Radar detector question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 55
From: Port Saint Lucie, Florida
Radar detector question
Hi
The end of June l will be driving down to Atlanta for 10 days and being that my 02 coupe is Torch red it will draw the looks of law doggs for sure.
While l really don't expect to in my opinion speed but l am sure that l will be moving at least 5mph to 15mph over the speed limit depending on the weather. I am more concerned about unmarked cars and driving at night where l can't see a thing.
Should l pick up a used Valantine (new edition) or an Escort.
Keep in mind that l will not need it when l leave the highway or probably when l get home.
I thought of a used one.
Any thoughts
Thanks
Alan
The end of June l will be driving down to Atlanta for 10 days and being that my 02 coupe is Torch red it will draw the looks of law doggs for sure.
While l really don't expect to in my opinion speed but l am sure that l will be moving at least 5mph to 15mph over the speed limit depending on the weather. I am more concerned about unmarked cars and driving at night where l can't see a thing.
Should l pick up a used Valantine (new edition) or an Escort.
Keep in mind that l will not need it when l leave the highway or probably when l get home.
I thought of a used one.
Any thoughts
Thanks
Alan
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,664
Likes: 15
From: Wellsboro Pa
Yes, I would go with a used one since you won't be using it except for the trip. Also, keep in mind that they are illegal in DC and Virginia. They have radar detector detectors in those areas.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
There is a great thread in OT by a LEO. Most detectors are not as fast as the LEO radar.
LEOs use point and shoot. By the time your detector goes off, they have your speed recorded.
LEOs use point and shoot. By the time your detector goes off, they have your speed recorded.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
5-15 over is hardly something that most LEOs would consider pulling you over for....
Valentines are great, but pricey...even for pre-owned.
Escorts (especially the 8500 series) can be had for about half the price of a V1 with only a minimal drop in performance (mostly in the off-axis detection)
Valentines are great, but pricey...even for pre-owned.
Escorts (especially the 8500 series) can be had for about half the price of a V1 with only a minimal drop in performance (mostly in the off-axis detection)
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 55
From: Port Saint Lucie, Florida
DC will not be a problem becuse of the congestion speeding will be out of the question and as far as Virginia l would be thrilled if l can maintain the posted speed limit for the first 10 miles.
Alan
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 55
From: Port Saint Lucie, Florida
5-15 over is hardly something that most LEOs would consider pulling you over for....
Valentines are great, but pricey...even for pre-owned.
Escorts (especially the 8500 series) can be had for about half the price of a V1 with only a minimal drop in performance (mostly in the off-axis detection)
Valentines are great, but pricey...even for pre-owned.
Escorts (especially the 8500 series) can be had for about half the price of a V1 with only a minimal drop in performance (mostly in the off-axis detection)
I checked Ebay and you are correct about the Escort 8500 prices. The question is can an Escort 8500 pick up radar from behind??
Plus there are different 8500's
Thanks
Alan
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
And some of the newer models also have data bases of red light camera's and speed monitoring cameras, traffic data, so it helps to know what your dealing with. Just keep it within reason and you'll be fine.
This model is very nice: http://www.escortradar.com/passport9500ix-details.php
This model is very nice: http://www.escortradar.com/passport9500ix-details.php
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 20
From: Olathe, Kansas
I have the Escort X50 and yes, it does pick-up radar from behind. In over 6 years, I've never been ticketed for speeding. It has more then paid for itself. Any top line detector will help (Escort, Valentine, Beltronics) but they all do not work in every situation. Some luck is required. Also, most high end detectors have a built in circuit to make them undetectable to the Radar detector detectors.
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
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From: Lake Mary Florida
Anyone ever try out or use that new mount system from Escort? I wonder I big the thing is as there are no dimensions show on their web site.
Also some good info: http://www.radartest.com/
and http://www.radarbusters.com/
Also some good info: http://www.radartest.com/
and http://www.radarbusters.com/
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
While it is true a detector is of no help with instant-on radar pointed at YOU....Chance are quite good the LEO also clocked someone a mile or so ahead of you, which the detector will easily pick up on, and give you time to correct before the LEO even knows you exist.
In my experience, its primarily the Troopers/Hwy Patrol that like to use instant-on. Most of the local Police and Sheriffs leave their radar on all the time, making them pathetically easy to detect from miles away.
