Valentine 1
05-22-2002, 12:08 PM
#16
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Maybe he was pacing you from behind?
I have an old Bel, which still works well for radar. I don't see too many laser traps up here on the highway, and they seem to be easier to spot because of the way they set them up on a tripod.
In the city, I just try to take it easy.
A few months ago I was paced for some time at night while I was doing about 80-85 mph. The guy was about 200 feet behind me for a few miles, then passed me and took off.
Guess it was close to the end of the shift, I think that's your biggest risk--being paced at night.
I have an old Bel, which still works well for radar. I don't see too many laser traps up here on the highway, and they seem to be easier to spot because of the way they set them up on a tripod.
In the city, I just try to take it easy.
A few months ago I was paced for some time at night while I was doing about 80-85 mph. The guy was about 200 feet behind me for a few miles, then passed me and took off.
Guess it was close to the end of the shift, I think that's your biggest risk--being paced at night.
05-22-2002, 12:28 PM
#17
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I'd like to understand the "Point and Shoot" radar that California cops seems to use so much. Is this the instant Ka that was discussed earlier on this thread? How can I find out?
So if there is no defense for the Ka and since that's almost the only thing I see...what's a guy to do? Obviously you could ALWAYS obey the speed limits, but in my case I take a wide gently curving four lane with real wide landscaped median through what it technicallly a residential area and the posted limit is 35 MPH. NO ONE drives 35 in that area. There are plenty of times I've seen cops situated in the middle of the landscaped median or just around a curve that I doubt could be detected with even a V1...or could it?
So if there is no defense for the Ka and since that's almost the only thing I see...what's a guy to do? Obviously you could ALWAYS obey the speed limits, but in my case I take a wide gently curving four lane with real wide landscaped median through what it technicallly a residential area and the posted limit is 35 MPH. NO ONE drives 35 in that area. There are plenty of times I've seen cops situated in the middle of the landscaped median or just around a curve that I doubt could be detected with even a V1...or could it?
05-22-2002, 12:49 PM
#18
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I hear you Dan!
I've had two tickets in the last couple of years each time by a traffic cop with a hand held laser. I see them all the time around here. I'd like to know too if the V1 would help with this.
I've had two tickets in the last couple of years each time by a traffic cop with a hand held laser. I see them all the time around here. I'd like to know too if the V1 would help with this.
05-22-2002, 01:56 PM
#19
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Brian,
I went from my 16th birthday until my late 20's without ever getting a ticket. Then I got three in 18 months! Two were literally one month apart at the same location.
How stupid was I? So...I had to cool it.
Granted, I probably deserve many more tickets than I've ever received but honestly?, I've never gotten a ticket when I was truly going too fast for the conditions, etc. I've only ever gotten tickets for going technically too fast.
I went from my 16th birthday until my late 20's without ever getting a ticket. Then I got three in 18 months! Two were literally one month apart at the same location.
How stupid was I? So...I had to cool it.
Granted, I probably deserve many more tickets than I've ever received but honestly?, I've never gotten a ticket when I was truly going too fast for the conditions, etc. I've only ever gotten tickets for going technically too fast.
05-22-2002, 03:17 PM
#20
lol - I'd like to call this meeting of Speeders Anonymous to order. <img src="graemlins/icon107.gif" border="0" alt="[icon107]" />
The V1 picks up X, K, and Ka radar waves - and also Laser.
First of all, with regard to Ka band radar: this is the "instant on" radar. The cop points his radar gun at you, click the trigger, and WHAP gets an instant reading.
Is the V1 a defense? YES. That's because when cops are doing this, they typically will strafe cars AHEAD of you in the same manner. The V1 will pick up the stray Ka waves and give you a warning. The V1 makes a special "chirp" sound; learn to respect these! The amazing V1 range will usually give you plenty of warning.
An exception to this might occur when traffic is sparse. You might get nailed by Ka out of the blue, without picking up any advance warning.
With regard to LASER, I have been told (but this has not been confirmed) that there are not really any stray laser waves bouncing around, so you are always extremely vulnerable to laser. The only effective defense is a laser diffuser or jammer; and the only ones that work are very expensive. But again, this is what I have been told about laser. I have only seen cops using it a couple of times, so perhaps someone else has more experience?
The V1 picks up X, K, and Ka radar waves - and also Laser.
First of all, with regard to Ka band radar: this is the "instant on" radar. The cop points his radar gun at you, click the trigger, and WHAP gets an instant reading.
Is the V1 a defense? YES. That's because when cops are doing this, they typically will strafe cars AHEAD of you in the same manner. The V1 will pick up the stray Ka waves and give you a warning. The V1 makes a special "chirp" sound; learn to respect these! The amazing V1 range will usually give you plenty of warning.
An exception to this might occur when traffic is sparse. You might get nailed by Ka out of the blue, without picking up any advance warning.
With regard to LASER, I have been told (but this has not been confirmed) that there are not really any stray laser waves bouncing around, so you are always extremely vulnerable to laser. The only effective defense is a laser diffuser or jammer; and the only ones that work are very expensive. But again, this is what I have been told about laser. I have only seen cops using it a couple of times, so perhaps someone else has more experience?
