radar detector - WTF ?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,709
Likes: 1
From: Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '06
If you're driving the freeways at 5 or even 8 or 9 over you have very little to worry about. Beyond that, as you say there are no guarantees. I usually drive seven over with a detector just for a little extra security but have never really 'needed' it. The police typically don't look twice at someone driving sanely going 5-7 over.
I find the detector to be much more valuable on rural two-lane highways where the local departments will set up speed traps and pick you up for doing just a couple over (revenue enhancement). I have been 'saved' more than once from these with my V1...one with seven officers (the number seven was on my detector counter and we saw every one of them)!
I find the detector to be much more valuable on rural two-lane highways where the local departments will set up speed traps and pick you up for doing just a couple over (revenue enhancement). I have been 'saved' more than once from these with my V1...one with seven officers (the number seven was on my detector counter and we saw every one of them)!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
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From: Houston, TX
To clarify, I did call them when I had the problem a couple of years ago. They claim it's due to cell towers and the only thing that can be done it so buy a unit that the laser can be turned off, or send it back to them and they'll do something that makes it less sensitive. I chose to return mine and buy one that you can turn off the Laser detector.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
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From: Houston, TX
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,081
Likes: 8
From: San Francisco Bay Area California
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Mount Airy Maryland
I've had the Beltronics for... maybe 5 years. Still works great. With a little common sense and the sentry in place I've not had a ticket in many, many years - this from a guy with a driving record 4 pages long (youthful indicresion).
I have their laser jammer too. Worked great when I had it installed a few years ago. Neat to see cops stopping to take a closer look at their laser gun as I drive by.
So, to your question - just give 'em a call. You never know what you might get - a quote for a $300 repair job or a free radar detector - or something in between.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 208
Likes: 1
From: Texas
In the 80's after experiencing many many problems with my Camaro I asked my older mechanic brother what I should do to fix my many many problems with the car. He told me to open the hood, remove the radiator cap step back two feet then replace everything behind the radiator cap in my hands. i would remove the Bell and replace it.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Mount Airy Maryland
In the 80's after experiencing many many problems with my Camaro I asked my older mechanic brother what I should do to fix my many many problems with the car. He told me to open the hood, remove the radiator cap step back two feet then replace everything behind the radiator cap in my hands. i would remove the Bell and replace it.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,606
Likes: 88
From: Sammamish WA
My first detector was an Escort and, after it was stolen (my fault), I saw a Bel at Costco which looked like a great value. I bought it and took a drive to Portland and found it to do just as you describe. In fact, it was downright dangerous sometimes as I pulled out of the right lane to pass another car and the Bel sometimes went off like a circus calliope, causing me to immediately slow and try to tuck back into the right-lane.As soon as I got home, I took it back to Costco and ordered another Escort, which I still use.
I've never tried the Valentine, but some swear by it. I just want something small that doesn't block my view and simply tells me what's ahead. I don't care what's behind me (although the Escort does a good job of that as well)
Detectors with a lot of gadgets can be too distracting IMO.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 45,472
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From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
I agree.
My previous detector had the same problem.
It seems that if the detector is exposed to direct sun a lot, it can ultimately damage the electronics.
That's why the instructions say not to install it where it can be exposed to direct sunlight.
With my last detector, the direct sunlight would heat it up & it would go berserk.
My previous detector had the same problem.
It seems that if the detector is exposed to direct sun a lot, it can ultimately damage the electronics.
That's why the instructions say not to install it where it can be exposed to direct sunlight.
With my last detector, the direct sunlight would heat it up & it would go berserk.
same electronics, and it was not cheap - close to $300.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
Mike, I thought I covered that when we discussed which one to get. I assume it's the Laser going off. That's what mine was doing. Turn the laser warning off and problem fixed. You can do a search and you'll get all kinds of theories on why they do it.
Laser detectors are somewhat useless anyway. By the time it goes off- they already have you clocked.
And to the guy who said "get a Valentine or Escort" - do your homework. It is an Escort.
Laser detectors are somewhat useless anyway. By the time it goes off- they already have you clocked.
And to the guy who said "get a Valentine or Escort" - do your homework. It is an Escort.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 45,472
Likes: 892
From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
My first detector was an Escort and, after it was stolen (my fault), I saw a Bel at Costco which looked like a great value. I bought it and took a drive to Portland and found it to do just as you describe. In fact, it was downright dangerous sometimes as I pulled out of the right lane to pass another car and the Bel sometimes went off like a circus calliope, causing me to immediately slow and try to tuck back into the right-lane.As soon as I got home, I took it back to Costco and ordered another Escort, which I still use.
I've never tried the Valentine, but some swear by it. I just want something small that doesn't block my view and simply tells me what's ahead. I don't care what's behind me (although the Escort does a good job of that as well)
Detectors with a lot of gadgets can be too distracting IMO.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 5
From: Seattle WA
Speed, I was going to ask on what band it was going off, but you seem to suggest in a few posts above that all bands are going off. If this is the case then I certainly would think you have a problem with the unit. If it were K-band, as an example, I might think they installed some radar at intervals on the road in order to update on-line traffic flow information. I had this issue here on a few roads where k-band would go off full tilt (Valentine One) for a second and then stop for a period and then do it again. Drove me nuts. In CA I have not come across any real police radar other than Ka and Laser so I have programmed my V1 to tune out K and X bands. I like my detector so much more now. Unfortunately it sounds like your unit is bad. Ask Santa to give you a new one for Christmas! Now that's good timing.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Houston, TX
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 45,472
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From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
S2K, Jim, - thanks for the responses.
We're in Atlanta area. When I get home, I'll dig up the paperwork.
Our Ho has the rain sensing windshield wipers. That wouldn't do it, would it ?
We're in Atlanta area. When I get home, I'll dig up the paperwork.
Our Ho has the rain sensing windshield wipers. That wouldn't do it, would it ?
Last edited by need-for-speed; Dec 23, 2009 at 04:05 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Don't know about the rain sensing WW. But, the non-nav DIC on my daily driver WILL activate the laser portion of the Valentine if I point the back of the detector at it (take it off the windshield and hold it in that direction). Very weird.
BTW, does it do this in other cars without the rain sensing wipers?
BTW, does it do this in other cars without the rain sensing wipers?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,753
Likes: 210
From: North Western Connecticut
Mike, I thought I covered that when we discussed which one to get. I assume it's the Laser going off. That's what mine was doing. Turn the laser warning off and problem fixed. You can do a search and you'll get all kinds of theories on why they do it.
Laser detectors are somewhat useless anyway. By the time it goes off- they already have you clocked.
And to the guy who said "get a Valentine or Escort" - do your homework. It is an Escort.
Laser detectors are somewhat useless anyway. By the time it goes off- they already have you clocked.
And to the guy who said "get a Valentine or Escort" - do your homework. It is an Escort.
