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Radar Detectors, yes / no /maybe?

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SMOG Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/27/14 at 3:06pm
Originally posted by Beno Beno wrote:

I have the readout mounted in the rear view mirror… very stealth!Cool


Yes, very stealth and cool! 

How did you do it?  Pictures?
I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rob N Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/28/14 at 7:25am
If anyone is interested, Costco.com has the passport 9500 IX for $379 delivered after $50 off.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CORNERS Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/28/14 at 9:00pm
That's a good deal for a great detector. By the way, only Escort has the GPS-based false alert exclusion technology. It's the quietest detector around. When it beeps, take notice. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SMOG Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/29/14 at 5:02am
Thanks Kurt!
I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CHECKMATE Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/14 at 5:49pm
I'm a professional driver by trade and use the Valentine-1 (V-1) radar/laser detector in both on-duty driving and off-duty driving on a daily basis.   The V-1 is unique in that it detects radar/laser from the front, side, and rear and displays an arrow from the source on its display.   For me, this is important as I want to know where to be looking for the po-po (ahead, side, or behind).   Yes, it picks up multiple sources of radar like Safeway store doors, but I am accustomed to just tune those out in my head as a non-threat.
 
The major problem with GPS technology in other detectors is that the po-po will sometimes intentionally park their cruiser near a grocery store's electronic doors in an effort to cloak themselves and remain electronically hidden.   Thus, a GPS detector that has already eliminated a specific location in its memory may not react to the real threat of the po-po's radar parked in the same spot (not good).   I would much rather hear all radar/laser threats and let ME determine if it's valid or not.   Typically; if you drive the same exact route everyday, then you'll know when a real threat (beep) is announced.   Consequently, I recommend the V-1 as the absolute best radar/laser detector on the market.
 
Laser shifters/jammers do work, and fall under the laws of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (USDA) and are not listed as illegal.   Only the use of "radar" detectors is illegal in some states (not laser shifters/jammers).   As mentioned; the entry price for a good quality laser shifter/jammer is very steep.   Plus, it should be professionally installed by someone who knows what they're doing-- i.e. a technician at CAR-TOYS, etc.   The laser shifter/jammer is always in "Broadcast Mode" as you drive and thus it will set off other people's laser detectors (but, so what).   You can view various videos on YouTube regarding laser shifters/jammers and see how they work.
 
Your first immediate course of action should be to purchase a very high quality radar/laser detector like the V-1 (the V-1 is only available on-line from the manufacturer; not in stores).   Once you start using your detector, you'll wish you had gotten it sooner.   The cool thing about radar/laser electronic defense devices is that they will eventually pay for themselves over time in avoided tickets.   Hence, they are well worth the investment.   
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CORNERS Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/14 at 5:54pm
My problem with a detector without false signal lockout technology is I would start habitually ignoring the thing when it beeps. If you don't have this problem, the Valentine is an excellent unit with the best sensitivity in the industry and the directional indicators are only available from Valentine.

The GPS false signal lockout actually remembers not just the location but the frequency as well. Unless the tax collector is using the same frequency as the Safeway automatic door, the detector will sound if there is tax collection activity in the same area. 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Escape Pod Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/14 at 6:56pm
Originally posted by CHECKMATE CHECKMATE wrote:

 Plus, it should be professionally installed by someone who knows what they're doing-- i.e. a technician at CAR-TOYS, etc.    
 
I've seen Car-Toys listed on installers lists for things, and I've always figured that's the equivalent of letting the kids at Jiffy Lube change your oil.  Letting them anywhere near my car gives me the shudders to think about, but seeing your comment has made me wonder.  Do they really hire the sort of folks you'd let mod your MINI?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ipeverywhere Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/14 at 7:07pm
Originally posted by Escape Pod Escape Pod wrote:


I've seen Car-Toys listed on installers lists for things, and I've always figured that's the equivalent of letting the kids at Jiffy Lube change your oil.  Letting them anywhere near my car gives me the shudders to think about, but seeing your comment has made me wonder.  Do they really hire the sort of folks you'd let mod your MINI?


I always felt the same way and then another member told me about an installer at a specific store. Was an excellent experience. Guy has been doing installs for decades. Really knew his stuff and enjoyed working there. i kind of now consider Car Toys to be "OK" but get recommendations and find that good installer. The only silly part about Car Toys policy is they charge you a per hour hardware fee. It covers their costs for miscellaneous parts. They charged me this even though I brought them every little bit I needed to get the job done. <sigh>

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SMOG Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/28/14 at 6:05am
Checkmate, interesting info about the Shifters/Jammers.

Where is your V-1 mounted?  Where did you mount the Shifters?


I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Beno Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/28/14 at 6:44am
My experience with Car Toys was less than savory. I signed a contract to have the unit installed… They installed thread out in the rear view mirror and from there it went all down hill. They didn't have the time to mount LED in the dash and the mode selector that was mounted with a sticky type tape, popped right off. Car Toys told me that the tape they use is garbage, and that I ought to  to go to Home Depot and buy a better adhesive backed tape…. Classy! Then to make matters worse…. The Manager explained to me that I'd gotten a great deal, that it should have cost double just to mount the the unit in the rest view mirror, Car Toy is unprofessional, unethical and dishonest Buyer beware!

