radar detectors

[SD987]

550, I see you live in Socal as do I, so the number one concern is Ka detection as that's what the CHP and municipalities use out here. It's nice as you can ignore all the other warnings.

There are rumors of laser usage starting in LA County although I haven't encountered it myself (and I'm up there alot). I have run into laser out of state and I'm in the "if you get a real laser warning, it's already too late" camp. One more point I'll add is that with my particular unit mounted low on the windshield I get alot more false-laser warnings from LED tail-lights in the Box than my other cars due (I believe) to the particular curvature of the Boxster's front hood.

That being said, I've been running the V1 for about four years and it has come in handy many-o-time. Ka detection is strong with unique sound warning as well (as with other detectors) and once you've lived with the arrows...

But stealthy it ain't, however, running in a top-down convertible neither are the other ones.

[jci-joe]

UKChris,

I would love to see more pictures of your V1 installation. I like the idea of the mirror lights for the V1. Is the main unit hidden? Did you have it professionally installed or did you do it yourself?

Also, what was involved with the footwell lighting hack? This would be great. I still can't believe a car that cost over $53k only has one interior dome light.

Any more info on the installation would be appreciated.

[ukchris]

Originally Posted by jci-joe

UKChris,

I would love to see more pictures of your V1 installation. I like the idea of the mirror lights for the V1. Is the main unit hidden? Did you have it professionally installed or did you do it yourself?

Also, what was involved with the footwell lighting hack? This would be great. I still can't believe a car that cost over $53k only has one interior dome light.

Any more info on the installation would be appreciated.

There are pictures of the bracket I fabricated in this thread http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=10453&pid=58759&st=0&#entry58759 which show it from different angles, I only engraved the logos on the first one I made though, I think they're too much and would also be a copyright issue. I designed the bracket and had it fabricated from acrylic.

The remote display is in the mirror, the mutew button is small and mounted in the back of the mirror so I can easily reach it and there is the jack plug to connect it to the main V1. The display is unobtrusive and IMHO in about the perfect spot to view.

Once I decided I wanted it in the mirror I found out the places that used to make them seemed to have stopped and also they were very expensive ($600 - $1200). Instead I decided to try and do it myself which turned in to a bit of an epic trying to figure out the best way to prepare the glass. After several failed attempts I think I have a multi-stpe process that now works well and have made a few mirrors for other people too.

[ukchris]

Originally Posted by jci-joe

Also, what was involved with the footwell lighting hack? This would be great. I still can't believe a car that cost over $53k only has one interior dome light.

Missed this one... I used two triple LED lamps and mounted them under the dash, the wiring goes under the dash, up the A-pillar to the dome light. Once you get there you can either tap in with wire taps or solder the ends of the wires to the light. It really is quite easy, I have some spare lights if you want some then all you need is a couple of yards of wire.

This picture makes them look much brighter and more defined than they really are because I had to take it with a long exposure so you could see them, the effect is pretty subtle and I really love it.

[mjw930]

V1 all the way. I've been using one ever since Mike Valentine left Escort and created it. The arrows as well as the bogey counter are indispensable and after a short while you'll know just from the sounds what's up around you.

There was a period about 3 years ago when Valentine gave into the POP radar craze (he can be stubborn) and their first 2 attempts at it were a software flop. These have been resolved and the latest units work flawlessly.

I have 2 units, one that goes between the Boxster and the Cayenne, depending on which one is being used and another that stays in the Mazda since the wife uses it everyday to commute to work. One of the units is about 18 months old, the other is over 10 years old (it's been upgraded 3 times and patched once for the POP glitch).

BTW, the "upgrade" actually gets you a brand new unit for a fraction of the cost.

[pteam]

What do you guys think about something like this http://www.radarscramblers.com/product_C450.htm ? Its the new version of what I have now which is the phantom 2 . Its supposted to scramble radar and laser, and although you never know if it works in 5 years having had a lamborghini, ferraris, viper, porsches, I've never had ONE speeding ticket!!! ::knocks on wood:: although my phantom 2 is on its last legs and I'm gonna have to get something new now, I'd rather have the scrambling ability than just the detection, cause like nick said above you get hit with a laser or a radar over a hill or similiar and u have no time to slow down your already hit.

[Dr. Kill]

Originally Posted by pteam

What do you guys think about something like this http://www.radarscramblers.com/product_C450.htm ? Its the new version of what I have now which is the phantom 2 . Its supposted to scramble radar and laser, and although you never know if it works in 5 years having had a lamborghini, ferraris, viper, porsches, I've never had ONE speeding ticket!!! ::knocks on wood:: although my phantom 2 is on its last legs and I'm gonna have to get something new now, I'd rather have the scrambling ability than just the detection, cause like nick said above you get hit with a laser or a radar over a hill or similiar and u have no time to slow down your already hit.

The phantom, like the complete line of "passive jammer" products from Rocky Mountain Radar is a scam. Do a quick search on sites that are note selling the product, or check out radartest.com. They opened it up and found out that it had "just enough electronics inside to make the lights blink," and worse, aside from the product not actually jamming anything, the antenna made the vehicle easier to detect via radar. Further, if you read their speeding ticket guarantee, the fine print says something like they only pay if the ticket was for less than 10% over the posted speed limit.

Passive radar jamming is simply false – it does not work. Active radar jamming works but is illegal (and I don’t think anyone has every built a Ka unit anyway). Your best bet is to just pick up a good V1 or Escort. For some extra $$, you can spring for a laser jammer – those actually work (when from a reputable company). I did this and am very happy with the purchase.

[yellowboxster01]

Valentine has saved me multiple times now. The only problem I've found is the lack of space to put it in the Box it is visible to cops out the back window. I bought a conceal display and have yet to install it but, that should take care of that problem. I know where they are but, they see it in the window and follow me. It happened on my way to lunch the other day and on the way back to work. I don't know if they think I'm just going to jam on the gas when I know they're behind me or what...

[1JB]

Originally Posted by pteam

What do you guys think about something like this http://www.radarscramblers.com/product_C450.htm ? Its the new version of what I have now which is the phantom 2 . Its supposted to scramble radar and laser, and although you never know if it works in 5 years having had a lamborghini, ferraris, viper, porsches, I've never had ONE speeding ticket!!! ::knocks on wood:: although my phantom 2 is on its last legs and I'm gonna have to get something new now, I'd rather have the scrambling ability than just the detection, cause like nick said above you get hit with a laser or a radar over a hill or similiar and u have no time to slow down your already hit.

I went with the Escort SRX. Excellent system. The "shifter" definitely works.