radar detectors

[STYES]

Lots of good info here. The reason I use cordless is because my previous corded detectors plug would not fit into the tight area in the STS ashtray. I did not get many comments about that. The second reason I use cordless is because the connector to the detector is the weak link, and can't be fixed because it is soldered directly to the circuit board.

It is very true that you have to "learn" how to use your detector. If you do not use it every single time you drive, you simply do not have the experience to take full advantage of it's features.

Having owned several top line detectors, having used one every single time I drive for over 15 years, and having a few friends who are cops, I would like to offer the following. Mount it mid-windshield, free of any obstructons, including people in the car. Laser is rarely used, and is not very reliable to the police in the dark, fog, and rainy conditions. The instant on radar is almost always used only when the police car is stationary. Very often the cop gets a bogus reading, either zero MPH or something the officer knows is not true, like twice the speed limit. People don't realize it, but cops are instructed to redo a radar "zap" if it gives them something they know is not correct. Has anybody here been ticketed for going twice the limit they were speeding at? I doubt it. Has anybody here been "clocked" knowing that they slowed down too late, only to avoid being pulled over? Chances are you have all experienced the latter.

Is a cop more likely to ticket a guy with a detector, than one without? This was my biggest question. If the cop had to zap you twice, and finds that you have a detector, and were still over the limit, chances are you are busted moreso than someone without one. If he senses that you had a detector, and hid it, they all hate that, and you are busted. If you get pulled over on the freeway, and the cop asks about your detector. Tell him that traffic often moves above the limit, you stay with that flow, and that is why you use the detector. If you are doing 15 over in a 35 zone, you are busted regarless. Most cops consider 15 over in stop and go much more dangerous than the guy who is doing 15 over on the freeway where most others are doing 8-10 over themselves.

Don't overlook the posted limit either. In a large metro area, 62 in a 55 is not going to get you a ticket as often as 82 in a 75 in a rural area. Look out you out of state guys. If the cops got you, you are busted regardless of detector. On infractions of 15MPH or less, the cop has to appear in court, because if you do, and he dosen't, it will more than likely be dropped. But are you going to appear in court several states away, to contest a speeding ticket? The farther away from home you are, the more likely you will get that ticket. The cop has to do no more than write the ticket because he knows you will just mail the fine. Money in the pocket for that municipality. Trust me when I say that tickets are revenue. The cop has to do no extra work for that revenue, look out you folks on vacation! But don't get caught doing 90 in a 75. Chances are that you will be "messed with" beyond a simple ticket.

[Hud]

I have a Escort 8500 in one car and a Solo 2 in my other car. The batteries needed to be changed in the Solo 2 every two weeks. Sent it back to Escort and they made two upgrades to it (auto shut off when car is not moving and battery life). The batteries last at least one month since they carrected the problem. I have had good success with both detectors. The 8500 is direct wired to the fuse box (the dealer ran a wire for me at no cost-nice of them). Had Cobra's before, but not happy with them.

[STYES]

Escort models are the only ones I use anymore. Escort has outstanding customer service as well. The auto shut off you could have actually performed yourself. I am going to turn off my VG2 detection to see if that improves battery life. That is the feature that scans the detector "detector" that some police have. It is the ability of the police to "detect" if you are using a detector. Like laser, very few municipalities have this feature. I am wondering if I need this protection if it will save battery life.

[gygmy]

Just a heads-up. Do not let having a radar detector make you too comfortable in driving fast. The best defense is to be focused apon the job at hand. DRIVING. Use your eyes and experience to avoid being busted. I bought an Escort many years ago because my lead foot had got me in trouble. It worked. But in city driving, urban areas, interstates going through built-up areas, there were just too many false alarms. It was distracting from the job at hand. DRIVING. Unless you are on an open road away from interference I do not think the radar detector's benefits outweigh it's power of DISTRACTION from the job at hand, DRIVING. Laser instant on, you be the target, you are busted. Much better to use your eyes and other traffic to anticipate or avoid being targeted. The old CB is also a good tool to use on long trips to find out where the smokies are, if you can stand foul language. When I did have my radar detector they were illegal to operate in the state I live in. I had it mounted on the dashboard plugged in to the cig lighter. I disguised it in that it was inside a stuffed green whale. I was a fan of the Hartford Whalers hockey club. Well one time some schmo hit my car and the cops showed-up. One of the cops looked at my stuffed whale and complimented me apon it. Camoflage does work. But let's give our experience, way of looking and scanning the road some more credit. Do not get distracted from your fun job of driving by whether it is your detector, cell phone, stereo, wife, girl friend, whining kids, red lights in the rear view...

[tonyny]

Brake/smake......get the Passport SR1 WITH the shifters. 2 in the front grill with one in the back. Saved my *smurf* a few times from laser. Leaves the cop scratching his head all the time.......

[Oldgamer]

...

I have it hard wired and mounted just above the rearview mirror...

Bill K:

I have V1 too, but I still use the lighter to power it. How hard is to make it hard wired? Did you use the power wire for rear mirror?

I think it's time to make it hard wired too.

I very like V1 and feel blind without it.

Now I can't imagine radar without the arrows.

[OynxSTS]

...

I have it hard wired and mounted just above the rearview mirror...

Bill K:

I have V1 too, but I still use the lighter to power it. How hard is to make it hard wired? Did you use the power wire for rear mirror?

I think it's time to make it hard wired too.

I very like V1 and feel blind without it.

Now I can't imagine radar without the arrows.

I have never, nor will I ever attempt to splice into my Caddy's electrical system...

But in my 'ol Camaro I spiced power from the dome light. Fairly easy job and the wire could be snaked under the headliner back to the windshield... Pure stealth... In fact it was so easy when the cordless detectors came out I used to think why bother. If you want to be extra fancy spice into a circuit that is "Hot in Run"... Then you don't even have to remember to plug it in!

[Bill K]

I got the hard wire kit from V1. I ran the wire under the headliner and down next to the windshield(that panel just pulls off) under the dash, thru the firewall(poked it thru a gromet) and to the fuse box where I used an "add a circut" fuse.

It took an hour or so and I'm slow.

[Oldgamer]

I got the hard wire kit from V1. I ran the wire under the headliner and down next to the windshield(that panel just pulls off) under the dash, thru the firewall(poked it thru a gromet) and to the fuse box where I used an "add a circut" fuse.

It took an hour or so and I'm slow.

I should look for that kit I got with V1 too. I hope to find power wire somewhere closier. Thank you very much for help.

[Bill K]

I figured it would take longer testing wires that were only hot when the key was on and tapping into them than going right to the fuse box.

However the power point socket on the passenger side of the console does shut off after 10 min and is fairly easy to get to by just pulling off the panel. I realized this after doing the install on the detector. I did hook up my XM power that way though.

[STYES]

Good point earlier about distractions. But too many people take driving too lightly. Driving is an intense excercise, and should be treated as such. The "boomer" in the SUV drinking coffee and talking on a phone makes me sick. People do not FOCUS on driving, and that is what is the problem. To me a radar detector is just another gauge in the car. It is a tool, nothing more. The more you use it, the more you know it, and the better it will work for you. I recently told my 16 year old godson this: "driving is like a video game. you score points by avoiding hitting anything, not damaging your car in anyway, not hurting anybody, avoiding tickets, and making it to your destination, but you only have one 'life'". Good luck!