So I know we've all been known to look at the speed limits as more of a suggestion from time to time, what kind of laser/radar detectors do some of you use/recommend?

 

9500IX highly recommend. Works and barely any falses in areas you regularly commute in due to the gps function.

 

What brand is that one?

 

escort/passport
http://www.escortradar.com/

I use the less expensive 8500 x50 without the gps stuff. I'm not in a big city area so I don't really need the fancy stuff. The 8500 is $299 and has saved my bacon many times. I am surprised how it picks up behind me as well when a cop is coming up behind me on the freeway. Sounds off when he is about a mile back.

 

Interesting. Right now I just have a whistler xtr 658, but last night a cop drove right past me while I was at a light and nothing. I'm sandwiched between several big cities in SoCal though so the GPS stuff might be in my bet interest

 

They don't always have it on. I've had them pass without the gun on so you still have to keep an eye out. I also don't go flying by other cars because that makes it easy for them. I ease past cars then nail it in the gaps. Detectors are just another tool in the toolbox. But they've alerted me when they are over hills and around curves before I get there as well as freeway oncoming and sneaking up behind me and when they park on on-ramps.
Oregon has instant on so I have to be careful with that by keeping my eyes peeled.
I did notice that CHP had theirs constantly on while on the I-5 to the Bay area last week.
The gps helps mark out any store locations that might trigger it and I think remember any traps in a regular location. That doesn't help me but I could see that would help in city areas.

 

Oh ok. What does everything mean?
Mine has x band, k band, ka band, laser, sws, pop, b server, vg2, tfsr?

 

Looks to me like yours has it all covered like mine.

Although what I've read to protect against laser you have to go all out. So just because ours may signal a laser trap, its too late without the other stuff that tries to block/reflect the beam.

 

Oh wow. But what does all that mean? I get the laser but none of the other stuff lol

 

I don't know the ones towards the end of your quote. Maybe enhancements to defend against police work arounds?

But the K Ka and X are different bands. I think that means different frequencies the police use. Mine typically lights up K or Ka with police but when I pass a government facility the X goes off.

 

I love my Valentine 1 had it like 4 years and great results had a 2 mile warning once. Love the directional arrows would never give that up

 

Escort is the best

 

I swear by my Passport 9500ci. While it initial cost is hefty it does everything well, it's firmware can be updated (along with all the GPS stuff like speed traps, red light cameras, etc...) on the fly via the internet so it's constantly up-to-date. Passport also does this for the higher end windshield mountable detectors.
I've been zapped with laser more than once at speeds that I would think would get me a ticket but as long as you slow down before the laser gets a second sweep you are good to go. Also it's legal in non-commercial vehicles here in Texas and a lot of other states (not all).
You can find new ones on the net much cheaper than retail and there's always some used ones going around.
Here's a front picture of the system installed in the lower grill. Detector in the center and two laser jammers on the left & right side. It also has a laser jammer on the rear license plate bracket.

 

I was just looking at that set up! How much did you pay for it? I saw it on escort's website for $1700 though. How hard was the install? Did you do it or did you have it done professionally?

 

Close to 3 years ago I believe I paid 1200 for it brand new from an EBay vendor.
It's not difficult to install if you know how to hook up electrical wiring to a car (just your typical 12V / ignition / ground stuff). Other than that just running a lot of RJ12 cable and mounting. The most difficult part is mounting the front radar and shifters but nothing a little patients and a dremel can't get around.
I did the install myself on my other vehicle then that one got totaled. I sent the radar head to Escort to have it recalibrated and then installed everything on the Mustang.

 

Hmm ok. I'm really impatient with wires though haha I found a vendor on amazon for $1100

 

There are plenty of places like tint / alarm shops that sell Passports that would install it but I don't have a clue what they would charge.

 

Hmm ok sounds good

 

One thing to remember about Radar detectors is they are only as good as you are. You still must be vigilant and have an idea of what's going on around you, and like a fighter pilot, you need to learn about Radar, the enemy and how it all functions together, the more you know about the threat the better your chances of beating it..

A bunch of beeps and squawks do nothing for you if you don't know what they mean.

 

I have a Escort Solo 2 in my F150 and an Escort Redline in the Mustang.
Both give fair warning, and as Randyre stated, situational awareness is critical.