radar detectors

[ukchris]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

actually I think its worse than that, it's the Ifiniti lighting systems. I only seem to get a false positive lazer alert when the FX45 SUV is behind me. once the car goes past the V1 goes silent. I've pulled back in front of it just to test it and sure enough it went off.

I've read articles about Infiniti headlights setting off the V1 too, never experienced it though (yet).

[ukchris]

[QUOTE=Perfectlap]"There are some neat installs of the V1 on Renntech.org
One 911 guy mounted it above his rearview mirror (the best spot) and hardwired it so it fires up on ignition with all wires hidden under the pillars."
[QUOTE]

Boxster:


911:

[RandallNeighbour]

Originally Posted by Jeph

Since the arrow was pointing behind you, did you speed back up to your cruising speed? No, you probably waited until the signal was gone, right?

Again, it satisfies curiosity. Arrows aren't saving. If you are in range of a threat, you lay low -regardless of where the signal was.

I concur and you make all kinds of sense about the arrows alone. However, the arrows allow me to get back up to my driving speed when I can easily see that an oncoming cop has passed me and is well behind me shooting others. If I always had a visual, it wouldn't be important, but many times, especially at night, I do not have a visual sighting and the arrows are very good about telling me that the threat has passed and I can run it back up to 80 and set the cruise control again.

With previous detectors, it was an intuitive move on my part to do this. Now I can verify my intuition and have a little more peace of mind.

So do the arrows actually prevent a ticket? Mr. Valentine would probably argue yes... I would say the arrows bring a far greater awareness of who is where. The other option the V1 has over all other detectors (if I'm not mistaken) is the bogey counter. Knowing there are two or more threats ahead, combined with the arrows WILL do you some good and save you from getting a ticket. That has happened to me personally and I can attest to it. I jammed on the brakes to avoid an unmarked car with laser, all the while the V1 was saying there was a second threat nearby shooting Ka at me... I would have been nailed if it were not for the multiple threat meter AND those arrows showing me I had not passed the 2nd threat yet.

My bottom line is that the combination of what the V1 offers is superior to the normal readouts of the other detectors and I won't be trading mine in for anything else anytime soon.

[RandallNeighbour]

Originally Posted by ukchris

I've read articles about Infiniti headlights setting off the V1 too, never experienced it though (yet).

I could be wrong, but I think the infiniti's with the laser-assisted cruise control (where it slows down the car automatically when it gets too close to another car) is what is setting off your laser warning.

If this is the case, it's going to get a lot worse. This technology is now found in most luxury cars, including lexus, MB, BMW, Caddilacs, etc.

[ukchris]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

I could be wrong, but I think the infiniti's with the laser-assisted cruise control (where it slows down the car automatically when it gets too close to another car) is what is setting off your laser warning.

If this is the case, it's going to get a lot worse. This technology is now found in most luxury cars, including lexus, MB, BMW, Caddilacs, etc.

If it's mainly from cars approaching from behind it should be easy to stick a bit of tape over the rear facing laser sensor to disable the rear monitoriong.

[RandallNeighbour]

Chris, you're right... that will work. But it will also remove the ability to avoid getting popped with laser from behind from a true threat!

[Jeph]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

The other option the V1 has over all other detectors (if I'm not mistaken) is the bogey counter. Knowing there are two or more threats ahead, combined with the arrows WILL do you some good and save you from getting a ticket.

I think the Escort has something similar. Tell me if it's different (aside from the arrows)... check it, yo:

It's called ExpertMeter. It simultaneously tracks up to 8 radar signals. It's actually a miniature spectrum analyzer that shows what band each signal is and its signal strength.

[RandallNeighbour]

U-G-L-Y ... That's how I'd spell that display! I'll keep the numbers on my V1.

Even if someone came out with a better detector, I wouldn't buy it. I have no more radar detector cash left in the Porsche fund!

[1JB]

Originally Posted by jci-joe

I see there are a number of radar detectors with remote mounted sensors including the Passport SR7+ and the Calibre K40. Has anyone installed one of these in a Boxster and what is your opinion. Also, if you installed the SR7+, do you know if the laser shifting has worked? At $1,599, it seems pricey unless it truely works.

Since I have not seen too many comments on these, my assumption is that they are not widely used.

