Radar Detectors All thoughts welcome - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Hawaiian Driver · 09-12-2015, 11:53 PM

Unfortunately the police are starting with motorcycle cops for the first time around here. Only purpose is to generate easy revenue, in the newspaper they openly admit it. With endless miles of twistys, I constantly find my car begging for more. What's a guy too do? Radar or laser detector seems the answer. Which brands and installation solutions do you like? All thoughts are very appreciated,

Happy motoring to all

particlewave · 09-13-2015, 12:33 AM

My thoughts? Don't speed. You are not above the law. You are not special.

Take it to the track.

Seriously, though...I only use Waze.

Hawaiian Driver · 09-13-2015, 12:47 AM

I understand your sentiment, but there is NO track here whatsoever. I can't imagine even one owner who doesn't pull their car hard through the corners.

j.fro · 09-13-2015, 02:26 AM

If your area has the critical mass of users to make it effective, the Waze app is really good.

Bootlegger · 09-13-2015, 04:16 AM

Bought an Escort 8500 and I'm not pleased. Way to many false alarms from vehicles with anti-collisions devices. I was being cheap. Go with the 9500 (or whatever the next model up is) to filter these alarms. The unit (8500) works well in the country but when faced with heavy traffic not so much.

And, I didn't buy it to speed. I prefer to know when I'm being watched.

mump · 09-13-2015, 04:40 AM

I agree with the 2 statements above. I run a 9500ix along with the Waze App. I got the 9500ix and ran direct connect line under the trim popping out near the rear view mirror, down the A-piller to the center dash. I took a dremel to the batwing and cut out a hole and slide the mute button/display through it. For the finish touch, I just stuck a black rubber band hair thingy that holds pony tales, turned out surprising nice.

Frodo · 09-13-2015, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawaiian Driver

Only purpose is to generate easy revenue, in the newspaper they openly admit it.

Wow, they do??
That's a refreshing change...a tip of my hat to them for their honesty.

Regarding pros and cons on detectors available...I hate to sound like a broken record, but this really is a good area to utilize the Search feature---LOTS of discussions on what's available out there.

Chuck W. · 09-13-2015, 07:13 AM

I don't use a radar detector in the Boxster. However, we do take long trips in the BMW. On long highways with little or no traffic I'll cruise at 85 MPH. I have a Valentine One mounted on a Blendmount and hardwired. It is out of the way, no wires and very accurate. It will tell you if the threat is in front of you or behind you.

In Los Angeles many departments are switching over to Laser. You can tell when they are using Laser because they hold it up to their eye for sighting purposes. Radar detectors are not effective when Laser is deployed.

Don't they have a PCA of BMW Club in your area. They both sponsor auto crosses. I find this a great way to explore your cars limits in a safe environment. And, you meet some great car enthusiast.

Fintro11 · 09-13-2015, 08:07 AM

I use escort 9500 and it is amazing. I bought it used off eBay. I have not received a ticket since buying it a few years ago. I usually drive 20 - 30 over the limit on the highway depending on traffic, and it has never let me down even if there are corners

Escort also frequently releases firmware updates that are very easy to install.

Van914 · 09-13-2015, 08:50 AM

I use a Valentine One. If you buy a new one they have updated to work around false alarms from the lane change signals. I like the arrows, it has saved me many times. Living in Cincinnati I have had both companies detectors.

cas951 · 09-13-2015, 08:56 AM

I've found radar detectors used independently are not effective against lasers. I brought my detector to use when I'm in Hawaii and realized they use lasers (Honolulu). As others mentioned use a combination of detector/Waze. Just be sure data from Waze are current before you start to drive over the limits.

Fintro11 · 09-13-2015, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cas951

I've found radar detectors used independently are not effective against lasers. I brought my detector to use when I'm in Hawaii and realized they use lasers (Honolulu). As others mentioned use a combination of detector/Waze. Just be sure data from Waze are current before you start to drive over the limits.

