What is the best radar on the market?

[Kargurra]

Laser Jammers are legal in some states

 

Passive jammers MAY be legal, but Active jammers are definitely illegal. It's a federal offence to intentionally cause malicious interference with licensed radio frequencies, including those in use by radar guns.

[Kargurra]

Passive jammers MAY be legal, but Active jammers are definitely illegal. It's a federal offence to intentionally cause malicious interference with licensed radio frequencies, including those in use by radar guns.

 

 

Apparently, I'm wrong...

 

According to this website: http://www.laserveil.com/radar/jammers/ (They sell laser "jammers")

 

Unlike police laser (at least in most states), police RADAR can not be legally jammed, in fact, any attempt to do so (whether one is successful or not, most active jammers are not) is a federal offence and violates FCC regulations. Late in 1997, the FCC also ruled that so-called passive-reflector type "radar scramblers" are also illegal to operate whether they are effective or not (they're not) because the FCC considers any attempt as "malicious interference" and as such can not be licensed by the FCC (radar detectors are also subject to FCC licensing requirements since they too emit RF).

 

 

Take it with a grain of salt...

[mand3j]

Aside for the GPS related functions, is the actual radar performance better than the 8500 x50?

 

I bet it isn't any better.

But it does automatically adjust sensativity based on your speed and the posted speed. Also gives you the ability to record speed traps in memory or block a false signal in a known areas.

Another feature is it displays your current speed at the time of alarm.

I used mine for the first time today, so I haven't figured out what else it does.

 

No where did any of the information claim it offered better protection than the 8550 x50 though.

[harrydog]

I've had a V1 for many years and am very happy with it. If I were to buy another detector, it would most likely be another V1. The arrows can be very helpful.

[vwremglx]

Another I love my V1. Had it for many years and saved me many times. The directionals are the seller for me.

 

A little off topic and could be urban legend but if it's true it's awesome.... heard a story of someone in the military that had a radar amplifier on their car. When it received a radar from the police it would amplify the signal and send it back frying the radar gun. The cops finally pulled him over and asked him to stop after he disabled so many radar guns. They couldn't prove it so they just asked him to stop. Not sure how real this is, but I love it.

[praedet]

Active Laser Jammers are legal (Federally) because they are governed by the FDA, not the FCC. State by stae they can be illegal...

[Infamous1]

Active Laser Jammers are legal (Federally) because they are governed by the FDA, not the FCC. State by stae they can be illegal...

Yep !

[tantal]

the valentine 1. http://www.valentine1.com/

 

+, like, one meeeeelion.

 

So good, I've got it hard wired into every car, with the remote display.

 

[Kargurra]

Laser Jammers are legal in some states

 

 

I agree. I misread your second post regarding jammers....thought you were still talking radar...

[SIDrive]

Got a BEL RX75 in the Turbo Trans AM and a BEL 975R in the GN and DeLorean. Saved me countless times. Have a RX75 to put in the LGT. Both are remote type detectors with front and rear laser sensors. Best thing about remotes is you can mount the sensor where it will do the most good. Laser guns need a flat surface to get a good reading which is why most cops aim a laser gun at your license plate. The RX75 laser sensors are made to bolt right to the license plate.

[badfish11]

My 5 year old Beltronics vector 960 finally broke and it's time for a replacement. After my research on all the RD forums and websites I've narrowed my choices to the Valentine One and Escort Passport 9500i. From what I've read this is how I stack the two:

 

V1:

Pros: better Ka detection range, better laser detection (some argue this point is moot because once your detector alerts you to the laser, you're already busted), cheaper than the 9500i

Cons: Way more false alerts than the 9500i, not as many extra features as the 9500i

 

Passport 9500i

Pros: Way more "extras" built in. TruLock (may be flawed, maybe not), variable speed performance, etc.

Cons: Not as good Ka and laser detection than the V1, more expensive

 

With all that being said, does anyone see that I'm leaving out any big differences between the two that would help make my decision?

