I am thinking of buying the passport solo s2 radar detector for my Club Coupe. Does anyone have a review? Where is the best place to mount it? High by the rear view mirror, or low by the dash.

 

I have one, love it, saved my butt several times. I mount mine down low sometimes, and up high on long road trips. Love the no wires thing, but I go through a set of batteries once a month, just keep spares or use the accessory ac cable.

 

I use mine in my Cayenne TT until I got lasered. It works really well for radar. I had a visor clip and it was out of the way and didn't block my view. Almost like a garage door opener. When I upgraded to a ZR3/SR7 combo I kept the S2 for awhile. It worked just as well as the hard wired system.

 

The best place to mount any radar detector is up high on the windshield for maximum performance. While I liked the Solo when I had it, I found I frequently forgot to turn it on when I got in the car and went back to a hardwired unit on a switched lead. The old KISS principle at work.

Alan

 

Mine works well with laser, POP is what it has a problem with, but if you plug it in with the wire it cycles on all the time, rather than pulsing.

 

This is the biggest flaw (along with a small antenna) with the solo IMHO. To conserve power the unit turns on and off. Sure you can plug it in, but then why purchase a cordless detector?? Finally, it does not seem to have the range range of the top "corded" models.

I guess if you don't mind those limitations get one.

 

Just a heads up - the color of the Club Coupe is "Azurro California" - not "Azurro Blue" which was an actual Porsche color...

Don't want people thinking your Club Coupe is a 356?

 

POS POS POS :total compromise. The cordless models suck compared to the 12volt corded ones. It's a law of phyics: period. The detector antenna gains sensitivity with the added amperage so tiny batteries can't compete with the car's battery. I use my POS Solo in the car I drive aroud town in. I know where all the cops are and I rarely speed there.

It's very interesting that this fact is deftly sidestepped in all the cordless advertising!!

VERY clever!

 

You're right, but most decent reviews make clear that the range of the cordless models is signicantly reduced compared to the plugged-in models.

 

I'm sorry, I haven't seen any reviews recently (shopped for mine four years ago).

The biggest clue at that time was you never saw the cordless models on the same range-comparision graphs as the corded ones.

Anyway, from what you say, I'm glad this info is better known.

Still, IMHO, the cordless aspect is no reasonable compromise for getting a ticket due to possible less advanced warning.

 

I don't have any reviews of the Solo2 but in terms of where to mount your radar detector the golden rule is always "as high as possible." Radar waves go out in a broader spectrum (than laser) and bounce and ricochet off other objects. By having the unit as high on the windshield as possible you are giving yourself the maximum chance of picking up a signal before you are getting clocked, especially when you are cresting a hill with a smokey on the other side. Low on the dash means less detection range.

Other thoughts:
- Cordless radar detectors do have less range than comparible corded models. This defecit can be reduced by using the power cord, but then why buy a cordless model in the first place.

- Understand also that having laser detection from a Solo2 or other non-diffusing laser detector is pretty much pointless. With laser if you are getting "hit" there is a 98% chance you have been clocked. LE tends to shoot you with laser twice to get a solid ticket, so you can maybe slow down between hits, but there is no pre-clocking advantage to laser like there is with radar. If you want avoidance with laser you must get a laser diffusion model. Although, in states like CA this is illegal so you're SOL.

- I have had Valentines for the last 5+ years and they have saved my -ss too many times to count. I know they are not well liked due to their clunky appearance but the directional arrows and signal count are fantastic. It allows you on commonly driven roads, where you know the errant signals to exist, to still see if there is an officer hidden amongst the noise. It has saved me on my regular commute route probably 15-20 times alone when an officer was hiding amongst regular errant traffic signals. With that said though, I am installing a Passport SRX in my 997 because of the laser difuser and stealth installation options. I've got to be honest though, I am really going to miss my V1 on long road-trips and may run them both for a while until I am comfortable with the SRX's capabilities.

Good luck buying your new toy.

 

Yeah, what he said. The arrows are good because they save you time trying to figure out where the threat is.

 

Alot of people rag on the cordless detectors but I've been using them for years and the only time it didn't help me out I was going about 145 against hand held radar,....still, got me down to "estimated over 100."
I use the S2 - it works great. The only problem I've had is that the LCD screen died for about 2 weeks and then magically came back to life (I think I had somehow put it in dark mode as default but am unsure how I fixed it). Now that I have a more permanent car I am considering a V1 or an Escort as long as I hardwire it in (I can't stand the cord thing).

 

LOL, Oh man, John, why'd you have to mention that to him? ... That is his chosen username afterall. Now the poor fellow's gonna feel self conscience about it thanks to you! ... Just kidding.

Actually it's not a bad name. And what's in a name anyway? A blue by any other name will still be blue.

 

Are you sure John?
Next thing you know, you'll be trying to tell me that my car isn't Coochas Yellow.