Does a Radar Detector Really Save You From Tickets?
Thanks.
03-01-2009, 08:26 AM
#42
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Good advice here, but unfortunately law enforcement are equipped or equipping detectors to detect cars equipped with detectors/jammers. I know a few people who spent good amount on such devices only to have it taken away, then they were ticketed heavily. You're pretty much rolling the dice with these detectors.
03-01-2009, 09:11 AM
#43
Good advice here, but unfortunately law enforcement are equipped or equipping detectors to detect cars equipped with detectors/jammers. I know a few people who spent good amount on such devices only to have it taken away, then they were ticketed heavily. You're pretty much rolling the dice with these detectors.
(And very expensive too.)
03-01-2009, 12:55 PM
#45
The 9500i, ix, and ci have the best filtering in radar detector history. They all use GPS to ignore known false alarms in your area and, once they know all the falses, only make noise when police are shooting radar. *I have had two times when police radar was not alerted to because the ix couldn't tell the difference between the police K-band radar and a K-band door opener that it was ignoring. -This is rare.* I use the ix in my work vehicle and it is great for this type of driving. The ix is also very good at detecting radar, but not quite as good as the V1. Also the V1 will not alert to speed cameras or red-light cameras, that use sensors in the ground. If it is not transmiting radar, the V1 will not alert. The ix on the other hand, has a database that can be updated over the internet, and alerts to all fixed-position cameras in the US.
As others have mentioned, certain areas make extensive use of Lazer. Here in WA, the State Patrol primarily uses lazer for speed enforcement. Any radar/lazer detector is pretty much useless. I intend to install a lazer jammer in the car just for that reason.
I don't tend to drive faster than ambient traffic most of the time, but I have been ticketed on more empty roads for 10-15 over the speed limit on a few occasions. The V1 has saved me at least 3 times in the last 6 months.
03-01-2009, 12:57 PM
#46
Good advice here, but unfortunately law enforcement are equipped or equipping detectors to detect cars equipped with detectors/jammers. I know a few people who spent good amount on such devices only to have it taken away, then they were ticketed heavily. You're pretty much rolling the dice with these detectors.
03-01-2009, 02:33 PM
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So I've just read through this thread and I've noticed a lot of questions regarding the legality of radar detectors. Radar detectors are ONLY illegal in Virgina and Washington DC. In both Virginia and DC the cops use a different form of radar that from what I've read isn't detectable by the V1, 9500i, ix, ci, RX64 or any others. The only detector that can detect them is the Beltronics STi which was designed to detect these radar signals specifically.
Also, I've read a lot of posts regarding radar jammers. This is a very bad idea. If caught with one, you could face a 50,000 dollar fine and face up to 5 years in federal prison.
There are two kinds of jammers: Passive, and active. Passive jammers reflect the cops radar signal back to the gun to jam it, however these usually do not work very well. Active jammers are the best because they send out their own signal to the cops radar to jam it. So if you are willing to take the risk of a 50k fine and 5 years in federal prison, buy an active jammer.
Also, I've read a lot of posts regarding radar jammers. This is a very bad idea. If caught with one, you could face a 50,000 dollar fine and face up to 5 years in federal prison.
There are two kinds of jammers: Passive, and active. Passive jammers reflect the cops radar signal back to the gun to jam it, however these usually do not work very well. Active jammers are the best because they send out their own signal to the cops radar to jam it. So if you are willing to take the risk of a 50k fine and 5 years in federal prison, buy an active jammer.
Last edited by Goin' Sidewayz!; 03-01-2009 at 07:10 PM.
03-01-2009, 03:34 PM
#50
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[QUOTE=z-u-later;7005691
As a precaution along with my radar, I always try to cluster myself behind cars when I'm not sure what's up ahead. Also, I always look at brake lights ahead of me when they're going over a hill or a curve (usually at known speed traps). More than likely, there's a cop on the other side of the hill or curve. This has worked well for me.[/QUOTE]
I typically drive 80-90 on the highway, and have not had a ticket in over 25 years. Like you, I am very observant of all the cars in sight. Another helpful hint is to stay out of the left lane as much as possible. I actually try to drive at the lowest speed possible when passing, then put the hammer down when I get back in the right lane.
It also help that I have 3 State Troopers in my subdivision, and as they are often driving the latest unmarked and stealth vehicles, I have a little advantage in what to watch out for.
(But they all envy my Z!)
bill
As a precaution along with my radar, I always try to cluster myself behind cars when I'm not sure what's up ahead. Also, I always look at brake lights ahead of me when they're going over a hill or a curve (usually at known speed traps). More than likely, there's a cop on the other side of the hill or curve. This has worked well for me.[/QUOTE]
I typically drive 80-90 on the highway, and have not had a ticket in over 25 years. Like you, I am very observant of all the cars in sight. Another helpful hint is to stay out of the left lane as much as possible. I actually try to drive at the lowest speed possible when passing, then put the hammer down when I get back in the right lane.
