Radar detectors... Recommendations?
01-02-2014, 07:53 PM
#82
01-02-2014, 08:49 PM
#83
My recommendation is to spend the money and get one of the best. The best include the Escort Redline, the Beltronics STi-R+ and the Valentine One. Why are they the best? Read on.
What you need is a balance of sensitivity and selectivity. Sensitivity means that the detector reliably alerts to a signal with the lowest intensity, which means you get alerts sooner and from farther away. Selectivity means the detector does not alert to non-police-radar signals. These three detectors are by far the most sensitive. Second, they are the only detectors that can be configured to be very selective. To be fair, the predecessor of the STi-R+ (the STi-R, no plus) was the first to offer such configurability.
One of the bands that police radar use is Ka band. It is very wide -- 2.4 GHz which is huge. Detectors scan this whole range, which takes time. However, only three frequencies within this band are actually used by police radar: 33.8 GHz used by MPH guns, 34.7 GHz for Stalker guns, and 35.5 GHz for guns made by Decatur and by Kustom Signals.
These three detectors allow the user to configure the detector to sweep the area just around these three frequencies (or others the user determines if other guns ever become available). In so doing the detectors alert sooner, plus stay away from non-radar signals that give false alerts; such as the leakage from Cobra detectors. Escort and Bel call this “Band Segmentation”; Valentine Research calls it “Custom Sweeps”. Basically, same thing.
However, to go along with this the user must also disable the algorithm that tries to identify the signal as being non-police-radar. Escort/Bel call it RDR (Radar Detector Rejection) and VR calls it Ka-guard. You must turn these off -- again configurability that others don’t give you.
Not only is Ka band sweeping faster, but seemingly by magic, range is increased. Ok, ‘nuff about Ka band. On X and K (the only other two bands used in the US for police radar), these three detectors are also tops. However, no need to customize in this area as heavily. There are other features that help in lessening falses and increasing real threat alerts; but that would make this already too long post even longer.
Another detector that seems to be promising is the Escort Max. However, so far, it is inconsistent in its performance. At times it rivals the top three. At other times it just doesn’t cut it.
If you really want cheap, get the new Whistler C90 or C85. Another way to go is to get a refurbished Escort X8500 or Bel RX65 with S7 antenna. Don’t get one with the newer M4 antenna. These detectors are not as good as the top three, but they are better than all the rest.
One other thing: only the Redline and STi-R+ (along with the cheaper and lesser performing Bel Magnum and Escort 9500ci and 9500ix) cannot be detected by a radar detector detector. But this only comes into play if you drive in Virginia or DC where detectors are outlawed and they use RDDs.
There's a lot more to be said. If you want more I recommend going over to radardetectorforum dot org.
Cheers.
What you need is a balance of sensitivity and selectivity. Sensitivity means that the detector reliably alerts to a signal with the lowest intensity, which means you get alerts sooner and from farther away. Selectivity means the detector does not alert to non-police-radar signals. These three detectors are by far the most sensitive. Second, they are the only detectors that can be configured to be very selective. To be fair, the predecessor of the STi-R+ (the STi-R, no plus) was the first to offer such configurability.
One of the bands that police radar use is Ka band. It is very wide -- 2.4 GHz which is huge. Detectors scan this whole range, which takes time. However, only three frequencies within this band are actually used by police radar: 33.8 GHz used by MPH guns, 34.7 GHz for Stalker guns, and 35.5 GHz for guns made by Decatur and by Kustom Signals.
These three detectors allow the user to configure the detector to sweep the area just around these three frequencies (or others the user determines if other guns ever become available). In so doing the detectors alert sooner, plus stay away from non-radar signals that give false alerts; such as the leakage from Cobra detectors. Escort and Bel call this “Band Segmentation”; Valentine Research calls it “Custom Sweeps”. Basically, same thing.
However, to go along with this the user must also disable the algorithm that tries to identify the signal as being non-police-radar. Escort/Bel call it RDR (Radar Detector Rejection) and VR calls it Ka-guard. You must turn these off -- again configurability that others don’t give you.
