[CPWINCH]

hmm now i am iffy about getting a valentine. Ive had one speeding ticket and it was from laser. i feel like i wont even feel safe knowin that i can still get fucked,

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by CPWINCH

hmm now i am iffy about getting a valentine. Ive had one speeding ticket and it was from laser. i feel like i wont even feel safe knowin that i can still get fucked,

Well V1 protects from K and Ka bands, LI from laser (X band not used much or at all now). Choose one or both depending on what your state uses the most and your budget. LI also needs to be installed: at least 2 heads "hidden" around front bumper area and unit itself inside the car. for extra cost can buy high powered version and one extra head for rear.

[jlcolon2001]

Originally Posted by 335coupe2007

ok.. ive decided not to be a douchehole........ lol...... because this has been asked like 4328493294058 times and if you searched it would give you your answer.... BUT to give you my personal preference.. the Valentine 1 radar FTW. ive had it for approx 10 years and ( knock on wood) I have NOT had one speeding ticket... no joke. I cant tell you the amount of times i would be in jail if i didnt have it... its saved my ass over 50 times that i can remember... no joke.

http://www.valentine1.com/

FTW!!!!!!!

+1 I bought my V1 in 2002 and it have saved me like $100k in tickets and a couple of years in jail too
Just for having the arrows which indicate in what direction the radar is make it superior to the competitors.
my 2 cents...

[CPWINCH]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

Well V1 protects from K and Ka bands, LI from laser (X band not used much or at all now). Choose one or both depending on what your state uses the most and your budget. LI also needs to be installed: at least 2 heads "hidden" around front bumper area and unit itself inside the car. for extra cost can buy high powered version and one extra head for rear.

I live in La california. in the suburbs. what do u think is most commonly used

[Coolieman1220]

Originally Posted by CPWINCH

hmm now i am iffy about getting a valentine. Ive had one speeding ticket and it was from laser. i feel like i wont even feel safe knowin that i can still get fucked,

A lot of troopers still use radar, too lazy to point and shoot, would rather sit and wait.

laser can't be used while moving. the vehicle must be stationary.

[spiike32]

Originally Posted by BuraQ

I sent Radar Roy and email last night and he responded that if I was to upgrade he recommends the STiR Plus and the LI for the Laser also. You sure you two arent related

His tests show that the ZR4 in the 9500ci jams all models of the Laser Pro, and the Stalker, but the Stalker II it failed and the Stalker DLG which I think are not being used here in Florida, but even so I would want to be way ahead of the game though.

I second this 100%. Most car enthusiasts will say just get a V1... but someone serious about radar and laser tech knows that V1 and other main stream radar detectors are child's play. But that's the difference between a $400 passive technology like v1 and escort x50 vs something more active like a $1500-$3000 laser jamming system+passive tech.

Kinda like how turbo owners view N/A owners talking about performance mods.... jk jk.

[andybui82]

what a decent one that isnt too painful on your bank account?

[MusclezMarinara]

9500ci or 9500ix with hard wire BOOM /thread

[Coolieman1220]

Originally Posted by spiike32

I second this 100%. Most car enthusiasts will say just get a V1... but someone serious about radar and laser tech knows that V1 and other main stream radar detectors are child's play. But that's the difference between a $400 passive technology like v1 and escort x50 vs something more active like a $1500-$3000 laser jamming system+passive tech.

Kinda like how turbo owners view N/A owners talking about performance mods.... jk jk.

Please tell me more about these active technologies.

Radar is controlled by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) so jamming that or transmitting it without their approval is a federal offense. I've never seen a radar jamming technology for a car for sale. NEVER, please prove me wrong. I kno you didn't say that they have radar jammers but how can you compare a radar and laser detector to a laser jammer?

A laser jamming system is totally different. they have models that give jam codes or errors, i've heard of units that send back a speed reading to the gun of the wrong # (don't know how true this is) Laser is harder to ban because laser is light and laser is monitored by the FDA. Food & Drug Administration.

I think someone serious would have a V1 and LI.

I want to know exactly what Alex Roy used, besides thermal camera's, binoculars, airplane spotters. I know he had 4 units on his car, 2 on the trunk, 2 on the roof. radar is best mounted high. laser better mounted low.

Originally Posted by MusclezMarinara

9500ci or 9500ix with hard wire BOOM /thread

I never understood how you guys like the escorts. Once you use arrows, you see where its coming from and how many. that to me is VERY important.

[etman]

Originally Posted by Royal Flush

You're lucky that you live in a state where radar detectors are legal. Your top two choices would be the Valentine One or Escort Passport 9500ix.

How about california, is it legal to have a radar detector in California. i have one anyways

[Kolyan2k]

for active radar jammer you will go to jail very soon. that's why they are not even widely available. one of the best laser jammer is around $600 bucks

[redz06]

I've had two Passport and one Valentine radar detectors. Both will pick up and give sufficient protection on the basic radar bands and IMHO both can only effectively protect against Laser if more than a little luck is involved.

I run V1 when I am concerned about needing better protection and nothing when I am not so concerned (ie in a stealth vehicle). I recommend V1 because it gives me superior information on where the radar signal is coming from. Usually I am able to get back on the gas sooner, since I realize that the radar frequency source is from a direction that cannot affect (apprehend) me.

My experience is that the V1 is ineffective against Laser. Yes, the V1 can easily detect it. Chances of my being able to detect and for me to react against Laser detection of my vehicle is slim to non-existent IMHO. Better to learn which communities are using Laser to supplement their tax revenues and either avoiding them or slowing down. My experience with Passport versus Laser was not any different.

Not too many municipalities in my state use Laser. Why should they...they can write all the tickets they want using their old radar guns. Municipalities are like fishermen. If they can catch their limit easily using an old fishing pole, why invest in a new Laser gun which should require more training to get the same result?

