SSsuperdave

iTrader: (4)

Are radar detactors really worth the money? If so what is a good brand and aren't some illegal? I've heard of some people still getting ticketed with the detector on thats why I was wondering if they are worth it.

BLK02TA

iTrader: (11)

I love mine. The most common I see is the KA band. Saved me a few times and good for a heads up!!!

Shockwave179

iTrader: (7)

Usually frowned upon by law enforcement but whos cares. They are only actually illegal in Virginia. Brands that are worth looking into would be: Bel, Escort, Valentine.

http://www.radardetector.net/
^ That forum is pretty helpful too.

ccriderss

Here is the info on radar detectors. First off, you need to know that there is a diffrence between a radar dector (which simply beeps when a radar signal has set it off), and radar detector with a jammer (beeps when it goes off and also "jams" the signal so the cop cannot get an accurate reading), and then there are system that detect radar, LASER, and jam both (these are the most advanced, and consist of a "brain" and pieces that mount in the front and rear of the car, and they cost around 2,000 installed).

Now that we have gotten that out of the way, we can now explore all of the K40 of the high end escort. These cost around $250 and the k40 will even pay for ou ticket (within a year of purchase) if you get one where the cop has specified he used a radar... this is the best guarentee in the industry. After this you have the detectors that can detect radar and laser, but the problem with this is that once the dector warns you about the laser, you have already been clocked. There is no detector that can detect a laser hit before the cop has a reading. Furthermore, in most states, detectors are legal, but anything that "jams" either it illegal.
After professionally installing many systems, the only ones that can fully guarentee full protection are the highest priced K40 (called the excalibur) and the Escort version. (They are actually made in the same factory). At spending arounf 2,000-2,500 installed, you can expect a a completely hidden system, that communicates through two LED's (telling you what was detected and where) along with voice features that tell you when you have been "hit" by a laser or radar, furthermore, they tell you if it was a lsaer, a radar, and if they "hit" was blocked. These systems are fully hidden (the K40 is controlled by a remote control) so even if you get pulled over, the "technically illegal" system cannot been seen (installed correctly, the jammer pieces are hidden in a liscence plate frame or behind the bumper cover, as i always do).
Most of the cheaper radar and laser detection systems that are sold at best buy or similar chains are absolte garbage and give false reading all the time, causing you to eventually ignore the warnings.
IN SHORT, IF YOU WANT GUARENTEED, FULL PROTECTION, BE PREPARED TO SPEND ABOUT 2K AT A "LOCAL" SHOP...TALK TO THE INSTALLERS TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE DONE THESE SYSTEMS AND KNOW HOW TO PROPERLY INSTALL THEM... IF YOU PUT THE JAMMERS BEHIND TOO MUCH METAL, THEY WILL NOT WORK!!!

SOM02WS6

Dont waste your money on a Radar Jammer, none of them work.. The FCC regulates off RF products and they banned radar jammers and the passive jammers have been proved not to work. Laser jammers on the other hand are not illegal because light cant be regulated. Just invest in a good radar/laser detector...

camaro-94-z28

iTrader: (3)

there well worth espically if you dont have a constant eye out for a cop the radar detector is there to remind you. heres how you should think about spend around 300-500. and it will save u that much in insurance a year!! (assuming youd get a ticket without) plus court fees and fines. so yeah id go ahead and get! there the greatest on long trips when you paying more attention to where your going then where cops are

02Z28LS1

iTrader: (2)

i can speak from experience that radar detectors are well worth the money....mine has saved my bacon numerous times. if i'd have gotten tickets for all the times it's saved me, i'd have already paid 10x the price of the radar detector itself in fines.

i will say this, though: it's NOT a guarantee that you won't get a ticket.

i still got a ticket when i was using my radar detector, because the cop had the radar off until it was too late, then he popped me. but even in this instance, it allowed me to slow down a little before he got a reading, so it helped me avoid a higher ticket price (taking defensive driving for it anyway, but still...).

do yourself a favor and get a valentine 1....it may not have the absolute highest range in detection, but the range is still very good. the arrows showing where the radar is coming from is what is most helpful. you can sort of "pinpoint" where the radar signals are coming from, which helps you find spots where cops like to hide, and lets you know when you've passed them, even when you can't see them (such as at night, going opposite directions in traffic).

and on top of all that, if there are new features available for the V1, you can send it in and get it upgraded for a lot less than it would cost to buy a whole new detector.

the only thing i don't like about mine is that if it overheats (such as if you leave it attached to the windshield when parked in direct sunlight on a hot day), it will lock up and won't work until you unplug it and let it cool off (i turn on the A/C and hold it in front of a vent...only takes about a minute).

i remove mine and hide it in the shade when i park the car to go into a store or whatever....and while i'm driving, i will either roll down the windows to allow airflow, or keep the windows up and turn on the defroster vent on full cold....works great.

rk_2000_Z/28

iTrader: (3)

I really like mine, and it has saved my *** a few times, but it's not perfect. As a matter of fact, I just got a speeding ticket last week (only my second one though in over a year since I bought my radar detector). If your haulin *** down the highway and your the only one on the road, it doesn't take much brain power for the cop to realize who his speeding!

Radar jammers are illegal in most places if I remember correctly. Google 'Radar Roy'. He is an ex-cop that now runs a site that tests and reviews radar detectors. You can actually order your detector from his site (which is what I did). His site is very easy to navigate and he breaks all the detectors down based on price range and tells you which ones he recomends for that price (and then you can order from there). He also goes over the types of radar waves and which detectors pick them up the best, and also the legal issues for each state concerning detectors/jammers.

ultraz

iTrader: (4)

im sorry, but you gave out too much incorrect information with your post. There are no radar Jammers. There are radar detectors, laser detectors, and laser jammers.