Not only is Ka band sweeping faster, but seemingly by magic, range is increased. Ok, ‘nuff about Ka band. On X and K (the only other two bands used in the US for police radar), these three detectors are also tops. However, no need to customize in this area as heavily. There are other features that help in lessening falses and increasing real threat alerts; but that would make this already too long post even longer.
Another detector that seems to be promising is the Escort Max. However, so far, it is inconsistent in its performance. At times it rivals the top three. At other times it just doesn’t cut it.
If you really want cheap, get the new Whistler C90 or C85. Another way to go is to get a refurbished Escort X8500 or Bel RX65 with S7 antenna. Don’t get one with the newer M4 antenna. These detectors are not as good as the top three, but they are better than all the rest.
One other thing: only the Redline and STi-R+ (along with the cheaper and lesser performing Bel Magnum and Escort 9500ci and 9500ix) cannot be detected by a radar detector detector. But this only comes into play if you drive in Virginia or DC where detectors are outlawed and they use RDDs.
There's a lot more to be said. If you want more I recommend going over to radardetectorforum dot org.
Cheers.
05-21-2014, 08:39 PM
#84
8th Gear
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Hi - I am scheduled to have a remote installation of a Bel StiR Plus and AL Priority anti laser in my brand new C7. I am a bit nervous because the installation requires removal of the driver console (as well as the front bumper.) I would hate to invalidate my warranty and find myself with bothersome electrical glitches down the road. Do you have any experience / knowledge about this?
Thanx
Thanx
05-21-2014, 09:09 PM
#85
Melting Slicks
Hi - I am scheduled to have a remote installation of a Bel StiR Plus and AL Priority anti laser in my brand new C7. I am a bit nervous because the installation requires removal of the driver console (as well as the front bumper.) I would hate to invalidate my warranty and find myself with bothersome electrical glitches down the road. Do you have any experience / knowledge about this?
Thanx
Thanx
05-21-2014, 09:15 PM
#86
Team Owner
What overrides everything and ALL DETECTORS is the "Escort live"
You add it to the escort units and it defeats the lazar and radar by
avoiding them.
You know before a detector goes off where they are.
It is so effective because lots of people have and use the feature.
Makes everything thing else not needed just another layer of protection.
You simply push a button when you see a cop set-up and so does everyone else. then it alson alerts you because all detectors on the road are connected!
UNREAL you will say when you use it! Someone else chime-in that has in.
Has arrows on the display that points to the cops then tell you how feet away and the direction. Highly effective with the now many user's!
You add it to the escort units and it defeats the lazar and radar by
avoiding them.
You know before a detector goes off where they are.
It is so effective because lots of people have and use the feature.
Makes everything thing else not needed just another layer of protection.
You simply push a button when you see a cop set-up and so does everyone else. then it alson alerts you because all detectors on the road are connected!
UNREAL you will say when you use it! Someone else chime-in that has in.
Has arrows on the display that points to the cops then tell you how feet away and the direction. Highly effective with the now many user's!
05-21-2014, 09:25 PM
#87
Team Owner
Member Since: Aug 2007
Location: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
What overrides everything and ALL DETECTORS is the "Escort live"
You add it to the escort units and it defeats the lazar and radar by
avoiding them.
You know before a detector goes off where they are.
It is so effective because lots of people have and use the feature.
Makes everything thing else not needed just another layer of protection.
You simply push a button when you see a cop set-up and so does everyone else. then it alson alerts you because all detectors on the road are connected!
UNREAL you will say when you use it! Someone else chime-in that has in.
Has arrows on the display that points to the cops then tell you how feet away and the direction. Highly effective with the now many user's!
You add it to the escort units and it defeats the lazar and radar by
avoiding them.
You know before a detector goes off where they are.
It is so effective because lots of people have and use the feature.
Makes everything thing else not needed just another layer of protection.
You simply push a button when you see a cop set-up and so does everyone else. then it alson alerts you because all detectors on the road are connected!
UNREAL you will say when you use it! Someone else chime-in that has in.
