What radar detectors do you guys use?
02-21-14, 10:11 PM
#16
Escort 8500 X50 user here since 2006 or so. The only annoyance is it going off everywhere for random X and K bands. Sometime I plan to get a built in system such as an Escort SR7 or whatever Valentine has on the market. I've wondered about the Escort GPS enabled models and how they can tell the difference between a building alarm and repeat hiding spots local LEOs use.
On this side of the country I rarely ever drive without it even if I am not exceeding any limits. It's almost prerequisite in Florida, sadly.
On this side of the country I rarely ever drive without it even if I am not exceeding any limits. It's almost prerequisite in Florida, sadly.
02-22-14, 11:58 AM
#18
Ive actually never heard of valentine till now...i used to have the 9500ix. Sold it, i didnt experience random shut offs but mine had a bb warranty, my first one kept making a clicking noise. I have the passport iq now. 2 in 1 
02-22-14, 08:27 PM
#19
I used to use a cheaper older cobra unit my uncle let me borrow for a few months. I think $100ish new and it saved me a few times. I'm in CA most cops seem to use KA frequency. After my uncle took it back I got a speeding ticket within a 2 months of not having a detector. So I bought a valentine.
Compared to the cheaper unit:
Pros
Amazing range. In flat open areas it can sense KA band from MILES away. No sure what band the patrol is using in your area...
Cons
It senses everything from so far away, Xband Kband and Laser. 90% is a false alarm. But it has a convenient temporary mute button.
Conclusion.
I think any detector is better than none. Valentine has saved me many many times but it also beeps ALL the time. Once you learn how to differentiate between a false alarm and a true threat you basically have a free pass on the freeway, but I'm thinking there must be some kind of adaptable software available to keep the detector from alerting you of every false alarm. I'm very satisfied but next time I'll buy something else just to see if I can get the amazing performance of the valentine couplesd with less false alarms from a more efficient system.
Compared to the cheaper unit:
Pros
Amazing range. In flat open areas it can sense KA band from MILES away. No sure what band the patrol is using in your area...
Cons
It senses everything from so far away, Xband Kband and Laser. 90% is a false alarm. But it has a convenient temporary mute button.
Conclusion.
I think any detector is better than none. Valentine has saved me many many times but it also beeps ALL the time. Once you learn how to differentiate between a false alarm and a true threat you basically have a free pass on the freeway, but I'm thinking there must be some kind of adaptable software available to keep the detector from alerting you of every false alarm. I'm very satisfied but next time I'll buy something else just to see if I can get the amazing performance of the valentine couplesd with less false alarms from a more efficient system.
02-22-14, 08:35 PM
#20
Escort 8500 X50 user here since 2006 or so. The only annoyance is it going off everywhere for random X and K bands. Sometime I plan to get a built in system such as an Escort SR7 or whatever Valentine has on the market. I've wondered about the Escort GPS enabled models and how they can tell the difference between a building alarm and repeat hiding spots local LEOs use.
On this side of the country I rarely ever drive without it even if I am not exceeding any limits. It's almost prerequisite in Florida, sadly.
On this side of the country I rarely ever drive without it even if I am not exceeding any limits. It's almost prerequisite in Florida, sadly.
02-23-14, 01:00 AM
#21
In Florida AND southern California I find most if not all patrol cars use the KA band. In random states I find K band patrol cars but it's largely been phased out. Most of the time even with KA "Pop" radar I notice many patrol cars have their scanners on all the time, making it easy to pick up on the signal(s) from quite a distance.
More rarely have I encountered the "instant-on" KA mode. I don't know why this is but that's been my experience. I chalk these occasions up to the times where I've only visually identified patrol headlights/taillights/electronics-behind-tinted-windows/light-bars and the officer happens to be close by already.
Laser... I notice this at ALL airports but I've wondered if it may have something to do with air traffic control towers. Occasionally where I am currently living there is a spot on the top of a certain bridge that gets laser zapped. I can never identify a patrol car doing it so I imagine it must be some fellow in a building nearby playing with a very expensive laser gun to annoy drivers or just because he has nothing better to do with his time.
Anyway, I always leave mine on. 90% of the time I don't have anything to be concerned about but after a few tickets in a row many years back I never drive without one.
More rarely have I encountered the "instant-on" KA mode. I don't know why this is but that's been my experience. I chalk these occasions up to the times where I've only visually identified patrol headlights/taillights/electronics-behind-tinted-windows/light-bars and the officer happens to be close by already.
Laser... I notice this at ALL airports but I've wondered if it may have something to do with air traffic control towers. Occasionally where I am currently living there is a spot on the top of a certain bridge that gets laser zapped. I can never identify a patrol car doing it so I imagine it must be some fellow in a building nearby playing with a very expensive laser gun to annoy drivers or just because he has nothing better to do with his time.
