Nicole

I get lots of false laser alarms from newer Infinity or Lexus SUVs. Apparently, some of these newer cars use a laser based cruise control system.

I also get laser warnings from some neon or LED signs - not sure which one.

While a local Hiway Patrol officer told me they have no laser, a San Jose Police officer told me the motorcyle cops only use laser. Interestingly, he said he hates to write speeding tickets. Might be because he owns a BMW M3...

I have not disabled the X-Band on my detector, but it's really annoying to get a warning from every store or gas station. If I was sure the Police doesn't use X-Band anymore, I'd disable it. But what about other areas? Is X-Band dead universally when it comes to measuring speed?

Lastly, my V1 detector showed a "J" for the first time on Sunday. Any idea what that means?

Ron_H

I'm with Heinrich on the "beep and stomp" tactic. Just yesterday I got hit on 101 south and walked away from it saved by the V-1 which paid for itself again.
Just a few tenths of a mile before it happened, I had let a BMW past me after having been taking the point while he followed me for miles at .....a bit above the limit. I said to myself: " Let this goon take the point for awhile and see if he gets nailed." Sure enough, just a bit more and as he was at "over 90" and moving away, I got hit from in front and stood on my brakes hard. The hit kept coming until I reached 60 and then it stopped. Then I saw the on ramp and the Crown Vic headed out all ablaze to nail the BMW. The BMW was in clear air and sailing off into the sunset until Smokey came up and stomped on him. Felt sorry but I smiled and winked at my friend Mr. Valentine. Here is what happened: Smokey hit the BMW first as it passed by the overpass, and then he hit me. Smokey saw my speed drastically diminish and left me to nail the BMW. He lost interest when he saw my speed drop as it would if I had looked at my speedometer and realized I should be more observant of it, and then braked. He had no way of knowing I had a V-1. Just that I slowed and that is his interest. He shifted his interest to the BMW and nailed it. I went home free. Dave, are you listening? Remember my story about Utah and stomping the brakes? Well, that is my MO now. And it worked yesterday. And this isn't the first time folks. Listen to Heinrich's analysis, as it is similar to what I've found. Get this if nothing else: They are out there watching. Think about that. Even if they are quiet. Even if you can't see them. That's the only hint I will give. Just think about it and what you can conclude from that fact. Think about it longer because you haven't yet concluded the most important point. But you will if you accept that they are watching you.

No way would I drive without my V-1. Take my wife. Take my dog, even. But don't even think about my V-1. That would be personal.

Yes I get falses. I also get those irritating camera falses along freeways. Those are cameras used by Caltrans to observe conditions on the freeways.
At first I freaked out and thought to myself: "This **** has to stop", when I kept getting hit every few miles or so. But no need to be alarmed just yet, they are simply monitored at a remote location. Look for them mounted on a pole with a mini solar array on top to power them. You'll get better at spotting them and can tell by the type of signal from the V-1 what they are. Happy motoring.

SharkSkin

Nicole, you're probably fine using full logic mode in town. See if that helps. I really don't think there is any X-band being used for enforcement out here, so you could probably just disable that band. Double-check that though, I could be wrong.

Ron, I am definitely on the "beep means drop anchor" plan, though I tend to be a bit discerning about it. I can tell when a signal is from one of those cameras, plus I know where most of them are around here.

MorganRock

well, CA also has the most driver-friendly laws in that respect... From what I hear you guys aren't even allowed to have real unmarked cars in CA because the CA gov't decided it was "unfair". Here's an example of one my my stepdad's police cars -



the durango in the background is a road-duty unmarked car. (the fiero is my first car... fun little car. mine broke down ALL the time tho. parents made me get rid of it. )

State Police here also have full-unmarked intrepids/concordes/impalas (as far as cars go), as well as (in the Commercial Vehicle Divison) F-250's, an 8.3L!!! 1/2 ton.. i forget which, but it has 800hp.. the only way it hooks up is because of the 500lb scales it hauls, they have blazers, tahoes, durangos, broncos, explorers, and also expeditions. the only way you'd ever be able to tell that these are police cars is if you get a good bit of light through the front or rear window (depending on position), and see the little 2"Hx24"W slimliner LED flashers.

