[X5-User]

I am planing to purchase one soon (STI magnum or Escort redline) I know they are illegal but I am looking for feedback weather they are still serving its purpose or LEO are no more using Radars. All what I've seen so far from Police officers are Lidars.

[CoralRed335XI]

Get a GOOD radar detector and GREAT laser jammer. I run a Redline, V1 and Laser Interceptors. I turn V1 off when driving in Va/DC, but run my reline still becuase it's undetectable. ALP might be the best jammer option as of recent.

[Jed]

Originally Posted by CoralRed335XI

Get a GOOD radar detector and GREAT laser jammer. I run a Redline, V1 and Laser Interceptors. I turn V1 off when driving in Va/DC, but run my reline still becuase it's undetectable. ALP might be the best jammer option as of recent.

Not really up to date on radar detectors, etc. I have a V1 that I got years ago.

Are you talking about the Escort Redline? Is that undetectable compared to the V1? Does it jam also or do you need a dedicated jammer?

[WRichieX]

I'm curious on the redline being undetectable as well. Not sure what that means. I have a v1 and definitely saved me countless times. No tickets for 10+ years. Only had a few encounters with laser on the highway but luckily cop went after someone else. Thinking about laser jammer.

[Honda]

Originally Posted by WRichieX

I'm curious on the redline being undetectable as well. Not sure what that means. I have a v1 and definitely saved me countless times. No tickets for 10+ years. Only had a few encounters with laser on the highway but luckily cop went after someone else. Thinking about laser jammer.

Why do you need undetectable radar detector in Chicago? In VA and D.C it is illegal that's why I am considering undetectable. I think the benefits of detectable is you have GPS feature and longer range which undetectable don't have.

I didn't think of laser jammer. I thought they are illegal everywhere? Most LEO uses laser nowadays ...radar technology is an old school.

[KeepRightPassLeft]

The radar detectors that are invisible to radar detector detectors are the Beltronics STiR+ (a remote installed radar detector), Beltronics STi Magnum (windshield mount radar detector), Escort Redline (windshield mount radar detector), and the Escort 9500CI (a remote installed radar detector). From a performance standpoint the best are the Redline and STiR+.

The advantage to a remote installed detector is that they can be almost invisible to the eye as well as to the radar detector detectors. The radar detector antenna can be hidden behind your cars bumper, the display can be incorporated into your rearview mirror, instrument cluster, dash, and other places. The user controller interface can be hidden in you ashtray or other inconspicuous locations.

As far as laser jammers the AntiLaser Priority are the best. The AntiLaser Priority can be integrated with the Beltronics STiR+

[Hokie_BMW]

The reason the redline and STI are undetectable *I believe* is because their case prevents leaking of the waves or something. I was reading about it a while ago when I was considering getting one.

Also the radar detectors don't jam, only alert you. You'd need a dedicated jammer for that

I'm considering getting a redline and having it fully integrated into the car. We'll see though, new wheels are getting preference right now

[TheAcAvenger]

I run a bel STI-R integrated (detector under the license plate, controls in the ashtray). It's definitely still useful around VA, especially if you spend a lot of time trekking between Nova and 757. Most of the state troopers on the interstates between them are still just using radar.

I used to have an escort redline, by the way. Great detector, but you might want to check on the speaker issues. Mine died a few weeks after my warranty on it ended. Plus, you end up pretty paranoid driving around northern virginia with a radar on your windshield. You never know when a leo is going to catch it in the window and just take it from you.

It wasn't cheap, but my STI-R has paid for itself at least 20 times over by now.

[Sniz]

here in MD we don't have to worry about those issues, my V1 is probably 10 years old at least at this point, saved me COUNTLESS times. Also makes me much more aware of whats going on our there.

You couldn't pry the thing from my cold dead hands if you tried.

[X5-User]

Originally Posted by TheAcAvenger

I run a bel STI-R integrated (detector under the license plate, controls in the ashtray). It's definitely still useful around VA, especially if you spend a lot of time trekking between Nova and 757. Most of the state troopers on the interstates between them are still just using radar.

I used to have an escort redline, by the way. Great detector, but you might want to check on the speaker issues. Mine died a few weeks after my warranty on it ended. Plus, you end up pretty paranoid driving around northern virginia with a radar on your windshield. You never know when a leo is going to catch it in the window and just take it from you.

It wasn't cheap, but my STI-R has paid for itself at least 20 times over by now.

I agree to this...thats why I might go the sti-R way...how easy is it to install on a BMW? Do I need a professional for that?

[TheAcAvenger]

Originally Posted by Palestine

I agree to this...thats why I might go the sti-R way...how easy is it to install on a BMW? Do I need a professional for that?

It's pretty easy really. I did it myself in about a weekend. (Edit: I don't mean it took me 36-48 hours. It probably took 10 TOPS, with lots of breaks because the ncaa tourney was on)

I cut the center mesh grill under the bumper to make the hole deep enough for the detector. You can drill the holes for it directly into the mount for the license plate. This way, you don't have to drill any holes directly into the body and you cant even see the screw for it because you cover them up with your license plate. The most annoying part is trying to get the cord from the bottom of the bumper up to the top of an engine bay. I always do it with a coat hanger (I take it out every year for state inspections, just in case. There's a connector that connects the detector to the main unit, so if you'd like to do the same, you can take the front part out without having to take anything else out. The connector can sit in the engine bay, so it's easy to get to). .

I ran the power through the ECU box into the glove box and then just took power from the cig lighter line. I used double sided tape to mount the main control unit in the glove box (yeah. that's the unprofessional part. It's a wirey mess in there. I just keep it locked and keep my insurance info in the door.)

To mount the display, I went to an arts and crafts shop, bought some cheap thin balsa wood (about a centimeter thick tops), measured out how big the interior component of the ashtray was so that i'd still have access to the ac socket, and then cut the wood to fit that. Then I painted it black so it wouldnt stand out. I then drilled a hole in that ashtray piece (it comes out. I dont recommend drilling it with it in, it's a lot tougher plastic than it looks) so that I could feed the wires through. Then I just double sided tape the screen to the wood and the wood to the ashtray. The ashtray closes as if there was nothing inside.

For the GPS, i just laid it flat on the trunk tray. I've never had any signal problems. I ran that cord behind the back seats, then around the side, under the rear floor mats, underneath the passenger seats, underneath the front floor mats, and then up into the glove box. I'm pretty sure I mounted the speaker underneath the passenger seat.

I think someone has a good DIY up here for the wiring part. I can take some pics tomorrow.

I dont really have any regrets DIYing it. I probably wouldn't have cut as much of the center grill as I did, but other than that. It came out exactly how I'd envisioned it. I've never gotten any errors or anything and it works like a charm.