably at the same speed, to take that first shot, or trigger the officer to "shoot" the radar. That is where you get the alarm, and get you bacon saved.

Yes and no. The RADAR is actually best used in close quarters. In a highway scenario with multiple lanes of traffic it's not very effective since it needs to reach specific vehicles towards the middle and often times wont do a good job of it. Hence why Officers sit on the median and peg the "fast" lane.

That said, LIDAR (Laser) is best used on the highway stationary (as you mentioned). Also as you put it and I stated earlier these guns are used to confirm speeds, not display them.

As far as a driver ahead of you... I can't think of 1 time where I'd have someone driving in front of me looking for Police who can instantly radio back to me and tell me to slow down.

[Sleestack]

Originally Posted by SGOS252382

I use an Escort/Passport 8500 and it works great. It's saved me too many times to count.

This is the best 'mid priced' product on the market. Either this or the Val, depending on your budget. That is all.