Got am email back on the V1:

The dark tint band on some vehicles is known to reduce sensitivity, especially if it’s a metallic film. I suggest testing the unit using a stationary source (supermarket automatic door or speed warning trailer) to determine sensitivity loss.
Thanks,
Michael

 

I live in maryland where radar detectors are legal. However i drive to school everyday, and spend alot of time in DC and sometimes even Virginia where detectors are illegal. My question is, is it illegal in DC and Virginia to possess a detector or to use one?

 

Do NOT spend more than $150-180 on a good Cobra radar (new models look great with the Mustang interior and talk to you even). I've got a Cobra in my 99' and she works just fine in the police state that is Illinois.



You cannot place anything on the dot matrix area, so forget hanging above the rear view mirror -- suction tabs won't attach for long.

Tricks learned:

[a] Get a radar with a digital compass built in -- you can legally "use" it since it tells directions, etc. (this is true if you remember to say it when pulled over... I cannot believe radars are illegal in some states anyways. I wonder if my cell phone jammer is too, lol... (my favorite toy in da' world!!)

[b] Do not spend a lot, to reiterate. My boss got a hidden system that mounted in the grill of his 2003 Ford Explorer Ltd. and the light(s?) for it were mounted into the steering wheel column. After $750, he claimed it helped no more than the radar he owned before which cost 600% less.

It talks, cooks and cleans your windows too:

 

I have the new solo passport and am thoroughly impressed. I have had a cobra recently (their top of the line), Had whistler in the past, but after reading some reviews, I went with the passport. the Solo (cordless) feature is great! It uses 2 AA batterys which i use rechargeables and they last a little over a month and I drive quite a bit. (around 70 miles round trip) daily. The best part of it is the sensitivity. It has much more rapid and strong response when it is a real radar, and much less of a response on false alarms. I even hooked up my cobra at the same time and the difference was amazing. There is one downside to this and all radar detectors. I am always rocking out to my ipod or radio and the music drowns out all of them and the lights are much less visible during the daytime. Wow, I really rambled about this, have a great day all you mustang motor heads .....Surfs up here in Jacksonville so ride em hard and fast!

 

BuyEretail.com

Passport 8500 X50 "red display" $264 Free Ground Shipping.

 

Hi all! You will find this website VERY useful. It is an independent radar detector testing site. Testing is done by trained police officers(while they are off duty) using police radars. I got my wife a radar detector based on their 2003 tests (Vector 940 from BEL) and it saved us 2 tickets so far (now they have 2004 test results). Check what kind of radar frequency police uses in your state the most and take that in consideration when choosing a radar detector. One thing to remember is that no radar detector will be 100% guarantee from getting a speeding ticket. And now without a further interruption the website:

http://www.speedzones.com/

 

AvtoLubitel

You were not kidding. Very interesting, and expensive.

 

Wow, nice job bumping an old thread. Also, stop derailing the thread and talk about the placement not which ones better. Make a thread if you want to do that stuff, don’t derail this one.


I still want to know the answer to the best placement, scroll to the top for my answer back from V1.

 

Dear Altoid, your answer is on post number 4! AvtoLubitel, thanks for the link to that detector test. There is some good info there.

 

So by his logic it should be on my roof? I want it in a place that’s detect but a cop won't see it. “Up high” doesn’t help, that’s logical. Maybe a picture too would be great.

 

I'll place my vote for the Valentine One. It's well worth the investment!

 

Best place for it is right above the hood as low on the window as possibly. reasoning for this is that it is as close to the front license plate as possible. Cops use the front plate as a target for cars, mostly because it sticks out the best on any car. trust me i room with 3 cops, state, local and port authority

 

cobra is one of the worst you can get by the way passport by escort and BEL are the 2 top brands. search google for the radar tests, passport and BEL are coninually fighting for the top spot

 

From what I've read the V1 is the best but I can't see $400 for a detector. I used to have a cobra and it stinked, now I have a passport 8500 and it works great. My 2 cents

 

In my experience (Navy electronic warfare) I would have to go with a remote (hidden) detector. That way the glass, tint, heat, hood, are all not detracting from the sensitivity. I have my wife's tucked under the front grill and you can't see a thing. I think the V1 is the only expensive unit that offers this as an option. From what I've read the 8500 is a better all around detector but either one is pretty good.

 

Actually on your roof would be a great place but since you can't see the display then it's common sense not to put it there. If you need a picture of the upper inside of your windshield to figure it out then I can't help ya. Don't waste your time worrying about the laser part because it's a one in a million chance of it alerting unless it's in your front bumper area. The beam is only 18" at the typical distance it is used. Hiding the detector from view I think would best be done with a remote set up but it will not be in the optimal position for detection.

 

As far as detecting RF, the dot matrix shouldn't affect it since the RF will go right through it, it may affect LASER detection though, since the dot matrix may cause the LASER to reflect before it reaches the detector.

 

Good to know, I don't know how often lasers are used here. I will have to check around.

Everyone else: make another thread to talk about better radars. This thread is STILL about placement not which is better.

 

Lets not, thats been discussed at length as well, there are a couple threads on it, a quick search should find them.

 

There in there...just asleep in the back seat. ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz