Radar Detectors, do you own one? What could $200 buy?

[funboy6942]

Find great prices on detectors here
Thinking about picking one up. Havent had one in over 10 years but at these prices I can see buying one and if they still suck Im not out much.

Radar/Laser detector Scrambler $69

How does the laser scrambler work? It works on all police radar bands. (X, K, Ka, & super- wide) Inside the scrambler are 3 elements: an FM chirp generator, a mixer diode and a dual ridge wave-guide antenna. When the scrambler is hit by a police radar signal it runs it through the mixer, adding the FM chirp to mix up the signal and using the antenna, reflects back a new signal to the radar gun. The radar gun's computer can't recognize the new signal; it gets confused and won't display a reading on the police radar gun, leaving nothing but a blank screen for the officer to view.

SWEET JEBUS I know what I am buying right now!

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: mrrman
think these are a waste of $$ nowadays...the technology is always changing

In all honesty, it isn't. Plus updates to the dectector keep up with it.

It costs police a TON of money to upgrade for very little gain.

To put it simply it saves me from getting a ticket multiple times per day, every day.

Also agree on the 8500 "false positives" - if that thing goes off you can bet your arse it is a cop and you slow down immediately.

wtf? how shltty do you drive?

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: purbeast0

wtf? how shltty do you drive?

He's a leadfoot.

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: funboy42
Find great prices on detectors here
Thinking about picking one up. Havent had one in over 10 years but at these prices I can see buying one and if they still suck Im not out much.

Radar/Laser detector Scrambler $69

How does the laser scrambler work? It works on all police radar bands. (X, K, Ka, & super- wide) Inside the scrambler are 3 elements: an FM chirp generator, a mixer diode and a dual ridge wave-guide antenna. When the scrambler is hit by a police radar signal it runs it through the mixer, adding the FM chirp to mix up the signal and using the antenna, reflects back a new signal to the radar gun. The radar gun's computer can't recognize the new signal; it gets confused and won't display a reading on the police radar gun, leaving nothing but a blank screen for the officer to view.

SWEET JEBUS I know what I am buying right now!

I'm pretty sure things like that are illegal. IDK for sure though.

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: Smartazz

Originally posted by: funboy42
Find great prices on detectors here
Thinking about picking one up. Havent had one in over 10 years but at these prices I can see buying one and if they still suck Im not out much.

Radar/Laser detector Scrambler $69

How does the laser scrambler work? It works on all police radar bands. (X, K, Ka, & super- wide) Inside the scrambler are 3 elements: an FM chirp generator, a mixer diode and a dual ridge wave-guide antenna. When the scrambler is hit by a police radar signal it runs it through the mixer, adding the FM chirp to mix up the signal and using the antenna, reflects back a new signal to the radar gun. The radar gun's computer can't recognize the new signal; it gets confused and won't display a reading on the police radar gun, leaving nothing but a blank screen for the officer to view.

SWEET JEBUS I know what I am buying right now!

I'm pretty sure things like that are illegal. IDK for sure though.

Are the units legal? Yes. The FCC regulates all consumer products that transmit or leak radio frequency into the air. (Part 15 of the FCC code) Since the scrambler and the combination units do not transmit but merely act as a reflective receiver they are legal under the FCC regulations. Regarding the laser scrambler, there are no Federal laws against transmission of infrared light, so the laser-scrambling portion is legal as well

Where are units illegal? The scrambler and the combination units are banned in OK, MN, VA, CA, NE, UT, and Washington, D.C. They are legal in some providence's of Canada and many foreign countries.

Not in my state

EDIT
Or yours

 

[uberman]

Originally posted by: Smartazz

Originally posted by: Sukhoi

Originally posted by: uberman
I bought the top of the line BEL radar, laser detector with cloaking technology to resists radar detector detectors. That was 4 years ago. I'm very happy with it. It had an MSRP of over $400.00. I paid $200.00 on the internet. My power cord broke and I was without it for ten days and yes I got a ticket for 32 in a 25. Cop sat at the bottom of a hill and made lots of money ticketing cars.

I also have a Uniden BCT8 Trunk tracking scanner preprogramed with state police frequencies. If any state troopers fire up a radio within 5 miles I'm listening to them. This is helpful for planes. Yes, I've been ticketed by planes before.

I have well over 1,000 hours behind a radar gun. A detector is not absolute invisibility, but it gives you time to react when you catch the scatter over a hill or around a curve before the officer establishes a visual. It can also alert you when you're consumed with keeping your car on the pavement. I'm not a cop, I used the radar gun in traffic engineering. Speeding is not a safety issue, it's a revenue issue.

BEL Detectors

Police Scanner

I had no idea there are auto-scanning radio units like that. Do cops really talk enough, and in enough detail, on the radios that it's useful against cops that aren't running dedicated speed traps (oncoming traffic)?

If only that radio wasn't so expensive...$170 is a lot to drop on a radio I'm not even sure if I'll like.