... but 90% of the time, if you get nailed here, if you try and plead NG you will get the ticket, however, if its a 1st ticket, if you plead Guilty, they usually give you Probation Before Judgement (75% of the cases i heard when i was in court ended this way).

or if you're a girl, you get off 90% of the time too... my gf races against me/drives in a spirited manner, she has nary a ticket to show for it... despite being pulled over at 85+ mph 4-5 times...

point is - i'm sure your radar detector works great for you out there in CA... just dont assume that all states are similar. my advice to anyone in MD is dont bother with them, because they dont do a whole lot of good. Instant-on radar and vascar both render them useless.

heinrich

Idon't get those.

heinrich

I was told this a million times, and I have found it to be incorrect. Guess who I've heard it from most .... State Patrol.

MorganRock

oh, and what REALLY sucks if you're ever in the area - they are putting in speed cameras on the highway, just like the red light cameras we have on intersections. it's soon going to be impossible to have any fun on the major highways around here (I-95/I-270/I-495) because the whole process will be automated. Radar'd camera detects you exceeding speed limt, camera snaps pic, a week later u get a ticket in the mail. (they already have 'em on DC streets)

gotta love technology.... :-(

heinrich

Only if instant-on radar reads "FRONT LASER" on my detector.

heinrich

I rest my case

MorganRock

i just seemed to think that because tony was talking about instant-on as well, and you were talking about lasers, which are two different things.

i'm sure radar detectors work well if you're in traffic (instant-on can be read when used on cars around you), but i dont really see the point of speeding in traffic anyway... i generally speed once i'm out of traffic cuz then i can really stretch the car's legs :P

MorganRock

btw, many officers are using Ka instant-on now, rather than K, so the problem with that is Ka does not set off anything without Ka detection, so if u don't have up-to-date equipment u'r screwed too.

i just figure with the arm's-race style equipment war going on, i'm better served by my own two eyes and my wits than some radar detector.

as tony said, with his detector, he got tickets. without, he didn't. they make you complacent. IDEALLY, combined use with sit. awareness/good radar detector is best, but the chances of you getting a radar detector and keeping the same level of awareness are low.

if you've got that tho, more power to u.

edit:
this is the only instance in which it appears radar detectors are really damned useful - "Photo Radar (Photo Cop)
The photo-cop combines a Ka-band radar gun with an automated camera. A vehicle approaching at or above a predetermined speed will trigger the camera. The photo shows the front of the vehicle, license plate, driver's face, the date, location, and time. The unit can clock and photograph up to 200 vehicles per hour. Alleged speeders are not stopped. The film is processed and a ticket is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle, ordering him or her to pay the fine or appear in court.

Photo-cop's effective range is 120-300 feet and it transmits a continuous signal, which is a plus for radar detectors. The distance at which it can be detected varies depending upon a detector's Ka-band sensitivity. Better detectors can typically sniff out a photo-cop system 1/4 to 1/2 mile away.

Only a handful of cities use photo radar. Industry sources predicted widespread interest and expanded use, but that has not been the case. Legal controversies along with prohibitive expense have caused officials to stick with more traditional methods of speed detection. "

Tony

What was your case then?
radar detectors help..or dont help?

Shane

His argument is that the escort sr1 laser detector works, and that if used correctly will save your bacon. All else is pooh pooh.

heinrich

Simply-put:

Those who tout that laser detectors cannot save you, should put forth their experiences. You did that Tony and I for one appreciate it. What you are saying is, you got tickets with a RADAR detector, and thus you have not used a RADAR detector in years. The conclusion is that if others feel they cannot be served by RADAR detectors, then they can follow your lead and sell their detector on ebay.

The flip-side of that is that if those same people believe that they can beat RADAR with their detectors, if they believe their RADAR detectors are not USELESS ...... then they CANNOT follow your lead. And I have presented the best evidence I have, ie EXPERIENCE, that I have been well-served by not only RADAR, but also a LASER detector.

I fully agree Tony, that many people cannot be served by a LASER detector .... I contend that, those people are the SAME people who would not be served by a RADAR detector, because their level of attention to its prompts is different from one that would or could yield success.

I have been one hundred percent successful.

heinrich

I was trying to offer my experiences to combat the widely-held BUT ENTIRELY UNSUPPORTED (BY EVIDENCE) misgiving that you cannot be served by a Laser Detector. I'm outta this thread. Draw your own conclusions as you please.