[Lothar]

You did leave out one major difference: The V1 will tell you from what direction the threat is transmitting (front, side, or rear). I'm not that familiar with the Passport, but I don't think it can display that info.

 

That alone is reason enough to go with the V1.

[Metal2You]

I figure just on the fine alone for 105 in a 70 would have been more than the cost of my V1, so the rest is gravy.

 

 

Nevermind a ticket, your V1 saved you from being arrested! Not all state laws are the same, but I'd be amazed if that didn't land you in jail anywhere in the US.

 

I got pulled over doing 94 in a 65 in Vermont. The officer said 95 MPH would have been 30 over and mandatory arrest.

[MOMSWGN]

V1, cops around here are lazy. Directional arrows are great. The only thing better is a white coat.

[badfish11]

Where is here? lol

 

I did order the V1 though, I'll deal with the false alerts if the V1s Ka detection is that much better than the 9500i.

[Kargurra]

Nevermind a ticket, your V1 saved you from being arrested! Not all state laws are the same, but I'd be amazed if that didn't land you in jail anywhere in the US.

 

I got pulled over doing 94 in a 65 in Vermont. The officer said 95 MPH would have been 30 over and mandatory arrest.

 

Hmm...I once got pulled over for 102 in a 65 up in St. Albans. (Laws may have changed since then - early 90s) I had a court date, and he didn't show (it was a local cop.) I got off, but slowed down after that!

[TSiWRX]

In the real-world, any of the top-flight detectors will do just as well as another.

 

Unique-unit production variances, plus the multitude of "unaccountables," when it comes to trying to superimpose "testing data" onto real-world scenarios won't necessarily allow one to paint a full picture.

 

Yes, there's some very, very general comments that can be made (and will hold-true), such as that the V1's class-leading raw-sensitivity makes it the "king of the open highway" (as well as in less-false dense suburban areas; regardless, in both situations, the ability of the arrows to reliably determine threat direction is also a definite plus) and that the 9500i is a super-quiet detector for those whose commute encounters dense/persistent-false, in-city situations. Similarly, it can also be said that the true-stealth (the ONLY detector, so far, to be able to elude Spectre detection) Bel STi-Driver is the only viable choice in a detector-illegal area.

 

But aside from these generalizations,

 

What it boils-down to, in the end, is just end-user preference.

 

 

----

 

Note that if you're expanding this set of criteria to remote-mount systems, things get a little more complicated.

 

It seems that, mounted properly to take the advantages of each vehicle's own unique physical strengths, the Escort SR7 will essentially run neck-and-neck with the V1, when it comes to raw sensitivity. There is still some give/take, with respect to each detector's own strengths and weaknesses, when it comes to absolute detection distance, based on frequency - but overall, it gets very, very close.

 

The Bel STi-R, a remote-mounted STi-Driver unit in the vein of the SR7, has been on-sale in various overseas markets since fourth-quarter, 2007. It is reportedly just as fully-cloaked as the STi-Driver, with the additional "stealth" factor of being a very, very easily concealed unit "in-cabin." The highly anticipated (release-date is set to be March/April, 2008) Escort 9500ci - a remote-mount unit with both the current 9500i's GPS-enhanced features as well as an attempt at artificial intelligence - has it on inside rumors that its raw sensitivity may actually BETTER that of the legendary V1.

[Neurodancer]

Save the money and get the Passport.

 

 

I have the 8500 and it is great! Keep in mind that cops are getting more savvy (triggering can give little notice) and I've been seeing more and more LIDAR users. The 8500 will detect laser, but you have minimal reaction time with them.

 

The laser jammers is whole nuther kettle o' fish!

[TSiWRX]

^ Towards this end.....

 

The V1 is again class-leading in terms of laser sensitivity (although it should be said that the new 9500i is also quite sensitive, in this respect), and should give you "best odds," if only a stand-alone detector is used in this particular instance.