Has arrows on the display that points to the cops then tell you how feet away and the direction. Highly effective with the now many user's!
05-21-2014, 10:00 PM
#88
Team Owner
05-21-2014, 10:51 PM
#89
8th Gear
Member Since: Apr 2014
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Any concerns about rattles, etc where the console was taken apart?
No worries about your warranty. The installer would have to screw up the electrical to effect your warranty and with a radar install, that would be hard to do. Also, they can do the install without removing the front bumper skin. If they remove the lower plastic cover under the front of the car, there is a good place to mount the radar sensor under there. Of course, the higher the better so if they are inclined to remove the front bumper skin, they can mount it on top of the front bumper support which will improve forward radar range a bit but I still get nearly a half a mile range with my K40 front sensor despite it's lower mounting point.
05-21-2014, 10:52 PM
#90
05-21-2014, 10:53 PM
#91
What overrides everything and ALL DETECTORS is the "Escort live"
You add it to the escort units and it defeats the lazar and radar by
avoiding them.
You know before a detector goes off where they are.
It is so effective because lots of people have and use the feature.
Makes everything thing else not needed just another layer of protection.
You simply push a button when you see a cop set-up and so does everyone else. then it alson alerts you because all detectors on the road are connected!
UNREAL you will say when you use it! Someone else chime-in that has in.
Has arrows on the display that points to the cops then tell you how feet away and the direction. Highly effective with the now many user's!
You add it to the escort units and it defeats the lazar and radar by
avoiding them.
You know before a detector goes off where they are.
It is so effective because lots of people have and use the feature.
Makes everything thing else not needed just another layer of protection.
You simply push a button when you see a cop set-up and so does everyone else. then it alson alerts you because all detectors on the road are connected!
UNREAL you will say when you use it! Someone else chime-in that has in.
Has arrows on the display that points to the cops then tell you how feet away and the direction. Highly effective with the now many user's!
05-21-2014, 11:48 PM
#92
Melting Slicks
Nope. No rattles and I've had mine apart more than once. The car is put together really well. It would be tough to induce rattles on the console or dash for that matter. As long as the screws are tight, the rest of the clips will hold it in place and prevent rattles.
05-22-2014, 12:42 AM
#94
Team Owner
05-22-2014, 08:14 AM
#95
Drifting
I like using the app Waze better than escort live. I don't if it's true or not but I believe any time someone reports a cop on escort live it gets sent to the app Waze also. Waze is free.
05-22-2014, 09:36 AM
#96
05-22-2014, 10:46 AM
#97
Instructor
Member Since: May 2014
Location: Durham NC
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I've used radar detectors for years, and have usually bought what's considered best at the time over the years. I just bought a Passport Max for my Stingray, and look forward to seeing how well it works.
That being said, I got a ticket about 3 weeks ago on a trip from North Carolina to Texas, in a small town called Cameron in Louisana.
There is a ferry you have to take across a "river" going out to sea, and I was first in line for that. I was not too happy when they let this guy off that was next to me first, and 4 other cars went ahead of me as well. This was a back road with speed limit of 55, and the group of cars was doing 50-55, so I ended up passing the cars over the next 2 minutes as traffic coming the other way was clear. Once I finished passing, I slowed down, to about 68 or so as the car that was first in line had sped up as I passed him and I didn't want to impede him since I hate when people pass, then slow down to slower than what I had my speed control set to.
Anyways, about 5 miles later, I start getting hits on my radar. At this point, I slow down to about 62 as it wasn't solid yet and the guy behind me had closed up the gap. I pointed several times to my radar detector to let him know I was slowing down because of that.
Shortly thereafter, the signal became solid, and I backed down to 55-56. 2 minutes later (very long, flat, straight road) I see the SUV with the lights slow down as he passes me and turn around. My turn was in about 1/8th of a mile, so I turned left onto that highway. The cop turned on his lights and the car behind me turned left as well. I pulled over, the other car pulled past because the cop pulled over to the side as well.
