radar detector question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 1
From: Henderson Nevada
radar detector question
okay...just got my passport 8500 x50 and i was reading the manual. it says do not install near tinted area. i have 10% tint all around (except for front). Will it still pick up anything from the rear? just curious.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
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From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
The Escort doesn't have a rear sensor, so no, the tint doesn't matter much...If you do encounter radar from the rear, and have a vehicle in front of you, it will likely detect the bounced waves.
I have tinted windows and have never had an issue with the escort not detecting from the rear. However, if you're the only car on the road though, be careful, regardless of what detector you have.
I have tinted windows and have never had an issue with the escort not detecting from the rear. However, if you're the only car on the road though, be careful, regardless of what detector you have.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 1
From: Henderson Nevada
mine has a rear sensor facing backwards for lasers. was going for a nice cruise tonight to try out my new toy, but damn storms all over the valley and flooding around my neighborhood!
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 438
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From: SMU SMU
I just got a Cobra XRS 9330. Does anyone know anything about this particular product? Or how reliable these things tend to be? I hear they have lots of false alarms--is there any way to know?
In other words, good purchase or bad purchase?
In other words, good purchase or bad purchase?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: St. Peters MO
C7 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
2018 C7 of Year Finalist
I have the 8500 and tint that is 35% sides and 20% rear and it works fine.
There are some tints that have metallized film imbedded in the tint. These are normally the silver and gold "mirror" type tints. These are the tints to avoid with a radar detector.
There are some tints that have metallized film imbedded in the tint. These are normally the silver and gold "mirror" type tints. These are the tints to avoid with a radar detector.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 464
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From: New Bern NC
I've got an escort but I think all radar detectors will send you a few false alarms. I get them from drug stores that have motion detectors and I've also noticed traffic cameras mounted on bridges will set it off.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,146
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From: NM
Almost correct, the web site says "Multiple high-performance laser sensors". Thus it does have a rear laser sensor. But the site does not mention anything about a rear radar antenna.
To me laser detection is a waste of money, once you are hit by laser it is too late to do anything. All the laser detection does is tell you that you were just nailed.
tom...
To me laser detection is a waste of money, once you are hit by laser it is too late to do anything. All the laser detection does is tell you that you were just nailed.
tom...
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Almost correct, the web site says "Multiple high-performance laser sensors". Thus it does have a rear laser sensor. But the site does not mention anything about a rear radar antenna.
To me laser detection is a waste of money, once you are hit by laser it is too late to do anything. All the laser detection does is tell you that you were just nailed.
tom...
To me laser detection is a waste of money, once you are hit by laser it is too late to do anything. All the laser detection does is tell you that you were just nailed.
tom...
I agree with you on the radar antenna for the rear. Escort doesn't have it and any radar alert coming from a source in the rear is most likely coming from reflections (walls, buildings, bridges, other cars, etc) and then being picked up by the front facing antenna.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 114
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From: Cottonwood AZ
Add a ZR3 Laser Shifter (Escort) or better yet, Blinder M40 Extreme. Then, and only then, do you a chance against laser. It's not just a laser detector.
I agree with you on the radar antenna for the rear. Escort doesn't have it and any radar alert coming from a source in the rear is most likely coming from reflections (walls, buildings, bridges, other cars, etc) and then being picked up by the front facing antenna.
I agree with you on the radar antenna for the rear. Escort doesn't have it and any radar alert coming from a source in the rear is most likely coming from reflections (walls, buildings, bridges, other cars, etc) and then being picked up by the front facing antenna.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Lower Lake Ca
Team Owner
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Yes they can get a reading on a Vette just like any other car. LEOs are typically trained to start shooting in the 1000" (+/-) range and will not be able to get a laser reading on the ZR3 until approx. 500' at which time they will. The Blinder however, is capable of protection at a much closer distance, and depending on the laser gun the LEO is using, can protect down to point blank distance. BTW, at 1000' the laser beam is approx 3' wide.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: If your not the lead dog the view never changes Boise, Id
Yes they can get a reading on a Vette just like any other car. LEOs are typically trained to start shooting in the 1000" (+/-) range and will not be able to get a laser reading on the ZR3 until approx. 500' at which time they will. The Blinder however, is capable of protection at a much closer distance, and depending on the laser gun the LEO is using, can protect down to point blank distance. BTW, at 1000' the laser beam is approx 3' wide.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 234
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From: San Francisco CA
Which is why if I were buying a new one I'd get the Escort 9500. It has a GPS receiver and keeps a database of false alarms (that you've previously identified). So it won't ever again scream at the grocery store door opener (once it's been marked). Sounds like a great idea and I wondered myself years ago why nobody had done it yet.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
As with anything though, situational awareness is critical. Don't let it lull you into a false sense of security. Remember these words: "Instant On". 
My ZR3 has ahhhh assisted me on three different occasions over the last few years. I like to call it the Smith Barney of the laser devices; when it speaks, I listen.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 114
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From: Cottonwood AZ
Which is why if I were buying a new one I'd get the Escort 9500. It has a GPS receiver and keeps a database of false alarms (that you've previously identified). So it won't ever again scream at the grocery store door opener (once it's been marked). Sounds like a great idea and I wondered myself years ago why nobody had done it yet.