 

If you're looking at a remote-mounted detector, honestly, the ZR3 and its sisters (SR7, SR7+, SRX) are all excellent laser detectors as well, and even to this day, are still considered as among being the best of the breed.

 

---

 

In terms of the x50.....

 

Placement is important. A low-mount (low to the dash) will be good at catching true-hits, but a high-mount will optimize your chances at getting a scatter/reflection. The former will, of course, not offer the advantages of the latter, and it's conversely also quite possible for a high-mounted x50 to "miss" a true hit, even on a vehicle of our size.

[TSiWRX]

Jammers are useless (passive jammers - also the only ones commercially available) or illegal (active jammers.) On a passive jammer, it's impossible for the horn of the jammer to put out a radio reflection bigger than the vehicle you're in. They generally only work in a lab setting where they're the biggest object in front of the radar.

 

Active jammers will get you into BIG trouble....if the cop realizes what it is.

 

I wouldn't waste my money on one.

 

You've already corrected yourself with regard on the legality of active laser jammers, so no word on that is needed.

 

However, you're also mistaken about both the commercial availability of active laser jammers, as well as the effectiveness of today's leading jammers.

 

There are a number of active jammers out now which can easily effect "Jam To Gun" and even "Jam From Gun" (i.e. the vehicle passes the enforcer/LIDAR, and a "rear shot" is taken, with the vehicle going away from the LIDAR source) performance.

 

The Laser Interceptor, Laser Pro Park, and AntiLaser are just three examples of what's available on the market today that fall into this category of extreme performance - proven, no less, under rigorous examination by interest-free, non-profit, individual as well as groups of enthusiasts/hobbyists in the speed-detection countermeasures community.

 

On the vast majority of today's police-LIDAR devices seen in North America, none of these three devices will elicit a true "jam code," and this, combined with the inherently less-than-absolute operation of police-LIDAR devices, makes it very, very difficult for the average enforcer to even know that his/her efforts are being actively thwarted. Furthermore, combine these factors with proper tactical usage of the device (reduce-to-reasonable/PSL as safely and as quickly as possible, and then disengaging the device so as to allow for a possible lock), will make even the most seasoned enforcer quite hard-pressed to determine if there's active jamming.

 

---

 

Also, regarding passive laser protection.

 

You're correct, passive "jammers" do not work.

 

However, there are many passive "means" - measures undertaken either on a DIY basis or even with commercial products specific to the purpose - by which one can drastically reduce their vehicle's LIDAR profile.

 

VEIL, as you cited in a later post, is just one such product. Typically used to "dress" the vehicle's vulnerable lighting elements (highly LIDAR reflective), it has also been used on chrome/reflective trim elements and the also extremely highly LIDAR reflective front license plate.

 

Similarly, the use of a non-metallic, matte-finish "replica plate," removing reflective elements from lighting (or using the really, really darkly tinted "headlight covers"), and dressing the plate and other hard-points via products like the LaserShield and 3M Clear Duct Tape ( yes, you read that correctly! ) or even a front-end "bra" for brighter-colored/metallic-finished vehicles, will all work to reduce a vehicle's LIDAR profile.

 

To wit, there's a previous-generation Toyota Tundra pickup, owned by a very, very dedicated speed-detection countermeasures enthusiast, which, amazingly enough, versus some of the most dreaded LIDAR devices out there, will actually not return a valid signal until the truck is just under 350 feet away from the gun (typically, even small vehicles can be picked-off, easily, at 1500+ ft.) !

 

Make no mistake, LIDAR to the unprepared is quite "deadly." However, to the prepared, it is actually something that, in my most humble opinion, is actually *LESS* of a threat than instant-on RADAR, VASCAR (airborne or land-based), or the tried-and-true art of pacing.

[Jimbizzle]

I am running the Bel RX65 and it works GREAT! Low falses and great range.

 

I have the same. Where is yours mounted at?

