spirited driving and Radar Detectors
#16
Cardigan Millionaire
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In my STI i had it fitted with the Passport 9500CI. It is a fair bit more expensive and a lot more to install, but is has a few key things that I like.
1st it picks up Ku band radar which no other detector on the market currently does and this band is slowly moving over from Europe, in Canada at least.
2nd it comes with a laser jammer, the problem with laser is that it is a very narrow beam spread, you will not catch it like radar, once it is detected means the cop is already reading you and it is too late. the jammer jams the signal giving the laser gun an error message so the worst they can do is give you an estimated speed ticket which is easy to fight.
3rd it is a built in unit mount it wherever you want in your car, nothing hanging off your windshield, no dangling chords etc a very clean finish, it also talks to you and wont light up if you want. This is very helpful in the states and provinces where laser jammers and radar detectors are illegal.
I had this paired up with a modified active radar jammer, CB radio, and Police scanner with access to the proper encrypted frequencies and never got a ticket. Since then I have become quite a bit more responsible driving and dont feel the need to run any sort of detection or jamming equipment, I leave speeding for the track
1st it picks up Ku band radar which no other detector on the market currently does and this band is slowly moving over from Europe, in Canada at least.
2nd it comes with a laser jammer, the problem with laser is that it is a very narrow beam spread, you will not catch it like radar, once it is detected means the cop is already reading you and it is too late. the jammer jams the signal giving the laser gun an error message so the worst they can do is give you an estimated speed ticket which is easy to fight.
3rd it is a built in unit mount it wherever you want in your car, nothing hanging off your windshield, no dangling chords etc a very clean finish, it also talks to you and wont light up if you want. This is very helpful in the states and provinces where laser jammers and radar detectors are illegal.
I had this paired up with a modified active radar jammer, CB radio, and Police scanner with access to the proper encrypted frequencies and never got a ticket. Since then I have become quite a bit more responsible driving and dont feel the need to run any sort of detection or jamming equipment, I leave speeding for the track
#17
Drifting
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Prince George's County, MD
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I'd love to upgrade from my ancient K40 ASAP. PM'd..
Although typically, I do Home Audio/Video, I am authorized to sell Escort products. If any R-listers are interested in a deep discount, hit me with a PM.
I have been using detectors for many years with hundreds of "saves."
Personally, I think the GPS versions are sweet for reducing false alarms.
The stealth versions are critical for areas where they can be illegal or "looked for."
~DF
I have been using detectors for many years with hundreds of "saves."
Personally, I think the GPS versions are sweet for reducing false alarms.
The stealth versions are critical for areas where they can be illegal or "looked for."
~DF
#18
Drifting
I have the K40 with front and rear license plate area jammers. 3 leds are on my console and the switches are under dash mounted, It works very well. I did however manage to get written up several Sunday mornings ago. I was accelerating up a long curvy freeway on ramp, top down, radio up and not paying attention or thinking at all about speeding or not. Next thing I see was a trooper aside and under the next overpass. Busted and clocked at 97mph. Written up at 70 in a 65, nice guy! If you can hear the detector beeping you have to at least watch the for the flashing leds.
#19
Burning Brakes
I have the K40 with front and rear license plate area jammers. 3 leds are on my console and the switches are under dash mounted, It works very well. I did however manage to get written up several Sunday mornings ago. I was accelerating up a long curvy freeway on ramp, top down, radio up and not paying attention or thinking at all about speeding or not. Next thing I see was a trooper aside and under the next overpass. Busted and clocked at 97mph. Written up at 70 in a 65, nice guy! If you can hear the detector beeping you have to at least watch the for the flashing leds.
#20
Drifting
Join Date: Jul 2005
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Yeah, basically. I do like that the K40 has a rear radar receiver in the bumper but other than that, I agree. Mine barely picks up KA band especially the narrow beam used in DC's radar cameras.
#21
V1
I have V1 in California. CHP around here cruises with their radar always on - in which case you can pick them up 1 to 5 miles ahead depending on the terrain (last SUnday there were 2 cops on local freeway - first one I detected about a mile ahead - when I got there he had pulled over a BMW ! ..then a few miles later, second warning went off - he had pulled over one of our air-cooled buddies
Sometimes they use instant on mode - if there is other traffic - you normally pick this up. Local cops use lidar in my city - looks like CHP may be switching over to that now too ? V1 picks up some false alarms from LED brake lights - but at least one time picked up the Lidar scatter from the car in front of me - so I think works OK if you are close - but not if you have some distance between you and the car in front.
I would never go back to detector without direction indicators.
Bottom line is that it is not foolproof - but helps - but not a license to drive like an idiot ...need to keep eyes open too - and works best if someone is speeding in front of you in their BMW .....
