Notices
GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005) Discussion about the second generation GS300, GS400 and GS430 (1998 - 2005)

can someone tell me what radar detector to get?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 23, 2001 | 09:06 PM
  #1  
Erick G's Avatar
Erick G
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 1
From: MD
Default

Hey guys

can someone recommend a good radar detector?

How are the valentine one?

thanks

Reply
Old Jul 23, 2001 | 09:33 PM
  #2  
sarkastro's Avatar
sarkastro
Pole Position
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: Dallas TX
Default

motortrend just put up a radar guide this past week. The story is on their main page if you wanna take a peak. Most people seem to recommend either the Val or the Bel 980 from what I've seen
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2001 | 09:39 PM
  #3  
anthracitetarga's Avatar
anthracitetarga
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,617
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
Default

I have a Passport 8500 and love it.
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2001 | 11:33 PM
  #4  
ceoart's Avatar
ceoart
Pole Position
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 397
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
Cool

Radar detectors don't stop you getting a tickets often enough to put up with all its false alarms. I am looking to make my GS430 Stealth instead or have feedback to make the radar gun short out.
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2001 | 11:48 PM
  #5  
GS3-Kid858's Avatar
GS3-Kid858
Driver
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Default

really ceoart? is that possible?
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2001 | 03:13 AM
  #6  
mooretorque's Avatar
mooretorque
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,851
Likes: 4
From: Arkansas
Talking

GS3-K8, no it's not possible, back-of-the-magazine ads to the contrary. Or rather, it is possible, in theory, but godawfully expensive. As in way more than your car costs.

Stealth tech is well documented in the military but there is nothing even vaguely applicable to consumer use. Couple of car mags last yr showed a homebuilt over in England of a guy who wanted a car that "looked like" the Stealth bomber. He made no claims re the radar signature of the car but, suffice to say, it wasn't invisible.

As far as jammers are concerned, again, possible but not economically feasible for us. Car and Driver tested several jammers (both radar and laser) a couple of years ago (as well as taking them apart to see what sort of crap was being foisted off on the gullible. Conclusion: essentially zero effectiveness. And if a simple jammer/false speed generator can't produce enough power to work, you can be sure it certainly isn't producing enough power to smoke circuitry.

And those of us who have escaped even one or two tickets with our detectors would dispute the economics of going bare, since the direct costs of fines have escalated, and there are always those insurance premiums to think about.

All the detectors above are excellent and all have their defenders. As far as other stuff, caveat emptor. But it's sure OK with me if somebody wants to use jammers/cloaking devices/some other wierd arrangement. Just gives me some more runners to set off the instant-on before I get to it thereby letting me know where the blue ones are. :eek:

Last edited by mooretorque; Jul 24, 2001 at 03:19 AM.
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2001 | 05:28 AM
  #7  
kjhouston's Avatar
kjhouston
Rookie
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Default

I also have the Passport 8500 and it works great. If you search the web for radar test there is a sight that shows testing results and the Passport was rated the best. I've saved the money it cost me already. The sight also gives info on jammers. Basically says that nothing works.
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2001 | 06:08 AM
  #8  
RealMarty's Avatar
RealMarty
Lexus Test Driver
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
Default

Originally posted by ceoart
Radar detectors don't stop you getting a tickets often enough to put up with all its false alarms....
I strongly disagree. In the 20+ years I've used one version of Passport after another I can't tell you how many times they've saved my butt. And the 8500 is virtually false alarm free and can be programmed to eliminate X band for example to remove false alarms from radar-like (primarily motion detector) sources.

Granted, they are basically useless against LASER, but for radar a good detector does the job. Wouldn't be happy driving without my Passport 8500.

