Brettus

iTrader: (2)

Some V1s are better than others - I have had 2 the first one went off all the time The one I have now - if it goes off I know to slow down.
"nuff said"

wcs

iTrader: (2)

I have a Bel STi
I love it! nuf said

map

There's such a thing as radar detector detector? How prevelent are those?

Chrisbert

In pinko states like VA the cops sometimes have a receiver in their car that detects the local oscillator of your detector. It's rare nowadays; most go by visual.

grapes

Same here -no comparison. though my Escort is a BEL RX-65 and i also have a V1 stuffed away in my tool drawer!!

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

Wow, great thread guys. I've been thinking about getting a radar detector ever since I saw my buddy's Passport in his CLK 55.

Here's my question though:
He was using a cordless one because he liked the "clean" look to it but I was wondering how hard it would be to hardwire the x50?
Couldn't I attach it to the dash and run the cord down through the 'center' speaker into some type of power source?

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

You can hard-wire it to the power source in the rear-view mirror.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

Where are you guys putting your radar detector? Up near the rear view mirror?

icyur2

Best place to put your radar (assuming you don't have a V1), is LOW near your dash and in a way that your windshield wipers do not block the radar. Mounting it low will give you a better read at any laser pointed at you, because guess where the cops will point the gun? Your front license plate.

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

This is wrong.
You want it as high as possible so that the rear-facing antenna and photosensor have a good look out the rear window. Also, this minimizes and phased interference from signal reflected off of your metal parts.
The beam from a LASER spreads when it hits stuff and it is hand held - the cop's aim will be all over the place.

icyur2

Boy..this can be debated, huh? I got that info from the Veil guys..they do the laser veil application to absorb the lidar from the laser..and based on their tech's opinion, low is the best place (unless you have a V1).

icyur2

Ok, here is the info from their website: http://www.laserveil.com/faqs/#radar%20detector%20mount

**For Valentine One owners, mount high.

The Valentine has demonstrated that it has superior laser detection capability. As such, we concur with VR's position that their detector should be mounted high.

This location will maximize the chances that their detector will see the extremely rare laser shot of a leading car, by positioning it to see the incoming laser through the leading car's windshields/ windscreens. This position will likely have minimal impact on its ability to see/report laser up close and personal.

**For all others, low on the windshield; but not too low.

To maximize the likelihood that your radar / laser detector will see incoming laser at closer range, you should mount you radar detector low and centered on your windshield so long as it is not blocked by your vehicle's windshield wipers or tinted areas and has a clear view out the rear of your automobile.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

So using the suction cups to apply a Passport right next to the center speaker on my RX-8 seems to be a bad idea?? (was hoping to tuck the wires into there)

icyur2

Mine is slightly above that area..but, as Maniac mentioned, if you want the rear protection, might need to go just a bit higher..not center, but it will be between the minimum of 2 inches from the bottom to the middle of the windshield. This is based on the Veil's website as noted above....up to you though....Maniac has a nice setup though....but....that hard wiring stuff is not my stuff :p AKA, inept at electrical wiring

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

Yeah, I'm definitely not a wiring guru either. Icyur2, got a pic of your setup?

icyur2

I'll take one and post it..but..it should be easily done..use your suction cup, and place it right above the center speaker (I think about 2 inches from the dash), and that should be low enough for the purpose of front protection..can't say about the rear, but as both Maniac and the Veil guy said, if you want rear, you'll have to place it in a way that you can see your radar when you are looking into your rear window...

icyur2

Went to lunch and verified that it is roughly between 2" - 2.5". Looking at my rear window, that is BARELY visible in the rear..so..if you don't mind that 100% protection from the rear, this will work for you for the front protection. I like it because it isn't so high and is kind of "low" profile..and if the veil guys are right, the lower it is, the more chances to catch the lasers..I'll send some photos when I get home to use the digicam for the shots of the setup..

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

Thanks Icyur2, can't wait to see the pics.

I just got off the phone with the people at Passport and I was inquiring as to the 'performance' differences between the 8500 x50 and the cordless Solo S2. The lady I spoke with mentioned that she uses the Solo in her car and has had great success with it. The max range on the Solo is somewhere around 2.5 miles, whereas the 8500 can go 3 miles or so worth of detection.

If I kept a few extra rechargable batteries in the glove box, I don't see battery life being too big of an issue. You guys have any thoughts on this?
Anyone here used the Solo before?

