Radar detectors?

[Burg Boxster]

V1 is right for me for many reasons and below is a real incident the helped reaffirm why I made the right call. PA doesn't allow locals to use anything other than VASCAR or the equivalent so radar is really only hwy [read state trooper] material. Incidentally, I have yet to come across Laser in PA (see tons of it in OH) but I'm not complaining Anyhow, this incident happened to yours truly last week...


On the interstate near my home, there's an exit w/ a very tight descending radius turn - cautioned at 10MPH. To 'assist' vehicles, halfway down the ramp is an electronic speed sign which flashes your speed and a bright light if you're above the 20 MPH posted ramp limit. As it's right next to the hwy, it always trigger the Ka band on my V1 anytime I'm w/in 1mi or so of the sign (depending on which vehicle I'm in etc.).

Yesterday afternoon I was headed home on this hwy when as usual, my V1 chirps in ~ 1mi from the exit. It had been a long day of driving and at this point I was just ready to be home and moving at a good pace. I glance down to my remote display and see 3 on the bogey counter. Hmmm...... Now, being from PA, they put radar on almost every single constr sign in the state. There is constr up the road about 4 miles and I thought they probably moved a sign or two down as they're working this way. Anyhow, V1 never says 3 here so it was out of the norm. I heeded caution and backed it down to 55MPH. As I rounded the bend I was on top of the exit. V1 display still says 3 bogeys and flashes arrows to the side (from the exit sign) and forward. Interesting. Ahead, approx 3/4 mi, at the crest of a hill I see a newly placed orange constr sign. That's 2. But there is still one more... Coming over top of the hill, you guessed it, one of PA's finest is semi-hidden on the right clocking traffic. As soon as I passed him, all arrows went to the rear and I continued home.

Not sure what I would've done if I didn't 'know' there were 3 bogeys as my detector always goes off in that spot but for me, that's why V1 works.

[JackG]

Originally Posted by Burg Boxster

Not sure what I would've done if I didn't 'know' there were 3 bogeys as my detector always goes off in that spot but for me, that's why V1 works.

I understand... the expert mode on the Passport lets you track multiple bogeys, and it's helped me out a couple of times as well.

[mptoledo]

If you would've had the 9500ix, you would have already blocked out the false alarms and known the alert would've be real. Your signal strength tells you how close they are(of course) and by that I can tell if it is an iminent threat.

Again I think both units are fantastic as they give you plenty of time after detection(most cases). I do like the arrows on the "Valentine", but my preference is to have a unit only go off when there is a real threat!! Unless you have experienced it first hand, you have know idea how enjoyable a quiet ride really is.

Plus the fact you ignored a signal that could have gotten you a ticket if you hadn't been alert enough to notice the bogies; shows why it's important for a detector to only beep when there is a threat!! Kind of like the boy who cried wolf!! Same with the speed cams/redlight, Some times I forget they are there but not with my escort. Just look at the Mayor of Toledo (he has gotten 4)
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091008/NEWS16/910089998/-1/RSS

To Each His Own. But for me, I want a detector that detects real threats, not everything else!!




On the interstate near my home, there's an exit w/ a very tight descending radius turn - cautioned at 10MPH. To 'assist' vehicles, halfway down the ramp is an electronic speed sign which flashes your speed and a bright light if you're above the 20 MPH posted ramp limit. As it's right next to the hwy, it always trigger the Ka band on my V1 anytime I'm w/in 1mi or so of the sign (depending on which vehicle I'm in etc.).

Yesterday afternoon I was headed home on this hwy when as usual, my V1 chirps in ~ 1mi from the exit. It had been a long day of driving and at this point I was just ready to be home and moving at a good pace. I glance down to my remote display and see 3 on the bogey counter. Hmmm...... Now, being from PA, they put radar on almost every single constr sign in the state. There is constr up the road about 4 miles and I thought they probably moved a sign or two down as they're working this way. Anyhow, V1 never says 3 here so it was out of the norm. I heeded caution and backed it down to 55MPH. As I rounded the bend I was on top of the exit. V1 display still says 3 bogeys and flashes arrows to the side (from the exit sign) and forward. Interesting. Ahead, approx 3/4 mi, at the crest of a hill I see a newly placed orange constr sign. That's 2. But there is still one more... Coming over top of the hill, you guessed it, one of PA's finest is semi-hidden on the right clocking traffic. As soon as I passed him, all arrows went to the rear and I continued home.

Not sure what I would've done if I didn't 'know' there were 3 bogeys as my detector always goes off in that spot but for me, that's why V1 works.


[/QUOTE]

[Perfectlap]

well the V1 does false more than its competitor but after using the V1 for a while you sort of "learn the language" so to speak. A real threat is umistakeable and difficult to ignore. The false signals come and go. You learn to decipher.

The other thing is sometimes the cops like to hang out near construction zones and lately because of the Federal monies there seem to be a lot of these around. Picking up a false signal from construction work is a sort of reminder to be on the look out. I'm sure the five-O like to turn their radar on an off for a surprise attack.

[tommy986]

Just bought the cheapy Escort RX65.
There's a warning in there that the insided of some windshields ( like Porsches) have a soft coating that can be permantly scratched by the suction cups.

Does anyone know if this is true of the Boxster?

[mptoledo]

Call me nostalgic, but wasn't it much easier in the old days?



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Even older than that was this beauty!! Retailed for $39.00 ($250 todays dollar) A little before my time (1961).

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Photographic history of radar detectors!! Actually pretty cool.http://www.guysoflidar.com/museum/index.html