As for making your car "stealth" - I'm with mooretorque. What I've seen says the claims haven't been met. The tests indicate they don't work. If someone has some concrete data to the contrary I'd be very interested. If they really have one that works I'd go for it. So far I haven't felt the need to spend my money on one.
Reply
ClubLexus Stories

Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe

story-0

2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jul 24, 2001 | 06:33 AM
  #9  
TXSTYLE's Avatar
TXSTYLE
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 8,270
Likes: 0
From: The GYM!
Exclamation ***PASSPORT 8500***

PASSPORT 8500!!!

It's as simple as that! V-1, BEL 980, are good.
Passport 8500 is the best!!!
I my friend and a cop buddy put my 8500 and his V-1 (in his 01' Porsche 911) put em' to a "real life" test. Let's just say he sold the V-1 and got a 8500!!!
Also I got a contact for the best price for one. Let me know. :eek:
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2001 | 07:52 AM
  #10  
fever's Avatar
fever
Advanced
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
Default

TXStyle, I'm looking for an 8500. I'm game on that hookup if it's still cool.

fever@clublexus.com
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2001 | 09:38 AM
  #11  
Erick G's Avatar
Erick G
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 1
From: MD
Default

Txstyle Hook me up

do they make a cordless model?

I dont have room for another plug.

thanks


Reply
Old Jul 24, 2001 | 10:11 AM
  #12  
RealMarty's Avatar
RealMarty
Lexus Test Driver
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
Default

They do make a cordless model called the Solo. Check out

http://www.escortradar.com

But, cordless detectors typically don't perform as well as corded models. I don't think the Solo is equivalent in quality to the 8500.

You may want to consider a "Y splitter" for the cigarette lighter plug to give you another outlet. Althought, my preference would be to direct wire the 8500 into the lighter fuse in the fuse box at the driver's kick panel. This way it turns on automatically when you start the car. You can get direct wires for the 8500 (with and without the "smart" feature) from Escort or perhaps from where you buy the 8500.
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2001 | 10:30 AM
  #13  
Erick G's Avatar
Erick G
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 1
From: MD
Default

that sounds good
direct wire would work

now i need to find the best place to order from

thanks

Reply
Old Jul 24, 2001 | 10:44 AM
  #14  
mooretorque's Avatar
mooretorque
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,851
Likes: 4
From: Arkansas
Talking

Erick, the best place is also the only place (unless Cincinnati Microwave has changed their previous practice of only selling from the factory).......call the 1-800 #. Interesting (and, of course, not coincidental, since Mike Valentine was the engineer behind the original Escort when he was the Head Wiz at CM) that CM and Valentine have similar marketing philosophy and tend to go neck-in-neck performance-wise.

Direct wire is the way to go.
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2001 | 11:23 AM
  #15  
TXSTYLE's Avatar
TXSTYLE
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 8,270
Likes: 0
From: The GYM!
Thumbs up

Guys give me a moment to track down my contact for sale of the 8500. It'll be worth it! And unfotunately the Solo will not compare to the 8500!!! :eek:
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:42 AM.

story-0
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks

Slideshow: the 2026 IS 350 isn't all that new, and that's why we love it!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-04 14:35:23


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!

Slideshow: 10 most confusing things Lexus has ever done.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-04 09:40:55


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles

Slideshow: Our First-Drive Review of the 2026 Lexus ES!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-29 20:30:16


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4

Slideshow: 10 Lexus bargain that are cheaper than a new Toyota.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 10:28:20


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built

Slideshow: From hoverboards to luxury yachts, these are the strangest projects Lexus has ever attached its badge to.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-16 11:34:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Some luxury cars chase trends, but these Lexus models look better now than they did when they first rolled into showrooms.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-06 17:58:29


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!

Slideshow: How to Get the Best Fuel Economy with a Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-05 20:54:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers

Slideshow: 10 best Lexus models no one remembers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 17:33:28


VIEW MORE
story-8
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

Slideshow: diving into 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium's pricing, performance, fuel economy, features, and amenities!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-23 13:09:18


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

Slideshow: the 10 Lexus and Toyota vehicles you need to drive before you die.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-23 10:34:24


VIEW MORE