radar detectors

[Dr. Kill]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

I can program the dang thing to turn OFF X band. It's only used in Ohio if I'm not mistaken, and is the cause of most of my false alarms (Walmart, Kroger, etc.)

You are right about this being a useful feature, but be careful, I think there is a lot of misinformation out there about where X is used and where it isn't. My experience is that it is more widely used than a lot of people think. A lot of Jersey cops use this, and you can always count on small town cop outfits running older equipment (X band).

I run with my 8500 X50 and slow down every time the thing goes off - it doesn't happen that often, so I just don't worry about false alarms - better safe than sorry + it is always fun to speed back up again later.

[Houston C4S]

Just FYI,

another source of false laser signals for the V1 is the cruise
control systems in the big Nissan and Infiniti tank-like SUVs.

Annoying, but that's why it goes off around those vehicles.

I expect this to increase as more cars use auto-controlling
cruise controls.

Personally, I think cruise controls should be disallowed as
they let drivers pay even less attention to the world around
them than they do anyway. Cell phones, too, for that matter.

Except for me, of course.

[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.

[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.

[ukchris]

Love my V1!!! And the arrows did actually save me!

[bagwell]

only thing I don't like about the V1 is the little dots that lite up indicating what type of radar you are detecting......next to Laser / X / K / Ka....why not just make the L / X / K / Ka light up????

maybe I'll send this in to Valentine for consideration.

[Jeph]

Originally Posted by bagwell

....why not just make the L / X / K / Ka light up????

maybe I'll send this in to Valentine for consideration.

Include with your sentiments that the volume knob/dial on the left is roughly 10 years outdated. Not even stoves and washing machines use DIALS these days. So class that up with something a bit more elegant Mikey Valentine.

[Dr. Kill]

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.

I have no experience with this product, but if I remember right, Radartest.com (in the report version you pay for) did test the shifter and found it to be effective.

[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!

[mwh98]

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.

I think they are so few and far between is the price, there is a lot more you can do for $1,600.00+. I found a new SR7 +shifters on fleabay ($650.00) and did the install myself. It was probabley the toughest install I have ever done., considering you are running wires from bumber to bumber.

I have had no experience with V1's but have an 8500 and an 8500 X50. The X50 was a noticible improvement from the regular 8500, while the SR7 is and the X50 are very close.

I have a picture of the install, but the server is limiting the file size, so I can't upload it. I cut out the bezel rectangle in the bow tie under the HVAC in the center console. For a while the Escort site has a custom instal in a Boxster.

After it was all done, I'm extreemly happy with the look and performance of the SR7. The only change is to add the optional external speaker for when the top is down, so you can hear it, since it is a little out of your line of sight.

Mark
2001 Seal Grey 986
San Antonio, Texas

[bartman]

HI
VEIL : anyone tried it? does it work ?

Bart

[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).

[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!