It also help that I have 3 State Troopers in my subdivision, and as they are often driving the latest unmarked and stealth vehicles, I have a little advantage in what to watch out for.
(But they all envy my Z!)
bill
03-01-2009, 07:09 PM
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Radar jammers are illegal as a result of Federal Law so are illegal everywhere.
Laser jammers are not prohibited by Federal Law, but are prohibited in some states. To see a map of the states where they are prohibited, check here.
Laser jammers are not prohibited by Federal Law, but are prohibited in some states. To see a map of the states where they are prohibited, check here.
03-01-2009, 09:50 PM
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Valentine 1 vs Escort PASSPORT 9500i. So for all of you guys who have had experience with both please let me know which one you prefer and why. From all the research I have done on radar detection it seems like these two are considered the top 2 of in-cabin radar detectors. However, it always seem like one website says one is better than the other and on another website it'll say the same thing only it's the other way around. So any input at all would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
And yes I have read the review between the V1 and the Escort PASSPORT series on page 2 of this thread by Z1ONLY. I would like a few more testimonies by others if you guys have them. Thanks everyone!
And yes I have read the review between the V1 and the Escort PASSPORT series on page 2 of this thread by Z1ONLY. I would like a few more testimonies by others if you guys have them. Thanks everyone!
Last edited by Goin' Sidewayz!; 03-01-2009 at 09:58 PM.
03-02-2009, 05:56 AM
#54
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Most, but not all, radar is mounted inside the cars nowdays. Sometimes police just "pace" suspect cars and then pull them over. With pacing, there is no radar to detect, so you have to pay attention to cars behind you. Anytime I see another car driving behind me, like they don't fear getting a ticket, I slow down until I know why.
If they are using radar, yes. Every high end detector can detect radar shooting you in the back. However the V1 is the only radar detector on the market that has an extra antenna that "watches your back", and points that direction when the radar is coming from behind you. All others need the signal to bounce off of something in front of you and back into the anntenna that faces forward. (Other cars, street signs, trees, etc.)
I don't think they are illegal in your state, but cops might not give you a break if they see you have one.
If you are all alone on the road and the cop has his radar off. Your radar detector will not alert....
Then, if the cops waits until you are close enough to get a speed reading and then turns on his radar gun, your radar detector will go nuts, and you will still get a ticket.
You need what we call a "rabbit". At least one car ahead of you that will get hit with radar before you do. Then if / when the cop shoots the car a good distance in front of you, the radar detector will alert, and you can slow down, before the cop even sees you.
No radar detector will protect you from all speed traps. Some cops will let a couple speeders go by without turning on the radar gun, then nail another car just because they like the color, or just finished their paperwork or whatever...
Be careful.
If they are using radar, yes. Every high end detector can detect radar shooting you in the back. However the V1 is the only radar detector on the market that has an extra antenna that "watches your back", and points that direction when the radar is coming from behind you. All others need the signal to bounce off of something in front of you and back into the anntenna that faces forward. (Other cars, street signs, trees, etc.)
I don't think they are illegal in your state, but cops might not give you a break if they see you have one.
If you are all alone on the road and the cop has his radar off. Your radar detector will not alert....
Then, if the cops waits until you are close enough to get a speed reading and then turns on his radar gun, your radar detector will go nuts, and you will still get a ticket.
You need what we call a "rabbit". At least one car ahead of you that will get hit with radar before you do. Then if / when the cop shoots the car a good distance in front of you, the radar detector will alert, and you can slow down, before the cop even sees you.
No radar detector will protect you from all speed traps. Some cops will let a couple speeders go by without turning on the radar gun, then nail another car just because they like the color, or just finished their paperwork or whatever...
Be careful.
03-02-2009, 06:08 AM
#55
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The only thing I could think of where it would help is if you had to go to court, you could say that the speed was never recorded. But by that point your already at court and no one wants to be there in the first place.
03-02-2009, 06:10 AM
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How much would a new V1 cost, roughly. I have seen $499, but for that price it seems I have my pick between the Bell STI, Passport 9500 and the V1.
Every once in a while Costco has radar detectors for sale. I think they had a the Passport up a few weeks ago, and some Cobra something or other.
Where is the best place to buy the V1 or other detector from? The website or a vendor?
Also, where is the best place to mount the detector in the Z. Can it still pick up readings if it is not attached to the windshield? I would like to have it plugged into the outlet on where the passangers left leg would be and run the cord from there.
Ideally I would think the best place to put it would be in the lower left corner of the windshild on the drivers side because the windshield pillar would hide it a little and it would be easy to get it off quick and without being noticed if you did get pulled over, as opposed to the middle of the windshild.
Every once in a while Costco has radar detectors for sale. I think they had a the Passport up a few weeks ago, and some Cobra something or other.