Anyway, I always leave mine on. 90% of the time I don't have anything to be concerned about but after a few tickets in a row many years back I never drive without one.
Last edited by KahnBB6; 02-23-14 at 01:04 AM.
02-23-14, 10:30 AM
#22
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What you are detecting is range detectors used by the tower. The bridge is a known point.
The biggest thing that worries me is the possibility of the LEOs converting to "H" band. We used it in radar systems for military purposes so it wouldn't be inconceivable. The problems would come up with detectors going ape shiz at every cell phone.
The biggest thing that worries me is the possibility of the LEOs converting to "H" band. We used it in radar systems for military purposes so it wouldn't be inconceivable. The problems would come up with detectors going ape shiz at every cell phone.
02-23-14, 05:03 PM
#23
^^ Thank you for clarifying that mystery for me!
And H-band...? Wow... I hope the FCC doesn't allow that if nothing else (as you mentioned) on the basis that cellular communications are too close in wavelength. I can see where detection would be even more ridiculous if that happened.
It's silly since it's such a money game.
And H-band...? Wow... I hope the FCC doesn't allow that if nothing else (as you mentioned) on the basis that cellular communications are too close in wavelength. I can see where detection would be even more ridiculous if that happened.
It's silly since it's such a money game.
02-24-14, 08:23 AM
#24
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Correct, when working with radars in say Iraq I would notice wait......... Uhm, yes if they ran h-band the gun results could be fought in court as the interference would be an issue. However u nailed it correct, the FCC would never allow h band for anything other than cells, microwaves, etc. just get the 9500 or the v3, they memorize glad reads by gps and frequency (nbamdwidth not how many times u passed it), so after passing walmart 3-5 times it will eventually quiet down on u.
02-24-14, 08:47 AM
#26
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http://www.k40.com/products-pages-10.php
Anyone had any experience with one of these? So much better than a detector IF they work.
Machog
Anyone had any experience with one of these? So much better than a detector IF they work.
Machog
02-24-14, 12:51 PM
#27
K40's have been around for a while. Good product so I have heard. I think radarbusters.com (Radar Roy) did a couple of reviews on some of their models.
Laser jamming is a tricky thing in general because of how pinpoint-specific the beams are onto individual vehicles whereas KA band radar can only hit a general area. Last I read up on it the angle of the repeating diodes has something to do with it. This doesn't mean laser jamming doesn't work but it is inherently trickier. It's also trickier for the officers because as of this writing they can't operate Lidar in a moving patrol vehicle. They must be stationary for the technology to work, unlike radar guns. One hopes that doesn't change anytime soon given that 95% of the time there is zero warning.
Laser jamming is a tricky thing in general because of how pinpoint-specific the beams are onto individual vehicles whereas KA band radar can only hit a general area. Last I read up on it the angle of the repeating diodes has something to do with it. This doesn't mean laser jamming doesn't work but it is inherently trickier. It's also trickier for the officers because as of this writing they can't operate Lidar in a moving patrol vehicle. They must be stationary for the technology to work, unlike radar guns. One hopes that doesn't change anytime soon given that 95% of the time there is zero warning.
03-01-14, 04:12 AM
#29
Lexus Champion
I have the K40 RL360 & its leaps and bounds ahead of its competitors. .with true front AND rear radar sensors (the rest only have front but claim to detect rear also. its rear so long as the signal bounces around enough so the front picks it up) 2nd with the K40 you can add as many laser defusers as u need depending on vehicle size. (Larger the target the more youll need.... suvs are brick walls running down the road so they need more protection) all the rest max out at 3(2front 1rear) I currently have 3front an 1rear but I just ordered 2 more for rear...NO-ONE offers tht type of coverage. ...
Fyi I have been using k40 products for almost 20yrs... (starting with the 2000 to the calibre DL now RL360) I have tried others (V1, bel tech, passport /escort, whistler and so on.... always returning to k40)
The best is the best for a reason
Fyi I have been using k40 products for almost 20yrs... (starting with the 2000 to the calibre DL now RL360) I have tried others (V1, bel tech, passport /escort, whistler and so on.... always returning to k40)
The best is the best for a reason
Last edited by Shibumi1; 03-01-14 at 04:17 AM.
03-10-14, 08:49 PM
#30
I have a PASSPORT Max and its one of the best windshield radar detectors out there. It uses GPS to help eliminate false alarms and it looks great. I was going to get a V1 and although its also a great detector its one of the ugliest I've ever seen.
It's already paid for itself by saving me from getting several tickets. My last 600+ mile trip I set the cruse control to 95 and kept it moving. I came across several cops and each time it gave me plenty of warning.
It's already paid for itself by saving me from getting several tickets. My last 600+ mile trip I set the cruse control to 95 and kept it moving. I came across several cops and each time it gave me plenty of warning.