I have on the so called 2,000$ systems from bell and it does not jam radar, just laser. Laser jammers are legal in most states except california, virginia, and one other.

I believe that radar detectors are worth it, especially if you make long trips on the freeway, which can give you fair warning. I have tested the distance of my unit to be effective up to around 1.6 miles for radar signal. That is of course with the best conditions, clear view of the signal on a flat surface.

ALthough the laser jammar feature is nice, it is not really necessary considering how few counties actually use them. Although they are gaining wind, it will be years before they become the norm, if ever.

The problem with laser is that it is deadly accurate. Laser signal is as small as a softball, and doesnt take any time at all to clock and pull the trigger. So basically, if an officer is next to the interstate and waits until he has a clear shot, as soon as he pulls the trigger, he has a reading, and it is too late for a laser detector to do anything.

Radar on the other hand, most officers will have it on continuously while sitting next to the interstate or while driving on the freeway, if they are tryign to catch speeders. Not all law enforcement officials use this constant radar signal, there are "smarter" signals called POP, which come on at spurts to make it harder to detect.

WhiteBird00

iTrader: (4)

There are actually advertised radar jammers - they're called Phazers. Active radar jamming is possible and can be quite effective but it's VERY expensive (think "military") and is illegal to own or sell by federal law (actually, FCC regulation that has the weight of federal law). Passive radar jamming simply dosen't work. The Phazer is advertised as though they are active but they aren't and they don't work. Unfortunately, there are still enough gullible people around to keep these snake-oil vendors in business.

I have the Bel RX75 Pro Remote which is the equivalent of the Escort SR7/SRX models (they share many parts). It can be purchased online despite the manufacturer saying that professional installation is required. If you have good electrical skills you can easily install it yourself and save over $1000. I have found it to be very accurate with plenty of warning and limited false alarms.

POP is really not as much of a problem as detector companies would like you to believe (so they can sell newer detectors). POP has not been accepted as evidence in any court yet so the officer must use it only to get a preliminary reading followed by conventional radar for a reading that will stand up in court. POP equipment is expensive so it tends to be used only where a high volume of tickets can be written. That means you will pick up the normal radar targeting cars ahead of you even if your detector can't pick up the POP signal.

ultraz

iTrader: (4)

the other thing to watch for is when Manufacturers advertise "10 band" or "12 band" detectors. Its all bs. everything except laser is operating at a certain frequency wave. They split up the frequencies to make you think that a "12 band" will detect more bands that a "10 band" its a marketing ploy. X, K, KA are how most bands are separated. x and K are used for a variety of things from Automatic doors at retail stores, certain security systems, and pretty much any rf transmitter. KA is what is used by Highway patrol and most law inforcement in my area of California.

Funny thing is that I have actually blocked a laser reading from a department store.

hlaalu

iTrader: (3)

when I bought my camaro the guy had installed a radar detector system, i believe it is the K40 UN3000/SW/SWL. It has front and rear detection, I'm not sure if it jams too though. It also has lights by my speedometer. Anyone know if this is a good one?

camaro-94-z28

iTrader: (3)

if theu y spent the money to put in in the bumpers and speedometer its most likely good. cant tell u for a fact though

mbrownin

iTrader: (1)

That is definitely dependent on where you live. Even though it's Virginia where all detectors are illegal, in Fairfax County, there is as much or more laser as there is radar in use.

ccriderss

you are absolutely wrong, i gave not incorrect information, i have been installing these systems for years...obviously you have not! The Ferrari and Porsche in Marin county come exclusively to my shop to install these systems atleast twice a month...i have never recieved on complaint... Just because something is "federall regulated" does not mean that it does not exist or wont be installed... that is why these companies make these products "stealth" and completely hidden, because they are technically illegal... but they are still made.
Just as a loud stereo system is illegal, does not mean that people dont buy them...

cookba

iTrader: (10)

does anyone make a rear view mirror bracket for the Valentine 1? does window tint mess with its ability to detect?

WhiteBird00

iTrader: (4)

So you're saying that you install illegal active radar jammers at your "high-end shop"? I think not. We're not talking about get-a-ticket illegal here...we're talking about serious-time-in-a-federal-prison illegal. I doubt that any reputable business would take that chance even if they have an installer who thinks he's above the law or won't get caught. Unless it's just another of those passive "jammers" that do absolutely nothing. Back in the 70s, people were told that putting crumpled aluminum foil behind their wheel covers would scramble radar signals. That didn't work either. The Bel, Escort, and K40 remotes have laser jammers (actually frequency shifters) but they DO NOT come with radar jammers.

I wonder about the BS factor for any newbie who has to proclaim that he is an expert working in a "high-end shop" in almost every one of his 16 posts. To paraphrase Shakespeare, "methinks the poster doth protest too much".

WhiteBird00

iTrader: (4)

Ordinary windshield tint will not interfere with radar detector reception but it can limit laser detection because of the light filtering effect. Metallic, reflective windshield tint will reduce radar detector sensitivity.

cookba

iTrader: (10)

cool. thanks. still lookin for an adapter

ultraz

iTrader: (4)

the K40 i supposed to be a great unit. From what I hear it has the detector completely separate from the leds and brain reciever. All that needs to happen to hook one up is hook up an accessory and a ground to the detector which should be placed on the point furthest forward. Then it sends information via bluetooth or RF (I forget) to the main unit.

Please take some pics of your unit, I would love to see how some people install them.