boxsterblue

So, I know I need a good radar detector, but know I want it to take up as little of my windshield space as possible. I'm sure they'll hardwire it, but what are your best options for your Boxster, given it's a convertible, and putting it under the rearview mirror seems odd for some reason? And what are your choices for best radar detector under $350, or do you really need to jump up to something like the V1 or Passport Max?

Evo X

I wouldn't trust anything other than a Valentine One. Had one for the 12 years that I have been driving and it has been worth it's weight in gold. Zero tickets on my record. Just did a 2,200 mile roadtrip across the country and it saved my *** more times than I can count.

Dark Kauphee

In most states in the US, to be certified as a radar operator, a Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) must visually assess and then verify with a radar speed measuring device. Meaning that by the time a radar detector indicates that there are radar waves being bounced around it's too late, the LEO has already visually assessed and then verified with a radar speed measuring device.

If you're targeted for speeding and not stopped/ticketed that is because the LEO didn't want to for whatever the reason.

This isn't to say that radar detectors are not helpful, but no more so than a good set of eyes and situation awareness.

It's been two decades since my last speeding violation and I drive my vehicles like they are stolen on a daily basis.

Regards,

Graeme

VGM911

I have been using Passports (cordless, battery powered, for convenience and ease of use) for many, many years. Have never had a speeding ticket.

'nuff said!

Lemming

I've not had a detector in a long time, been using Waze on my cellphone. People in the SE are very good about reporting radar locations, it has worked like a charm since I started using it.

981spyder

Escort vs Valentine is like iPhone vs android, the key with a radar detector is knowing their pros and cons, their limitations and how use it.
I been using Escort for a long time and been ticket free for that amount time too. I love the gps learning feature, not many false alarms. Looking up reviews will help a bunch.

Zeus993

It's an interesting subject this. I am with Graeme 100%. With radar, by the time your are hit, unless you are using jammers, it's all over. And that's a whole other game to play.

The best prevention is the be smart and keep your situational awareness on HIGH. Here's what I've learned over the last 10 years in my area. You increase your chances of getting a ticket when:
1. The sun is out
2. It's on a weekend or holiday
3. You drive fast on straight stretches where they (police) can safely pull you over
4. You're first in line
5. In the summers months, most often after the May long weekend...
6. Racing to Porsche events that are well publicized (right boys? How many have been pulled over heading to an early am BBC...)

You avoid tickets by
1. Driving slow (boring but true...)
2. Driving with traffic (boring...)
3. Driving in the non-passing lane
4. Driving behind a "rabbit"
5. Driving on week days and summer evenings
6. Driving on curvey roads where it is dangerous to pull people over for speeding
7. Watching your Waze app for previous locations
8. Remembering locations of radar traps (Trapster app was good for this but is no longer)

So sunny, weekend and holidays, after May longweekend, along straight stretches? Keep your speed down. And let's face it, there's WAY too many drivers on the roads in these conditions to be driving fast anyways.

Here's to open windy roads and track days!

Marvinta

Have any of you installed the Valentine one readout into your wart?

Cbst09

FYI, I just put up my Escort passport 9500 ix radar detector for sale today in the Rennlist classifieds. I used it only twice.

boxsterblue

Thanks for the feedback all.

WaltB

"With radar, by the time your are hit, unless you are using jammers, it's all over."

Another incredibly uninformed person spouting expertise.

Boxsterblue I would highly recommend you go to a forum with more knowledgable folks about radar detectors. http://www.radardetector.net/forums/

Walt

boxsterblue

Thanks!

Zeus993

You compliment me WaltB. No expertise here, just an opinion like many others. Please contribute your opinion to the thread. I'd like to hear your thoughts on how to avoid instant-on radar. Bring it on buddy!

BoulderGeek

I am a long time Valentine One user on my motorcycles. I used it on my 1000 mile road trip fly & drive to get my new Cayman. Even though it is several years old, and doesn't have all of the new features, it still detects and positions laser and radar sources.

I've been tagged by laser and slowed immediately, and been given a pass by the officer. I have been tagged by radar and pulled over immediately and given a warning. I find that if you don't make the LEOs chase you down, and are humble, even when they have you dead to rights, it becomes a more favorable outcome.

Sure, a radar detector won't stop laser or instant on radar from reporting you back. But, they will allow both parties to know that the game is on, and it can still be advantageous.

Most regularly, the LEO will leave their radar emitting when they have someone else in pursuit or pulled over. And since law enforcement frequently work in pairs, you may surmise that there is another in the vicinity. So, even if it detects a full blast feed from a car on the side of the road, busy with someone else, that information can become a benefit and may save some bacon.

In all things, early information and awareness of context can sway events to one's favor. The combo of Waze and radar detection (V1 is the only quality one I have ever owned) seems to give a pretty comprehensive picture in today's world. Nothing is foolproof or guaranteed. Where would the fun be in that?

WaltB

Ok Zeus993,

Let’s address your statement I was commenting on. You said that by the time you are hit with radar it’s all over. Not so fast. The transmission range of K and Ka band radar is over 2 miles, line of sight. Well within detection range of the V1 or Escort RD but well outside typical ticket range. If the LEO is running continuous on you should get an alert with more than enough time to slow down. So there is an instance where you are “hit with radar” but will most likely be fine.

The other scenario is instant on. If it is POP radar then your detector only has about 65 milliseconds to identify and alert you. The more advanced RDs have trouble with this but will accurately issue an alert some of the time. (Newer POP radar has decreased the pulse to 15ms or so and that has proven extremely difficult for RDs to alert to. Fortunately most municipalities do now allow tickets to be issued using POP only. They require the LEO to switch over to their normal instant on radar foe more accurate results.

As for the standard instant on, if it is you they have targeted directly you will most likely be getting a ticket. However, if it is someone in front of you or to the side of you, you may be free and clear. The main beam on a K-band radar is about 65 degrees. The main beam of Ka radar is about 40 degrees. Both also have side lobes that extend out and will also alert your detector. Not to mention reflection and scatter. So essentially just because you get an alert, that does not mean the LEO was targeting you or has a speed on you.

You mentioned jammers. If you are talking about radar jammers, they are highly illegal at the federal level! LIDAR jammers are legal in some states with some manufacturers producing very effective counter measures to Laser. Even so. Laser is simply light being reflected back to the gun and with dark cars or vehicles with big grills and no front license plate if can take a few seconds or longer to get a reading on a naked vehicle. (I have first hand experience with this as I have tested different LIDAR setups with 5 different police laser guns) LEOs are taught to first aim for the license plate and then a headlight if unable to get a reading center mass. Many here in Texas do not run with front license plates even though it is the law to do so. Some run with Laser Veil GS although I never wanted to coat my nice headlights.

I have used both the V1 and Escort. I finally settled on the V1. I have 3 of them. One in each car. I’ve had V1 in my vehicles for 20 years now. I love the arrows for situational awareness. No question the V1 is noisy and goes off a lot. That can be mitigated somewhat with SAVVY and programming. My major problem with the Escort is that when you mark a location where you have a K or Ka band alert you are isolating an undefined area. I asked Escort for clarification as to what the distance of there dead-zone was but they would not say. I have seen LEOs hide in areas that have other sources of emissions most likely in the hopes that some will have that area zoned out.

For me, I set the SAVVY MPH at 45 but will still get an initial alert that I can analyze.

I’m big into situational awareness and the V1 offers me the most in that area.

Walt


"With radar, by the time your are hit, unless you are using jammers, it's all over."