Radar detectors

[JIMDTS]

I used 2 of them today. 1 on each side of the rear view mirror. They both trigger about the same time in a couple speed traps I encountered maybe about half a second apart. I used a passport 8500 & valentine1 I like the valentine but the passpaort is growing on me..And the passport triggered first..Could have been the placement of the units Who knows.. My wife thinks I was nuts using both detectors but it made the trip more enjoyable for me playing with them. I purchased the vlaentine1 and the passport was a gift so I figured I may as well put them to good use.

Cheers

Jim

[tjtjwdad]

Jim,

Anyway of telling how sensitive they are if the radar is from the rear of the car?

Jim

[JIMDTS]

I would give the edge to the valentine1 you have arrows to tell you where the radar is comming from..They both have signal meters The passport is good but you have to know how to read what it's telling you more or less have to rely on object to detect where it's comming from such as a road sign bypass etc. I would really like to dump the detectors and go with a jammer but that's a whole bunch of crap to rig up..takes up a big portion of your trunk

A cars 12v system does not have enough power to power them. You have to build auxiliary power supplies to power the jamming equip. I was in ECM squadrons so I have a background with them..It's been a long time since I had one and they are a fun project to build..and smoke check any radar units that get pointed at you.. Now I just like to learn where the cops hide along my favorite routes..

Cheeers

Jim

[Scotty]

I need to buy one immediately, traps have been all over Long Island lately... Thanks for the input Jim

Ranger Larry suggested Rocky Mountain Radar Jammers which I am considering, but whatever it is, I need to get one quickly

http://www.rockymountainradar.com/product_...236f1654842443a

[JIMDTS]

Hi Scotty

The radar traps on the LI E are among some of the best I have seen The cops sometimes will use 3 or 4 cars along the road side and stagger them abouth 1.5 to 2 miles apart as you pass one most people think well I passed it and speed up and bingo the next one gets you. I remember the first time I encountered one It's a slick way of catching speeders. You really have to learn your detector When I first ran into this setup I started to think what the F is wrong for a couple seconds then bingo I spotted the other car ahead.. I used to make good time between Morices and Bethpage So i learned what they were up to..and No tickets to boot..

Cheers

Jim

This one looks pretty good if i was to buy a jammer I imagine this is the one I would go for..Here's a link

http://www.activejammers.com/

[Scotty]

Thanks Jim, I do believe I have experienced that a couple of times but until you described their methods, I did not realize that it was by design..

I would like to find one that has a built in look so I don't have it on the dash or hanging from the mirror or windshield, maybe in the garage door opener location with a remote sensor array? (sounds like Startrek, sensor array, cool)..

PS, the AC is outstanding! I do believe that is was not performing property as soon as I bought the car... its a very smart system, today I left the healthclub and went to the bank, it was on RECIRC, as soon as I got to the bank, the shade of the drive-through took it out of RECIRC and lowered the fan,... as soon as I got out from under the shade and the bright sun hit the sensor, RECIRC, until the temp was reached.... cool system.. I love this car...

Before my system BLEW, it was running in RECIRC for extended periods of time..

[JIMDTS]

Hi Scotty

The cops on the island have the radar traps down pretty good. The way it works is as you pass the first radar, your detector will still pick it up for awhile then the next one has you and so forth It leads you to believe you are still picking up the car behind you. The cops have it down pretty well.. The first time I encountered it I was stumped for a few seconds the I realized what was up.. I like the home grown jammers.. You can hide everything especially the antennas behind the front grill.. the unit itself and power supplies in the trunk of the car. All you need in the interior is an on/off switch. The home grown ones will actually burn up a radar unit most of them just go up in smoke when they shoot it at the jammer. It is sort of like shooting an invisible lightning bolt to the radar unit.. These are VERY illegal to use.

Glad to hear your A/C is working well, mine is KICK A-- real cold My wife bitches and says something is wrong it's too cold in here I tell her just close your vent but I usually keep the a/c at 65 which is really too cold it was just charged up when the engine was R/R for the rings/pistons so far almost 2k on it and hardly no oil usage maybe a half a cup at all before every 600 miles 1 qt of consumption..One time after I changed the oil I added oil half cup of oil just to see how much it raised it on the dip stick so I could monitor usage I was at the dealer this morning a part for my dash came in and they installed it in a few minutes so I was in and out in about 30 minutes..I was still having a coffee and shooting the sh-- with the mechanic and the car was done I'm just getting all the minor stuff taken care of that was bugging me..

Always something to fix on a car..

