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      02-05-2013, 11:43 PM   #1
m2michael23
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Do you guys use radar detector?

If so, do you have preferred brand or particular model?
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      02-06-2013, 12:44 AM   #2
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I wish I could. They are still banned here in Virginia. I do travel out of the state a lot so I would like to see what everyone else uses.
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      02-06-2013, 01:06 AM   #3
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V1 is the standard
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      02-06-2013, 01:17 AM   #4
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Most prefer the Valentine V1 in the BMW world, but I'd say the Passport 9500ix would be a close second. The difference between these two comes down largely to personal preference of features; I think the detection differences between the two would be negligible with other factors being more important.

Personally, I'm using the 9500ix and it has saved me a handful of times. Still need to hardwire a power source though, I've been dealing with the dangling power cord so far.
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      02-06-2013, 09:00 AM   #5
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I use BEL 995i...been using BEL detectors for 20 years.
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      02-06-2013, 09:11 AM   #6
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      02-06-2013, 09:19 AM   #7
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dumb question, why do you guys use them? $500 seems like a lot of money to spend on something when you could just slow down or look for cops/traps. i have never gotten one ticket in all my years of driving.
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      02-06-2013, 09:23 AM   #8
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I drive an average of 20000 miles/year and almost always use my Passport 9500. It has saved me numerous times. Since moving to Louisiana, I am considering a laser jammer also since laser seems to be much more prevalent than when I lived in SC
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      02-06-2013, 09:27 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bcl0328 View Post
dumb question, why do you guys use them? $500 seems like a lot of money to spend on something when you could just slow down or look for cops/traps. i have never gotten one ticket in all my years of driving.
for me, it's peace of mind.. even if i'm not speeding, i wanna know where they are hiding

i bought a V1 with my first car and haven't looked back. i will always swear by the patented directional arrows. people who think they're overrated buy the passport.
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      02-06-2013, 10:27 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bcl0328 View Post
dumb question, why do you guys use them? $500 seems like a lot of money to spend on something when you could just slow down or look for cops/traps. i have never gotten one ticket in all my years of driving.
$200-350 is more like it. It has saved me thousands over the years, times I know for sure I would have been nabbed for points and fines.
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      02-06-2013, 11:14 AM   #11
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There's really no point for a radar detector unless it's a laser shifter. If anything, it's a guarantee way of a cop to give you a ticket, instead of a warning, when he pulls you over.
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      02-06-2013, 12:24 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tiltmode43 View Post
Personally, I'm using the 9500ix and it has saved me a handful of times. Still need to hardwire a power source though, I've been dealing with the dangling power cord so far.
+1 for hardwiring the 9500ix
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      02-06-2013, 12:43 PM   #13
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Radar detectors are useful for the photo radar around my area because the cops keep moving the damn things. On the highway, one can usually spot the radar traps, provided you aren't fool enough to be the first car in the pack of speeders. If you travel at odd hours and there are often no sacrificial lambs for you to exploit, you probably should get a radar detector. If you do, V1 is the way to go. It tells you where the radar signal is coming from. That's useful your daily commute as you'll come to know where the stationary radars -- grocery store doors etc. -- are and how many signals there are. When you see a new, additional/extra signal, it's the one to worry about.

On many highways, radar detectors all but useless as so many patrolmen now use laser. Anything that'll stop you from getting a laser ticket is worth it because if you detector detects laser otherwise, you're done for.

My 2¢ . Good luck.
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      02-06-2013, 12:46 PM   #14
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hardwired v1 uptop and laser interceptors installed in my kidney grilles
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      02-06-2013, 12:59 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tony20009 View Post
Radar detectors are useful for the photo radar around my area because the cops keep moving the damn things. On the highway, one can usually spot the radar traps, provided you aren't fool enough to be the first car in the pack of speeders. If you travel at odd hours and there are often no sacrificial lambs for you to exploit, you probably should get a radar detector. If you do, V1 is the way to go. It tells you where the radar signal is coming from. That's useful your daily commute as you'll come to know where the stationary radars -- grocery store doors etc. -- are and how many signals there are. When you see a new, additional/extra signal, it's the one to worry about.

