Do they Really work?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,280
Likes: 551
From: Pittsburgh PA
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Set your cruise to 5 over. Relax. Enjoy the drive, it doesn't have to be a competition. No detector alarms, no worries, no constantly looking for distant brake lights. Life is good. Chill.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,823
Likes: 2
From: Anthem AZ
I've had and still have 2 low end radar detectors (Cobra) in addition to my Passport 9500ix Race Edition in the Vette.
All three give good "early enough" warning and have reminded me to slow down on occasion. I even got pegged with Lazer on I440 but wasn't speeding. The officer was on an overpass looking down on the highway calling in speeders to the chase cars.
It's easy for me to recommend the Passport 9500IX because of one simple feature - it learns the false alerts and blocks them out after a few false alerts in the same location. The learning feature is pretty impressive because it locks in on specific frequency. If a new frequency is detected in a location that has already been blocked, it gives you an alert that there is a new frequency in the area.
My cobra's go off in the same locations every time, you learn to mentally tune it out.
I have never had a Valentine, but I wasn't interested in trying to figure out where the signal was coming from to make a determination of false alert or real threat.
Bottom line for me - if I hear any of my detectors, in any of my cars go off, I slow down if I am going over the limit. I could care less where the signal is coming from. Nothing wrong with doing the speed limit every now and then...
All three give good "early enough" warning and have reminded me to slow down on occasion. I even got pegged with Lazer on I440 but wasn't speeding. The officer was on an overpass looking down on the highway calling in speeders to the chase cars.
It's easy for me to recommend the Passport 9500IX because of one simple feature - it learns the false alerts and blocks them out after a few false alerts in the same location. The learning feature is pretty impressive because it locks in on specific frequency. If a new frequency is detected in a location that has already been blocked, it gives you an alert that there is a new frequency in the area.
My cobra's go off in the same locations every time, you learn to mentally tune it out.
I have never had a Valentine, but I wasn't interested in trying to figure out where the signal was coming from to make a determination of false alert or real threat.
Bottom line for me - if I hear any of my detectors, in any of my cars go off, I slow down if I am going over the limit. I could care less where the signal is coming from. Nothing wrong with doing the speed limit every now and then...
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 441
Likes: 1
From: Mascoutah Illinois
I have 3 - Passport 8500, Passport 9500 & Passport Max. They all work very well and in most instances on the interstate they will help out tremendously.
Big key to remember is if you are on a highway or interstate with little to no traffic they are useless with instant on, but with traffic you will pick up the instant on when they are clocking people ahead of you.
Lasar is typically 50/50 chance of it getting picked up.
But it is not a bad investment at all and will save you money in the long run if you travel over the posted speed limit!
Big key to remember is if you are on a highway or interstate with little to no traffic they are useless with instant on, but with traffic you will pick up the instant on when they are clocking people ahead of you.
Lasar is typically 50/50 chance of it getting picked up.
But it is not a bad investment at all and will save you money in the long run if you travel over the posted speed limit!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 81
From: Frankfort,IL
this is coming from the guy on the other end.............remember with laser, its a pin point method of speed detection and doesnt operate in a "constant on" mode. Thats how radar detectors save you, by detecting an instrument in constant on mode, or cycling between hold and on. With laser, the beam width is only 3x3, so unless the laser is pointed directly at your car, the radar detector wont save you. Even at that, human reaction time alone to see/hear the detector go off, your brain processing it and telling you to apply the brake, its too late................But, a good radar detector will probably save you 90% of the time, laser is very expensive for a department to outfit everyone with one, mine is the minority where almost all of us have one.
Last edited by Maligator; Jan 11, 2014 at 02:46 PM.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 627
Likes: 5
From: Frisco TX
I am using an 8500 x50.
A RADAR detector is only as good as the driver.
You can't haul azz everywhere you go.
But you can safely do five to ten over and just release the cruise control when it alerts.
Another good tool I use is WAZE.
Most of the time it will alert you where the cops are parked.
A RADAR detector is only as good as the driver.
You can't haul azz everywhere you go.
But you can safely do five to ten over and just release the cruise control when it alerts.
Another good tool I use is WAZE.
