[azraq27]

Ok, first off this post isn't about mad speeding or anything. I'm just getting sick of speeding tickets. I don't get them that often, but when I do, they're really frustrating. Now that I'm getting a car that attracts attention, I'm fearing more tickets.

No, no, no, I know what you're going to say, "just slow down." I do. I usually drive pretty mildly. A couple weeks ago I was driving along with traffic, minding my own business, when I get pulled over -- 69 in a 50. I had no idea I was speeding, I was just going with the flow. The cop was real nice about it... still burns, though.

So I'm considering a radar detector, but I've never had one before, so I'm not sure what to expect realistically for performance. I really don't want something that goes off every minute -- is this something I should expect? How's the level of radar detector technology today?

And please, I'm not trying to use this as a license to speed. I just want something to look out for me when I accidently drift a little over. Please no preaching posts, I'm just wondering what peoples' real experiences are with radar detectors

 

[urbanchemist]

i will tell you from my own personal experience i wouldnt drive without one. i am not really much a speeder or unsafe driver. i have been driving for almost half my life and i have a great driving record (knock on wood). the radar detector has helped me out tremendously. i say go for it you have nothing to lose

 

[Lik2race]

Don't Know

Beats me..I have never had one,nor needed one.
Guess I am "just Lucky"....

 

[Model 57]

I have had a few, and the Escort brand seems to be very good. If you need gimicks, like which direction are they hitting you from, then the Valentine one is what you want.

 

[Model 57]

Oh, and the reason why I got a radar detector in the first place? My last Chrysler, an '87 Lebaron convertible, was Flash Red. A friend told me, "nice car, but I would get a very good radar detector....." I found that the police do notice RED, and they seem to estimate them going at least 10 MPH faster.

 

[HaTaX]

I have an escort SR-1, love it... It was in my 300M and I have not yet moved it to the 300C, but should mount perfectly behind the front grill...

I liked the fact I could turn the xband down or off on city mode... Nice detector if you can get it for around $500.

 

[wesexcellence]

I use the K-40 2000 series detectors in all my vehicles. It allows stealth installation and had front and rear receivers. They also pay for your tickets.

 

[II kings 9:20]

My Valentine one has saved me countless times, it has a true stealth mode and is not visible at night.

 

[Rambit]

Question for Mikeyjohn

Are radar detectors illegal all across Canada? If so, what is the fine getting caught with one?

Rambit

 

[Rollin on Dueces]

i say go with the valentine one. it is by far the best(based on experiences that me and my friends have had). well worth the 400 bucks.

 

[Billy94Z]

go to radartest.com and make up your own mind. They conclure Valentine was good back in the day but they havent kept up w/technology. I like the escort. you can actually buy both w/30 day return and return which one you dont like. If anyone has an old escort you can use it like a $50 or $100 coupon when you buy a new one.

 

[nick_danger]

Check your state laws, but if it's legal, you should get a jammer. My friend has a laser jammer in his tricked out Audi S4 Avant. No joke, we were cruising out of Colorado Springs at 170+MPH (the speedo was buried), just flying, and then he slowed down to about 85-90 as he approached an area he knows troopers like to hang out. Sure enough he crested the hill and got blasted with a laser and it made this whine each time he was lit up. He slowed down to 70, then flicked off the jammer so the trooper could get a reading of him traveling at a legal speed.

It had to be the coolest thing I had ever seen. I was very impressed, so much so that I wanted to get one for myself, but learned that they are illegal in Minnesota. They could be illegal in CO as well, but it's not worth the risk for me.

The fastest I drive is around 110, but I'm normally around 80-85. I just keep a really sharp eye our for cops and I try not to speed too much in areas I'm not familiar with. Minnesota State Troopers are really predictable and usually hide out in the same spots. I've only got two speeding tickets to my name in my short 10 years of motoring, and I haven't had one in almost 5 years.

A decent radar detector costs about the same as a speeding ticket ($120?), so if you get a lot of tickets, it might be worth it, but it usually only works well for times when the cop is in front of you, because if you pass by him and you don't see him and he lights you up from behind and you stomp the brakes, he'll see the brakelights and go after you just because he knows you have a detector. They're kind of vindictive...

 

[II kings 9:20]

go to radartest.com and make up your own mind. They conclure Valentine was good back in the day but they havent kept up w/technology. I like the escort. you can actually buy both w/30 day return and return which one you dont like. If anyone has an old escort you can use it like a $50 or $100 coupon when you buy a new one.

This info is correct, my V1 is 10 yrs old and for the money (paid) is the best, I don't want to pony up $300 for a new detector when this one is so good, if I were buying today I would prolly go Escort. FWIW many tests have shown jammers don't work, my brother thinks his does but also has front and rear detectors in his Diablo.