Thanks in advance!

icyur2

Don't know about the solo, but what I do know is that when compared to a true radar that draws power from our car vs. battery, the battery one will lose. The only thing you really gain from the battery is the convenience of not having wires dangling from your dash. I don't mind the wire, because where the 8's dash is at, fits just fine.

DrDiaboloco

Re: The mounting high vs. mounting low on the windshield thing is concerned...

How could mounting low help at all? If the idea is that the coppers aim at your license plate/headlights... Well, you're more than likely already toast if they're aiming at YOU (barring user error, of course). Assuming a properly-used 'gun', you can't react as quickly as the unit can get a reading of your speed if YOU are the target and that's the first reading you get.

What you're hoping for is that you'll pick up scatter off another vehicle/road signs/spaceships, etc. If being six inches lower on the windshield makes such a noticeable difference, that doesn't bode well for the reliability of such detection devices.

I know, I know, I'm sure someone will now point me to an "absolutely unbiased" report that shows their detector can keep you out of trouble every time. I also find it hard to believe that anyone has "beaten" a lidar gun a dozen times, or that X-brand detector didn't peep when you were lasered... Unless you got a ticket from the non-peep experience, how do you know the cop even had the gun ON, much less was targeting YOU? Having your detector alert you, you brake, and then you don't get a ticket doesn't mean you were going to get a ticket either way, it just means that your unit picked something up... Which it was designed to do, of course.

Hey, I beat laser and radar guns EVERY TIME... Without a detector. I just don't go 10 or more mph over the limit, and they let me sail by every time.

(now waiting for the "huh huh huh huh huh huh, I can't drive that slow, I'm a cowboy, I'm wanted, dead or alive" comments)

BTW, after spending three weeks in Texas and driving all over da place around Dallas and then Houston, I don't see all these people driving 80+ all the time that the TX-based posters on this board claim (not necessarily on this thread, mind you). They don't drive any faster than anywhere else, in some cases slower than I've seen elsewhere.

icyur2

Your point is valid Dr D HOWEVER, notice how I mentioned the "veil" guys..they have this product that you apply on your front light lens, fog lights, and license plate (if legal in your state). This "veil" coat basically absorb the lidar from the laser gun, so when used with the proper position (low), of the radar, will provide the best opportunity to pick up the laser and slow down in time. Keep in mind, this is all mute, if the copper decides to paint your car all of a sudden at a very short distance..check out their website..they have great videos of cars equipped with this stuff vs. other stealth equip. With it, a vehicle without it can be easily detected 1500 ft or so! Cars that have it on, is 1/2 the distance (roughly 700-800 ft). Your radar will warn you before the copper can get a good reading. Thus, proper position of the radar will also assist in a faster detection of the laser.

Please note that all of this info is from the professional. I've seen enough of their video and read how their product works that I believe it makes sense. As for you beating the system..you are one lucky guy Cops around my area pull your asses over for over 5mph!!! Yep..pathetic, huh? Why pick on someone like that vs. the 20+ mph bandit???

icyur2

Jedi, here is my setup. Yeah..might be annoying to people who don't want wires hanging around, but it works for me. Notice that I tucked my wire to the side of my passenger seat and then force it into the small hole of our arm console. When closed, this works out pretty well. Correction on the height. It is 3". You might want to play with it some..but, looking from the rear, it clears the window..BARELY..might be enough to pick up signals from the back..

DrDiaboloco

Thankfully on my Oregon/Washington road trips the 5-over coppers were using their lidar units to reheat their 7-11 breakfast burritos, otherwise I would've gotten to have one of those "do you know how fast you were going" discussions at the side of the road. 7-over is usually where I sit...I'm not doubting you, but why would they waste their time with 5-over tickets? Using THAT gauge, 95% of drivers would lose their licenses within a month.

Then again, that's exactly what the insurance companies want, now isn't it?

icyur2

BINGO!! Not to mention, that copper probably had a bad day/night and we were the unlucky one to get targeted!!! Didn't get some last night or something...HAH!

Anyways, now that I have a radar, and the "stealth" coat on my lens..I feel more confident on the highway and just cruise 10mph over..I let the bandits be my sacrificial lamb

FastRX8

Jedi -
Like I mentioned in the other thread, I would stay away from battery powered detectors.
You don't know when the battery is affecting the performance of the detector.
They may tell you when the battery is low, but that's like relying on you oil light to tell you when you need oil. By then it's to late.

Think of the battery ones, like cordless drills.
They're convenient, but when the juice is low, they're worthless.
For this application, it's better to have consistent performance rather than convenience.

As far as brand, you already know my opinion, and as I mentioned before, everyone has articles and reviews showing they are the best.