Officer said he had me at 70 mph. I told the officer that I thought I had been doing 62, not 70...and he informed me that an sheriff had been behind me the whole time.
So...radar isn't perfect...just saying
That being said, I got a ticket about 3 weeks ago on a trip from North Carolina to Texas, in a small town called Cameron in Louisana.
There is a ferry you have to take across a "river" going out to sea, and I was first in line for that. I was not too happy when they let this guy off that was next to me first, and 4 other cars went ahead of me as well. This was a back road with speed limit of 55, and the group of cars was doing 50-55, so I ended up passing the cars over the next 2 minutes as traffic coming the other way was clear. Once I finished passing, I slowed down, to about 68 or so as the car that was first in line had sped up as I passed him and I didn't want to impede him since I hate when people pass, then slow down to slower than what I had my speed control set to.
Anyways, about 5 miles later, I start getting hits on my radar. At this point, I slow down to about 62 as it wasn't solid yet and the guy behind me had closed up the gap. I pointed several times to my radar detector to let him know I was slowing down because of that.
Shortly thereafter, the signal became solid, and I backed down to 55-56. 2 minutes later (very long, flat, straight road) I see the SUV with the lights slow down as he passes me and turn around. My turn was in about 1/8th of a mile, so I turned left onto that highway. The cop turned on his lights and the car behind me turned left as well. I pulled over, the other car pulled past because the cop pulled over to the side as well.
Officer said he had me at 70 mph. I told the officer that I thought I had been doing 62, not 70...and he informed me that an sheriff had been behind me the whole time.
So...radar isn't perfect...just saying
05-22-2014, 10:58 AM
#98
Team Owner
I've used radar detectors for years, and have usually bought what's considered best at the time over the years. I just bought a Passport Max for my Stingray, and look forward to seeing how well it works.
That being said, I got a ticket about 3 weeks ago on a trip from North Carolina to Texas, in a small town called Cameron in Louisana.
There is a ferry you have to take across a "river" going out to sea, and I was first in line for that. I was not too happy when they let this guy off that was next to me first, and 4 other cars went ahead of me as well. This was a back road with speed limit of 55, and the group of cars was doing 50-55, so I ended up passing the cars over the next 2 minutes as traffic coming the other way was clear. Once I finished passing, I slowed down, to about 68 or so as the car that was first in line had sped up as I passed him and I didn't want to impede him since I hate when people pass, then slow down to slower than what I had my speed control set to.
Anyways, about 5 miles later, I start getting hits on my radar. At this point, I slow down to about 62 as it wasn't solid yet and the guy behind me had closed up the gap. I pointed several times to my radar detector to let him know I was slowing down because of that.
Shortly thereafter, the signal became solid, and I backed down to 55-56. 2 minutes later (very long, flat, straight road) I see the SUV with the lights slow down as he passes me and turn around. My turn was in about 1/8th of a mile, so I turned left onto that highway. The cop turned on his lights and the car behind me turned left as well. I pulled over, the other car pulled past because the cop pulled over to the side as well.
Officer said he had me at 70 mph. I told the officer that I thought I had been doing 62, not 70...and he informed me that an sheriff had been behind me the whole time.
So...radar isn't perfect...just saying
That being said, I got a ticket about 3 weeks ago on a trip from North Carolina to Texas, in a small town called Cameron in Louisana.
There is a ferry you have to take across a "river" going out to sea, and I was first in line for that. I was not too happy when they let this guy off that was next to me first, and 4 other cars went ahead of me as well. This was a back road with speed limit of 55, and the group of cars was doing 50-55, so I ended up passing the cars over the next 2 minutes as traffic coming the other way was clear. Once I finished passing, I slowed down, to about 68 or so as the car that was first in line had sped up as I passed him and I didn't want to impede him since I hate when people pass, then slow down to slower than what I had my speed control set to.
Anyways, about 5 miles later, I start getting hits on my radar. At this point, I slow down to about 62 as it wasn't solid yet and the guy behind me had closed up the gap. I pointed several times to my radar detector to let him know I was slowing down because of that.
