Questions about radar detectors

Speed-NYC · 06-30-2017, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speed-NYC

I find the updates to be pointless around here. Its all Ka radar in the tristate, no permanent traps, and I don't run red lights anyway.

what about all the speed cameras we can't go over 25 and sometimes its hard to do that lol not all the time just sometimes. Plus if you go on a trip its good to have the updates up to date, no? these speed cameras are all over and some are fixed and some are now mobile. Its getting money-grab city instead of NYC. How else will they pay for the subway system that the gov. alerted a state emergency. Speed cameras is one money maker here to stay so we better get updates. I guess I have to buy a PC so I can use escorts program. Still mad they won't support Mac its discrimination

Really? Where is one? I moved out of Manhattan 2 months ago but never got a ticket in 20 years of diving there.

Ishan99 · 07-01-2017, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazima

Just curious about people's opinions regarding radar detectors. Any recommendations? I've been thinking about the escort/passport 9500ix. Also does anyone know what blend mount I need for a F30 ? Also a DYI for the wire tap to the mirror ?

Most officers these days use laser, not radar. Getting a radar detector would be utterly useless. It can read lasers, but only at the moment the laser hits the car. And the second the laser hits the car, you are already screwed. I highly recommend installing a laser jammer in the front of your car if you really want to do something. But it's also very expensive and stupid in my opinion.

hinckley · 07-01-2017, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ishan99

Most officers these days use laser, not radar.

Ishan, I don't know where you or the OP are from, but it matters. In my neck of the woods - New England - laser is rarely used. I have both radar and laser protection in my cars, but the laser detection is almost never activated. OTOH, I know from other posters that there are areas of the country (presumably yours) that just the opposite is true. So it's important to know what local LE practices are most prevalent where you live.

5ilver-5amurai · 07-01-2017, 09:28 AM

I've read that radar detectors can often interfere with semi-autonomous driving features such as adaptive cruise control. Anyone have any experience with this with Valentine or Escort models?

Ishan99 · 07-01-2017, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hinckley

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ishan99

Most officers these days use laser, not radar.

Ishan, I don't know where you or the OP are from, but it matters. In my neck of the woods - New England - laser is rarely used. I have both radar and laser protection in my cars, but the laser detection is almost never activated. OTOH, I know from other posters that there are areas of the country (presumably yours) that just the opposite is true. So it's important to know what local LE practices are most prevalent where you live.

That is very true. I am from Georgia. In the part where I'm from, they use lasers. I guess it doesn't hurt to have a radar detector just in case. Do you mind telling how the installation of your laser hammer was and the cost of it?

hinckley · 07-01-2017, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ishan99

That is very true. I am from Georgia. In the part where I'm from, they use lasers. I guess it doesn't hurt to have a radar detector just in case. Do you mind telling how the installation of your laser hammer was and the cost of it?

Well, I'm waiting for my next BMW (Oct ED). I think that I'm going to install my Escort 360 and an ALP laser system in it. ALP is probably the best laser system on the market today.

My Porsche is a whole different story. I've come close to losing my license on a couple of occasions, so for that car, I went all the way with a Stinger system. Best radar detection by a huge margin (again, important in my area) and close to ALP for laser protection. It was an $8k install!

Ishan99 · 07-01-2017, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hinckley

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ishan99

That is very true. I am from Georgia. In the part where I'm from, they use lasers. I guess it doesn't hurt to have a radar detector just in case. Do you mind telling how the installation of your laser hammer was and the cost of it?

Well, I'm waiting for my next BMW (Oct ED). I think that I'm going to install my Escort 360 and an ALP laser system in it. ALP is probably the best laser system on the market today.

My Porsche is a whole different story. I've come close to losing my license on a couple of occasions, so for that car, I went all the way with a Stinger system. Best radar detection by a huge margin (again, important in my area) and close to ALP for laser protection. It was an $8k install!

Lol, I don't think I need that expensive if a system on my 320i

maybe in the future with a better car though.

BEM-S4 · 07-01-2017, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hinckley

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ishan99

That is very true. I am from Georgia. In the part where I'm from, they use lasers. I guess it doesn't hurt to have a radar detector just in case. Do you mind telling how the installation of your laser hammer was and the cost of it?

