school me on radar detectors - Page 2

cruiser_guy · 07-16-07, 09:08 AM

Semlin, if you're talking about the highway to Whistler a radar detector won't do much for all the reasons pointed out above. I have had it when I still used the detector that it would go off, I backed out of the throttle and when I was within range of the cops radar gun I was at the legal speed. That makes the cops mad and I've had them glare at me and wave their fists but they couldn't pull me over!

Your BEST radar detector is the brake lights of the vehicle ahead of you!!

brownbear · 07-16-07, 12:44 PM

Semlin,
In Canada many of the cops use the laser radar guns. They basically watch traffic and when they see a car coming down the highway they aim the gun and take the speed. So basically the radar detector won't work. As it will read when your being checked out.

The only way your detector will work is on a busy highway. As you will read other being being lasered. But you said this highway is empty.

Are they legal in BC? I know Alberta they are legal to have. But Ontario they are illegal to posses. And maybe other provinces.

psfpilot · 07-25-07, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfmorse

First thing to consider is the front windscreen. It should not be tinted glass. The radar detector is a receiver of radio waves which will not easily go thru tinted glass.

I'm partial to the Valentine unit. It has saved my butt more than once.

http://www.consumersearch.com/www/au...ors/index.html

http://www.valentine1.com/

My brother has a V-1, but the metallic tint on my windows blocks reception. While driving down the same stretch of road with it in his pickup and my Cruiser, all of the normal miscellaneous alarms from security systems and automatic doors that he detects through his vehicle's non-metallic tint were blocked by my Cruiser's tint. I think you can get a remote display to go with it, which would allow you to hide the sensing unit and have a discreet display installed in the dash or gauge cluster.

98 SNAKE EATER · 08-28-07, 07:44 PM

FB > ALL!!

LandCruisers4Life · 09-07-07, 01:03 AM

The Valentine 1 is the best, and then there's the rest which aren't worth your time. I used a V1 for years and never got a speeding ticket. Mine's worn out, but I am planning on getting a new one. I dunno if they still have a replacement offer (upgrade). I think I might just buy another outright. The V1 kept me from losing my license when I owned a sports car. It's WELL worth the investment. It really does work as good as they brag.

Miescha · 09-08-07, 12:24 PM

I'll chime in for the Valentie 1. I've got three now and I bought my first about 10 years ago. They still do the upgrade and they now have a custom programming deal if you really want to refine the detector.

I use the stationary radar signs (the ones that are designed as a parked trailer with a big speed display of "your speed is . . .") for testing reception at different mounting locations. I'm told higher is always better, so the cruiser and denali have hard wired units at the top center of the windshield beside the rear view mirror with a remote display on top of the steering column. However, the BMW has a coating on the windshield that completely blocks the signals. I didn't originally believe the coating woudl make a difference, but I mounted it at the usual "top near the mirror" location and the only signals I got were from the side and rear once the signals were coming in the side and rear windows. I then moved it to the bottom center of the windshield (slightly on the driver side) where there is a cut-out that has no coating. It made a world of difference.

Just my $0.02

MuddyOval · 09-19-07, 08:22 PM

I vote for the V1 also- love the amount of info and the remote display. Bummer is the big unit has to be stuck to the glass though- why don't they make an antenna that doesn't LOOK like a radar detector for the glass- maybe have it look like those goofy rain sensors or compass mirror sensors?
Anyway- works great, saved my bacon a couple times. Got a ticket in N.J. for "obstructed view" because it was mounted to the glass though- even though it was all the way up over top of the rear view mirror. The cop was a real prick about it and kept asking over and over "Does a safe and prudent driver need a radar detector" to which I repeated over and over "Are they illegal in New Jersey?" The guy had a serious stick up his butt, but I've heard Jersey is kinda that way. I'm glad I wasn't like him when *I* was a cop.

94landcruiser · 09-19-07, 08:30 PM

I have a 5 year old Passport 7500 and have gotten one ticket during that time. The one ticket I got was without radar so not the detector's fault.

