I have a beltronics rd that saved me a bunch of times...but I've also got plenty of tickets also. Just depends where the cop is and if he's using laser for the instant hit.

 

They pop up on ebay and such at a good price on occasion. I understand the not wanting to spend the cash, but it is the best out there especially in states where RD's are illegal. And the install isn't too difficult on most cars. If I had to guess over the years I probably installed close to 100 of them in everything from Carrera GT's (okay.. that one was hard) to Ferrari 360's to GT500's.

 

thanks alot for the help guys, im still undecided but im reading good and bad reviews on them.

i know a radar detector wont garuntee me not to get a ticket but if it helps..
my friend with the cobra one loves his, we were doing 95 with a trailer on the way to glamis last winter and the radar went off so we slowed it down to 65 and the cop was only able to write him a ticket for no front plate and tint. he commented on how the radar detector was illegal but my friend said its used as a compass and it notifies him of close coming emergency vehicles, so he got away with it

thanks for the help again!
ill let you know what i find

 

well ive got my eyes on the escort passport 8500 X50 Blue
i considered what was said about the service thing but for the price its not too bad, and im sure i can find a place to knock it backinto callibration
i would love to get a vallentine one but the price....
im checking Ebay constantly i found that escort for 300 on buy.com so i didnt think that was too bad

 

Regarding the laser jammers - at least in CA they are illegal to have, and if you do have one mounted in your car, should a cop hit you with the laser, the jamming signal will throw a code on the cop's gun (and they know what that code means). So you have a choice of being pulled over for speeding or for having something illegal in your vehicle. Take your choice as to which would have a worse end result

On an aside, I've heard the current technology on laser guns is that it will scan a wide field of objects and isolate the fastest vehicle's speed, so even then you may be in trouble, even if the gun is not pointed directly at you.

(Source - family friend is an officer)

 

Just found this thread. Some years back I purchased both the Passport 8500 and the Valentine 1. I live just a few miles from Vaentine one and Escort is in the same area. I tried each for 30 days.

My findings in the real world of detection were that the Valentine one though very nicely equipped and well put together was very, very sensitive to everything. They have great range, but when you factor the amount of Walgreen stores with door sensors for the automatic doors these days, you never get a break in town from the squawking. The additonal cost just wasn't value for the buck IMO.

In my experience as long as I can detect the cop within a 1/2 to 3/4 mile range he/she can't get me unless they are running instant on or laser. I have yet to find anything to beat the laser. I hate those things. BTW I am in field service and travel as much as 1400 miles in a week by car at times.

My tests wer done in Ohio which btw was just ranked #2 in the country for speeding tickets written just behind New Jersey. So I sport the trusty 8500 passport and keep an eye peeled for fellow travelers flashing warnings for upcoming bogies.

 

Laser uses a very narrow beam; approx. 36" wide at 1000' so it's possible to get tagged by the LEO aiming at your headlight or license plate and never setting the detector's alert if it's mounted high on the windshield.

There are laser absorbing materials (i.e. VEIL) that can be discretely applied to the more common targets on the car that the LEO will aim for. It'll reduce the "punch thru" distance that will give the LEO a good return signal and MIGHT give you enough advance warning to react. Over the past 2 years I've seen the use of laser increase better than 20 fold. But then, it's always been a cat and mouse game.

Never run without a rabbit; radar detector or no radar detector. Let the rabbit take the hit.

 

it's funny how you always see people knocking the Cobra detectors.


I've been running them for 10 yrs. My current one is 5 yrs old and works just perfect. I'll buy another one when this one dies.



but then again, it's just a small part of how I drive. I'm always scanning for LEO.

 

"but then again, it's just a small part of how I drive. I'm always scanning for LEO. People who depend solely on their RD are often the ones who are spending $300+ on the best and newest gadget. and incidently, they are the ones who have nothing but bad things to say about RD's...because it's the RD's fault they got a ticket. spending that kind of money is a waste. I dropped $100 back in the day. I am the LEO Detector, the RD is just covering my blind spots while I'm looking elsewhere. it is nice warning though when a LEO is hiding in the traffic pack. keeps me from being out in front and getting the ticket."

perfectly said. except that I would buy V1 every time, to each his own.....
I do not always speed, especially in town. I am one of those drivers that some others can't stand because I have a fast car & drive right at the speed limit in town. you always have to be on the lookout even if you are not speeding especially if your car is a loud as mine because if an officer has to guess which car was speeding, they will pick yours over the Towncar next to you most of the time.

also to SWOOSH, great point on the laser jammers, I haven't done much research to see if they are illegal in Florida where I live but I will before I put any $$$ into one. Thanks

 

So are most radars still using the x and k bands?
I used a Passport years ago (still have it and it works), but stopped using it when I didnt have a fast car and when laser came out.
Just having the ability to know from a distance that there may be a speed trap ahead can help and is all I really look for and need. Yeah, it doesn't help when you're the only car on the highway at night and all of a sudden, BEEEEEEEEP, and it's too late.

Oh, one side note, how many of you tend to speed a little more or more frequently when you use your RD? I know I used to speed a lot more and more often when I used mine. Just seems they tend to make some of us drive faster more often