 

I have mine on my windshield, behind my rear view mirror, out of my sight.

[Living Legacy]

What about built in radar detectors? I want to have a detector, but I don't want it cluttering up my dash. I've tried searching but came up with very little, does anyone have one or any experience with this?

[TSiWRX]

The K40 products offer acceptable performance. However, I do not think that their price-to-performance ratio is anywhere near acceptable.

 

Currently, the only way to go would be, IMveryHO, with the Escort products.

 

The SR7/SR7+/SRX is a proven setup, and various methods to even further slim-down its display exists (albeit is a bit hardcore):

 

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?p=234539&highlight=#234539

 

Technically, though, if you want to completely do without the display (or mount it, say, in the headliner or even your cubby - thus pretty much completely out-of-sight), it does include a single, small, bi-modal LED which serves as an alert/pilot light.

 

The 9500ci is supposed to come on-market at the end of the quarter, and this product should be worth waiting for, particularly if you enjoy the ancillary benefits of the 9500i.

 

---

 

Alternatively, the V1 can be mounted close to the headliner, and you can trail its remote display (and also, if desired, a remote mute/volume control) inside your main dash cluster/console, respectively (or other location of your choosing).

 

There is also the extreme, when it comes to integrating the V1, as what brother puzzled presents here:

 

http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61800

 

In these cases, yes, the V1 will still be somewhere "on your windshield," but mounted high enough, it'll present much less visual signature/clutter than what you're likely thinking.

 

Also as an alternative, I address the Cheetah GPS-Mirror and its various link components in the latter half of this thread:

 

http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77234&highlight=v1%2A+display

 

Similar to the above-discussed with regard to the V1's remote display, this kind of setup, with the GPS-Mirror, still will require that you have your detector mounted somewhere on your windshield, but again, overall, there's going to be much less visual clutter than you're likely thinking about.

 

With my setup, for example:

 

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u259/TSi_WRX/WinkyInsideDay9500i.jpg

 

^ My car (* the little mirror off to the right is for me to keep an eye on baby-Anna).

 

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u259/TSi_WRX/WRXx50BlueDay.jpg

 

^ The wifey's WRX, when I'm using her car.

 

The detector is in a position that I prefer, so that I can at-a-glance reference the unit, as well as keep it visible in my peripheral vision, always. However, if you were to prefer less visual intrusion, you could even get it up into the areas of our Legacy which carries the ceramic dots, right above the inside rearview mirror. Hardwired, as you see with both of these detectors, they really are pretty out-of-sight, out-of-mind.

 

Controls for my car:

 

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u259/TSi_WRX/WinkyInsideDaycenterconsoleLIT2.jpg

 

And the wifey's:

 

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u259/TSi_WRX/WRXx50SCdetail.jpg

 

- again each make for a low-profile setup. With the cubby/ashtray doors closed, you wouldn't know that anything was there (on my setup, yes, I do have the detector's remote in an "external" area, but my bank of jammer controls are all out-of-sight, as soon as I close the ashtray door).

 

Since most of today's top- (and even second-) tier stand-alone detectors all offer remote actuation of main controls as well as the ability to be hardwired, this kind of low visual-signature setup is easy to achieve.

[TSiWRX]

Oh, and I almost forgot.....

 

If I didn't mention it in that Cheetah link above - there are "emulation" programs out there which allows the V1's display to be mirrored on a PC-based computer or laptop.

 

This *could* be used to integrate this particular detector with, say, a carputer, thus again reducing the amount of dash space consumed/cutter seen.

[Kargurra]

You've already corrected yourself with regard on the legality of active laser jammers, so no word on that is needed.

 

 

I was actually referring to RADAR jammers (as mentioned in a few posts down from that one.) I think you misread my post as I misread the original post. *shrug*

 

I don't have any experience with laser jamming, but was looking into the Laser Pro Park and Blinder systems. I think someone was trying to get a group buy going on the LPP system.