I think waze / detector works the best, talking to my friend who is a cop told me he can not use laser unless he is stationary ( waze ) and i find most times i will get a laser warning from them targeting cars up ahead. Also drive a silver car you blend in

njbray · 09-13-2015, 12:00 PM

I have a 'Whistler Cr90 Laser Radar Detector'. Got on Amazon for around $160. I only use it longer trips but it has saved me from a few tickets. It is the times when I thought it was false alarms and then turned out to be cops. It does pick up peoples cruise control signals which can be annoying.

Perfectlap · 09-13-2015, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cas951

I've found radar detectors used independently are not effective against lasers. I brought my detector to use when I'm in Hawaii and realized they use lasers (Honolulu). As others mentioned use a combination of detector/Waze. Just be sure data from Waze are current before you start to drive over the limits.

My Valentine One caught the NJ State police lazer that was a few cars behind me going about 60. That distinctive lazer alarm almost never went off but sure enough it did this time and the BMW doing 90-100 mph in the passing lane next to me was clueless. Half mile up the road the trooper turns on his lights in hot pursuit of the Bimmer. V1 paid for itself right there.

To the OP, the V1 arrow system is best for precisely those ticket generating situations. If the motorcycle cop is behind you it will let you know that location the whole time. Waze is nifty I started trying it but relying on incomplete data as if the coast is clear when it isn't can easily become a habit.

I stick to the speed limit on the highway but on those small town roads the cops love following Porsches.

Chuck W. · 09-13-2015, 12:55 PM

I have mixed emotions on the Waze feature of identifying where law enforcement is. For most drivers, it is a warning to slow down. Not bad. For the wanted criminal, it is an ability to avoid arrest. The ability to avoid arrest allows him/her to stay free and commit more crimes. I am betting it is being used for this purpose too. Oh well. I rarely stray from the issue of cars. Sorry about that.

Timco · 09-13-2015, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck W.

I have mixed emotions on the Waze feature of identifying where law enforcement is. For most drivers, it is a warning to slow down. Not bad. For the wanted criminal, it is an ability to avoid arrest. The ability to avoid arrest allows him/her to stay free and commit more crimes. I am betting it is being used for this purpose too. Oh well. I rarely stray from the issue of cars. Sorry about that.

A marked vehicle is public info. They're making their presence known with all those big letters and lights. Here there's almost as many unmarked vehicles of all types (saw a 97 or so Jeep Cherokee the other day) as marked.

This app likely only represents 2% of the LE on the road, and most users likely break the law and use their devise while driving to report a LE location.

Fintro11 · 09-13-2015, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck W.

I have mixed emotions on the Waze feature of identifying where law enforcement is. For most drivers, it is a warning to slow down. Not bad. For the wanted criminal, it is an ability to avoid arrest. The ability to avoid arrest allows him/her to stay free and commit more crimes. I am betting it is being used for this purpose too. Oh well. I rarely stray from the issue of cars. Sorry about that.

Most mark the cops that are doing radar / laser. It is pretty hard to mark a moving cop car

particlewave · 09-13-2015, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck W.

I have mixed emotions on the Waze feature of identifying where law enforcement is. For most drivers, it is a warning to slow down. Not bad. For the wanted criminal, it is an ability to avoid arrest. The ability to avoid arrest allows him/her to stay free and commit more crimes. I am betting it is being used for this purpose too. Oh well. I rarely stray from the issue of cars. Sorry about that.

To be fair, any technology can be used for good or bad. Even those who speed with radar detectors are criminals breaking the law.

Chuck W. · 09-13-2015, 01:53 PM

Yeah.... I may be overthinking this. Back to cars.

jeeper31 · 09-14-2015, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mump

I agree with the 2 statements above. I run a 9500ix along with the Waze App. I got the 9500ix and ran direct connect line under the trim popping out near the rear view mirror, down the A-piller to the center dash. I took a dremel to the batwing and cut out a hole and slide the mute button/display through it. For the finish touch, I just stuck a black rubber band hair thingy that holds pony tales, turned out surprising nice.

You have any pics? I want to do this.

Thanks.