Cheers

Jim

[Scotty]

Those Jammers you gave the link to are very expensive, wow. I don't know what an active jammer is but they must be pretty good. The Scorpion does not laser and radar jamming. IF you don't get that unit, do you need to buy separate radar and laser jammers? I thought it was interesting that they stated that laser jammers can't detect through windshields and the detector must be behind the grille. I have to look to see how Rocky Mountain deals with this. Since you are experienced with this technology could you look the Rocky Mountain over and tell me what you think about it? Its cheap enough. Larry likes it. I will find and post the thread we discussed it in. Is it possible to built a good home grown unit?

[KHE]

Those Jammers you gave the link to are very expensive, wow. I don't know what an active jammer is but they must be pretty good. The Scorpion does not laser and radar jamming. IF you don't get that unit, do you need to buy separate radar and laser jammers? I thought it was interesting that they stated that laser jammers can't detect through windshields and the detector must be behind the grille. I have to look to see how Rocky Mountain deals with this. Since you are experienced with this technology could you look the Rocky Mountain over and tell me what you think about it? Its cheap enough. Larry likes it. I will find and post the thread we discussed it in. Is it possible to built a good home grown unit?

Mike,

My Uncle tested one of the Rocky Mountain jammers with his buddy from the Sheriff's department. It failed miserably.....his buddy, the cop was able to clock his speed in all of the yest runs. My uncle returned the unit to Rocky Mountain.

I would buy a Valentine One but don't clip it to the windshield and put the hammer-down or you'll earn a ticket in short order... You always need someone in front of you as a blocker...

[Scotty]

Kevin, funny you say that, when someone passes me at a high speed, I have my daughter to the point where they say, "there goes the BAIT"! Now we can open it up a little!

[Ranger]

Ranger Larry suggested Rocky Mountain Radar Jammers which I am considering

Mike, you've got me confused with someone else. Never had or used a radar detector. I just keep the cruise at 5 over. I don't even bother to disengage the cruise when I see a cop and they never even give me a second look. The way I figure it, the time savings between 70 & 80 MPH is neglegable on a 2, 3 or even a 400 mile trip and not worth the potential cost.

[JimD]

....

I like the home grown jammers.. You can hide everything especially the antennas behind the front grill.. the unit itself and power supplies in the trunk of the car. All you need in the interior is an on/off switch. The home grown ones will actually burn up a radar unit most of them just go up in smoke when they shoot it at the jammer. It is sort of like shooting an invisible lightning bolt to the radar unit.. These are VERY illegal to use....

If you think having the IRS on your case is a barrel of laughs, wait until the FCC gets in your face.

The FCC is not too busy to track down an unlicensed or non type-accepted transmitter operating on "government" (law enforcement) frequencies. And "Homeland Security" laws provide for extended government funded vacations at exotic locations such as Gitmo.

[Scotty]

Ranger Larry suggested Rocky Mountain Radar Jammers which I am considering

Mike, you've got me confused with someone else. Never had or used a radar detector. I just keep the cruise at 5 over. I don't even bother to disengage the cruise when I see a cop and they never even give me a second look. The way I figure it, the time savings between 70 & 80 MPH is neglegable on a 2, 3 or even a 400 mile trip and not worth the potential cost.

Hmm, sorry Ranger, I thought I was talking to you about Rocky Mountain!

[TexasAxMan]

I'm planning a road trip in late summer/early fall, and think I should get a detector at least, a jammer at most. From what you guys/gals say, the Valentine is a superior unit. Does anyone know any negatives about this unit.

I have never had or used a radar detector, so if I seem like an idiot, it's because I am. All advice is helpful/useful whether I take it or not.

Thanks!

[JIMDTS]

Hi JimD

I've been to gitmo several times but not for a vacation.I was in the Navy at the time. And I don't care to go back. Gitmo Sure turned into an interesting place. From what I understand prior to the bay of pigs Gitmo was one of the best duty stations in the Navy. But I still think the PI was the Best..duty statioon a sailor could get..

I hear ya Yes jammers are not worth fooling with all the things going on in the world. I'll just stick to detectors.

Cheers

Jim

[Bill K]

I resisted spending the extra $ for a Valentine for many years and used the Bel detectors. After getting a warning for speeding while I had the new "top of the line" Bel, which didnt even go off, I bought a Valentine.

I have it hard wired and mounted just above the mirror. There are no wires hanging around and its about invisiable from the outside. It comes on when the car is started. The only feature that the Bel has that the Valentine doesnt is the "auto mute". With the V. you have to manualy touch the detector to mute it. Not a big deal but mentionable. Love the "bogy counter" and the direction indicators on the V.

I'm very happy with the V. and wish I had done it sooner.

[ted tcb]

Keep in mind when a police officer pulls the instant on trigger from behind you, your rear lights shine like a Xmas tree.

I lost my Bell unit a few years ago ...twice it went off, and twice I nailed my brakes. A few minutes after being pulled over, the police officer asked for my insurance,ownership,drivers license, and radar detection device.