There are a number of threads on this including one with a photo of my SRX install by the dealer. Front and rear laser detection and shifting. It detects slightly sooner than my X50 audibly and visually even a bit more so. I say that because the remote bi-color led actually signals before the audible signal. Yes the shifter works, from my personal experience but you can't be stupid, you do need to slow down so the cop doesn't put two and two together and get really ticked at you. I went through 2 laser traps in Connecticut both times in front, hit by laser, slowed and the cars in the right lane caught up. I am glad I do not drive in Connecticut often. Total installation was $2,300 and if I only had one accessory to add it would be this one. From the research I did the SRX sensitivity was better because of the increased size of the sensor due to the exterior, low installation - the low installation is not a positive but overcome by the larger sesor. I also concluded that the V1 was outdated and "resting on its lurels" but that's my personal conclusion, opinions are all over the map but some say their patents are quite a bit older than Escort's. I have no idea if that is true. I struggled with the cost of the SRX but would do it again in a heart beat. You also cannot see it from outside the car.

[edevlin]

Back in my younger days I did a pretty job of accumulating speeding tickets, but have not gotten one for 20 years not. Since I got the Boxster last year, I can smell a change in the wind. I dont speed that much with the car, but enough that I certainally could have gotten nabbed in the last six months.

So I have been researching radar detectors. It looks like the Belltronics STI Driver is the detector for me because it cannot be detected by police radar and detectors are illegal in Virginia where I live. I checked with the state police and if caught with one, there are no points, and there is a 96.00 fine.

Many folks also recommend a stealth paint that is put on a license plate cover and, gasp, the headlights. It is a product called VEIL that functions to scatter laser light and make the car harder to target. That way you have a few more seconds to respond to the radar detector warning.

VEIL is painted onto the headlights and dries to a clear, somewhat darkened finish, so I am told. Has anyone done this, or do they have any experience with it? I just know what I have been reading on the web about it http://www.radarbusters.com/products/coatings/veil.asp, thanks,

Ed

[chgolatin2]

Well, since I am a State Police officer in Illinois and I know a thing or two about radar detectors I would like to add my 2cts. Whenever an officer runs radar, they maintain their radars off in order to avoid radar or laser counter measures such as radar detectors. So when the officer spot a speeding vehicle he point his radar and does not activate it until the speeding car is up close and personal therefor catching you speeding, also, detectors cant detect a speeding detail for those of you that dont know what I am talking about let me explain.

A speeding detail involves a State Police helicopter or a Propeller aircraft circulating in the air in the vecinity of highway markers, when an approaching speeder arrives at the marker a counter starts and ends at the end of the road marker, usually mark by white lines on the roadways (some of you have seen those markers) then a Police squad unit is stationed about a mile and half or so from the ending marker, the aircraft radios the unit down below with the color of the vehicle and speed and in which lane the car is travelling GOTCHA SUCKER! lol

So to be honest, I see radar detectors as a waste of money and if the Police knows how to work his radar which some dont such as some suburban dept and big City depts then you'll be in for a BIG surprise! Some of you have experience your radar detectors activated from a Police squad unit the reason that happens is because the Officer has his Laser/Radar or Lidar speed detector activated instead of deactivated lucky for some of you for the lazyness of the officer

Ah the beauty of being able to speed and get away with it, lol! Sucks for you speeders. Nah just messing with you guys. I dont speed I promise! I no longer work the road so I am not involved in Traffic regulations but when I was I was usually a nice guy now I am involved in narcotics investigations...

A few years ago I caught a guy with a Red Porsche Turbo Carrera speeding at 182 per hour he had a radar detector, guess what happen to him, went to jail, got his car impounded and lost his license forgot to mention all the money that was spent on legal fees...

So a word of advise be careful and please know what your doing before you proceed being the speed demons that we really are... Good luck guys!

[Jeph]

Originally Posted by chgolatin2

A few years ago I caught a guy with a Red Porsche Turbo Carrera speeding at 182 per hour...

How did you catch him?

[edevlin]

Wow chgolatin2, that was quite an informative post, now I am rethinking the whole radar detector thing. How common are the speeding details, I have often seen signs that speed it detected by aircraft. I have looked, but have rarely seen any. Also, if an officer sees you going fast, but does not match pace with you or have radar on you, can you still be cited?

Do you have any sense of how often the speeding details are along interstate 95 from Virginia to Florida. I make that trip often to visit my mother who is not doing well. I have always stayed within 10 mph of the posted speed. But I often feel like a dope because of the groups of cars blasting past, must be going at least 20-30 mph above the limit. The I was hoping to shave some time off of the 12 hour drive with a radar detector.

Ed

[Wonko The Sane]

Originally Posted by chgolatin2

A few years ago I caught a guy with a Red Porsche Turbo Carrera speeding at 182 per hour he had a radar detector, guess what happen to him, went to jail, got his car impounded and lost his license forgot to mention all the money that was spent on legal fees...

