Best Detector

[raqball]

I never speed on purpose.... I use my detector as a reminder to check my speed as this car drives so smooth it's real easy to be 10mph over the limit and not even notice it....

[bolteon593]

Originally Posted by raqball

There is a LOT of false information in this thread.... Detectors CAN and DO pick up Laser / Lidar.. Yes the beam is small but it reflects quite a bit as well... I ran radar AND laser for quite a few years before retiring....

Now having said that I will again mention that detecting laser does you no good whatsoever... By the time you detect laser, the officer already has your speed... UNLESS you use shifters... It is proven that shifters do in fact block the laser operator from getting your speed... The key is once you slow down, or confirm your speed to turn the shifters off and allow the laser operator to get a speed reading...

K, KA, and X band radar can be detected a great distance.... It can be from a stationary officer a mile ahead targeting another car... K, KA, and X band warning often do save you many times.. Now if you are on a low traffic road and you are the one getting hit 1st, you lose... The radar detector WILL save you if it's activated on another car ahead of you... Depending on the band used, the terrain, and other factors, you could possibly be warned of K, KA, or X a mile away...

There is a TON of mis information in this thread....

Educated yourself to what your detector does and does not do... If you are worried about Laser, you need shifters as without them you are naked to laser...

My .02

thank god there is someone finally in this thread full of bs who knows something about something.


radar, bounces... alot...


laser, does alot less due to its scope of emitance but there is some.

if your in a state that allows it, a shifter will end laser issues. as mentioned, make sure not to leave it on all the time.



some people need to clue in before they start posting a bunch of nonsense (read: John Shields). trying to make people think that radar detectors are a false sense of security is just dumb.

[Synergy_synner]

Totally agree. As long as you use a radar detector in a smart way, i.e. Don't speed when no other cars are around and always have a few cars in front of you (don't have to be people you know) to help sniff out the radar, then most of the time you will be covered. But yes laser 99.9999% of the time means game over but it is possible, though very rare, to pick up scatter from a laser gun pointed at someone else.

As for my detector, I used the passport 8500 x50 for a while till a friend showed me just how awesome the V1 is and I haven't looked back. And having it hardwired really helps with the cord issue.

[raqball]

The 8500x50 is an AWESOME detector as are the new(er) V1's... I don't like anything on my dash or windshield which is why I went remote... I also wanted the shifters for Laser protection...

I ran radar enforcement exclusively for over 10-years... There are many myths and mis-information about both radar and detectors...

A previous post mentioned, radar is used to confirm the officers visual speed estimation and that is correct... However, most radar certifications call for the officer to estimate the vehicle speed within +/- 3mph...

Now as an example, let say you are doing 67mph on the freeway and the speed limit is 60mph... The officer may estimate your speed at 70mph and be within the +/- 3mph certification range... So the officer then hits you with Laser.... Shifters jam it and you slow down to 60mph, turn shifters off and allow the officer to get a 60 mph reading...

Yes the officer may think it's odd and he may even know shifters were used against him / her but the chances of them stopping you based on that are slim to none and here is why.... What speed will / can they write you for? 60mph is displayed on the laser gun but the officer estimated your speed at 70mph (+/- 3 mph).... They can't write you for 60 because that's the limit... They can't write you for 70 because it's a visual +/- 3mph estimation... Can they write you for the lesser speed of 67 based on their visual estimation? Sure, but I don't know to many officers that will bother with anything less than 10mph over... On top of that in many cities and counties, speeds under 10mph are considered NON moving violation and are not reported to insurance...

Having said that, many cities and counties do have "general speed" rule(s) (ie, speed too fast for conditions)... Again, I don't know many officers who will use this unless an accident was involved where speed is considered a contributing factor...

Laser is pointed at the headlights or license plate of a vehicle... Many times a reading won't be obtained on the 1st hit due to many factors... A detector can save you that way without the use of shifters... As far as laser / lidar goes, it is in fact a very small beam.. This beam does widen based on the distance away the officer is... As an example, the laser beam at 500 feet is about 18 inches wide and at 1000 feet it's a couple feet wide. It also does reflect / bounce off the vehicle / hood / ect.....

