Radar dectectors - State to State
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 5
From: Seattle WA
I know everyone keeps chanting this mantra that once LIDAR (laser) hits you are busted, but in my experience that is simply not true. The V1 has gone crazy with laser alerts many times and I have not been caught. I have 'rounded a corner to see the CHP after a laser alert on several occasions. Once there were several HP units getting drivers in a cross fire and my laser alerts lit up and started screaming, still I was not pulled over so I feel it's a matter of whether or not the LEO actually knows which car, and if so, whether he is able to get to you, or even wants to for that matter. Some LEOs may just use the blast as a deterrent.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,081
Likes: 8
From: San Francisco Bay Area California
That is just skirting the point. Of course the LEO can determine not to bother with you or perhaps he made an error when trying to hit you, etc. That can happen regardless of the method used. The point here is that there is no escaping laser if it hits you (sans some police error). In other words your RD is not going to catch laser like it does radar and allow you time to slow down. If your RD goes off and it's Ka, unless it was instant on, you aren't necessarily tagged nor for that matter does the LEO even have to know you exist yet. The same is simply not true with laser. If you pick it up the LEO surely knows you exist. The rest is up to fate, his/her mood, etc. What it isn't up to is your response time to hit the brake because for that it is simply too late.
....At least pretty much. The V1 is really very good at catching what little scatter/bounce there might be. I've been warned of one of those CHP group events due to scatter, so I know it can happen.Given the properties of Lidar, it's generally true that an alert is an invitation to pull over. But that's not always the case. Distance is the key. If you see a leo ahead more than 1/4 mile and your V1 alerts laser, you're likely OK if you slow down.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
A lot of states out west use unmarked cars (including one old pickup in a Utah county). They also use aircraft, sometimes with radar but most of the time with a stop watch. I've heard of cops setting up fake radar traps (a bunch of them) then be nice in quiet after the traps. Drivers are like "I'm out of here" thinking their detector just saved their butt then they see a police officer guiding them into a parking lot.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 1
From: Amelia Island,FL ______ or DFW _________ Sold my 05 MS Coupe ____ bought 08 Vert Blk/JSB, 3LT, F55
Not true at all. The Escort 9500IX is upgradeable off the web. I guarantee if you V1 people ever used the new GPS Escorts you would never go back to those constant false alarms. I was so impressed after using the first one for a month that I bought a second one. I have been using detectors for about 40 years and the new 9500ix is by far the slickest unit I have ever used.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,610
Likes: 12
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 797
Likes: 2
From: WV
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 797
Likes: 2
From: WV
Glad you like your Escort; no doubt it's a great RD, however the V1 does not give "false alarms." Yes it is highly sensitive, reportedly more so than the Escort, but it can be programmed accordingly. I fail to see why these RD discussions result in a mine is great, yours is crap mentality.
I get so sick of hearing this also..
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Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
In your state, as said before they still do bumper checks which requires nothing but the tailing car's speedometer. Very stealth esp at night.
And many can use radar/laser selectively because at least during day, they can fairly well estimate speeds as well as position in lanes to determine who needs to be "gunned" or not.
I once watched a show where an officer was standing and watching cars pass by. He called out their speeds before they reached him and another officer hit them with radar and the speed correlation was very, very close.
And many can use radar/laser selectively because at least during day, they can fairly well estimate speeds as well as position in lanes to determine who needs to be "gunned" or not.
I once watched a show where an officer was standing and watching cars pass by. He called out their speeds before they reached him and another officer hit them with radar and the speed correlation was very, very close.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 5
From: Seattle WA
In your state, as said before they still do bumper checks which requires nothing but the tailing car's speedometer. Very stealth esp at night.
And many can use radar/laser selectively because at least during day, they can fairly well estimate speeds as well as position in lanes to determine who needs to be "gunned" or not.
I once watched a show where an officer was standing and watching cars pass by. He called out their speeds before they reached him and another officer hit them with radar and the speed correlation was very, very close.
And many can use radar/laser selectively because at least during day, they can fairly well estimate speeds as well as position in lanes to determine who needs to be "gunned" or not.
I once watched a show where an officer was standing and watching cars pass by. He called out their speeds before they reached him and another officer hit them with radar and the speed correlation was very, very close.