Ummm... It doesn't matter WHAT kind of electronic countermeasure the person has who is stupid enough to do 182 per hour.. Remember that even without a positive radar image, you guys can still site him for reckless endangerment and a host of others (Hopefully including "being a dumbass and putting every single other person on the road at risk!"), as well as the fact that there is no way to slow down from 182MPH down to 80 (or whatever is the "safe" speed) without you guys noticing... The only way you would be able to drive 180 MPH, is to honestly believe that you're not going to get caught. There's nothing else that would protect you from that amount of stupidity.

The thing that you don't mention with radar is that it bounces, which is how the detectors work... Sure the cop is using instant-on, but the only time you really won't know ahead of time is if there's no one else on the road. Any other time, the guy hits a car ahead of you, the radar bounces and you get notified (briefly). This is what makes radar detectors worth it to me and others to have in their cars.

Of course, that's what makes Laser oh-so-dangerous to us

Either way, cheers to an informative post

[RandallNeighbour]

Thank God laser units are so expensive and police departments put most of their cash into salaries and benefits, leaving very little cash leftover for new radar/laser guns!

Most departments only have a X number of laser guns that are shared between officers from what I have been told. True or not?

[dash22]

Wow... aircraft to catch speeders? I guess speeding is potentially quite dangerous.. and does cost some lives.. (although I personally think that it is mostly down to unskilled driving rather than speed per se) but isn't that kind of a lot of effort and money to expend?

It's pretty expensive to run planes and helicopters right? Surely there could be a better use for the money.. (at least the cops can claim that speeding tickets aren't revenue raising though i guess.. it would cost much more than they'd make)

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

The MN State Patrol uses a lot of aircraft surveillance to catch speed offenders. Supposedly, in Sept. '04, they wrote the fastest speeding ticket ever when they nabbed a kid on a motorcycle exceeding 200MPH (205 MPH actually), see: http://www.usatoday.com/news/offbeat/2004-09-21-speeder_x.htm .

I've never owned a detector, never had a speeding ticket, though I have been stopped numerous times. Got nice, sympathetic, cops sometimes, or successfully fought them in court, sometimes with a CFD (Continuance for Dismissal- agreement with the court that I wouldn't speed for a year and the ticket goes away).

A guy in one of the Car Clubs I belong to is an aircraft trooper. He once told a bunch of us that they look for two kinds of cars (since they cannot clock everyone, especially on a crowded highway). He said brightly colored cars and cars which make a lot of lane changes are the ones usually timed, so there may actually be something to having a car which is Ticket-Me Red or Stop-Me Yellow colored.

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99 (Guards Ticket-Me Red)

PS @ edevlin - sorry to hear about your mom, I'm going through something similar with my 84 y.o. mom right now too - hang in there, I hope for the best!

[RandallNeighbour]

They've been using the old "bear in the air" since the hayday of the CB radio... 1975! I remember being told by a toll booth attendant in Kansas that my radar detector probably wouldn't go off while on the turnpike... they had small aircraft that watched you cross a painted white line on the road or an X on the shoulder and started their stopwatch.

So my buddy had his head hanging out the window the whole 6 hours looking while I punched it to make up for lost time!

[edevlin]

"So to be honest, I see radar detectors as a waste of money and if the Police knows how to work his radar which some dont such as some suburban dept and big City depts then you'll be in for a BIG surprise! Some of you have experience your radar detectors activated from a Police squad unit the reason that happens is because the Officer has his Laser/Radar or Lidar speed detector activated instead of deactivated lucky for some of you for the lazyness of the officer."


Ouch, so my master plan looks flawed. I can just see myself painting my headlights license plates with a stealth coating (VEIL), turning on my radar detector and feeling somewhat safe to go a little over the limit on my long road trips. Then with a fase sense of security, getting a speeding ticket. I am curious, how many out there have gotten a speeding ticket when they were using their radar detectors?


Ed

[socratic]

Originally Posted by edevlin

" I am curious, how many out there have gotten a speeding ticket when they were using their radar detectors?

I once got pulled over by a cop when I had 3 (THREE!) radar detectors on my dash!

(I was testing them head to head to see which was best).

Turns out the cop simply saw me going over the speed limit...and where I'm from if a cop simply tells a judge that I was going faster than the limit, it is supposedly good enough.

Fortunately, he just gave me a warning though. But it goes to show that relying on technology is not always good enough.