My .02

[bolteon593]

^ +1 ^

and now only to find a remote mount antenna/reader for the front and back windshields on my GT500...


i never bothered on the SS, but there is disdain for this car here in southern california.

[BlackieRay]

This is the absolute best. 100% undetectable, sattelite memory, blocks out false alerts and has laser jammer. Better range than the V1 and can't be seen by police. Nothing compares, but you have to be willing to pay the price.

http://www.escortradar.com/passport9500ci-details.php

[ga0358]

Originally Posted by VictoryMuscleCars

IMO, the best radar detector on the market currently is the Escort 9500ix. Talk about a totally awesome device… I am beyond amazed and happy with the purchase.

The price tag was a bit hefty at $500, but if I can avoid a few speeding tickets by watching the watchers it more than pays for itself. The 9500ix has all the latest bells and whistles to make any techie or gadget guy drool.

The coolest feature is its GPS capability and the “AutoLearn” functionality. The features work together to help eliminate those annoying false alarms. It takes 3 false alarms for the unit to eliminate it by storing its GPS location. How cool, eh?

Another awesome feature is its safety camera, red light and speed camera database. Escort does a really great job of putting out weekly updates. In order to update the device you log into your web based account download the update and then upload to the unit. The process is super easy and most importantly… it works!

Bottom line, it is one of the most accurate and powerful detectors I’ve ever owned. I know that detectors are not full-proof, but I really like the added intelligence and comfort that I’m not going it blind, if you will. This baby rocks!

Agree 110%-Saved my butt at least a dozen times on my trip from Atlanta to Key West. I had mine installed at Best Buy, and they installed it so the power cord extends from just above the visor to the unit, so you don't have the cord hanging down.

[razorduck]

I find all this very interesting. I haven't used a detector before but I know after driving the C5 SS I probably need something. I can't drive....55!

[Synerbee]

Originally Posted by raqball

Radar detectors are legal to use in California, just not laser shifters / jammers...

I know. Laser jammers be very helpful

[kryologik]

I've never gotten a ticket using my Valentine radar. It picks up all the bands and LASER. If you're in light/moderate traffic on the highway and someone wayyyy ahead of you gets tagged with anything, it's going to bounce you're way and you'll detect it. Obviously if you're the only person on the road and you're picking up the signal, you're pegged. Use common sense. If you're alone on the road, look way out ahead and learn to recognize common spots where pigs hide. This way you'll avoid getting ticketed. If you have to speed in town (you really shouldn't), keep more of a watchful eye and rely less on your radar. Your cars sound and visual speed are a dead giveaway and while a cop who only "sees" you going fast can't really prove you were speeding you're getting yourself unnecessary attention..

[John Shields]

Originally Posted by raqball

The 8500x50 is an AWESOME detector as are the new(er) V1's... I don't like anything on my dash or windshield which is why I went remote... I also wanted the shifters for Laser protection...

I ran radar enforcement exclusively for over 10-years... There are many myths and mis-information about both radar and detectors...

A previous post mentioned, radar is used to confirm the officers visual speed estimation and that is correct... However, most radar certifications call for the officer to estimate the vehicle speed within +/- 3mph...

Now as an example, let say you are doing 67mph on the freeway and the speed limit is 60mph... The officer may estimate your speed at 70mph and be within the +/- 3mph certification range... So the officer then hits you with Laser.... Shifters jam it and you slow down to 60mph, turn shifters off and allow the officer to get a 60 mph reading...

Yes the officer may think it's odd and he may even know shifters were used against him / her but the chances of them stopping you based on that are slim to none and here is why.... What speed will / can they write you for? 60mph is displayed on the laser gun but the officer estimated your speed at 70mph (+/- 3 mph).... They can't write you for 60 because that's the limit... They can't write you for 70 because it's a visual +/- 3mph estimation... Can they write you for the lesser speed of 67 based on their visual estimation? Sure, but I don't know to many officers that will bother with anything less than 10mph over... On top of that in many cities and counties, speeds under 10mph are considered NON moving violation and are not reported to insurance...