Well, I'm waiting for my next BMW (Oct ED). I think that I'm going to install my Escort 360 and an ALP laser system in it. ALP is probably the best laser system on the market today.

My Porsche is a whole different story. I've come close to losing my license on a couple of occasions, so for that car, I went all the way with a Stinger system. Best radar detection by a huge margin (again, important in my area) and close to ALP for laser protection. It was an $8k install!

Yeah if you read the article Roy wrote for the drive he does a nice write up of the installed systems. Then closes with something along the lines of: normal people - get a max 360, V1, or drive the speed limit.

What you have is definitely better but that's a huge leap from $500 for a plug and play detector. Is it what 15x better to justify the price? That's something everyone needs to decide on their own.

hinckley · 07-01-2017, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

What you have is definitely better but that's a huge leap from $500 for a plug and play detector. Is it what 15x better to justify the price? That's something everyone needs to decide on their own.

Ya, no joke! I love the Stinger, but I don't recommend it from a "bang for the buck" perspective. It's crazy expensive. I'm a techie, and I love its tech, its customizability, its simple iPhone-like interface. But it's hard to justify the bucks.

BEM-S4 · 07-01-2017, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hinckley

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

What you have is definitely better but that's a huge leap from $500 for a plug and play detector. Is it what 15x better to justify the price? That's something everyone needs to decide on their own.

Ya, no joke! I love the Stinger, but I don't recommend it from a "bang for the buck" perspective. It's crazy expensive. I'm a techie, and I love its tech, its customizability, its simple iPhone-like interface. But it's hard to justify the bucks.

It is pretty slick no doubt. Just FYI for others not looking to go all the way to full on crazy, the Escort Live iPhone interface is pretty similar and very nice. Between that and the real time map
with threats it's nice for a "budget" system.

That said if you're spending $10k to put this in your Porsche you're probably not crazy. Dad always said the fine line between crazy and eccentric is about $1M in net worth

hinckley · 07-01-2017, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

It is pretty slick no doubt. Just FYI for others not looking to go all the way to full on crazy, the Escort Live iPhone interface is pretty similar and very nice. Between that and the real time map
with threats it's nice for a "budget" system.

That said if you're spending $10k to put this in your Porsche you're probably not crazy. Dad always said the fine line between crazy and eccentric is about $1M in net worth

I simultaneously run as many apps as possible. I use Waze with my Stinger, and Waze and Escort Live with my 360.

And your dad sounds like a smart guy.

BEM-S4 · 07-01-2017, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hinckley

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

It is pretty slick no doubt. Just FYI for others not looking to go all the way to full on crazy, the Escort Live iPhone interface is pretty similar and very nice. Between that and the real time map
with threats it's nice for a "budget" system.

That said if you're spending $10k to put this in your Porsche you're probably not crazy. Dad always said the fine line between crazy and eccentric is about $1M in net worth

I simultaneously run as many apps as possible. I use Waze with my Stinger, and Waze and Escort Live with my 360.

And your dad sounds like a smart guy.

Yeah I do waze and escort live. There's a police scanner app for your iPhone $5. GPS enabled to easy to pick up whatever you are closest to.

BEM-S4 · 07-01-2017, 05:55 PM

It's called 5-0 radio pro

435MSport6Speed · 07-01-2017, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hinckley

Ya, no joke! I love the Stinger, but I don't recommend it from a "bang for the buck" perspective. It's crazy expensive. I'm a techie, and I love its tech, its customizability, its simple iPhone-like interface. But it's hard to justify the bucks.

Did you use JK for your install?

hinckley · 07-01-2017, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 435MSport6Speed

Did you use JK for your install?

Derek at SiM

Bigmo93 · 07-03-2017, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAhmed

Not sure about the mounts and wiring, but I had a Valentine 1 that I was very happy with for a number of years. Gave it to my younger brother after my commute changed and I stopped needing it. Would definitely recommend looking into them.

