V8Mike

I stick mine right smack in the middle of the windshield. I always thought that mounting it up high by the mirror would seem to interfere with the rear detection. I dont know if it really would or not, but I've never had any trouble from having it right in the middle of the windshield.

vppreacher

+2 for the Bel.

I read an article that said the Bel and the Escort were basically the same electronics in a different case. It's my understanding the only difference is the feature set.

Hatchman

+3

Got mine hardwired into the dome lights, comes on when I unlock the doors, and off after a couple of minutes after I get out.

theedge67

I'm no expert on lasers, as all I have used is radar guns... but I talked to a State Trooper the other day who uses a laser gun everyday. He says he gives tickets all the time to people with radar/laser detectors in their cars. Basically he says the laser detectors are not really worth much for the simple fact that a laser beam does not scatter like a radar beam, making it very difficult for a detector to recognize the beam in time. The trooper said that when he uses the laser he can tell when someone has a laser detector because as soon as the laser hits the target car, they immediately slow way down...but too late, they are already pegged!! Also, cops LOVE to write speeding tickets to people they stop with radar/laser detectors. (that I AM an expert at )

wsmatau

Laser detectors only allow the owner to know he's being targeted. The information travels at the speed of light in a direct line between the gun and the target. If the cop picks you, and you are speeding, just think of it as a notice to pull over as soon as practical.

Bennyandthejets

Good to know our law enforcement is out there doing important work. Ten mile per hour speeders are serious criminals.

Mongoose

In every independent test that I have seen the Valentine has been in first place with the Belltronics and passport/escort almost tied for 2nd place. I have the Belltronics and am pleased. Just yesterday we were shot four times and no ticket. We were also hit with laser but were not over the limit at the time. If you want this level of performance plan on spending around $300.

eci

For laser,

Blinder m40.

metroplex

http://www.speedzones.com/over_the_hill_test.html
1/2 mile test: the V1 wasn't detecting all of the signals.

The bulk of the independent tests hail the V1 king because of the directional arrows.
The V1 was pretty slow to implement POP detection and I heard most of the older V1s must be sent back in for the full upgrade in order to detect POP ($$).

SlamMan02

Most detectors come from the factory with the POP detection turned off. POP isn't very accurate for judging speed, so most officers are told to shoot on POP then switch to another Band for a more correct speed rating.

theedge67

FYI I don't write anyone for less than 15 over, and even then it's only when it's a slow day. I'd much rather catch the big time criminals too...but I can't MAKE them go out and commit a crime. Just gotta be ready when they decide to do whatever. In the meantime, might as well make sure everyone's playing nice on the roads.

Zammer

I currently use an 8500 X50 with ZR-3 shifter (on my bike www.hellrisercustoms.com/zammerv98)
Awaiting delivery for my '07 GO GT Vert.

But already have my setup to install in the car - Beltronics RX-75 pro remote with amp'd speaker kit

I have been saved on over $2K this season with the escort setup.
I have only had the pleasure of one front LIDAR hit, and the officer had a very interesting cringe on his face as I went by (only 7-10 Km/Hr over)
Saw hit hitting the trigger rapidly a few times as I smiled past.
I have had about 6 rear hits by LIDAR - with no tickets, but only going with regular flow of traffic (10-15Km/Hr over posted Highway speed) - no high speed hits.

Ka band detection is alot shorter distance for detection on any brand that I know of (no expert here, just a thankful user)
But as long as people are getting shot in front of you, you get decent advance warning to slow down. Not so good alone on an empty highway.

X and K band can get annoying for false alerts - but I run a common route and know what to / what not to ignore.

So I was so impressed with the performance of the X50 and ZR-3 setup on the bike, I bought the Bel RX-75 pro setup for the stang-{ordered in Aug - delivery expected on the 8th of Nov?}
The laser shifter part is identical to the Escort one I have also.

The interesting thing about having it now - I find I drive slower more often... Hmmmm....

Z

Trooper4985

+1

Glad I'm not the only one on here that lets it be known that I enjoy writing people tickets that they normally would have either not been stopped for to begin with, or recieved a verbal warning had they not been trying to cheat the system.

metroplex

The system being the revenue generating process that politicians try to pass off as keeping the community safe, rather than reveal the truth: to generate revenue to help pad their pockets or pay for "municipal government" expenses and to increase revenue for insurance companies who in turn lobby in support of said politicians.