Where is the best place to buy the V1 or other detector from? The website or a vendor?
Also, where is the best place to mount the detector in the Z. Can it still pick up readings if it is not attached to the windshield? I would like to have it plugged into the outlet on where the passangers left leg would be and run the cord from there.
Ideally I would think the best place to put it would be in the lower left corner of the windshild on the drivers side because the windshield pillar would hide it a little and it would be easy to get it off quick and without being noticed if you did get pulled over, as opposed to the middle of the windshild.
Last edited by Lento; 03-02-2009 at 07:05 AM.
03-02-2009, 07:59 AM
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I would suspect that if the cop all of a sudden sees his radar/laser get jammed, hes probably going to pull you over anyways and flip out, knowing you have a jammer.
The only thing I could think of where it would help is if you had to go to court, you could say that the speed was never recorded. But by that point your already at court and no one wants to be there in the first place.
The only thing I could think of where it would help is if you had to go to court, you could say that the speed was never recorded. But by that point your already at court and no one wants to be there in the first place.
03-02-2009, 08:23 AM
#58
to the escort and V1 users: how far in advance do you guys get a warning against a K band signal?
i use an ancient whistler detector and it only gives me a couple hundred yards of warning for K or KA band. on the njtp the state troopers like to use some sort of lower powered K band and i can't detect it until it's really really close. they also don't spray their signals. they like to be sneaky about it and wait for you to arrive in their sights. however, my detector has helped a lot locally in 25mph zones where nobody pays attention to it and you happen to be driving there when a cop is waiting with his X band firing. the best defense is like what was mentioned before. watch it going up hills and blind corners, roads with medians and hiding spots, in unfamiliar roads, don't be first or last in a pack. wait for a rabbit car and give him at least 10 seconds. look well ahead and watch for brake lights. watch your mirrors frequently.
i've also had the chance at driving people to the airport in a really slow, heavy ford expedition. driving at the speed limit isn't as bad as i once thought. it's good to be in the other person's shoes once in a while lol.
i use an ancient whistler detector and it only gives me a couple hundred yards of warning for K or KA band. on the njtp the state troopers like to use some sort of lower powered K band and i can't detect it until it's really really close. they also don't spray their signals. they like to be sneaky about it and wait for you to arrive in their sights. however, my detector has helped a lot locally in 25mph zones where nobody pays attention to it and you happen to be driving there when a cop is waiting with his X band firing. the best defense is like what was mentioned before. watch it going up hills and blind corners, roads with medians and hiding spots, in unfamiliar roads, don't be first or last in a pack. wait for a rabbit car and give him at least 10 seconds. look well ahead and watch for brake lights. watch your mirrors frequently.
i've also had the chance at driving people to the airport in a really slow, heavy ford expedition. driving at the speed limit isn't as bad as i once thought. it's good to be in the other person's shoes once in a while lol.
03-02-2009, 08:34 AM
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If you jam his radar then yes he will pull you over. Laser jammers however are not illegal in all states - in fact, the majority of the state laws allow their use. I don't see how you could be pulled over for jamming a cop's laser in a state where laser jamming technology is 100% legal.
Sure you can fight it but that still involves taking a day to go to court
I think that a cop that knows your using some type of technology to hamper their ability will just make them angry, regardless if it is legal or not, and may give you a hard time.
And there are tons of obscure laws that they can bust your ***** for.
Just the other day I found out that you are techniclly not supposed to have a license plate frame as thick as the "Z" or Nismo ones that Nissan sells in their shop are actually illegal, and they will not give you an inspection sticker.
The mechanic said to me, if you get pulled over you put the frames on after we inspected it.
03-02-2009, 08:39 AM
#60
I'm going to be picking up a V1 in the next week or so myself because my friend broke my X50. But I used my X50 on my drive to Tempe from Chicago which is roughly 1900 miles and my X50 saved my butt about 20 times. I got pulled over one time doing 73 on a 65 in southern Illinois when a cop started following me w/o me realizing and then turned on his radar. But I was let off. Besides that, I stil have no speeding tickets after 3 years of driving thanks to that X50 helping me out.
edit:
As for as I've noticed, the V1 can be had for $399 on the Valentine website. And as for mountiing, I've always mounted the detector to the left of the rear view mirror. I used to have it mounted lower towards the dash but realized I got better reading from my X50 being up higher
edit:
How much would a new V1 cost, roughly. I have seen $499,
Also, where is the best place to mount the detector in the Z. Can it still pick up readings if it is not attached to the windshield? I would like to have it plugged into the outlet on where the passangers left leg would be and run the cord from there.
Also, where is the best place to mount the detector in the Z. Can it still pick up readings if it is not attached to the windshield? I would like to have it plugged into the outlet on where the passangers left leg would be and run the cord from there.
Last edited by Fairlady.4u2nv; 03-02-2009 at 08:42 AM.