Alec

How convenient is this. I've been meaning to buy a radar detector soon and will have to study this thread. I've heard great things about the Valentine 1

SamsBlueGT

I've got a success story about my Escort Passport 9500IX. For the most part, I get alerts WELL in advance of seeing said LEO. This time though the guy was using one of the latest lidar guns (southern MD highway patrol). I was first in a line of cars going probably 10 over the limit, I was a little faster than the rest of the cars. As soon as I came to the straight where the LEO was I was actually accelerating until I heard the unmistakeable sound of my detector going off. I glanced over while slowing down and the display says "LASER". I look up and I can see the LEO just off the road. As I look at him I see his unlit car light up the brake lights (to shift to drive I presume). Since I knew I was speeding, I knew he had my speed, I started pulling over BEFORE he even pulls out of his spot. I pull over well into the shoulder only 30 feet after the spot where he was parked and he pulls in behind me, and only turns on the minimal red-and-blues. He steps out, I have both windows down (5%tint) by the time he walks up. At his request I pull out my license and registration (I never reach for anything until requested so as to not make him nervous). He asks if he knew why I was being pulled over. I responded "Well, as soon as my detector went off LASER I glanced at my speedo and knew I was speeding so I figured I'd make it easier for you." He appreciates this, and has to lean down to see my detector on the dash (he wouldn't have noticed it otherwise I guess, love lowering springs haha). He says I was going XX MPH (I can't remember, but it was between 10-15 over posted limit of 55). He then asks if I'm headed to work (probably noticing my flight suit I wear to my "normal job".) I confirm this. He steps back to the rear of my car and compares my tags to the registration. Comes back to the window and hands me my information, tells me to just watch my speed and sends me on my way!

Moral of the story, know what your type of countermeasure is capable of, how to react when it goes off, and ALWAYS be courteous to the LEOs! Because I quickly recognized what was going on I got off the accelerator (definite ticket in this circumstance), pulled over immediately when I noticed I was going to be pulled over anyway, and was respectful and courteous when I was talking to him I got out of what could easily have been a ticket.

Now, if I had had a Laser Interceptor things would have been even easier...but that's another story...

SamsBlueGT

V1s are GREAT in sensitivity, but BAD at filtering false signals. They'll make you paranoid. I LOVE having speed/redlight camera databases at my disposal. Plus, the fact that my 9500IX "learns" where automatic doors are my detector ends up being REALLY quiet. When it goes off I pretty much know then and there I should look out. I also like having the ability to see the separate signal strengths of multiple bogeys.

09cs

I've heard great things about the V1 as well.

sam to go with your story and being nice to the LEO's i can agree. I was pulled over for "making an unsafe turn" basically no signal and the like you didn't reach for anything until told to do so and always respected him saying sir and everything and only got a warning

Alec

Good point. I have also heard great things about the 9500IX (forgot what it was called earlier). I really like the GPS capabilities that it offers

grabber blue gt

Well cops in my area are real J/O's and they become even bigger ones when they come to the window and see I am a kid.

But back to radar detectors, so your telling me that a laser jammer basically blocks a cops radar gun from seeing my speed??? this is effing great lol I really need to read more up on these. I noticed it was mentioned that there is one better than the valentine, which is it?

SamsBlueGT

Yeah I hear you man. That can unfortunately happen.

A laser jammer when doing its job right will effectively make your car invisible to LASER GUNS ONLY. Radar jammers are completely illegal and as such don't exist (don't even try to say RMR has one, it's a trap!).

As far as better than the V1 I would recommend the Escort Redline if you don't mind not having GPS, or the new Beltronics STI-r Plus (just came out). The former is a dash mount, the latter an installed detector (very similar to the Escort Passport 9500CI), and as such a much more expensive one.

Hope this helps.

grabber blue gt

Ok I understand now, they have to be using a laser gun in order for my car to be "invisible". How would I be able to know if they use these type of guns in my area?

SamsBlueGT

Well you really can't unless you get a good look at the gun. Except for up close laser and radar guns look the same. The advantage for us is laser guns are just that, guns. Never hard mounted in a car, the tech doesn't allow for that (pencil thin beam and all). Also, they can only get your speed when they're stationary. The downside is they're VERY accurate, hard to fight.

Check out www.radardetector.org for more info. That's where I learned most of what I know.

Laser guns are becoming more affordable to PDs so they're becoming more common.

tigercrazy718

but also its harder for them to aim at you. sometimes theyll miss you and ull have time to slow down