Shortly thereafter, the signal became solid, and I backed down to 55-56. 2 minutes later (very long, flat, straight road) I see the SUV with the lights slow down as he passes me and turn around. My turn was in about 1/8th of a mile, so I turned left onto that highway. The cop turned on his lights and the car behind me turned left as well. I pulled over, the other car pulled past because the cop pulled over to the side as well.
Officer said he had me at 70 mph. I told the officer that I thought I had been doing 62, not 70...and he informed me that an sheriff had been behind me the whole time.
So...radar isn't perfect...just saying
They are going to more and more plain wrapper cars.
I look at each driver! illegal tint and new car equals a cop car.
Those get an extra hard look!
05-22-2014, 11:08 AM
#99
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I sat next to this car for the trip across the ferry. I even looked over to him at one point, he was reading a book. He wasn't in uniform or anything. Nothing stood out that said cop. I'm pretty sure he was off duty in his own personal car (which was an econobox).
05-22-2014, 11:42 AM
#100
8th Gear
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Excellent point. Sometimes there is nothing you can do. The most one can hope for from countermeasures is to decrease the odds.
I've used radar detectors for years, and have usually bought what's considered best at the time over the years. I just bought a Passport Max for my Stingray, and look forward to seeing how well it works.
That being said, I got a ticket about 3 weeks ago on a trip from North Carolina to Texas, in a small town called Cameron in Louisana.
There is a ferry you have to take across a "river" going out to sea, and I was first in line for that. I was not too happy when they let this guy off that was next to me first, and 4 other cars went ahead of me as well. This was a back road with speed limit of 55, and the group of cars was doing 50-55, so I ended up passing the cars over the next 2 minutes as traffic coming the other way was clear. Once I finished passing, I slowed down, to about 68 or so as the car that was first in line had sped up as I passed him and I didn't want to impede him since I hate when people pass, then slow down to slower than what I had my speed control set to.
Anyways, about 5 miles later, I start getting hits on my radar. At this point, I slow down to about 62 as it wasn't solid yet and the guy behind me had closed up the gap. I pointed several times to my radar detector to let him know I was slowing down because of that.
Shortly thereafter, the signal became solid, and I backed down to 55-56. 2 minutes later (very long, flat, straight road) I see the SUV with the lights slow down as he passes me and turn around. My turn was in about 1/8th of a mile, so I turned left onto that highway. The cop turned on his lights and the car behind me turned left as well. I pulled over, the other car pulled past because the cop pulled over to the side as well.
Officer said he had me at 70 mph. I told the officer that I thought I had been doing 62, not 70...and he informed me that an sheriff had been behind me the whole time.
So...radar isn't perfect...just saying
That being said, I got a ticket about 3 weeks ago on a trip from North Carolina to Texas, in a small town called Cameron in Louisana.
There is a ferry you have to take across a "river" going out to sea, and I was first in line for that. I was not too happy when they let this guy off that was next to me first, and 4 other cars went ahead of me as well. This was a back road with speed limit of 55, and the group of cars was doing 50-55, so I ended up passing the cars over the next 2 minutes as traffic coming the other way was clear. Once I finished passing, I slowed down, to about 68 or so as the car that was first in line had sped up as I passed him and I didn't want to impede him since I hate when people pass, then slow down to slower than what I had my speed control set to.
Anyways, about 5 miles later, I start getting hits on my radar. At this point, I slow down to about 62 as it wasn't solid yet and the guy behind me had closed up the gap. I pointed several times to my radar detector to let him know I was slowing down because of that.
Shortly thereafter, the signal became solid, and I backed down to 55-56. 2 minutes later (very long, flat, straight road) I see the SUV with the lights slow down as he passes me and turn around. My turn was in about 1/8th of a mile, so I turned left onto that highway. The cop turned on his lights and the car behind me turned left as well. I pulled over, the other car pulled past because the cop pulled over to the side as well.
Officer said he had me at 70 mph. I told the officer that I thought I had been doing 62, not 70...and he informed me that an sheriff had been behind me the whole time.
So...radar isn't perfect...just saying