Having said that, many cities and counties do have "general speed" rule(s) (ie, speed too fast for conditions)... Again, I don't know many officers who will use this unless an accident was involved where speed is considered a contributing factor...

Laser is pointed at the headlights or license plate of a vehicle... Many times a reading won't be obtained on the 1st hit due to many factors... A detector can save you that way without the use of shifters... As far as laser / lidar goes, it is in fact a very small beam.. This beam does widen based on the distance away the officer is... As an example, the laser beam at 500 feet is about 18 inches wide and at 1000 feet it's a couple feet wide. It also does reflect / bounce off the vehicle / hood / ect.....

My .02

This is incorrect. Aside from that everything else you said is correct. An Officer can write you for what was visually estimated. The only difference is, later on you as an individual can have the judge or (city/county) attorney work the charge down. The Officer isn't supposed to be the one making adjustments. If he says it was 70mph, he sticks to it. The courts later will take into account the + or - 3mph and adjust accordingly.

A decent operator could go a whole shift and never once use a LIDAR/RADAR to confirm a speed. An Instructor more so.

Originally Posted by kryologik

I've never gotten a ticket using my Valentine radar. It picks up all the bands and LASER. If you're in light/moderate traffic on the highway and someone wayyyy ahead of you gets tagged with anything, it's going to bounce you're way and you'll detect it. Obviously if you're the only person on the road and you're picking up the signal, you're pegged. Use common sense. If you're alone on the road, look way out ahead and learn to recognize common spots where pigs hide. This way you'll avoid getting ticketed. If you have to speed in town (you really shouldn't), keep more of a watchful eye and rely less on your radar. Your cars sound and visual speed are a dead giveaway and while a cop who only "sees" you going fast can't really prove you were speeding you're getting yourself unnecessary attention..

You're talking about an object that once bounces (and away) is only 4 feet wide at 1,000 feet. The detector is going to need to have a direct shot at the windshield which came from another vehicle, and just managed to hit in the right spot. Highly unlikely (possible, but unlikely). A decent operator isn't going to sweep his LIDAR/RADAR gun all over the place. You guys are making it sound like this is a constant thing. A LIDAR gun is used for NO MORE than 2 seconds and that's it. It's directed at a specific location of the vehicle (not near the windshield) and doesn't cover the roadway much like is being confused here.

I'd still like to see some independently tested LIDAR detectors because as of a couple years ago they didn't exist. The manufacturers said they exist, of course because they want your money. But I've never seen them work and tested as such (by someone other than that company). Jammers do work absolutely, but again, you run the risk of a hefty ticket if you're caught using it. An Officer doesn't need a LIDAR gun to verify the speed. So it's almost a mute point with that.

Again, best course of action instead of buying useless products that either warn you that you've been targeted or that there's an operator out there waving his gun around... is to just stop speeding. Plain and simple. I go 5 over the speed limit everywhere I go at most. If I were to speed and got pulled over for it, I'd have to man up and accept responsibility for it. Too many people invest in these products to try and skirt the system and in the end you're going to end up paying out anyway.

[Tallboy]

Originally Posted by John Shields

This is incorrect. Aside from that everything else you said is correct. An Officer can write you for what was visually estimated. The only difference is, later on you as an individual can have the judge or (city/county) attorney work the charge down. The Officer isn't supposed to be the one making adjustments. If he says it was 70mph, he sticks to it. The courts later will take into account the + or - 3mph and adjust accordingly.

A decent operator could go a whole shift and never once use a LIDAR/RADAR to confirm a speed. An Instructor more so.



You're talking about an object that once bounces (and away) is only 4 feet wide at 1,000 feet. The detector is going to need to have a direct shot at the windshield which came from another vehicle, and just managed to hit in the right spot. Highly unlikely (possible, but unlikely). A decent operator isn't going to sweep his LIDAR/RADAR gun all over the place. You guys are making it sound like this is a constant thing. A LIDAR gun is used for NO MORE than 2 seconds and that's it. It's directed at a specific location of the vehicle (not near the windshield) and doesn't cover the roadway much like is being confused here.