A RD is a great tool and one that allowed me to do an 8k mile coast to coast to coast trip this past summer without a ticket. However, careful observation and plain old dumb luck also had a healthy hand in my positive outcome.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
From: Tri-Cities Washington
Although the hardware (which is what I assume you mean) upgrade would be okay, I'd rather have everything else now and very few false alerts, and be able to upgrade over the web. Again, everything I read prior to buying the Escort said the V1 got many many false alerts with no way to stop them. Having arrows would seem to be a dubious advantage when they point to false alerts all the time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,081
Likes: 8
From: San Francisco Bay Area California
And this would compare to the firmware updates the 9500ix has? First thing I did was upgrade the firmware and speedcam/red light database. I am also able to upload locations that my unit finds or that I mark for future reference. It will also track multiple radar hits, along with signal strength.
Although the hardware (which is what I assume you mean) upgrade would be okay, I'd rather have everything else now and very few false alerts, and be able to upgrade over the web. Again, everything I read prior to buying the Escort said the V1 got many many false alerts with no way to stop them. Having arrows would seem to be a dubious advantage when they point to false alerts all the time.
Although the hardware (which is what I assume you mean) upgrade would be okay, I'd rather have everything else now and very few false alerts, and be able to upgrade over the web. Again, everything I read prior to buying the Escort said the V1 got many many false alerts with no way to stop them. Having arrows would seem to be a dubious advantage when they point to false alerts all the time.
As to 'false' alerts, you really can't comment first hand, so it's better left unsaid. Those alerts quickly become part of an over all awareness about where transmissions are coming from and what type they are. In my view they contribute to my ability to better judge the likelyhood of a threat and I prefer to get them.
Both units have a different set of features and advantages. Take your pick and stay safe.
Last edited by carnut08; Mar 7, 2009 at 01:14 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 465
From: Southern Utah
All I can say after reading this thread is that there are obviously many people who don't understand the way radar and Laser work, the psychology of LEO's using these technologies and the way detectors work. This is why you can ask any LEO and he will tell you that he catches people with radar detectors all the time.
Its a complicated game and is far more than just slamming on the brakes when the warning light flashes. Its about vigilence, terrain, psychology, science and understanding all the interactions between them. There are enough drivers out there who do not have detectors, or do not understand how to use the one they have, or are just cluelessly speeding along, that there will always be plenty of revenue victims for LEO.
Its a complicated game and is far more than just slamming on the brakes when the warning light flashes. Its about vigilence, terrain, psychology, science and understanding all the interactions between them. There are enough drivers out there who do not have detectors, or do not understand how to use the one they have, or are just cluelessly speeding along, that there will always be plenty of revenue victims for LEO.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,133
Likes: 144
From: Ex-SF Bay Area; now happily Denver area
I have 2 Valentine's and they have helped a lot. Much of my response and avoidance comes from the arrows on the unit. I've read that the Escort is also very good but I have a couple problems. One, not knowing where the threat is coming from and two, I'm not sure that I would remember or want to constantly update the program for the detector in both cars.
By the way, I'm in NoCal and usually when the Ka lights up there's someone around somewhere. The K is still used a lot in towns and cities and has also proved valuable. Yes, there are no doubt some false alerts, but I'd rather have that with arrows than not have it without the arrows.
By the way, I'm in NoCal and usually when the Ka lights up there's someone around somewhere. The K is still used a lot in towns and cities and has also proved valuable. Yes, there are no doubt some false alerts, but I'd rather have that with arrows than not have it without the arrows.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,002
Likes: 2,679
In MI the V1 is good as Laser isn't as common here, and our cops rarely work in teams (unless there is a speed enforcement weekend).
A cop friend of mine also told me with standard Ka radar the Corvette is harder to hit due to the shape and use of fiberglass panels. Don't know how true that is.
A cop friend of mine also told me with standard Ka radar the Corvette is harder to hit due to the shape and use of fiberglass panels. Don't know how true that is.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,002
Likes: 2,679
Not true at all. The Escort 9500IX is upgradeable off the web. I guarantee if you V1 people ever used the new GPS Escorts you would never go back to those constant false alarms. I was so impressed after using the first one for a month that I bought a second one. I have been using detectors for about 40 years and the new 9500ix is by far the slickest unit I have ever used.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,081
Likes: 8
From: San Francisco Bay Area California
Also in the case of radar, the most reflective surface on the front of the C6 is the A/C condenser & radiator. The fact that they angle back from the traditional 90 degrees helps shorten radar's effective range. BUT that's only a matter of degree and no reason to believe we're bullet proof out there!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 5
From: Seattle WA
You are not likely to see a full switch from radar to laser. That doesn't mean you cannot see certain cities really amp up on laser, but it won't be the only device used. Laser is more expensive and more difficult to use. Laser also can ONLY be used while stationary. So an LEO riding along on the interstate cannot use laser to tag cars coming from the opposite direction. You will continue to see radar used all around the country for a long time to come.