Hey guys! I'm interested in getting a radar detector and maybe also laser jammers. What do you guys have and what do you recommend? Are installed ones really much better than dash mounted ones?
Thank you!
Thank you!
DTMD
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I think that all radar detectors work pretty well. Some will filter false alarms better than others, but basically, they make noise when zapped. I'm using a 10 year old remote Whistler model in my RRS. It does what I want which is alert me when I'm being shot at. I like it because it is out of sight and does not appeal to theives and cops can't see the thing from the back. It was less than $300 and easily installed by myself. I think more important than the brand of detector is that the detector be used in conjunction with a laser detector/jammer, at least in California. In NorCal, laser cops seem to be everywhere. I certainly wouldn't feel safe traveling fast without my Laser Interceptor unit.
By the time the laser detector detects that you are getting zapped, the officer is pretty much writing up your ticket. Gotta go for the jammer.
Blendmount and Mirrortap into the overhead panel is the way to go. Looks OEM. Took me 20 mins. Powers up when unlocking or opening the door. Powers off after a fews mins when engine off, or doors closes (or locked). Don't think about it any more.
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Easy power connection:
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Just need the longer mirror tap:
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View attachment 132681
Easy power connection:
View attachment 132689
Just need the longer mirror tap:
View attachment 132697
Yes, there are 2 camps, I have been in both. Years ago had a couple V1's. Decided to try a 9500ix for kicks as I was starting to entertain full installs, was expecting to be disappointed, but ended up loving it and moved to the 9500ci. It's now been about 5 years and I have installed 6, yes 6 9500ci's, including 2 Rovers. I find them invaluable...my cars get the 9500ci immediately. I use the 9500ix I originally bought when I travel, and the few days between getting a new car and having the ci installed.
If you're a techy, the Escort Live functionality works really well, and keeps improving, I have this on all my 9500's, xi and ci. We have so many red light and speed cameras in Chicago now that alone is worth the protection.
Laser shifters have saved me COUNTLESS times too...if you're only detecting laser, it's too late. The new 9500ci kit includes the Laser Pro shifters which are regarded as some of the best shifters available.
My last 2 installs also included the Radar Mirror, a slick install for any radar, they do this for the V1 too.
And yes, the "arrows", I was never an arrow fanatic myself, but the patent ran out and the 9500 display now includes some arrows with the Live integration, my guess only a matter of time before they are enabled for all functions. I think this was one of the remaining arguments for V1
If you're a techy, the Escort Live functionality works really well, and keeps improving, I have this on all my 9500's, xi and ci. We have so many red light and speed cameras in Chicago now that alone is worth the protection.
Laser shifters have saved me COUNTLESS times too...if you're only detecting laser, it's too late. The new 9500ci kit includes the Laser Pro shifters which are regarded as some of the best shifters available.
My last 2 installs also included the Radar Mirror, a slick install for any radar, they do this for the V1 too.
And yes, the "arrows", I was never an arrow fanatic myself, but the patent ran out and the 9500 display now includes some arrows with the Live integration, my guess only a matter of time before they are enabled for all functions. I think this was one of the remaining arguments for V1
From Adam76:
"Laser shifters have saved me COUNTLESS times too...if you're only detecting laser, it's too late. The new 9500ci kit includes the Laser Pro shifters which are regarded as some of the best shifters available.
My last 2 installs also included the Radar Mirror, a slick install for any radar"
I can echo adam76 & vett. I just got the escort9500ci (custom install) put in + integration into the rear view mirror. OMG.
So much more effective than I recall of the portable units. I have bee zapped by radar and laser ~10times(!) in the last four days on a road trip. I agree with vett about detection v. Diffusion for the laser. You have to have this otherwise you are exposed.
Every time I got zapped, I looked around, sometimes as much as 20seconds later (!) and saw the originator of the signal. I am going to do what adam76 did and put these in each car, immediately. I am considering the xi for rentals.
"Laser shifters have saved me COUNTLESS times too...if you're only detecting laser, it's too late. The new 9500ci kit includes the Laser Pro shifters which are regarded as some of the best shifters available.
My last 2 installs also included the Radar Mirror, a slick install for any radar"
I can echo adam76 & vett. I just got the escort9500ci (custom install) put in + integration into the rear view mirror. OMG.
So much more effective than I recall of the portable units. I have bee zapped by radar and laser ~10times(!) in the last four days on a road trip. I agree with vett about detection v. Diffusion for the laser. You have to have this otherwise you are exposed.
Every time I got zapped, I looked around, sometimes as much as 20seconds later (!) and saw the originator of the signal. I am going to do what adam76 did and put these in each car, immediately. I am considering the xi for rentals.
I concur - have had Escort 9500 Cis on my last 4 or 5 vehicles. I just today installed the Beltronics STIr in my Cayenne because I wanted to upgrade to AL Priority shifters. I never had a problem with the shifters that come with the Escort, but Escort has failed to update them for newer laser, which is disappointing. The Bel is mechanically identical to the Escort (made side by side, I think), but it works without having to use Escort laser shifters. The Escort will give you an error message if you don't use their shifters. For remote radar detection, the Escort signals on Ka were incredible. Expecting the same exact range from the Bel.
And the Escort laser shifters saved me a number of times on the NJ Turnpike. I wouldn't replace them if they were installed in a car, but because I got a new vehicle last week - I figured I should upgrade to the best shifters on the market today.
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Also the rear blocker/sensor they recommend it be placed above the licence plate but i felt it got in the way of trying to open the back latch. So i moved it to the rear bumper and it works fine and blends in with the black part of the rear bumper. The good thing with this system is being able to customize it yourself. You can mark locations yourself. And the more you drive it the better the system is. It remembers false k bands and wont warn you of them after a few times driving by that false alarm.