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CHECKMATE Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/28/14 at 6:11pm
Wow, great response's and feedback.   First-off, I only mentioned CAR-TOYS as an "example" to drive home the point that the installation of a Laser Shifter/Jammer is not for the faint-n-hearted and requires the technical expertise of a highly skilled technician specifically accustomed to automotive applications.   I have never used CAR-TOYS in the past, but only used it in my post because everybody knows that they specialize in automotive installations.
 
As mentioned, you should do your research and get valid recommendations for who is a great installer in your hometown.   In addition; since CAR-TOYS is a chain type business franchise with many locations, they prefer to install electronics that they sell "in-house" and not have a customer bring in their own components that they purchased outside of CAR-TOYS (i.e. from Crutchfield on-line, and then say-- "Here ya' go, CAR-TOYS").   Perhaps; a Mom-n-Pop type car stereo shop may be a much better source for an installation, as they are more focused on customer service; your return business, and want you to spread the word about your fanastic experience.
 
Now to answer some questions.   The V-1 has very distinct tones/beeps for each type of radar (X-Band which is common for grocery store doors; K-Band which is common for hand-held type radar guns; and, Ka-Band which is common for dash-mounted/rear shelf-mounted radar units found in police cruisers).   In addition, the detection of Laser has it own distinct tone/beep.   Thus, the V-1 has a total of four(4) distinct tones/beeps and it doesn't take long to figure out which is which.   I typically ignore all X-Band warnings (grocery store doors), but I still scan the surroundings for any po-po.   An alert of K; Ka; and Laser gets me to immediately reduce my speed and watch for the nearby po-po, based upon the V-1's unique direction arrow of the originating threat (front, side, behind).
 
The V-1 is extremely senistive and will alert radar well over 2-miles away from the actual threat.   Thus, I typically have to drive for quite a while before I finally come upon the po-po in person.   Plus, there is a signal strength meter and a separate bogey counter if encountering multiple police units.   Having been accustomed to the V-1's "direction arrows", I could not live without it (I absolutely want to know which way to look for the po-po; front, side, behind).   Nowadays, my V-1 is on the same par as my wristwatch--  I feel naked if I don't have it with me.   My V-1 is always mounted on the passenger side sunvisor using the supplied visor clip-mount (so the cigarette lighter power cord is out of my primary windshield view), and I can easily transfer it from vehicle to vehicle in seconds (or remove and hide it out of sight when parked to help prevent a possible car prowl).
 
I do not currently have a laser shifter/jammer due to their very high cost of admission; their tricky installation woes that we discussed, and also because I just have too many automotive toys in my stables.   However, I'm very intriged by them and they absolutely do work without fail.   A great investment if you only have one primary speedy car in your garage!!!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Doccyber Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/20/15 at 7:45pm
Had car toys in Burlington do mine 2yrs ago, no problems and best investment... I had extra side jammers installed so it detects laser all around.. I like to go fast, just made a trip to Twin Falls, Idaho from Bellingham and only took 10hrs.. The detector saved me 6x to Idaho and 3x back.. Its a little spendy  but worth it.. Think it was 1600 installed, but it should of been lot more but purchased a stereo system and all installed 1 shot.. Escort 9500ci
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote racingbmwm3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/21/15 at 8:44am
First, your risk of getting a ticket is almost zero if you travel the same speed as the other fast cars.  As someone already mentioned, don't be the person in front.  I usually travel the same speed as everyone else and wait for a 'hare' to speed by, give them a 1/4 mile or so, then play 'tortoise' and pace them.  In reality though, I pretty much gave up driving fast on the highways once I started driving on the track.  
Not sure if any of you Escort owners know, but Escort also has a phone app and bluetooth accessory for your detector that will display known speed trap locations real time on a map, as well as recent radar 'sightings'.  And what Corners said, the false alarm blocking is based on the frequency and count, so if your regular Safeway has 2 automatic doors, only those 2 specific frequencies will get ignored, a 3rd signal will get reported.

https://www.escortradar.com/escort-live-app/

ESCORT Live offers these features free to all users:

  • "Police Spotted" speed trap alerts
  • Mobile and fixed-position traffic enforcement camera alerts
  • Share your threat reports in the ESCORT Live™ network
  • ESCORT's patented Mark Location™ feature allows drivers to receive automatic reminders for previously marked threats
  • Multiple map and dashboard views on your smartphone
  • Easily access your Escort radar detector's settings and manage alerts directly from your phone
and if you feel like paying Escort more money on an annual basis:

Subscribe to our premium service to unlock these amazing features:

  • Receive real-time alerts from other detector users in the area
  • Detailed threat information including time sensitive, color coded warning icons
  • Our patented GPS full-feature set including: vehicle speed, posted speed limit data, over speed limit alerts, compass and directional headings
  • Easily connect to ESCORT's class leading windshield mount radar detectors
  • Full access to ESCORT Nation

Get 1 year of Premium free with the purchase of an ESCORT Bluetooth device, or purchase in app. Just $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year

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