Jay Laifman

So what's the story on radar detectors? I've never had one. I was at a charity auction and picked up a Cobra one (though I believe I've seen that the one that advertises on the back of Pano to be the better one, Valentine One). I hooked it up last night. There was one part where the X band lit up big time. There were a couple of spots where X showed minor blips where no cops were anywhere around.

Do these signals bounce around alot? Are there other sources? Are a large percentage of the false positives?

What about the different bands - X, K, Ka, and all the lazer ones - is there a difference in what groups use them? Like do local police use on, CHP use another, etc?

Also, what about legality? The instructions noted that Federal law says they are legal and any state law that says they are not legal is wrong and only needs to be challenged. Like I care to be the test case to challenge the state. I'm in California. And, the instructions had lots of coy references to how to remove it quickly if one particluar band lit up - the band that shows the police are using radar detector detectors.

ked

Jay, you've got lotsa short questions that call for long answers! Check out Mike Valentine's website for a thorough overview of the issues. http://www.valentine1.com/
incomplete answers...
X Band is shared w/ many other applications, particularly commercial security sensors & automatic door openers (like at supermarkets). it isn't as common as it once was for LE radar, but that varies from place-to-place.
Yes, LE radar signals bounce around a lot, it is just specific bands & application of radio.
Yes, the various radar bands & alternatives (laser-optical) are employed by different jurisdictions - it is a mosaic. though unlikely, you can get targeted by all types within a few miles by different users.
Receiving a radio / radar signal is legal under federal law (FCC), but certain states have local laws against possession &/or use of a detector. Of course it is unconstitutional but that's just a scrap of paper. VA is one I am familiar w/, also DC (in the past, still?) & others?.

A detector is no replacement for hightened situational awareness, which we should always apply when driving at any speed, anywhere. cheers!

ernie944

I've got one of those Cobra detector's and I swear by it once you get used to it how it goes off where its going off and the reasons it goes off you'll learn to trust on it, as far as the others my friennd had the one you mentioned and from what we've compared it's no difference from my seems ti pick up the same.

mborkow

in CA radar detectors are legal so you have no worries there. in my neck of the woods (bay area) --on the highway-- the only two technologies that are being used by law enforecement are laser and Ka band radar, and primarily Ka (which my V1 picks up very well). the X and K warnings that i used to get were all bogus (prob garage door openers or something) so i disabled X and K in my V1. last time i took a drive out to Sac my V1 picked up 7 speed traps (4 on the way there and 3 on the way back) all of which turned out to be real (the V1 paid for itself that day!). i think that on local roads in smaller communities you might still get zapped by a K band radar (i don't think any police force is still using X in CA), but i don't really speed on local roads (but i do tend to do about 80 on the highway...70-75 just seems so slow). the valentine 1 really is a nice product. it seems to be well made and once you get used to the arrows i think it might be hard to go back; it is really nice to know where the radar threat is and it helps you adjust to it accordingly.

TSeck

Had one for many years. Saved my butt more than once. If your going to use one, learn how to use it properly. The Police and Highway Patrol (at least in Florida) are VERY adept at using the device to their advantage. The trouble with detectors is they tend to give you a false sence of security. Thats when they nail you. I use mine just to highten my awareness to their presence. (Kinda like "GAME IS ON!)

ajmarton

Any other suggestions besides the Valentine 1? It got mixed reviews on other sites. What about the Escort x50?

r911

nothing comes close to a V-1 -- it's free to try it so do that

jdogporsche

Could you please explain the free to try it comment? Do tell!

madmmac

Most sellers let you try them for 30 days. If you are not satisfied, just send it back, either no charge or very little.

Here is a good site for your radar questions:

http://www.radardetector.net/

mborkow

cool site. thanks for the link

Giantviper

I got a Beltronics pro RX 65 and i like it alot. it has saved me a couple of times. A little less in price then the V1 and i think it does a good job and have beenhappy with it.

seanoj

Valentine One gets my vote. In my travels (Los Angeles to Mammoth Mountain) I find K/Ka to be the weapon of choice for the CHP. Only got hit with Laser once (in Bishop, CA). Valentine One shows you where the radar is, which helps you make very good choices on how to react. Sensitivity is excellent and the logic modes work well.

-Sean

Edgy01

They're not perfect but it is nice to know what is going on around you. The Valentine 1 is a first rate device and has become my "Raw Gear" of choice (RWR--Radar Warning Receiver). The intelligence value of knowing if the threat is ahead, lateral or to the rear makes it unique and more valuable to the driver.

I'm presently doing some prototype work trying to find the ideal mounting location for mine, as well as all the remote stuff (visual alerts and remote switch).

86NOH2O

I'd been set to buy the Valentine unit but Radartest.com says it's outdated. It is odd that Valentine still uses the 2002 comparison tests in their ads? Other than the arrows, which I like, my guess is others have surpassed it in range.

ked

'86, I disagree... & I think that radartest's objectivity has been questioned - you might look into that.

Mike is the most experienced radar ecm engineer in the non-military detector biz. recently, I drove a new M3 from Tampa / St Pete area back to N AL along w/ a friend (we were picking up a 993). I had my 4 yr old V1, he had a just-updated (w/ POP sensing) version. we flew through the "deadly" corridor of FL Interstates & I-65. he got warnings slightly sooner than me, w/ fewer falses (I keep x band on, mostly because I'm into RF propagation). we weren't hit w/ POP, must have cleared at least 10 traps. the frt / rear antenna arrangement is (to me) indispensible - and he has a patent on that. I don't know of very many V1 users who have switched to other brands, while I know of many who have gone the other way. good luck!