Radar Detector talk

[The_Stig]

Any of you boys use a Radar detector? Models? How do you find they work? Romor has it that here in calgary they use lazer not radar guns? I was thinking of buying one curious how you guys felt on it. thanks.

[stefan]

Re: Radar Detector talk

i have a bel vector 985. Great on highway for radar, but in the city, i get the odd beep from grocery stores and such. I can get from my house in hidden valley to work down near chinook without any false signals. Yes, Calgary police have no mobile radar.. its all laser (well, photo radar is radar...). I find that if the cop is holding the gun free hand, I will usually get a laser warning because that beam will be flying everywhere. However, if he has a tripod, he will be focused on your bumper, not your window where the detector is. Laser, unlike radar, will hit a very small area on your car, and is not very reflective... so you dont have a very good chance of getting much warning. For radar, its great. I can pick up RCMP over a kilometer away. I can pick up photo radar too, but im usually beside the van by then... gives me time to slow down a bit i guess. I would say its worth it if you do a lot of highway driving. If you are in the city, its not the best. I have had it pick up laser early enough for me to slow down maybe 4 times in 2 years. Radar on the other hand, I've slowed down and had the cars that pass me get ticketed on several occasions .

[stefan]

Re: Radar Detector talk

ps. laser jammers are almost 100% effective if you want a cool toy, but they are pricey. a friend of my dad has it in his bimmer... says you cant usually make out the goofy look on the cops face as he tries to figure out why he isnt getting a reading off of your car.

[The_Stig]

Re: Radar Detector talk

Ha ha. how much do you have to spend on a radar detector to get a half decent one?

[stefan]

Re: Radar Detector talk

i got mine here: http://www.radardetectors.com

even if you buy elsewhere, there is good info on this site.

[The_Stig]

Re: Radar Detector talk

Thanks, BTW, your car green? my gf lives in hidden valley, seen your car a few times and its hot. if im talking about the right one lol.

[Tromping_Maniac]

Re: Radar Detector talk

I have a Valentine 1 and like Stefan said it works best on the highway. My Valentine 1 does pick up Laser from Calgary Cops and it has saved me I'd say about 4 times. One word of caution though, the RCMP now have Instant On Radar so you may not get a warning until it is too late. But that being said you can usually pick it up easily if he has targeted someone in front of you. All in All I would say an RD is a good investment if you drive the highways.

If you want more info go to this site: http://www.radardetector.net

[stefan]

Re: Radar Detector talk

Thanks, BTW, your car green? my gf lives in hidden valley, seen your car a few times and its hot. if im talking about the right one lol.

negative.. its silver

could also check http://www.radarbusters.com/ wait, this is all the same site.. hehe

[The_Stig]

Re: Radar Detector talk

Where do you think is the best place to buy them? internet? any good stores in town?

[stefan]

Re: Radar Detector talk

soundsaround had the one i bought for about 100$ more then radardetectors.com... i think online is your best bet.

[The_Stig]

Re: Radar Detector talk

any of you guys have the hard mounted in? or just use the cig lighter? where abouts have you mounted them? thanks guys.

[Volinder D]

Re: Radar Detector talk

I have a V1 also, great radar, but pretty much only for highway. As for city, 90% of the time they use Laser. Doesn't matter how good a radar detector you have, if you get his by laser, it's too late. The only way a laser detector works is when the laser is actually pointed at your car. At this point the police already have your speed.

The only effective thing to use in city is laser jammers. All my buddies just bought them last week from Tunerworks for $350 a piece. Pretty much 100% effective.

Like I said, if it's for highway then radar, for city, your completely wasting your money on a radar detector. Trust me, take it from a guy with a V1

[stefan]

Re: Radar Detector talk

i hard wired mine. The detector just sits on the dash. Low mount is better for laser, high mount is better for radar.. but its pretty insignificant.. so just but it somewhere that isnt distracting or obstucted.

To support Volinder D's comment, I have had the laser detection save my but about 4 times in 2 years, but also had 2 laser speeding tickets with this detector on... Laser detection will be part of any detector you get... dont make it the deciding selling point.

there is a pic of the wiring in my post on this thread:
http://www.eurodrivers.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=7624

[Lo)2enz0]

Re: Radar Detector talk

i am on the highway every second weekend (for the past year) never used a radar detector and never gotten a ticket

[Volinder D]

Re: Radar Detector talk

i am on the highway every second weekend (for the past year) never used a radar detector and never gotten a ticket

Great, here' s a good 'ole pat on the back