I'd still like to see some independently tested LIDAR detectors because as of a couple years ago they didn't exist. The manufacturers said they exist, of course because they want your money. But I've never seen them work and tested as such (by someone other than that company). Jammers do work absolutely, but again, you run the risk of a hefty ticket if you're caught using it. An Officer doesn't need a LIDAR gun to verify the speed. So it's almost a mute point with that.

Again, best course of action instead of buying useless products that either warn you that you've been targeted or that there's an operator out there waving his gun around... is to just stop speeding. Plain and simple. I go 5 over the speed limit everywhere I go at most. If I were to speed and got pulled over for it, I'd have to man up and accept responsibility for it. Too many people invest in these products to try and skirt the system and in the end you're going to end up paying out anyway.

I've had my Passport for five years. Been detecting Laser since I got it. First you say they don't exist, then you say they didn't exist a couple years ago. You're changing your story in a futile attempt to prove you weren't wrong. You were, and you are, and you know it. Same thing with the "higher altitude=better times argument'. For whatever reason, you just can't/won't admit you're wrong. You are one of leading purveyors of mis-information on this site.

[John Shields]

Originally Posted by Tallboy

I've had my Passport for five years. Been detecting Laser since I got it. First you say they don't exist, then you say they didn't exist a couple years ago. You're changing your story in a futile attempt to prove you weren't wrong. You were, and you are, and you know it. Same thing with the "higher altitude=better times argument'. For whatever reason, you just can't/won't admit you're wrong. You are one of leading purveyors of mis-information on this site.

No, and don't read into what I said. What I said exactly is they don't exist... as of a couple years ago when I was certified in LIDAR/RADAR. What I did say more than once is that I'd actually like to see a device that legitimately detects LIDAR. RADAR detectors work, and I fully agree to that. But there's no area effect in the scope of a RADAR gun with LIDAR. Unless they hit DIRECTLY where the device is (across the windshield) I don't believe the claims. I'd have to see an independent test result on a device to run around claiming things.

Good for you, that you have a device that says it picks up LIDAR. I'm happy for you. But I've never seen it and never heard of it. I have heard of plenty of claims that say their devices do it, but none that have shown it. If someone were to show me that documentation then I would say, yes... they do in fact work. No, I'm not talking about a YouTube video either.

But AGAIN, and the main point here which you and others fail to recognize, is that these devices are USELESS. If you pick up LIDAR you're already targeted. If you pick up RADAR, you're likely targeted (though with the cone of the gun it's possible someone else is and you're picking up the remainder). But AGAIN, no operator worth half a damn is going to sit there and hold the trigger down and wave the gun around traffic. They'll turn it to the target, activate it, and then stop.

I'm giving NO ONE misinformation. It's not my fault you can't read plain English and seem to read into everything that's said. Just like you did with that other thread. Go back and read it and you'll see where I said it's a MIX that seems effective. Take a look at the numbers on the net where people have gone to multiple elevations. I don't need to hold your hand to do that I hope. So move along from your trolling and slander and let the adults talk before you end up saying something you'll regret.

Now, can a moderator move this thread to a more appropriate wasteland instead of the Camaro discussion forum where it clearly doesn't apply?

[raqball]

Originally Posted by John Shields

This is incorrect. Aside from that everything else you said is correct. An Officer can write you for what was visually estimated.

Apples and oranges.... He / she can write you for 90 if he / she wants... I have never seen an officer write an actual speed based ticket without using a set amount of distance and a stop watch, or a radar confirmation... To do so would be foolish and irresponsible on the officers part....

Bottom line is that he / she can write you for whatever they want... It's their reputation on the line in front of the judge.... Most judges would more than likely roll their eyes at a visual only speed based ticket... Now general speed rule or exhibition of speed is a different kind of fish...

The general rule is that you always error on the side of the motorist... First of all, it makes you look reasonable and credible in court, and secondly, if you write for the higher speed it make you look just the opposite... I was always trained, and trained others that you error on the side of the motorist...