Zammer

+1

It's not that I am trying to cheat the system in any way,
If a tree falls in the forest - and nobody is there to hear it - does it make a sound?

What does it matter if a person is exceeding the posted limit minimally when traffic/weather conditions permit?

Now going +30 MPH in busy traffic/rush hour changing lanes radically is a totally different thing, and I do not do, or condone that.

If I were to be on a secluded highway - and going 15-20 MPH faster than posted speed, clear sunny day - have not passed a vehicle in 15 min
(this happens alot in my part of Canada)
Am I a danger to the general population ? (Last town I passed population below 300 ?)

Z

eci

whatever gomer

grats on admitting to profiling and discrimination too, which is illegal

theedge67

Profiling is pulling over someone based on their looks, sex, religion...etc. That is illegal.

Deciding who gets a ticket is called "officer discretion", which is legal as long as it is not based on looks, sex, religion, race...etc. Basing the decision on the offenders cooperation, severity of the offense, or even how that burrito the officer had for lunch is sitting with his stomach is NOT illegal.

Put it this way: If you call me every name in the book, insult me, scream yell and rant, and throw a temper tantrum while on a simple traffic stop, YOUR GETTING A TICKET. Why? because letting you off the hook only rewards your terrible conduct. Letting you off the hook with a radar detector rewards you for cheating. You cheat, you get caught, you pay.

BTW, as long as you stay under 10 over, radar detector or not, you probably won't get pulled over anyway, so it doesn't really matter.

Trooper4985

It's called discretion and it's the beautiful thing about this job... I don't have to give the businessman who is late to work a ticket because he is decent and admits wrong doing with a good explaination. On the other hand... the person who's brakes I somehow control with a little white button in my car... they have gotten away with willfully violating the law many times in the past, but not this time.

My number is 15 during daylight and 10 at night... unless I visually estimate you at those speeds, I'm not even hitting the transmit button so, as has already been stated... it generally doesn't matter.

Zammer

I understand your point - get those who deserve it. Thats power!

I feel that the opportunity for discretionary judgement has been lost now in recent years - and given the tools and power that enforcement now has, to be put back in some sort of balance by having some sort of counter measure for the drivers. Equal opportunity for all !!

How that power has been / is used still now comes back to discretion. Abuse it - and trouble/conflict is there.
Respect it - and pay attention, maybe the choice will be allowed to use proper judgement again.

I was pulled over to the side with many other riders one time. The first person was LIDAR clocked, and the officer pulled the next 5 bikes and given the same ticket. None of us knew each other or were racing.
When I asked the justification for this I was told to shut up or my bike was towed. When the court date came - tried talking to the prosecuter - no chance or leniency given.
So between 2 riders we used up the entire court day and 2 separate court rooms (we were witnesses for each other, along with the patrolman for each case - and had to bounce between courtrooms as each case progressed)

WASTED 2 judges entire afternoons and court time because of lack of judgement and appropriate discretion to begin with. And both ended with significant reduction of fine and points. Why did this even happen in the first place still makes me wonder - did they get that much satisfaction out of handing the tickets out, than I did going to court??

Now - I speed way less than ever before, but have the extreme satisfaction to be able to wave because I know where the annual ball passes are on sale

So for anyone interested in Detectors - if it is allowed in your area GO FOR IT I feel that they work.

If not - your choice, but don't complain if you get hit harder in the wallet.
They work, with proper understanding of how they work. And also understand the limitations of the technology as well.

eci

Thinking people with detectors are "cheaters" and "willful violators of the law" is ignorant. I bought a detector after ticketed for 66 in a 65 on I8 in San Diego. No attitude. Cop asked how fast.... with no attitude I said " I swear I wasn't going over 65 ". He said, " you're wrong, you were going 66 and I have a zero tolerance policy against speeders ".

Pigs are pigs.

PS: I beat that PIG in court after going to SD Speedo and Tach in SD, having my speedo checked, and proved it read 1 MPH over at 65 in 5th gear. The judge told the officer he needed to exercise better judgment regarding slight speedometer error.