Value of a Radar Detector today

[CaptainChet]

With the advent of Laser guns and what seems to be most used these days, how valuable is a radar detector now (Valentine1 etc)?

This question has been on my mind again since now driving a C7 (never got a ticket in my C6).

I know laser jammers are available but reading about the BlendMount, brings this question to mind.

What's your experience and thoughts? Thanks.

[purpleRac3r]

Most of the high end detectors like Valentine 1 and some Escort model include laser detection as well as radar detction. No detector is capable of eliminating "false" alerts entirely. "False" alerts aren't actually false, as they indeed are detecting signals in the bands they are designed to detect. The catch is that so many devices other than police radar guns use the same bands. These include many automatic doors at retail stores, adaptive cruise controls on some cars, back-up assist sensors on many cars, and my experience has seen something on a number of different over-the-road semi trucks also triggers my detector, though I don't know what that might be. The key to using a radar/laser detector comes with learning how your particular detector reacts to the non-police gun sources. And they will act differently. Also, becoming familiar with stationary source locations, like store doors is helpful. But take note, even if you know an area's stationary sources, unless your detector can tell you how many signals there are, you many not know until too late that a cop is camped our near a grocery store. I like and own a Valentine 1 for that very reason. But again, officers using instant on make detecting them much more challenging, and sometimes impossible until too late. But so far, so good for me - my V1 has helped a number of times to save me from a ticket. Well worth the learning curve in my opinion!

[efarley]

A laser detector is useless. The way the gun works is the officer points the detector like a pistol at your license plate or other large solid object on the front of your car, pulls a trigger and a pin point focused laser shoots out, bounces off the car and returns to him telling him the speed your traveling. The main difference there between the laser and radar is that the laser is a targeted pinpoint focused beam that only tells you the speed of what it's being aimed at, while the radar is a wide signal that indiscriminately hits everything and tells you the fastest object that bounced a signal back in it's field of vision. This is important to understand because a detector can only detect the laser when it's hitting your car and telling the officer your speed, where as a radar emits lots of wave lengths over a large area allowing your detector to pick up the stray signals reflecting off things before you're in the radar guns field of view.

Jammers however work very well IF they are legal in your state/jurisdiction, however the main problem with them is that even if they are legal the officer will know 100% that you jammed his signal and will likely pull you over and at least waste your time if not find something else to ticket you for.

[Hulkamaniac]

The best Fuzz Buster and laser detector is the cruise control and following the speed limit.

The time that is saved between 65 mph, 70 mph, and 75 mph isn't really that much. Unless of course you're on a long road trip.

The value of a radar/laser detector today, it's only a good reminder to watch your speed.

As far as some semis setting off the radar/laser detectors that comes from their transmitters that transmit their weight and information to the weigh stations that have EZ Pass.

There are no states that allow jammers of any kind. If you're caught with a jammer, your butt will be grass and law enforcement will be the lawn mower.

[Dada]

My Z51 is still not build, expected tpw is 7/21 but I decided I wanted the Valentine 1 (my brother used to have it and it was great) so I ordered the blend mount holder because was able to get the 10% off plus additional Facebook $5 off.

Now want to get the Valentine One+Savy+39 ESP, do you all recommend the SAvy? Im not too sophisticated so will install it carefully and do my best unless one of you are willing to help a C7 rookie. And the ESP?

I can't seem to find any discounts or codes for the valentine website. Im in no rush as the car won't likely be here till end of the month or early August, anybody have any codes or links for any type of off? Thanks.

[C7BOB]

I have an Escort cordless SOLO S3, and it's saved me many times on every trip. Cop cars have a lot of electronics, and detectors pick up some of that. Most times it goes off, I slow down, and ......... then I see him. There are some false alarms, but usually I can tell because I'm passing a shopping center or power lines.

[BRCC]

Originally Posted by Z51Stingray

There are no states that allow jammers of any kind. If you're caught with a jammer, your butt will be grass and law enforcement will be the lawn mower.

Being the FCC controles radio waves radar jammers are federaly outlawed, however, the FDA controls laser and it is not against the federal statutes so unless each state writes a law against using a laser jammer there is no violation. Now with that said many states are now putting that into their laws, but not all - Yet.

[dhh62fuelie]

I will admit that I'm not too knowledgeable about radar detector technology, but I will say this: I have an Escort Passport Max, and it's value to me are twofold:

- Notifications of threats (real or not)
- Reminders of my excessive speed

Like most sports cars, I can get going quite quickly in my car before realizing just how fast I'm going. The speedometer is passive in that you have to actually look at it, whereas the Escort is active - it tells you: a) you're speeding; b) there is a possible threat.

So for me, it just makes me more aware and alert, fwiw. IMHO, that is worth the price of admission.

[efarley]

The value also depends on where you live. In Oregon I rarley see cops using laser, it's almost always radar, making a escort a great investment here. Where as Washington all of the cops have switched to laser and you'll never see one using a radar, making the escort hold less value when I head to that side of the river.

[Dada]

Guys I decided on buying the V1 but again started reading all the reviews on the Max, it seems there is a lot of criticism of the stray readings on the V1 in urban areas. The max is supposed to be newer technology but some say you can program the v1. Im very confused on this decision particularly given the price difference but I want to get it right.

I live in NJ, mostly worried about highway driving on long trips. I read the car and driver review but many say its been fixed, see comments. Those with a V1 can you help me understand the concerns u have with the product and those with the Max your views? Sorry don't want to start a debate just tell me your personal view.

Can you please help.

[johnu]

As mentioned earlier.... Laser is useless to detect. My 9500ix saves my bacon regularly on two lane hwys, small towns etc.

[Jeff7]

Dada - Here's my take; others may disagree and that's ok with me. I've been using radar detectors for almost 40 years starting with the original Autotronics Snooper and Super Snooper (anybody else remember them?), various Cincinnati Microwave Escorts and Passports, and for the past 10+ years, the V1. I even visited Cincinnati Microwave's factory back in 1986 prior to CM's bankruptcy. That building is now a Home Depot, but I digress. I used to live in NJ and have probably travelled some the same roads you will.

I have no concerns with the V1. Does it get false alarms? Yes, but they are always on the X and K bands and are frequently caused by automatic door openers at stores. If you travel the same routes regularly, you'll remember where these occur. A hit on the Ka band, which is used a lot, is police radar. Two things that the V1 has that the others don't: the arrows and the hit counter. In the pre-V1 days, I wondered what direction the signal was coming from. No problem now.

One issue that I assume affects all modern radar/laser detectors is false alarms from adaptive cruise control equipment in certain vehicles. For example, the large Infiniti SUV has a laser device which sets off my unit.

If you're going to be on highways most of the time, get the V1. Simple as that.