Second valentine 1

kpgray · 07-05-2017, 07:33 PM

Stinger is expensive. Valentine 1 is noisy in town, Escort 360 is bulky and takes time to "Self Learn". Try the Radenso, it is a European Detector that has been aggressively pricing themselves and they have a great after purchase support. The SE is a longer reach than a 360 for less $$$ or choose the XP (this is what I have) as it is small, very quiet in town and still has a very decent distance on the highway. Check out the RD Forum (Radar Detector Forum) to learn different brands with pluses and minuses of each. Then get the Blendmount Mirror mount with a wire tap to keep it clean factory looking.

enjoythemusic · 07-06-2017, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpgray

Valentine 1 is noisy in town...

Program X and K band off and maybe another tweak or two. Once the V1 is setup right, i pretty much virtually never get any false positives (for my area, all areas could be diff so program accordingly).

V1 PROGRAMMING GUIDE
http://www.valentine1.com/Lab/techreport3.asp

chenry · 07-06-2017, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Program out K band and maybe another tweak or two. Once the V1 is setup right, i pretty much virtually never get any false positives (for my area, all areas could be diff so program accordingly).

V1 PROGRAMMING GUIDE
http://www.valentine1.com/Lab/techreport3.asp

so this is key - custom programming (2 min endeavor) is the way to go

enjoythemusic · 07-06-2017, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chenry

so this is key - custom programming (2 min endeavor) is the way to go

IMHO yes. X and K band are pretty much always 'junk' around here, with Ka and laser (in my area) being all one needs.

chenry · 07-06-2017, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

IMHO yes. X and K band are pretty much always 'junk' around here, with Ka and laser (in my area) being all one needs.

yup same here for me in Cali - I block everything but Ka and Laser - up the sensitivity on the Ka and it's great! Most everything here on the highway is Ka (with some exceptions) so I normally see them miles away

xG35c · 07-06-2017, 03:51 PM

Even a properly programmed and upgraded V1 can be annoying in town.
Re-installed mine in my new A4 (yes I defected from BMW) and used this install kit with remote mute switch which is a MUST HAVE:
http://www.safe-n-sound1.com/Valenti...at%20Mute.html

07-01-2017, 09:28 AM	#48
5ilver-5amurai First Lieutenant 213 Rep 373 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	I've read that radar detectors can often interfere with semi-autonomous driving features such as adaptive cruise control. Anyone have any experience with this with Valentine or Escort models?
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07-01-2017, 05:55 PM	#57
BEM-S4 Major General 4516 Rep 8,942 Posts Drives: Dinan M235, Dinan Sport Wagon Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (5)	It's called 5-0 radio pro __________________ 2022 Macan S 2016 F31 328i xDrive Sport Wagon 2006 E46 330ci ZHP Convertible
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07-05-2017, 07:33 PM	#61
kpgray GasCompressor 333 Rep 564 Posts Drives: 2022 Porsche 911 Cabriolet Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Rochester, MI iTrader: (4)	Stinger is expensive. Valentine 1 is noisy in town, Escort 360 is bulky and takes time to "Self Learn". Try the Radenso, it is a European Detector that has been aggressively pricing themselves and they have a great after purchase support. The SE is a longer reach than a 360 for less $$$ or choose the XP (this is what I have) as it is small, very quiet in town and still has a very decent distance on the highway. Check out the RD Forum (Radar Detector Forum) to learn different brands with pluses and minuses of each. Then get the Blendmount Mirror mount with a wire tap to keep it clean factory looking. __________________ 2022 Porsche 911 Cabriolet Agate Grey/Black PDK 2019 440i M-Sport Smoke Topaz Metallic/Opel (Sold) 2014 335i M-Sport Black/Beige MPPK/MPE (Totaled) 2013 328i Sport xDrive Imperial Blue/Grey (Sold)
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07-06-2017, 03:51 PM	#66
xG35c Lieutenant 36 Rep 433 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Even a properly programmed and upgraded V1 can be annoying in town. Re-installed mine in my new A4 (yes I defected from BMW) and used this install kit with remote mute switch which is a MUST HAVE: http://www.safe-n-sound1.com/Valenti...at%20Mute.html
	Appreciate 0 Quote