[Ado]

Hey Guys,

I thought I'd get some of you guys in the US to shine in a little bit as you may have a little more experience with radar detectors.

We started talking about then in the Regional forum

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46802

Thanks

[Luwi25]

Try this website...it has a good review of the best rated radar detectors.

I'm from Cali and aren't these legal there? anyone know?

As for me, I think I'll go for the Escort's Passport 8500 x50 or Bel Vector 955. The Bel Vactor is only $200 (great price compared to the V1 - they rate about the same in effectiveness!)

[Luwi25]

Here's the website: sorry!!!

http://www.consumersearch.com/www/au...ors/index.html

[IndianPoweredE90]

anyone have any info on that Blinder M20 Extreme?

[Clarkcc1]

No info on the Blinder, although I have had the Bel Laserpro 904 - basically same setup with 2 front modules and one rear- for about 4 years on two different cars. It has jammed flawlessly... usually the cop looks at me pissed off and surprised as I go by doing the speed limit

The a-holes at Bel stopped producing the stand-alone 904, now force you to get the much more expensive RX-75 Pro, but that's what I plan to get in my next new BMW.

Sorry no help on Blinder, but I know Bel makes a fantastic product from years of personal experience. Good luck!

[335boosted2Dmax]

I have the newest Valentine One and have had it for about a year and love it

[AM335]

I have the Passport SR7, works great.

[BoostedBMW]

I swear by my Passport X50, it has saved me many times.

[Driv3r]

Originally Posted by BoostedBMW

I swear by my Passport X50, it has saved me many times.

+1 :rocks:

next step is the Blinder M20 Extreme!!:rocks: :rocks: :rocks:

Passport X50 + Blinder M20 = Ultimate Cop detterent (Lots o' Angry Cops)

[DFW_M]

I have Rx-65 and saved my ass already 3 times...had it for about 3 weeks now.

[AM335]

Originally Posted by praecurvo

i'm looking for something that is completely concealed and has a remote mini readout I can place on my rearview. this way i can keep the interior clutter free. any suggestions?

Try the Passport SR7 with the LED rather than full display.

[Lost Horizon]

I have the new Beltronics Pro RX65 Radar & Laser Detector (version 6.1). and have it hardwired low, mid windshield, just above the iDrive console. It's easy to feed the wire from below by lifting the speaker grill that's located there, and feeding it up just behind the windshield glass.

In the last month, it has successfully given me fair warning on 2 Laser traps and a bunch of K band traps, front and behind. I'm not sure why this one has been so good on Laser, unless I just got lucky. I have a theory that the convex slope of the hood helps get a low bounce into it when the cop first lights it up and has a bit of a shakey hand... Who knows. So far it has a better batting average than my previous Valentine. I thought that one looked uglee..

The Pro is not offensive where it is mounted at all. I'd recommend it.

[Rover]

V1 offers a small, discrete display option...separate from the detector.

[Lost Horizon]

Originally Posted by Rover

V1 offers a small, discrete display option...separate from the detector.

but.. but.. where do you put the detector? Is there a weatherproof version to hide behing the grill? Didn't know that..

[Rover]

There is not a weatherproof version of the V1.

But you can order a weatherproof box for the Bell or V1....as used on Motorcycles...from www.legalspeeding.com...a motorcycle supply house. They have two styles for $25 and $60.

By placing a conventional radar detector unit in the grill area...you do lose the rear detection abilities of the unit.

[leftcoastman]

Originally Posted by Lost Horizon

I have the new Beltronics Pro RX65 Radar & Laser Detector (version 6.1). and have it hardwired low, mid windshield, just above the iDrive console. It's easy to feed the wire from below by lifting the speaker grill that's located there, and feeding it up just behind the windshield glass.

In the last month, it has successfully given me fair warning on 2 Laser traps and a bunch of K band traps, front and behind. I'm not sure why this one has been so good on Laser, unless I just got lucky. I have a theory that the convex slope of the hood helps get a low bounce into it when the cop first lights it up and has a bit of a shakey hand... Who knows. So far it has a better batting average than my previous Valentine. I thought that one looked uglee..

The Pro is not offensive where it is mounted at all. I'd recommend it.

Hey man, where'd you tap into the electrical system? Did you just splice off the cigaratte lighter or something? I'm considering doing the hardwire but don't want to deal with punching through the firewall.

[Rover]

I have my V1 mounted high...on driver's visor. High position is recommended by Valentine...you can see their site for reasons.

It is hard wired into the ceiling panel just back of the rear view mirror. There are a couple of power options at this site. If you search this forum...you can see detailed instructons on the "how to".

[Lost Horizon]

Originally Posted by leftcoastman

Hey man, where'd you tap into the electrical system? Did you just splice off the cigaratte lighter or something? I'm considering doing the hardwire but don't want to deal with punching through the firewall.

Took it off the power side of the brake switch. Although if I was doing it again, I'd get back to the fuse box and on the lighter circuit. .. "Why? " you ask..? Because the brake switch powers up before you start the car. The lighter accessory circuit doesn't power up till after the second level, and it looks like it might even have a timer delay to get you post cranking, but that's just a guess...

[Lost Horizon]

Originally Posted by Rover

I have my V1 mounted high...on driver's visor. High position is recommended by Valentine...you can see their site for reasons.

..

yeah, I had mine up there also, but got picked off by laser a few years ago. This Bel one down low seems to be better, or, as I said, maybe I'm just in a lucky zone.. It looks like it fits with it's rounded shape in a rounded car, , LED screen, starship enterprise like....

Also, the rear facing sensor has a better shot out the rear window where it is now..

[Rover]

The ValentineOne website sugggests having the detector high in the car. They admit it is a compromise with Laser...but this placement reduces the impact of the sun's reflection off the car's hood. Evidently...that reflection and direct sunlight can reduce the laser/radar detector's sensitivity.

Their sense is that laser at a longer range can be as readily detected from that higher position...but as you say, laser detection may be somewhat compromised at a closer distance. As well...radar detection may be reduced if it is looking through the shaded part of the windshield (my detector looks just below the shaded area of the shield).

I do know that my laser detector goes off frequently within fifty to two hundred feet of the laser gun. So in the 7 years I've had the device..it's done its job...and I don't recall it having missed any beams (or I surely would have had the ticket to prove it).

Good luck.

[Lost Horizon]

Rover, I think most "new" black boxes are pretty good overall. In BC, the Polizei have abandoned X, and are steep in the process of ditching K++ for Laser, now that they are getting budget cheaper per unit for them. That was basically my unscientific strategy for putting it down low. With the convex hood, it works out OK, spreading the light away rather than focussing it into the box.

[Lost Horizon]

Originally Posted by praecurvo

pics of placement Lost Horizon?

Yeah.. I saw one of those in a friends Ford GT. It was about $2500 cdn by the time he got it installed. I *think* his also had laser jamming, a controversial subject, but it did have front and rear protection.

I'll take a pic hopefully tomorrow..