1st mod - radar detector

[joshjack]

So when I traded vehicles I of course kept and transfered over my Cobra iRadar radar detector with mirror mount (Mirror Mount Bracket

But today I finally had a chance to put the finishing touches on it by getting rid of the long wire hanging down for power. I used this harness: Mirror Wire Power Cord for Cobra, and I didn't like the way the little spade terminals fit; so I use some posi-taps I had laying around. All-in-all, a nice, clean install even if I do say so myself!

 

[LilRamie]

Glad you like it, it does look clean. Personally I gave up on detectors years ago but hey at least yours isn't an eye sore.

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

 

[Rzrman328]

Very nice install.

I've had my V1 for about 10 years now. Not the prettiest but it does the job. Once it goes though I think I'm done with detectors as well.

 

[MoreOvalteenPlz]

Looks good! I finally got around to hard wiring mine to the rear view mirror a couple months ago and I regret not doing it earlier!

 

[2012sport]

Your first mod is something that doesn't work? Sorry...Don't mean to sound rude I just hate seeing people waste money on these. I can explain it all if you like, but long story short...when that goes off....it's too late.

 

[Rzrman328]

Please do explain for us...

 

[Irongoats]

That detector would come in handy on I-15 from Vegas to Cali or when I take back route through Death Valley. Nice install.

 

[MoreOvalteenPlz]

Your first mod is something that doesn't work? Sorry...Don't mean to sound rude I just hate seeing people waste money on these. I can explain it all if you like, but long story short...when that goes off....it's too late.

They're meant to give you a heads up of when you are around a speed radar, and let you know that you should probably abide by the law (at least momentarily) to avoid a ticket. They don't magically protect you from getting pulled over for speeding; that's what radar jammers do (which is also why they're illegal). I value my radar detector as it has saved my @ss on dozens of occasions where I have been unable to see where the radar is coming from (such as during nighttime, around corners, hills, etc.). It's a creature comfort and additional alert mechanism, not a save-all safeguard. But go ahead, please elaborate on how they "don't work" and they're a "waste of money."

 

[joshjack]

Your first mod is something that doesn't work? Sorry...Don't mean to sound rude I just hate seeing people waste money on these. I can explain it all if you like, but long story short...when that goes off....it's too late.

Thanks for expressing your opinion - and that's all this is: an opinion.

Where I do most of my driving is hilly and curvy; and not that many LEO's actually use lasers around here; mostly just radar. In this environment I pick them up 99% of the time before they pick me up. Whether it's signal bouncing off the cars in front or approaching; or just bouncing off the landscape I regularly get advance warning of speed traps long before they are visible. I've had this detector pick up state troopers 2 miles before reaching their speed trap. Most states require visual confirmation of speeding; so if their 2 miles over a hill I've got plenty of time to check speed before getting close enough for them to realistically know which vehicle might have been going fast.

 

[SilverStreak88]

Glad you like it, it does look clean. Personally I gave up on detectors years ago but hey at least yours isn't an eye sore.

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

I gave up on them also after buying a $300+ detector and it still not picking up I realized that it was wasted money. The answer is "don't speed or get a laser jammer".

 

[Rzrman328]

Radar detectors are not magical-not ever getting a ticket device.

Yes, you can still get a ticket with a cheap or expensive radar detector.

Common sense comes into play here gents. If you think you can speed like a bandit and not get a ticket because you have the latest and greatest radar device, you are going to be very upset when you get pulled over and receive a hefty fine.

Now....my own multiple times experience driving back n forth between San diego and phoenix was nice not having ever recieved a ticket due to my V1 picking up even the ever so slightest ping from highway patrol radar..I'm talking, 2-3 miles out easy.

So in conclusion...do radar detectors work? In my opinion, yes. Also, don't rely on them solely to be saved from speeding tickets. But please don't come on here and say they don't work.

In the end....don't speed!!

 

[John94z]

Your first mod is something that doesn't work? Sorry...Don't mean to sound rude I just hate seeing people waste money on these. I can explain it all if you like, but long story short...when that goes off....it's too late.

