Radar Detector, yay or nay?

yes, I do... a lot of people swear by V1, but IMO I think it's part marketing... and just so you know... passport and beltronics are the same company... a lot of their models are identical internally... again, just different marketing... they brought out that "blue" X50 edition and the public went wild... when it doesn't do any better job than the regular red one :dontknow: I, personally... have the Beltronics RX65 (basically same as the X50, this I know because when I was ordering it with their 800 number, their operator told me)... and I'm very happy with it... but if you feel it's necessary to spend another $100+ for the V1 because people rave about it... then go ahead...but before buying the Beltronics, I did lurk in the radar detector forums quite a bit.
I think people like the V1 because of the arrows that point and lets you know where it's coming from... and I guess it's good to know... but honestly? when any detector goes off... your 1st and natural reaction should be to slow down if you're speeding, right? Are you really going to look and see where "he" is THEN slow down? No... you should just simply slow down and behave until things are clear...

and btw...
radar detector - InfinitiScene.com
 
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SocaliFx35 said:
Hey guys, I am looking into purchasing passport 8500 x50 or valentine 1. Do you guys recommend it?
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I had the 8500 X50 before upgrading to the 9500i. I didnt care too much about the V1, like Trainerken said the arrows didnt sell me on it. I was happy with the 8500, but I started getting error messages and thus upgrading to the 9500i. The 9500i has some really great features.
 
You can't go wrong with the v1 or the 9500i. I had the escort solo, x50 and now settled on the v1. I really like the arrow feature and you also get lifetime software upgrade with v1. But I also like the auto mute feature on the escorts. It is a personal choice and you can't really go wrong with either.
 
Here's a question I've always wanted to ask: For people who have radar detectors, did you get pulled over for speeding before purchasing one? Are you pulled over for speeding now? I guess I'm wondering if it has "helped".

I haven't had a radar detector in my car since ~1999. It was up in Seattle, where there were very few opportunities to "open her up". Now in LA, I pretty much never have a chance to open her up; most of my time is on the 405 and I-10 on the way to work, where I don't think I've ever been able to go faster than 45 mph. My only opportunities are when I'm driving down to San Diego to visit family, or the occasional road trip to Vegas where it's open road and I'm able to keep it at 99 mph for 30-minute stretches.

I've found over the years that my eye is a good defense: Watching when others around me brake. Is that nonsense, would things be more kosher with a radar detector? I avoid opening her up when I am the only car in sight, typically I run with a caravan. On open roads where it's just "me", would it help? Or instill a false sense of trust?
 
oscuro said:
Here's a question I've always wanted to ask: For people who have radar detectors, did you get pulled over for speeding before purchasing one? Are you pulled over for speeding now? I guess I'm wondering if it has "helped".

I haven't had a radar detector in my car since ~1999. It was up in Seattle, where there were very few opportunities to "open her up". Now in LA, I pretty much never have a chance to open her up; most of my time is on the 405 and I-10 on the way to work, where I don't think I've ever been able to go faster than 45 mph. My only opportunities are when I'm driving down to San Diego to visit family, or the occasional road trip to Vegas where it's open road and I'm able to keep it at 99 mph for 30-minute stretches.

I've found over the years that my eye is a good defense: Watching when others around me brake. Is that nonsense, would things be more kosher with a radar detector? I avoid opening her up when I am the only car in sight, typically I run with a caravan. On open roads where it's just "me", would it help? Or instill a false sense of trust?
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Ya the 405 is a parking lot ! :rofl:. But I also use visual cues to help me (ie mirrors, other cars etc.) , but once in awhile I let my guard down.
So how I see it is this, if it can save you from 1 speeding ticket, it pretty much paid for itself. However, like most said, wont help much when they use a laser point right at you and triggers it the last moment.
(I have a Beltronics Rx65 mounted using a rear view mirror mount)

:biggrin:
 
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Visual aid is only good if they are tailing you from behind. For radar guns and traps you definitely need a detector. It has helped me numerous times. It has paid for it self for me anyways. With that being said, radar detectors are useless if you get tailed from behind and you let your guard down and not paying attention when you are speeding. Recently, a hwy patrol was hiding around a bend on the fwy and was outside his car shooting a radar or laser gun and my detector went off a pretty safe distance but not so lucky for others.
 
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Dr.2K said:
Recently, a hwy patrol was hiding around a bend on the fwy and was outside his car shooting a radar or laser gun and my detector went off a pretty safe distance but not so lucky for others.
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Yeah that's exactly the scenario I'm concerned about. & good point, if it prevents one ticket it has already paid for itself. I've "donated" so much to LAPD already anyway via Fix-It tickets for tint, illegal u-turns, etc I think I've done my part there already.
 
SocaliFx35 said:
Thanks guys for your inputs. I decided to purchase passport 8500 x50 "red."
Another question: where do you guys mount it?
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a lot of the guys here have that rear view mirror mount with that invisicord which powers the RD from the mirror (or the hardwire it)... looks good and less clutter....

but I chose against the mirror mount because... (and once again, this is something I learned from the Radar Detector forums), the higher you mount it, the less effective against laser... cops with laser, aim at one of 3 things on your car... license plate (front), grill, or headlights... in other words, reflective parts... laser works best when aimed at shiny, reflective surfaces. the laser only shoots out about a 3 feet diameter worth of beam, which means if you mount it on the mirror, you're moving it up further away from the "3 feet diameter beam", making it even less effective when laser is already the toughest one to detect.

I mount my radar detector low on the windshield personally
 
i hate mine in the city because of all the false alerts but anytime i drive to mammoth or bear or tahoe.... worth it
 
asherchy said:
i hate mine in the city because of all the false alerts but anytime i drive to mammoth or bear or tahoe.... worth it
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Time to upgrade to the Escort 9500i Ash....you can tell it where its a false and it will remember it.
 
well i got stopped the other day and not only did i get the ticket for speeding i got one for the radar turns out they are illegal...mhm
 
^^In some states radar DETECTORS are illegal. In almost all states radar JAMMERS are illegal. You should check what the laws are in your state. In CA detectors are legal, but jammers are not.
 
Not if you live in my area. I got a ticket 85 on a 70. Which is bs going with traffic. (damn redneck cops). I have a V1 and it helps a lot. The only prob is the very short band Ka and lasers.
 
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