05-22-2002, 03:29 PM
#21
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For a good radar detector comparo:
<a href="http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/features/2002/february/200202_feature_detectors.xml" target="_blank">http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/features/2002/february/200202_feature_detectors.xml</a>
Ignore radartest.com. The guy has issues with Valentine.
As for the Ka radar in California. Here's the deal. If the officer waits until YOUR car is in sight before he turns on his radar, you're toast. The only way a radar detector can help you there is if somebody in front of you draws a quick Ka blast, and your detector picks up some of the reflected beam.
When I am on a high speed run, I try to keep the following things in mind.
1. Radar only gives the cop a speed. It does not tell him which car is speeding. Because of this it is very important to give the illusion that you are travelling no faster than the rest of traffic. This is done by:
a. always driving in the right lane, except to pass. (yet another reason NOT to sit in the left lane)
b. slow when cresting hills, while scanning road for cars on side or in median.
c. when passing highway on/off-ramps, I will slow until I can verify that the on-ramp is empty (usually, the on-ramp is after the overpass, and I have seen them sit there)
d. when passing other cars, try not to have too large a speed variance. (I got a 'failure to obey sign ticket once. I had blasted through a radar trap fast enough for them to NOT turn on the radar before I went by. I think I might have been ok, except all of the other cars looked like they were parked when I went by them at 90 in a 55. He said he 'clocked' me at 72, but gave the other ticket as a favor)
e. I've given up on 'rabbits' (faster cars that you follow), because they usually don't drive as fast as I would like, and they are pathetic at getting through traffic.
As for the question about getting stopped with a radar detector, I have had a couple of experiences. One time the cop asked why I had hit the brakes when he turned on the radar. I said, 'Radar detector?'. He says, "You think that's going to help you every time?", to which I replied 'Apparently not!'. LOL
Just some ramblings...
<a href="http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/features/2002/february/200202_feature_detectors.xml" target="_blank">http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/features/2002/february/200202_feature_detectors.xml</a>
Ignore radartest.com. The guy has issues with Valentine.
As for the Ka radar in California. Here's the deal. If the officer waits until YOUR car is in sight before he turns on his radar, you're toast. The only way a radar detector can help you there is if somebody in front of you draws a quick Ka blast, and your detector picks up some of the reflected beam.
When I am on a high speed run, I try to keep the following things in mind.
1. Radar only gives the cop a speed. It does not tell him which car is speeding. Because of this it is very important to give the illusion that you are travelling no faster than the rest of traffic. This is done by:
a. always driving in the right lane, except to pass. (yet another reason NOT to sit in the left lane)
b. slow when cresting hills, while scanning road for cars on side or in median.
c. when passing highway on/off-ramps, I will slow until I can verify that the on-ramp is empty (usually, the on-ramp is after the overpass, and I have seen them sit there)
d. when passing other cars, try not to have too large a speed variance. (I got a 'failure to obey sign ticket once. I had blasted through a radar trap fast enough for them to NOT turn on the radar before I went by. I think I might have been ok, except all of the other cars looked like they were parked when I went by them at 90 in a 55. He said he 'clocked' me at 72, but gave the other ticket as a favor)
e. I've given up on 'rabbits' (faster cars that you follow), because they usually don't drive as fast as I would like, and they are pathetic at getting through traffic.
As for the question about getting stopped with a radar detector, I have had a couple of experiences. One time the cop asked why I had hit the brakes when he turned on the radar. I said, 'Radar detector?'. He says, "You think that's going to help you every time?", to which I replied 'Apparently not!'. LOL
Just some ramblings...
05-22-2002, 03:45 PM
#23
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That would,
um, That would,
um, That would um, be me.
TWICE!
The first time I was lazy and just set the cruise control at 80, and got paced by the CHP. (CA). DOH! Totally my fault.
The second time I didn't see the motorcycle cop on the shoulder where he claimed he was. I was doing about 90 in a 65 in the right lane. The left two lanes had heavy traffic but of course, in California, no one uses the right lane which was empty. Anyway, the officer claimed he paced me for a half-mile, but if that was the case, I would probably gotten a much worse ticket!
So they're definitely not infallible, and I find it much more work to drive with a radar detector. Mostly because I'm driving faster, and I'm always looking for police cars, and traffic and whatnot, due to the higher speeds.
um, That would,
um, That would um, be me.
TWICE!
The first time I was lazy and just set the cruise control at 80, and got paced by the CHP. (CA). DOH! Totally my fault.
The second time I didn't see the motorcycle cop on the shoulder where he claimed he was. I was doing about 90 in a 65 in the right lane. The left two lanes had heavy traffic but of course, in California, no one uses the right lane which was empty. Anyway, the officer claimed he paced me for a half-mile, but if that was the case, I would probably gotten a much worse ticket!