My detector was confiscated and I was charged with using an illegal communications device ... they are very illegal in some states and most provinces.

When I asked how he knew about my detector, he said the 1st time I hit my brakes might've been coincidental, but on the second trigger, he knew he had me for illegal equipment ... too bad, because I really miss it.

[TDK]

IMHO, and with plenty of experiance...

How to avoid speeding tickets (and still speed), not listed in any order:

1. Don't invest in detectors or jammers. If/when pulled over, the potential cost relative to any past gain is not proportional - you will loose. The Officer's mind will be made up when he spots the detector.

2. Don't limo-tint or otherwise obscure the Officer's view of you and passengers. Think of it from his point of view and the crap he has to put up with to keep us all safe. Have your hands in plain view along with your passengers. These are simply more reasons for the Officer to subconsciously pre-judge a pulled over driver in a fancy car.

3. Wear a seat belt and make sure your passengers do. The Officers get tired of making out long, detailed reports on stupid dead people. They would much rather congratulate someone with brains enough to have only cuts and bruises. This attitude continues to their discussions with speeders, who are also stupid for not wearing seat belts.

4. Pay attention to the Officer and genuflect (tap the brakes at least) to acknowledge his presence. You might get the lights and all - but that's only fair. They like the fact that you are aware of your surroundings, even if you are their potential target. Think of it as a kind of a professional appreciation for the dedication and finesse required for speeding properly.

5. Use a sponsor, bait, blocker or whatever - but appropriately! Too close is wasted effort and might even be confused with stalking etc. Too far back confuses the car ahead and he might slow for a bit (without brakes) and lead you into a problem.

6. Don't run blasting music, porn videos, etc to impress the Officer when he comes to talk with you. Do I have to mention to avoid blowing smoke (even the legal kind) in his face?

7. Don't lane change and force other drivers to swerve etc. This should be obvious. But then again, we have all seen the jerks who get nailed because they were basically painting a target on themselves in traffic - that was probably all moving too fast.

8. Consider donating to your local police, sheriff or highway patrol - family organization support group. You might be surprised how good that non-expired sticker on the inside of the back window looks - when he walks up to your car.

9. Since he probably pulled you over for a reason - consider just admitting it or at least play dumb. Think of all the times you got away with it. You can always contest it in court later on. Above all don't argue like an attorney, that alone might get a "weapons drawn" and a full body cavity search later on!

Again, just IMHO, but these methods have worked for me for over almost 38-years to the degree that others simply can't believe - until they have witnessed how it works.

Sorry for the diatribe.

[halfrican]

Fellow Caddy Lovers!

Don't WASTE your money on a Radar "Jammer" they are not only banned by the federal government, there is no documentable proof that the work. There are several informed reviews that indicate that they not only don't work, but the reviewers offer a large cash reward for someone to show them proof that one does.

Also, be aware that mounting a radar/laser detector on the visor or high on the windshield makes it all but useless for detecting laser. Not only does the tint of the window interfere with the signal, but the laser is almost always targeted at your license plate or headlight and thus rarely would even be aimed at the upper part of the windshield.

I myself use the Passport 8500 X50 by Escort along with the Escort ZR3 laser shifter. In my case I can mount the detector in high on the windshield without a loss of laser detection performance since the laser detector jammer is a seperate device. Most test conclude that the performance of radar detection can actually be enhanced by the higher mounting, but not without a loss of all or most of the detectors laser performance.

For optimum laser detection vs radar detection place the detector as low on your winshield as you can in the center of windshield, but above the wiper blades.

Another factor in effective laser/radar detection is window tint, most of the new "upscale" tints have a substansial metal content that will defract the laser and radar signals and lessen your detectors range. Also you will find that your in-windshield radio antenna will lose range at the same time. Be sure to request metal free tint when have your windows tinted!

www.radarbuster.com (very informative reading/reviews)

Hope this helps...

Half

[67coupedeville]

My Uniden radar detector has saved me everytime and all the time and has never given me a problem with the local peace officers. That being said, they are legal to use in my neck of the woods. It always gives me more than enough time to slow down, is 360 degrees, and is undectectable to radar detector detectors. If you can have one where you live and find yourself with a heavy foot, buy one as an investment and count how many times it saves your pocketbook.

Spence

[Bob D]

I like them purely as another toy and piece of information during driving and occasionally they really do come in handy. REALLY handy.

Amen to that!! It's gotten to the point where my wife wont leave home without one, and she's a fairly consrvative driver. But...all it took was ONE ticket a year or so ago, for just a few miles over the limit from some c/s CHP that actually hung a u-turn on a empty, safe road to come back and nail her. On top of that, they guy was a young, smart arsed little pr*ck. Man, that combo really pissed her off...

Now, my law abiding conservative wife/driver insists on EW/ECM..

Cool...