Sometimes they use instant on mode - if there is other traffic - you normally pick this up. Local cops use lidar in my city - looks like CHP may be switching over to that now too ? V1 picks up some false alarms from LED brake lights - but at least one time picked up the Lidar scatter from the car in front of me - so I think works OK if you are close - but not if you have some distance between you and the car in front.
I would never go back to detector without direction indicators.
Bottom line is that it is not foolproof - but helps - but not a license to drive like an idiot ...need to keep eyes open too - and works best if someone is speeding in front of you in their BMW .....
#22
I picked up a Passport 9500ix about 6 months ago and love it. I got a beanbag mount for it - I use it in my beater too.
I have been very happy with it. I went through the V1 vs. Escort debate in my own mind, and decided I like the red light and speed camera alerts, and since I am in IT it appealed to me more than the V1 from a pure geek (non microwave engineer geek) perspective.
It figures that ever since I bought it there haven't been a lot of speedtraps to test it against! I guess that is a good thing. One bad thing is there was a local police officer on a highway onramp today with his cruiser hidden behind some highway lawn mowing equipment, and he was outside of his car with a handheld gun (laser I persume) - my detector never went off, and he wasn't actively doing car checks when I went by, so I could not what type of warning I would have got. Good thing there were some cars on the on ramp with me, because this is the first time in 10 years I have ever seen an officer doing radar/laser at this particular spot - that is where laser and the human mind can outsmart you even with a $400 detector.
I have been very happy with it. I went through the V1 vs. Escort debate in my own mind, and decided I like the red light and speed camera alerts, and since I am in IT it appealed to me more than the V1 from a pure geek (non microwave engineer geek) perspective.
It figures that ever since I bought it there haven't been a lot of speedtraps to test it against! I guess that is a good thing. One bad thing is there was a local police officer on a highway onramp today with his cruiser hidden behind some highway lawn mowing equipment, and he was outside of his car with a handheld gun (laser I persume) - my detector never went off, and he wasn't actively doing car checks when I went by, so I could not what type of warning I would have got. Good thing there were some cars on the on ramp with me, because this is the first time in 10 years I have ever seen an officer doing radar/laser at this particular spot - that is where laser and the human mind can outsmart you even with a $400 detector.
Last edited by Steve2112; 07-14-2012 at 12:58 PM.
#24
Drifting
Join Date: Mar 2011
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9500ix. The traffic light and speed camera feature is excellent, and I like that it learns the location of false signals and automatically filters them. It also has excellent range. It also seems to pick up the scatter from a laser detector. I have gotten laser warnings before I took took a direct hit and had time to slow down.
I like the arrows on the v1, but the 9500 does so much more it's a small price to pay.
I like the arrows on the v1, but the 9500 does so much more it's a small price to pay.
#25
Drifting
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Ephrata, PA, USA now. Originally from the UK
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I have a Cobra. Free net downloads on latest traps. Touch screen changes from city to highway alerts and plugs into my cig lighter. Alerts at 360 degrees K.......KA....X........ plus pop alerts. I dont know where from but I slow up anyway as soon as I hear it alerting. Seems like its working OK and not really expensive. Can tell you if you are over the speed limit for that area if you want it that way plus other settings. Forgot them all right now but so far, well satisfied with my purchase.
#27
Rocky Mountain High
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Interesting that you're picking up Ku signals. I've got Ku and X disabled on my BEL right now. Maybe I should turn Ku back on...
#28
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Targa996 - be careful in Cali - both the Sheriff and the CHP are switching to laser. I got picked out of traffic by a motorcycle CHP in my Subaru - with my V1. Having cop bait in front of you doesn't work so well anymore if they decide you are the one you want.
Anyone in CA using jammers? I have been thinking about it.
Anyone in CA using jammers? I have been thinking about it.
#30
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Here in NorCal, we have a lot of laser. And the CHP are pretty tricky about it, sitting on the side of the road, behind a guardrail so it cuts their profile, and shooting the radar over the guardrail.
I've got a V1, and there have been several times that I've been going 80 mph (in a 55 or 65 zone) and received a hit, I nailed the brakes (no one behind me) and the cop doesn't pull out after me after I pass him and notice him on the side of the road. I don't have front plates, so I'm thinking on our profile cars, without those plates, getting an accurate reading takes a little more time, so by the time he gets a read on me, I'm back down to 70 or 60.
Thoughts?
I've got a V1, and there have been several times that I've been going 80 mph (in a 55 or 65 zone) and received a hit, I nailed the brakes (no one behind me) and the cop doesn't pull out after me after I pass him and notice him on the side of the road. I don't have front plates, so I'm thinking on our profile cars, without those plates, getting an accurate reading takes a little more time, so by the time he gets a read on me, I'm back down to 70 or 60.
Thoughts?