Don't cops use codes so people don't understand them? I've never listened to them so I wouldn't know.

Actually, that radio is a really good buy. Just look up some reviews on it. I just bought two from that link. They were $30.00 cheaper than anyone else. One for the dashboard and one for the computer room. You can listen to cops, boats, and tv newscrews. It's fun to hear the tv newscrews make fun of the talking heads. Telephone calls made from boats used to be fun to listen to, but other communication has replaced marine radiotelephones. I've had scanners for many years.

Do cops talk enough? Cops talk and it's always nice to know what's going on in your vicinity. I used to live in a state where they were extremely aggressive. It is a revenue issue, not a safety issue. I've reviewed thousands of accidents and speeding is rarely the cause of an accident.

About those police radio codes. A lot of cops use 900 codes and 10 codes. The codes are not a great mystery and fairly easy to obtain. Some changes are in the works though. The Department Of Homeland Security found that it is difficult for police departments to communicate because the codes in one area may mean something completely different somewhere else. To coordinate better the DOHS is urging or mandating that police departments shift to a plain language approach. I think the codes will eventually disappear.

I don't care too much about getting the most expensive radar detector around. That ticket for 32 in a 25 has been around for almost 3 years and has caused insurance rates to rise. I get notices about it (that specific ticket) from my insurance company. It's supposed to go away after 3 years. I haven't had an accident in over 20 years.

Someones talking about laser. I've got a lot of time behind a radar gun. It is a wide beam and there is a lot of scatter that the detector picks up to warn you. BTW, I've clocked stationary microwave towers moving at 90 MPH. I've also been hit with a laser and I was warned by the detector. I believe that I was already nailed because of the fine beam. I got the ticket. Maybe someone else here knows about lasers.

 

[jimbob200521]

Originally posted by: Smartazz

Originally posted by: spidey07
just save up and get an Escort 8500.

that thing rocks. sniffs them out a mile away. If mine were to die I would immediately go out and get another.

I saw that in a magazine I was reading a while back, that was my first choice, I might still consider it. The valentine can tell you which direction it's coming from which is really nice.
edit: Are the blue and red models the same thing, just diffrent colors?

Yep, the only diff is color, and price. The reason for the price difference is that it costs more to make the blue LED's in those than it does the red.

And to answer the OP, yes I have a radar detector. I've got the Beltronics RX65, and have nothing but good to say about it. It was and still is rated as one of the best radars detectors out there. It's competitors are the Escort 8500 and the Beltronics STi. It costs a little more than $200, so I can't exactly recommend the OP get that

Also, if a cop hits you with a laser, and knows what he's doing, you shouldn't be able to detect it, at least not right away, with a conventional radar detector. The beam they use is only 18 inches wide at 500 feet, and they try and point it at something reflective like a headlight/taillight. So if you do catch something, it's most likely reflections of it, and it's too late. And the feedback they get from those is INSTANT. Check thispage out, its got a video on this if you scroll about 1/4 the way down on the left. A quote from the page for those that didn't click the link: "Therefore Radar Roy says: "NO RADAR/LASER detector is effective against this type of traffic enforcement.""

And to the OP, before you buy a detector, check out this site: http://www.radarbusters.com/ It has a ton of reviews on many, many different detectors, and has a very good reputation for its work.

Hope some of this helps

 

[PrinceofWands]

No idea, since I don't speed.

 

[uberman]

Originally posted by: jimbob200521

And to answer the OP, yes I have a radar detector. I've got the Beltronics RX65, and have nothing but good to say about it. It was and still is rated as one of the best radars detectors out there. It's competitors are the Escort 8500 and the Beltronics STi. It costs a little more than $200, so I can't exactly recommend the OP get that

I agree with you that BELs are great. OP, shop around, BEL must mark up their products incredibly high. Mine retailed for over $400.00, but I was able to buy it on the internet for $200.00.

That was one of my better deals. So I did a search for 20 minutes to get the best price on Bel's STI Driver which retails for $449.00. This is essentially what I have meaning 4 years ago mine had a MSRP of like $439.00. I could not find a killer deal like I got. I originally bought my $439.00 detector for $200.00 at Worldwide Direct which is actually BuyDig.com. If I go to BuyDig.com now, they do not have BELs, only Escorts. They won't give prices over the Internet, instead saying you must call for a price. I don't like those tactics. I guess I just lucked out when I bought mine.

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
No idea, since I don't speed.

I don't like to speed, but around here, if you're going 80 on the highway you're too slow for many people and they'll tailgate you which is really dangerous.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Smartazz

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
No idea, since I don't speed.

I don't like to speed, but around here, if you're going 80 on the highway you're too slow for many people and they'll tailgate you which is really dangerous.

so get out of the fargin' left lane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's a passing lane, not a "driving" lane.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: Smartazz

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
No idea, since I don't speed.

I don't like to speed, but around here, if you're going 80 on the highway you're too slow for many people and they'll tailgate you which is really dangerous.

so get out of the fargin' left lane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's a passing lane, not a "driving" lane.

