I just took a Xmas trip through 3 states had a 4 year old Cobra, saved my butt several times, only thing was when cops would hit instant on, it would go off, but not warn me that the patrol car had radar, is there any system that can detect instant on, before they use it?

 

Not that i am aware of. Only thing that would warn you is something like a traffic app (waze is one) or a cb radio telling you the position of an LEO.

 

 

I just purchased the Escort (passport) Max with Smart cord live. Great detector and it connects by bluetooth to your phone and you can send and receive alerts on cameras, police etc.

 

I'm not aware of any that will combat instant on. I use the 9500ix in all of my cars and it has worked fine for me so far.... Knocking on wood!

 

Great Question. I hope that their is now something out there that helps us out with Instant On. But as far as I know as of this time, Instant On has no deterrent. Instant On means Instantly Caught.

 

I read somewhere years ago that Instant On "Ka" won't lock onto you if you are changing speed (hitting your brake) and slowing down at more than 5 ft per second squared. Apparently, it is designed to get more than one reading before displaying your speed. The second reading is different enough when you hit the brake hard that it try's again and again until it gets a consistent speed reading.

So knowing this, if you "are fast" to hit the brakes hard and stay on them until you reach a safe speed then let off, you can beat it. I've use this technique many times over the last 20 years and never have been ticketed. Just be careful that no one is close behind you or they could rear-end you.

I had a Leo pull me over (I was towing two snowmobiles behind my X5) and I could tell he was frustrated because he didn't get a lock on me. There was nothing he could do, but he literally followed me for the next 35 miles.

 

Waze is prolly your best bet.

 

its the quick change in speed that distorts the radar. with the new C7, presumably, if you nailed it, it would have the same effect--as well as the benefit of putting more distance between you and your new bff; and obviating the problem of ending up with someones front end in your rear. also, that would be quicker, since your foot is apparently already well down on the accelerator.

of course, nothing herein is intended to condone nor recommend exceeding the speed limit under any circumstance. laws are made to protect us all--corvette drivers included. if you never exceed the speed limit, your need for a detector is highly, not totally, mitigated. by that i mean that we appear to be more sought after (read:targeted) than your typical soccer-type van, so it is in our interests to actually travel below the speed limit, to avoid any possible "misunderstandings".

 

With my Valentine 1 if you pay attention and the instant on is being used ahead of you on other cars you will get on and off warnings. If you are hit with him in site it takes less than a second to nail you.

Mike.

 

Those of us with the latest Escort models such as the Max and have the Smart Cord can have knowledge of cops miles before we get there using the free app on our smart phones. And the USB connection keeps the phone charged as well.

When I ordered my C7, I ordered the new Max (with Smart Cord option) to start learning it and it works really well. My only issue is the placement of my phone where I can see the map on it. I've been keeping it vertical in the forward cup holder. It gives you a real sense of comfort being able to see several miles up your direction of travel on the phone map and knowing there's a 'Live Cop' at point X before you go blasting around a bend and the Laser tone alerts you that you've been BUSTED !!!

to Escort and the Smart Cord

 

Here is a question for all of you: do radar detectors only make sense for people who are go over the speed limit most of the time? Let me explain that question. I typically do not go over the speed limit around town but do so more when I'm on longer road trips. So from my perspective if I purchased a detector and starting driving fast everywhere I went wouldn't I only increase my exposure/chances of getting a ticket? I know the detector will alert me but if I normally wouldn't be driving fast and started doing so under the guise of having the detector alert me, I think I increase my chances of getting a ticket.

I would only think a detector is useful for people who drive fast in all conditions, thus it can only help as they're not increasing their exposure. For me, I would be increasing mine since I don't have a need to get somewhere around town super fast but tend to increase speed when on road trips. I suppose if I only used in for those road trips where I did go over the limit and turned it off for the around town driving I wouldn't be changing my driving habits then. But that would feel like a waste to not have it on at all times. What are your thoughts?

(disclaimer: I'm not suggesting I would speed as to drive recklessly but merely going 5 to 10 or so over the limit.)

 

I'm a salesman, 40,000 miles a year. Laser will get you with no warning. My 9500 saves my bacon often. If you are on rural roads and the local sheriff are out driving with their K band on....You'll get a warning miles in advance. It saves me more in 55 mph zones then traveling on the turnpikes at 9 mph over the posted.
Don't forget many states use airplanes and timing watches for enforcement also. Nothing besides a scanner will alert you to them other then seeing a line of cars pulled over to the side of the road getting ticketed.

 

I find my Passport Max very useful all the time and I mostly travel in town. I set speed trap areas in the detector and it verbally reminds me when I am entering the area. They have just set a 10 mile stretch on the way to town on I95 to 60 mph. I set a reminder when entering the 10 mph lower area. See many out of area cars continuing at 75 to 78 mph! There are police cruising the area and parked in the center area with instant on radar! I also mark when I am coming into a school zone. It has also helped when I pulled into traffic and a police car turned on their radar before I got up to speed. This was a 45 mph Limit 4 lane road where everyone is going 55+ but you can bet the Vette would get a ticket!

 

The 9500ix with the Escort Live iPhone ap allows other users to "mark" police when they see them (regardless of radar or laser status) and you get that info displayed on a map on your iPhone.

and... unless you are traveling in zero traffic you shouldn't have to worry too much about the "instant on" issue. They'll turn it on for someone in front of you and you'll detect it and slow down before they decide to hit you with it.

 

Your best bet for instant on is to get a detector with long range. This way you will get an alert when someone ahead of you gets hit with instant on. The longest range detectors include the Escort Redline, Beltronics STi-R+ and Valentine 1. The Escort max has long range too but is a bit inconsistent. There are some other lower priced detectors that are good, but overall don't have the performance of these. You spent $50K+, you might as well get the best detector. Bear in mind that detectors are illegal in VA and DC. But the Redline and STi-R+ are undetectable by radar detector detectors. Yes, that's no joke; RDDs do exist. Also, if they are legal in your state, consider a laser jammer.

Do you need it if you never speed? Let me put a few other questions out there. First, who never, ever speeds? Second, I suppose you believe cops never make mistakes? If you think so, I suggest you learn about police radar and the errors with which it is prone. Also, learn about cops, their training, policies and their thinking and then you'll know that you can get a ticket, or even go to jail for no reason at all. Good luck.


Cheers.