07-16-07, 09:08 AM	#31
cruiser_guy IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Mixco, Guatemala/Cranbrook & Vancouver, B.C., Canada TLCA# 16387 Posts: 7,370	Semlin, if you're talking about the highway to Whistler a radar detector won't do much for all the reasons pointed out above. I have had it when I still used the detector that it would go off, I backed out of the throttle and when I was within range of the cops radar gun I was at the legal speed. That makes the cops mad and I've had them glare at me and wave their fists but they couldn't pull me over! Your BEST radar detector is the brake lights of the vehicle ahead of you!! __________________ '82 BJ60 H55 tranny, AXT turbo 3B diesel, high nickel alloy head, A/C, BDS lift, factory PTO, Aussie rear locker, OEM LSD front, 4:11's, 32's, PERFECT frame! '76 FJ55, 3B turbo, alloy head, H41 tranny, 3 sp. transfer, 33's, A/C, PTO winch, long range tank! '67 FJ45LV shop project c/w 3B turbo diesel transplant & H41 4 speed, 3 speed transfer, PTO! www.wirrell.com

07-16-07, 12:44 PM	#32
brownbear Mod in Hibernation Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Where diesels purr and turbos whine TLCA# 15584 Posts: 6,184	Semlin, In Canada many of the cops use the laser radar guns. They basically watch traffic and when they see a car coming down the highway they aim the gun and take the speed. So basically the radar detector won't work. As it will read when your being checked out. The only way your detector will work is on a busy highway. As you will read other being being lasered. But you said this highway is empty. Are they legal in BC? I know Alberta they are legal to have. But Ontario they are illegal to posses. And maybe other provinces. __________________ -84 BJ60, Finally on the FN road! -91 FJ80, wife's ride Iron Butt award winner of the Cruise Moab 08 !

09-07-07, 01:03 AM	#35
LandCruisers4Life IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas TLCA# 16244 Posts: 1,613	The Valentine 1 is the best, and then there's the rest which aren't worth your time. I used a V1 for years and never got a speeding ticket. Mine's worn out, but I am planning on getting a new one. I dunno if they still have a replacement offer (upgrade). I think I might just buy another outright. The V1 kept me from losing my license when I owned a sports car. It's WELL worth the investment. It really does work as good as they brag. __________________ 2004 Land Cruiser UZJ100 "El Rinoceronte" 100 Owners Guild- Expedition wheelers at their finest - wheeling with style...

09-08-07, 12:24 PM	#36
Miescha Guy Fawkes Lives! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: St. Louis, MO TLCA# 8094 Posts: 1,018	I'll chime in for the Valentie 1. I've got three now and I bought my first about 10 years ago. They still do the upgrade and they now have a custom programming deal if you really want to refine the detector. I use the stationary radar signs (the ones that are designed as a parked trailer with a big speed display of "your speed is . . .") for testing reception at different mounting locations. I'm told higher is always better, so the cruiser and denali have hard wired units at the top center of the windshield beside the rear view mirror with a remote display on top of the steering column. However, the BMW has a coating on the windshield that completely blocks the signals. I didn't originally believe the coating woudl make a difference, but I mounted it at the usual "top near the mirror" location and the only signals I got were from the side and rear once the signals were coming in the side and rear windows. I then moved it to the bottom center of the windshield (slightly on the driver side) where there is a cut-out that has no coating. It made a world of difference. Just my $0.02 __________________ *1996 FZJ80* (original owner) Black & Oak, 105k miles with factory F/R lockers, CDL switch, hand throttle, OME Springs & Shocks, ARB, Warn M12000, Milford Barrier, Dual Optima Blues, extended breathers, OEM dash cupholder, 285/75/16 BFG AT, Landtank seat rails, Slee AC dryer & T-case skid plates, Slee light & aux harnesses, Slee SS brake lines (frame->axle->caliper), V-1 with remote display, Icom IC-7000, Yaesu 8900R, Cobra 75wstx, Larsen NMO-2/70 & NMO-27, 100-series pads

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08-28-07, 07:44 PM	#34
98 SNAKE EATER IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Queens, NYC and sometimes Orlando, FL Posts: 1,160	FB > ALL!!

09-19-07, 08:22 PM	#37
MuddyOval IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Springfield VT Posts: 16	I vote for the V1 also- love the amount of info and the remote display. Bummer is the big unit has to be stuck to the glass though- why don't they make an antenna that doesn't LOOK like a radar detector for the glass- maybe have it look like those goofy rain sensors or compass mirror sensors? Anyway- works great, saved my bacon a couple times. Got a ticket in N.J. for "obstructed view" because it was mounted to the glass though- even though it was all the way up over top of the rear view mirror. The cop was a real prick about it and kept asking over and over "Does a safe and prudent driver need a radar detector" to which I repeated over and over "Are they illegal in New Jersey?" The guy had a serious stick up his butt, but I've heard Jersey is kinda that way. I'm glad I wasn't like him when I was a cop.

09-19-07, 08:30 PM	#38
94landcruiser IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Westwood, Ca/Ixtapa MX/Ahwatukee, Az Posts: 1,027	I have a 5 year old Passport 7500 and have gotten one ticket during that time. The one ticket I got was without radar so not the detector's fault.