You my friend have absolutely no clue what you are talking about. But id love to hear your explanation...

I have used radar detectors for years. The best ones are V1, and Escorts. Ive never owned a V1 but have a friend who does and he loves it. Currently i have the Escort Redline. I have a tenancy to drive a little faster and i have never been pulled over while using my radar detector. There has however been a few times where i was driving a vehicle that didn't have a detector and i did get a ticket.
Police typically use one of 2 radar bands nowadays: K and Ka. Mostly Ka (newer) but it depends on where you live too. One thing about K band that sucks is here recently new crash detection/avoidance systems on newer vehicles use K band. So you will get false alarms from them. I don't think any of the companies have figured out how to get around that at this point.

The fact is these devices do work. Especially the V1 and Escorts which can give you alerts miles in advance. The 2 types of speed detection they cannot protect you against are LIDAR (laser) and VASCAR.
Ive never seen VASCAR in use before personally but nothing can defeat it.
As far as LIDAR goes, many detectors will indeed alert you to it but by the time you realize whats happening its too late. LIDAR isnt used nearly as commonly as radar. Mostly speed traps as they have to individually target you. LIDAR can be "jammed" more like washed out. But many states have laws against systems that do this.

Personally i think radar detectors are a great investment.

 

[Rzrman328]

^^agree.

My LIDAR warning has honestly gone off maybe 2-3 solid times in about 10 years of owning my v1. I'd go out on a limb and easily say Most LE agency's are still running Ka band majority of the time. LIDAR devices too expensive. K band gives off false alarms all the time but after runnin a radar this long you learn what to listen/look for.

I can only speak for my V1 as I've had nothing but good experience with it. Never even considered a different brand.

 

[hunter99]

I have a V1 and it's saved my tail quite a few times. Around here Ka is very popular and mine goes off quite a bit. There's quite a few hills and curves and I can easily detect them about a mile away if it's on steadily. If they are using POP I can still get them a ways out but I just have to be smart and start slowing down to see what I keep detecting.

As for LIDAR I think one time I actually picked it up and may have been saved but it could just be my perception. Was in heavy, but fast, flowing traffic and got hit about 3/4 of a mile from an overpass they were using as a speed trap. I was hauling but some slower cars got pegged instead. I have always wondered if I got a bounce off another car ahead. No way to tell.

I also travel the 95 corridor from NC to FL a lot and it saves me on there all of the time. This is true especially in Georgia where I swear they designed the interstate where the local LEO loves to hide. Now I don't do more than 10 over ever.

I have mine mounted on a BlendMount snugged up to my rearview mirror which gives it good visibility front and rear.

 

[Rzrman328]

Most I'll go over is 10mph. Just not in that big of a hurry to get anywhere but my srt was a different story lol. But ya, as soon as I hear the first ping no matter how weak it is I start slowin down. I haven't mounted mine permanently because I switch it between Vic's.

 

[linkbeat]

I've had a radar detector of some sort for 20 years now. Bel, Whistler, Cobra, Escort and Valentine 1. The Valentine 1 is by far the best in detection, the arrows are really helpful and it doesn't fall off the glass like the others!

My Escort (demoted to the wife's car) constantly falls off and the Laser detection goes off at random times when using the wipers, putting in reverse and going wide open throttle. They have a bad reputation for requiring service after a short time.

My advice, get the V1.

 

[Rzrman328]

Agree.

And the cool thing with v1 is you can keep your same device and they'll just update the software in it for you. For a small fee obviously.

 

[R/T_Fire]

I've found it to become friends with the CHP in my area... seems to get me out of more tickets and costs less lol

One of these also helps,

Lots more risk involved than just the cost of a expensive Radar system, which do work if you buy a quality one and know how to use it.

 

[Rzrman328]

I need me some Leo/fd stickers

 

[Ramstag]

Does anyone have a pic of which wires to tap into when wiring to your rear view mirror?
Thanks in advance.