Yeah, I get people pretty angry I'm sure. I try to stay right, unless they're going under the speed limit. As long as I'm moving faster than the lane to my right and not under the speed limit I have a right to get left as long as necessary to pass them.

When people get up on me about it I tend to keep slowing down, parking if necessary, until they learn that they are not important and that they cannot intimidate me. I've only had to fully stop two or three times. Usually once they see that I'm serious they back off a bit and let me do my thing.

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: Smartazz

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
No idea, since I don't speed.

I don't like to speed, but around here, if you're going 80 on the highway you're too slow for many people and they'll tailgate you which is really dangerous.

so get out of the fargin' left lane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's a passing lane, not a "driving" lane.

This is the case in almost all of the lanes in some cases, especially on your way to the city, people drive like maniacs. They're doing 80 and they're right on your tail, what if something goes wrong at 80mph? It would be disasterous, people don't realize how dangerous their driving behavior is, it's as if people don't even think when they drive.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: MS Dawn
Won't these be obsolete when all cars have a GPS that records speeding violations and forwards this information to the authorities who decide what your fines will be?

then you can drive a "classic" car, which is anything made before they add GPS.

 

[Sukhoi]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: Smartazz

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
No idea, since I don't speed.

I don't like to speed, but around here, if you're going 80 on the highway you're too slow for many people and they'll tailgate you which is really dangerous.

so get out of the fargin' left lane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's a passing lane, not a "driving" lane.

Yeah, I get people pretty angry I'm sure. I try to stay right, unless they're going under the speed limit. As long as I'm moving faster than the lane to my right and not under the speed limit I have a right to get left as long as necessary to pass them.

When people get up on me about it I tend to keep slowing down, parking if necessary, until they learn that they are not important and that they cannot intimidate me. I've only had to fully stop two or three times. Usually once they see that I'm serious they back off a bit and let me do my thing.

You sound like a very intelligent driver!

 

[Rubycon]

$200 buys a nice camera that can show how fast Spidey drives to work.

:laugh:

 

[Sukhoi]

Originally posted by: MS Dawn
$200 buys a nice camera that can show how fast Spidey drives to work.

:laugh:

lol that's probably very correct.

 

[uberman]

Originally posted by: MS Dawn
$200 buys a nice camera that can show how fast Spidey drives to work.

:laugh:

Jeez! That's incredible! Although the film has been speeded up, he's still passing a lot of cars. I think you're looking at $5,000.00 in tickets and a revoked license.

 

[Smartazz]

If you wanted to buy a cheap one, there's one on woot.com right now.
Text

 

[50cent1228]

i have used the escort brand for 2 years now and it works well

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: MS Dawn
$200 buys a nice camera that can show how fast Spidey drives to work.

:laugh:

Are you fvcking kidding me? The moves he turns in that video are ridiculus. It's drivers like this that really make driving a pain in the a$$ at times.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Smartazz

Originally posted by: MS Dawn
$200 buys a nice camera that can show how fast Spidey drives to work.

:laugh:

Are you fvcking kidding me? The moves he turns in that video are ridiculus. It's drivers like this that really make driving a pain in the a$$ at times.

Well if you'd hold your line and signal it wouldn't be such a big deal.

 

[Tommouse]

That driving was <gnarls barkly> craaazzzzy </gnarls barkly>.

I have an Escort 8500 x50 (blue ). I use it on my trips back home from school (500mi). Saves my ass on the NY Thruway ... there are cops evveerrry wheeere. I don't normally use it in town unless I plan on driving like an asshat, or I'm going more than 10 miles, otherwise I don't bother mounting it and plugging it in.

This detector works great though, plenty of warning time on the K, and Ka bands. Also is quite sensitive to laser, and when it goes off I almost ****** myself every time. You only have to worry about laser in parked cars. They can't use laser from moving vehicles. Think of pointing an over grown laser pointer at something moving and at the range of 100-200 yards from a moving vehicle in excess of 70mph. That laser is going to be bouncing all over the place, and making it very difficult to get a bead on someone. Radar with its widespread is much easier used in moving vehicles, but as stated the 8500 x50 rocks at picking up Ka, so don't have to worry to much. They will lurk with Laser around blind corners, or wait for you to crest a hill to nail you. Just have to make sure you aren't speeding to badly in those areas.

 

[uberman]

This looks like a Hot Deal.

Bel Pro RX65 Radar Detector $228.80 Shipped

 

[ultimatebob]

I have a mid-range Whistler Radar/Laser model, and I've found it to be useless. All of the cops that I run into use K Band radar and laser speed detectors now, and the detector doesn't warn me fast enough for a chance to slow down. I might as well flash a smile to the cop and wave, because he's already tagged me. You can forget about getting off with a warning if the cop sees a radar detector on your dash, too. One of those Fraternal Order Of Police stickers seems to work better for that