 

[MikeB]

Everyone has a different opinion in this arena. Here's mine:

I've got two Valentine Ones (V1), which I swap between my cars and motorcycles. I wouldn't drive without one. The Escort and current V1s are pretty close in terms of their ability to detect radar, lidar, and discriminate between false alarms. There are also some other excellent detectors from manufacturers like PNI and Beltronics. Each has its fans, but the Escort and V1 seem to be at the top of the heap in most tests (there's some question about the contentious relationship between the owner/proprietor of radartest.com and the President of Valentine, which may account for why that website consistently rates the V1 below the others; I'd suggest you read multiple tests and decide for yourself). The V1 is about $70 more than the Escort X50. The reason I prefer it is that the multiple alert arrows (the "radar locator") allow you to tell with a great deal of accuracy the location and number of radar units operating in your vicinity.

To illustrate how this can be of help, imagine two radar units "shooting" traffic a half-mile apart. With the V1, you will likely first get an indication of one radar source, then a second. Assuming you slow down for the first, the alert arrows will indicate one unit in front and one unit in back of you as you pass the first. Without this function, you would likely never know that you were facing another radar "threat," and would speed up after passing the first radar unit. My V1 has saved my bacon in situations like this a number of times. The radar locator function also helps quite a bit in discerning "false" alarms from sources like door openers. You can check out www.valentineone.com for a much more complete description.

Finally, one of the things I really like about Valentine is the easy upgrade path to their most current technology. If, at any time, you want to upgrade a Valentine to the most current specs (I recently upgraded to a POP-detecting model, for instance), you just send your current detector back to Valentine, along with the payment for the upgrade, and they will send you a new, current-spec V1 with the latest hardware and software, with a one-year warranty. In this regard, I feel obliged to note that some people believe that the V1 has not been upgraded since its introduction since it looks pretty much the same as it did several years ago. Not so! In fact, the V1 is upgraded as often--probably more--than any other detector on the market.

Bottom line: the V1 is a great detector. I think it's the best, but there are some very good models out there.

With regard to jammers, it's important to note that radar jammers are illegal everywhere in the U.S. Laser jammers are legal in all but about five states. They are generally pretty effective, but my reading indicates that the most effective jammers are probably the Blinder Xtreme series (M20 and M40). With laser (LIDAR), it's difficult to pick up an errant signal before you're actually targeted; the jammers are probably the most effective countermeasure, though a relatively new product called VEIL can significantly reduce your LIDAR signature by absorbing the laser's infrared light. It's a product that you paint on your front license plate and other reflective surfaces. Expensive, but also reportedly very effective.

There's a lot of very effective "countermeasure" gear out there, but common sense is still the greatest countermeasure to getting a ticket. If you consistently push the limits and stick out as one of the faster drivers on the road, sooner or later your luck will give out.

 

[TheSRTSaint]

This info is correct, my V1 is 10 yrs old and for the money (paid) is the best, I don't want to pony up $300 for a new detector when this one is so good, if I were buying today I would prolly go Escort. FWIW many tests have shown jammers don't work, my brother thinks his does but also has front and rear detectors in his Diablo.

Please read this independent analysis about laser jamming:

http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=8502

It should change your mind.

 

[nick_danger]

If you consistently push the limits and stick out as one of the faster drivers on the road, sooner or later your luck will give out.

You may also wind up dead. The safest speed is the 85th percentile. Stick with the pack and you'll keep the cops and the grim reaper at bay...

 

[dynodon]

Mike B had a great description of why the V1 is my favorite.

I have had Escorts, and BEL and the V1 still is right at the top of the heap in range and quality, plus it is better built, (mine has been dropped multiple times with no ill effects) I have had to have button replaced and worse on most other units.

There are people that will go to the mat to say the "arrows" aren't worth it to them, but like the ad says, if you live with them, you know why they are the best thing since the air filled tire!

Plus the V1 is Sooooo easy to use. No complicated programs. On, volume, and three levels of detection. I live in a small metro/country setting and leave mine on the middle setting pretty much all the time.

Got an old V1? Do what I did, send it in for an upgrade at a big discount.

Only one choice for me, but I do believe that a detector is useful for those that don't want to speed, it helps me know when the person putting on makup or reading a magazine ahead of me in traffic is going to see the radar trap over the hill and hit the brakes! Along with other benefits.

Dynodon
Illinois
300C Magnesium

 

[jimhild]

We concur wtih Deuces! We have a Valentine One in each car. When the ignition is on the Valentine One is on. Excellent coverage and the arrows "rock".

 

[Farns514]

I would definitely go for the Valentine 1. I have seen it in many cases to go off first and warn you before any radar. I know this guy that has a k 40 and Valentine built into his car. We took a trip to a college and was goin about 90 in a 65 and the first radar that warned us was the valentine. You can buy it brand new which will cost you about $400 but they give you a GUARANTEE that if you get a ticket they will pay for it. Or you can go on ebay and buy a used one.

 

[vvv90]

I'm sold V1 it is!

As far as radar/lidar jamming, if the unit is hidden in your car how do you get caught?

If you do get caught what happens?

Will the cop know he was jammed or just think it was a blip if you turn it off once you've reached safe speeds?