Most of the time it will alert you where the cops are parked.
I second that for the WAZE app. As more and more people use it, it'll even be more valuable. This is hands down the best app I've ever used.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,576
Likes: 237
From: Murphy NC
this is coming from the guy on the other end.............remember with laser, its a pin point method of speed detection and doesnt operate in a "constant on" mode. Thats how radar detectors save you, by detecting an instrument in constant on mode, or cycling between hold and on. With laser, the beam width is only 3x3, so unless the laser is pointed directly at your car, the radar detector wont save you. Even at that, human reaction time alone to see/hear the detector go off, your brain processing it and telling you to apply the brake, its too late................But, a good radar detector will probably save you 90% of the time, laser is very expensive for a department to outfit everyone with one, mine is the minority where almost all of us have one.
Absolutely no way it is going to pick up another car getting hit.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 658
Likes: 204
That's not really true. It is possible to pick up scatter from another car being hit. The V1 is actually pretty damn good at it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,576
Likes: 237
From: Murphy NC
Sure it is... Shaking head from side to side.
I drive 50K miles per year. I know a spot where the police car sit almost 24/7 on a long downhill and you can not see their car until you are on them.
The only reason I asked the manufacturer is because I could see the cops shoot me with LASER at night.
Watch their face light up when they get my speed reading.
None of my detectors ever went off.
I was told if they aim for the front bumper and your detector is in the windshield it probably will not pick it up.
If your thinking that your V1 is getting scatter, your azz is getting 100% shot by Laser.
Scatter of a Laser beam... Dumbest **** I have ever heard.
So I call BS!
I wish more law enforcement would post up on this topic.
I drive 50K miles per year. I know a spot where the police car sit almost 24/7 on a long downhill and you can not see their car until you are on them.
The only reason I asked the manufacturer is because I could see the cops shoot me with LASER at night.
Watch their face light up when they get my speed reading.
None of my detectors ever went off.
I was told if they aim for the front bumper and your detector is in the windshield it probably will not pick it up.
If your thinking that your V1 is getting scatter, your azz is getting 100% shot by Laser.
Scatter of a Laser beam... Dumbest **** I have ever heard.
So I call BS!
I wish more law enforcement would post up on this topic.
Last edited by MikeERWNC; Jan 11, 2014 at 09:18 PM.
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Pro
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 531
Likes: 44
From: DFW Metro TX
I recommend Escort detectors too. Take your choice. 8500 X50, 9500i, 9500IX, Passport Max - They all have the exact time same core detection technology. Or if you want the greatest distance detection, get the Escort Redline, or the built-in 9500ci. They have by far the longest range detection.
However, if you are the only one on the road, and you are speeding and come up on a Leo, detector won't help you. As long as there is someone in front of you getting shot first, you have time to react an slow down. So play leap frog all day as long as there is another frog in front of you.
However, if you are the only one on the road, and you are speeding and come up on a Leo, detector won't help you. As long as there is someone in front of you getting shot first, you have time to react an slow down. So play leap frog all day as long as there is another frog in front of you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,780
Likes: 314
From: Morris Co. NJ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18,'21
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,555
Likes: 637
in todays police state if you drive a high performance car it is better for you to have the best countermeasurers.i have a passport 9500ix and a blinder m27 laser rader jammer.these are cheap compared to a speeding or red light camera ticket and raided insurance rates that go al;ong with them.they have paid for themselves many times over.they will not save you if you drive like a idiot,but they save you a lot when you are going 50 in a 35,or 80 in a 65 and you do not notice it because the car is so deceptively fast and smooth.
Last edited by lordofwar; Jan 11, 2014 at 11:10 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 8
From: Clearwater Florida
I personally am a fan of the Escort or Passport Models with the ability to learn false signals and upload known false signals. The model that looks like a windshield mounted GPS is nice also. Where I live false signals are a big problem and I tend to get used to them.
Has anyone had experience in using the laser shifters with these? Do they really respond in time to help? I am considering the ZR4.
Has anyone had experience in using the laser shifters with these? Do they really respond in time to help? I am considering the ZR4.
Pro
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 531
Likes: 44
From: DFW Metro TX