Radar jammers - sound great but likely very illegal. If I put one on my Z06 and had it blast out my speed as 65 mph, how many cops would be fooled when I blast past them (with loud exhaust) at 85 mph. Not many. I do not expect to install one of these soon. Radar jammers do not seem to be a good solution for Ferraris. Lamborghinis, or even loud Corvette Z06s, in my experience. On the otherhand, radar jammers may be the way to go in stealth vehicles travelling fast like Hondas, SUVs, etc.

[mr_milo]

I currently don't have a radar detector but used the V1 for a long weekend when I borrowed my brother car. I have to say it saved me at least twice in those 4 days. If I had any other detector I know I would have gotten at least one of those tickets. It wasn't the arrow that helped but the bogey counter.

I was driving a road I knew well and just before a hill there is a "your speed is" sign. This always sets off the detector but that day it was a little different. The difference was two bogeys, one was the sign itself and the other was the motorcycle cop that was parked behind the sign and was getting people as they passed.

If it wasn't for the arrows and bogey counter I would have had a ticket that day.

[praxis219]

Originally Posted by mr_milo

I currently don't have a radar detector but used the V1 for a long weekend when I borrowed my brother car. I have to say it saved me at least twice in those 4 days. If I had any other detector I know I would have gotten at least one of those tickets. It wasn't the arrow that helped but the bogey counter.

I was driving a road I knew well and just before a hill there is a "your speed is" sign. This always sets off the detector but that day it was a little different. The difference was two bogeys, one was the sign itself and the other was the motorcycle cop that was parked behind the sign and was getting people as they passed.

If it wasn't for the arrows and bogey counter I would have had a ticket that day.

The arrows and bogey counter are priceless. The V1 has saved my ass so many times.

For example, recently I drove past a speed trap where a cop had already pulled someone over. Once we passed him, the others cars driving near me thought that was the only speed trap, but my V1 said there was another Ka signal up ahead. Yep, another cop waiting. I love the V1.

However, it is virtually useless with laser. As in I get SO many stupid false alarms. Brake lights can trigger it sometimes, as can sun glare. At this point I might just turn the laser portion off with the programming mode.

[gpitts]

I have the Escort 9500ci and love it! If you can swing it, get it. I've been saved numerous times by this unit (LIDAR mostly), and can attest to its efficacy.

The installation of the control panel and display is in my signature below. B-737 shows a really nice look in his post with the installation of the display module in the mirror... I wanted to do that, but my installer said the auto-dimming mirror made this a non-starter for me.

Here's the link to my installation: http://www.musicarnw.com/install-gallery/. My car is the "2011 BMW M3 E92 with Escort 9500ci".

[gpitts]

Originally Posted by kuch123

Escort X50 Blue for now, trying V1 next, but nothing is really going to protect you from a laser if you're the car they're clocking and you don't see them beforehand.. best way to prevent tickets is to speed smartly.. know where the cops typically camp out.. don't go flying into blind curves or over hills you can't get a visual on the other side.. and only go REAL fast when you can see at least 1/2mi ahead

Both Escort & V1 are right down the road from me.. both started here.. they actually were one company when it all started..

Good advice on situational awareness! I'm 100 percent with you. However, I can attest that the 9500ci does defeat LIDAR - at least the units in my neck of the woods. For me, the biggest risks are instant-on radar and the new generation of photo radar vans.

BTW, those new photo radar vans don't give any signal until I'm basically right at them (literally 10' away or so). I'm guessing they initially use ultrasonic or some other technology to gauge your speed, then only fire the radar if you're very close to or over the speed limit so that they get a legally approved speed measurement.

[dlouie87]

I've had my v1 for 4 years. I love it.

My friends dad has it in his murcielago, evo, and even a daytona 676 bike!

Best radar out there.... without break 500+

[sn0pea]

All this hoorah about V1... What about the 9500xi gps technology to get rid of false warnings. That seems like a better perk than just arrows

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by sn0pea

All this hoorah about V1... What about the 9500xi gps technology to get rid of false warnings. That seems like a better perk than just arrows

I think its useless. my false warnings only comes from cars (audis and infinitys and trucks)

[Eric335]

If i was to get just ONE thing (aka Laser Interceptor/V1/Escort) what would prove to be the most useful? Im in SouthWest Florida, not sure what band the cops use.

So, the top options:
-V1
-Escort 9500ci
-Escort 9500xi


What are the pro's of each? i wana pull the trigger on just one thing.... not sure now. was planning on doing the V1

EDIT: Just saw price of 9500ci, nevermind that one

Would V1 combined with the LI (down the road) be the most effective combination?

[mr_milo]

Originally Posted by sn0pea

All this hoorah about V1... What about the 9500xi gps technology to get rid of false warnings. That seems like a better perk than just arrows

Did you see my post above? The gps would have silenced the unit because if the "known" radar speed sign and I would have been clueless of the cop sitting behind it. The arrows might be a perk ( a nice one) but the bogey counter is KEY.

Originally Posted by Eric335

Would V1 combined with the LI (down the road) be the most effective combination?

Yes! And this is what I plan to do.

[Coolieman1220]

Originally Posted by Eric335

If i was to get just ONE thing (aka Laser Interceptor/V1/Escort) what would prove to be the most useful? Im in SouthWest Florida, not sure what band the cops use.

So, the top options:
-V1
-Escort 9500ci
-Escort 9500xi


What are the pro's of each? i wana pull the trigger on just one thing.... not sure now. was planning on doing the V1

EDIT: Just saw price of 9500ci, nevermind that one

Would V1 combined with the LI (down the road) be the most effective combination?

A V1. If you're so unsure, they all have 30 day trials.See which you like, money back guarantee. I did that with my V1 and decided to keep it