A radar detector IS a great tool to have, but always remember it's just that, a tool. Not automatic immunity from receiving a ticket. The day it replaces your awareness is the day you'll get busted.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 5
From: Nevada
If buying a used Valentine 1, get the S/N and call the company. Units with S/Ns reported stolen will not be upgraded.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
with point and shoot, only the target is painted.
But hey it is up to you guys. Buy a cheap one and leave it on.
I have a cheap 10 year old one I leave in my truck. Worked better then a few new models I tried.
But then again it picks up every automatic door opener at drug stores or groceries stores too
But hey it is up to you guys. Buy a cheap one and leave it on.
I have a cheap 10 year old one I leave in my truck. Worked better then a few new models I tried.
But then again it picks up every automatic door opener at drug stores or groceries stores too
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 5
From: Nevada
Not with radar. The signals are not sufficiently directional to prevent picking up shooting for other traffic, depending on conditions. That is borne out by the many positive experiences with the Valentine V1.
I own current generation radar and laser guns, and can demonstrate this with radar.
I own current generation radar and laser guns, and can demonstrate this with radar.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 55
From: Port Saint Lucie, Florida
Thanks for the help.
I just picked up a speed lingerie for my rip and now l have to pick up a radar detector.
Being that l will need it for highway driving l will look for a used Escort 8500 or newer on ebay or here.
While l like the directionals on the Valentine it's just too pricey for the amount of time l will use it.
It would b nice to rent one for 10 days. And l know l can buy one and then return it but that isn't my style.
Thanks
Alan
I just picked up a speed lingerie for my rip and now l have to pick up a radar detector.
Being that l will need it for highway driving l will look for a used Escort 8500 or newer on ebay or here.
While l like the directionals on the Valentine it's just too pricey for the amount of time l will use it.
It would b nice to rent one for 10 days. And l know l can buy one and then return it but that isn't my style.
Thanks
Alan
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
It just depends on how much revenue that area wants to generate from traffic fines, and how much they want to **** off the drivers.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 5
From: Nevada
This is called Instant-On radar and requires the officer to "target" the vehicle in question and activate the radar as it approaches. As with laser, it requires much more effort to operate than traditional car-mounted radar units.
It just depends on how much revenue that area wants to generate from traffic fines, and how much they want to **** off the drivers.
It just depends on how much revenue that area wants to generate from traffic fines, and how much they want to **** off the drivers.
Just to clarify for the earlier post, continuous radar will be easier to pick up, but whether a radar is continuous or instant on does not change the propagation characteristics of the signal. The detectors such as V1 are effective in that they can generally pick up radar that is either continuous or specifically targeted for another vehicle in the general vicinity.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 144
From: Memphis Tennessee
8500 user here.
When I have her "ears back" I use this simple rule.....and it has NEVER let me down in 25 years: Don't be the lead car. Always have someone in front of you so that when they enter the envelope of radar, you pick up the signal.
If you are running solo, you have NO reaction time so SLOW DOWN in that case.
Good Luck and have Fun
When I have her "ears back" I use this simple rule.....and it has NEVER let me down in 25 years: Don't be the lead car. Always have someone in front of you so that when they enter the envelope of radar, you pick up the signal.
If you are running solo, you have NO reaction time so SLOW DOWN in that case.
Good Luck and have Fun
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Hilton Head Island SC
Escort mount
Anyone ever try out or use that new mount system from Escort? I wonder I big the thing is as there are no dimensions show on their web site.
Also some good info: http://www.radartest.com/
and http://www.radarbusters.com/
Also some good info: http://www.radartest.com/
and http://www.radarbusters.com/
If so, yeah i bought one and I love it. It never comes loose and brings the unit closer to you. I have mine hard wired without a mute on the cord (old style cord) and it helps alot.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 23,900
Likes: 218
From: Foxtrot Delta Tango
8500 user here.
When I have her "ears back" I use this simple rule.....and it has NEVER let me down in 25 years: Don't be the lead car. Always have someone in front of you so that when they enter the envelope of radar, you pick up the signal.
If you are running solo, you have NO reaction time so SLOW DOWN in that case.
Good Luck and have Fun
When I have her "ears back" I use this simple rule.....and it has NEVER let me down in 25 years: Don't be the lead car. Always have someone in front of you so that when they enter the envelope of radar, you pick up the signal.
If you are running solo, you have NO reaction time so SLOW DOWN in that case.
Good Luck and have Fun
And I might add ..if possible do most of your speeding in the right lane on the interstates..