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I have had Escort Passport SRX (older version of 9500ci) for many years and have had good luck.
On my new rig, I ordered the AL Priority (with STiR radar head integrated) and have not looked back. The system is awesome, completely programmable (I turn off X and K to avoid blind spot false alarms). They are very good on continuous updates to adjust for new laser systems, etc. The heads are small and very stealth. If you are considering a custom install (hidden/stealth) system, it is definitely worth looking at. You can read reviews of them all at radarandlaserforum.com
On my new rig, I ordered the AL Priority (with STiR radar head integrated) and have not looked back. The system is awesome, completely programmable (I turn off X and K to avoid blind spot false alarms). They are very good on continuous updates to adjust for new laser systems, etc. The heads are small and very stealth. If you are considering a custom install (hidden/stealth) system, it is definitely worth looking at. You can read reviews of them all at radarandlaserforum.com
Thanks to enzom for alerting me to the notion that the lasers are being updated.
I just (as in just last month), got the full monty installed so here is what my dealer says to keep me from getting too upset: 1) updates lasers are not yet widely deployed by law enforcement, 2) where deployed at all, there are no reports yet in the West; 3) escort will have an update (hopefully sw, not hw).
As an aside, I got false alarms from lasers off one car on a recent road trip. Dealer says that plausible answer to that is the car was sporting illegal HID headlamps. (Lasers are done from stationary, not moving vehicles).
Update on my V1 loyalty. I love the V1 since 2003. But I guess unless it fails, I would have kept going and recommend it. I just travelled to Ontario Canada over the weekend and that's where the V1 is so vulnerable like a sitting duck. The range of the V1 is also it's frailty. The spectre RDD can detect it even miles away. So, even if I was not speeding, it was confiscated because it is illegal. It was on mute with remote display and did not realize it until it was too late. I called the escort company and compared their detectors and only the redline and 9500ci(installed one) is invisible per company customer service. Just ordered one and will see if it works well beside my other V1. I have contested the ticket btw.
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careful sans K. i got nailed a coupe of years ago inadvertently b/c the K band had failed on my V1 and i didn't know it. local cop in am small jurisdiction - he propably couldn't afford a new radar gun with Ka.
Just installed: Escort redline with hardwired. It's not a real remote display. Together with my remote display V1.
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First impression, V1 for utility and directional arrows but if it's detectable the redline provides another option.
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First impression, V1 for utility and directional arrows but if it's detectable the redline provides another option.
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Hope everyone is aware that with RR 2016 models + the solar windshields that come with all models block the signals to all radar / laser detectors....you can purchase & install a pricier external system, or live with seriously degraded range with ANY windshield mounted detector.
I'm using Escort 360 in my 2016 windshield, with range cut in half it is still worth it for me, but be advised
I'm using Escort 360 in my 2016 windshield, with range cut in half it is still worth it for me, but be advised
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I use the escort cordless but frankly find that Waze is what usually saves me. It's like having a buddy drive in front of you. The few times I've nearly gotten a ticket is when I was too lazy to turn on Waze and sure enough when I checked Waze they had the speed trap on there
Update.........
Update on my case. Just went to traffic court and they called the witness who is the constable that pulled me over. He is an expert in spectre but he really doesn't know anything about new technology. I figured that out during cross examination. The spectre they use was manufactured in 2003. Even with spec sheet it says it detects most not all radar detector and he admitted that it detects falsies from other signals, and could have detected my adaptive cruise control which he didn't know exist already in new cars/SUV's. He also gave a different color of my vehicle. The prosecutor cannot claim victory because the witness wasn't very convincing. But the fact that he was able to get my detector speaks for itself. There is no arguing about that. By merit alone and my performance(I'm a MD) not a lawyer they should have dropped the case. They lowered the fine in half which was a moral victory in itself but no V1 back. BEWARE american drivers with radar detectors, it's an unfair traffic law being perpetuated in Canada. Use escort redline or none at all. Your V1 will get you in trouble.
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Update on my case. Just went to traffic court and they called the witness who is the constable that pulled me over. He is an expert in spectre but he really doesn't know anything about new technology. I figured that out during cross examination. The spectre they use was manufactured in 2003. Even with spec sheet it says it detects most not all radar detector and he admitted that it detects falsies from other signals, and could have detected my adaptive cruise control which he didn't know exist already in new cars/SUV's. He also gave a different color of my vehicle. The prosecutor cannot claim victory because the witness wasn't very convincing. But the fact that he was able to get my detector speaks for itself. There is no arguing about that. By merit alone and my performance(I'm a MD) not a lawyer they should have dropped the case. They lowered the fine in half which was a moral victory in itself but no V1 back. BEWARE american drivers with radar detectors, it's an unfair traffic law being perpetuated in Canada. Use escort redline or none at all. Your V1 will get you in trouble.
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The only undetectable radar detector against the spectre elite is the escort 9500ci which is a professionally installed $1999.99 proposition aside from the escort redline.
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It was in Ontario Canada where they confiscated my V1. Went to court and fought it. But the law is so broad and vague that possession in itself they can confiscate it even if the stop was illegal because they seized the V1. I said that the spectre detected my Adaptive cruise control which the police didn't know new cars have it now and insist on his 2003 spectre. The original ticket was CAD 170.00 plus court fees of CAD 25.00. They reduced the fine to CAD 100.00. No points. I loved the V1 and have an extra old one but will be relying on the redline from now on.
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