On many highways, radar detectors all but useless as so many patrolmen now use laser. Anything that'll stop you from getting a laser ticket is worth it because if you detector detects laser otherwise, you're done for.

My 2¢ . Good luck.
Thanks, appreciate your info
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      02-06-2013, 06:50 PM   #16
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Hardwired Passport 9500ix.

I had a V1 once. Not to say it's not a good option but I did not like it. YMMV.

I don't want to tempt fate (especially since I'm in a loaner with no detector at the moment ) but I've never had a car without a detector. I've also never had a ticket. And I do not have a judicious right now.
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      02-06-2013, 07:13 PM   #17
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Escort 8500...stopped using it after my daily commute (120 miles) became routine and I know where the speed traps are.
I sometimes find myself going 50 over the speed limit (passing idiots on the Merritt), so I probably should use one...this car is too fast and quiet for me.
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      02-06-2013, 07:16 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bcl0328 View Post
dumb question, why do you guys use them? $500 seems like a lot of money to spend on something when you could just slow down or look for cops/traps. i have never gotten one ticket in all my years of driving.
Come to Cali, I bet you'll get one within 15 minutes. They have many tricks these days.

1) They can turn off their radar and just sneak up behind you in the patrol car.
2) Many are switching to LIDAR which makes a radar detector obsolete (i.e. norcal).
3) They have a cop hiding with the radar, shoot it briefly so you think it's just a misfire, then call it in to officers on the road
4) Most cops just eyeball it now (which is perfectly legal if you're going 15 mpg over the speed limit) and don't even use a gun because of the radar detectors.

Just to name a few, since the downturn in the economy they are trying to make more revenue by pulling people over for stupid crap. Why bother with a detector anymore... For Cali, just keep an eye out, don't go faster than the fastest car out there, a tip from a retired CHP officer.
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      02-06-2013, 07:32 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by roundel335 View Post
I use BEL 995i...been using BEL detectors for 20 years.
FYI, Bel and Passport detectors are both owned by Beltronics. For the most part each Passport model has a somewhat equivalent Bel model. Most Americans still prefer to buy the Passport name. They recall the old/defunct Cincinnati Microwave who invented the superheterodyne detector (Escort). When they went bankrupt in the mid 1990's Bel scooped up the name/patents.

I still prefer the V1. V1 is manufactured by Valentine Research. Mike Valentine is one of the two founders of Cincinnati Microwave. He started Valentine Research after his non compete was up after leaving Cincinnati Microwave.

I still find radar in reasonable use in FL. The vast majority being Ka band these days. Police tend to prefer radar because it can be used in motion. Nevertheless there's plenty of Lidar here too and while a V1 can occasionally give advance warning to Lidar, you really need a Lidar jammer such as Laser Interceptor or Blinder to protect you from Lidar traps.
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      02-06-2013, 08:02 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MartinMC View Post
I wish I could. They are still banned here in Virginia. I do travel out of the state a lot so I would like to see what everyone else uses.
Do cops in VA have a way to detect radar detectors? I know they are illegal here but trying to figure out if I can get away with one anyway.
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      02-06-2013, 09:17 PM   #21
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Originally Posted by kobechrome View Post
Do cops in VA have a way to detect radar detectors? I know they are illegal here but trying to figure out if I can get away with one anyway.
Detector detectors.
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      02-06-2013, 09:24 PM   #22
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I've had my V1 for at least 15 years. The range is amazing. I get bogie hits at least 1/4 mile in advance. You really need to match up to whatever your local constabulary uses. In my area, no one uses laser so there's no point bothering with a jammer. The majority use instant on radar. If I'm the only soul on the road I'm screwed, but that rarely happens. The beauty of the V1 is the directional indicators in combination with the signal strength and band indicators. I don't just "set it and forget it" when I'm running hard. I pay close attention to what's going on and look for potential traps. But the V1 has saved my bacon more than once when I've either let my guard down for split second or was distracted.

As an aside, the majority of the DOT departments in my area put radar transmitters on the changeable message signs at road construction sites. It's a nice early warning that there's something ahead to pay attention to. Similarly, a lot of farm equipment uses transmitters as well. That's VERY helpful on twisty country roads.
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