So they're definitely not infallible, and I find it much more work to drive with a radar detector. Mostly because I'm driving faster, and I'm always looking for police cars, and traffic and whatnot, due to the higher speeds.
05-22-2002, 04:57 PM
#24
For many years the CHP did not have radar and could only use pacing to judge speed on the open highway. When I was in college you could literally fly up and down I5 if you had a buddy spotting for you.
Why?
Each year the CA legislature would delete the funding request from the CHP for radar. Back in the 70's and early 80's CA legislators got a car allowance and many sped up and down 101/99/5 to and from Sacramento. Willie Brown, then speaker of the state assembly, for several years had a state-leased 911! Then the allowance changed, people started flying more, and the CHP got radar.
And they call it progress.
Why?
Each year the CA legislature would delete the funding request from the CHP for radar. Back in the 70's and early 80's CA legislators got a car allowance and many sped up and down 101/99/5 to and from Sacramento. Willie Brown, then speaker of the state assembly, for several years had a state-leased 911! Then the allowance changed, people started flying more, and the CHP got radar.
And they call it progress.
05-22-2002, 06:09 PM
#25
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Speaking of Willie, I've heard the SPeaker, uh, er the Mayor now routinely shows up at night spots in SF in a Ferrari?
Danno, do you know if that is true? Anyone else in Northern California know?
Danno, do you know if that is true? Anyone else in Northern California know?
05-22-2002, 06:31 PM
#26
Nordschleife Master
Two in one day is my personal best, in upstate New York where Ontario drivers support the local economy.
The second one I could not believe. I was doing 71 on a divided highway, and got picked off by a smokey, or some goof in a big hat, coming in the other direction. To get to me, he had to drift his car down the valley in the median, through a huge puddle, and back up the other side. It was like something out of Smokey and the bandit, fer crissake, there was water flying everywhere!
They see those blue and white Canadian plates, and they go wild.
The second one I could not believe. I was doing 71 on a divided highway, and got picked off by a smokey, or some goof in a big hat, coming in the other direction. To get to me, he had to drift his car down the valley in the median, through a huge puddle, and back up the other side. It was like something out of Smokey and the bandit, fer crissake, there was water flying everywhere!
They see those blue and white Canadian plates, and they go wild.
05-22-2002, 06:52 PM
#27
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I've used the V1 in both cars and on motorcycles and it is far and away the best radar detector(locator). Just for kicks I bought the new Passport 8500 for my 924S(because of the limited dash and super sloped windshield, I wanted something slimmer than the V1) and it doesn't compare at *all* to the V1. I do like the mounting system of the Passport way better and it's easy on/off system is great because I use a sunshield when I park. The V1 is best placed and left in place for good, not on/off.
05-23-2002, 05:01 AM
#28
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I use a valentine off and on usally only on night runs up the coast.Which I co alot. I'm not shure it's saved my *** but it will tell me where every Kmart and 7-11 are.. wish we could shut off some of the non used bands
Matt
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05-23-2002, 02:51 PM
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Well, you guys have convinced me to get a V1. I figured V1 was still the best, but wanted some info to back that up...thanks!
I personally didn't buy the radartest.com guy because he said radar from the rear is worthless and not a threat. Guess where the cop was that nailed me last week...BEHIND ME!
And I figure the price of a V1 is equivalent to about 2 tickets once you factor in insurance and stuff.
I personally didn't buy the radartest.com guy because he said radar from the rear is worthless and not a threat. Guess where the cop was that nailed me last week...BEHIND ME!
And I figure the price of a V1 is equivalent to about 2 tickets once you factor in insurance and stuff.
05-23-2002, 10:39 PM
#30
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One point I dont think anyone has mentioned yet is that radar detectors are useless against birds in the sky. While Ive never had a ticket -- those "driving pointers" above read like my bible when out on the prowl -- I've been with my father for at least 6-7 tickets over the years, and in all but one case, he was ticketed from a plane in the sky over a timed distance.
I cant speak for everywhere, but Ohio is notorious for nailing speeders from planes on marked stretches of pavement. Whenever I see hash marks on the side of the highway, I immediately slow down for part of it so it throws off my average speed between the timed distance.
That's why Ive never bought a radar detector (though I would prob. get a V-1 too if I thought it would pay for itself in my case). I just dont see it saving me enough times, espec. when there's nothing in the world thats going to stop you from traffic Cessnas and a guy with a stopwatch. In truth, I spend much more time looking for low-flying Cessnas and Pipers than I do cops sitting on the side of the road.
I cant speak for everywhere, but Ohio is notorious for nailing speeders from planes on marked stretches of pavement. Whenever I see hash marks on the side of the highway, I immediately slow down for part of it so it throws off my average speed between the timed distance.
That's why Ive never bought a radar detector (though I would prob. get a V-1 too if I thought it would pay for itself in my case). I just dont see it saving me enough times, espec. when there's nothing in the world thats going to stop you from traffic Cessnas and a guy with a stopwatch. In truth, I spend much more time looking for low-flying Cessnas and Pipers than I do cops sitting on the side of the road.