Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Power Equipment & RV => Topic started by: Bennick16 on February 16, 2016, 12:06:53 PM


Advertise Here
Title: Radar detector?
Post by: Bennick16 on February 16, 2016, 12:06:53 PM
My job consists of driving for about 7 hours a day, 5 days a week. I don't make a habit of speeding, but as most of you know sometimes your speed can creep up on you. I want to know if you folks have experience with a radar detector? What kind? Do they work? I don't need one so much  for the purpose of pushing the edge without getting caught but as a helpful reminder.
Title: Re: Radar detector?
Post by: cdriver on February 16, 2016, 12:14:49 PM
I have used them on motorcycles and in my car. They don't always help, but can give you a warning under some circumstances, especially out on the  open road. You will get false readings at times and they wont' help you if LEO is using laser. I like the cordless units. The higher priced ones give you less false alerts. I consider them to be a fun gadget to have, will help warn you, some of the time.
Title: Re: Radar detector?
Post by: WAPatriot on February 16, 2016, 12:16:46 PM
Valentine one has saved me a ton in lawyer fees. I think it's a decent radar detector.  Lasers are hard to detect If you want to get a jammer that's another story. 
Title: Re: Radar detector?
Post by: Bennick16 on February 16, 2016, 12:18:27 PM
Valentine one has saved me a ton in lawyer fees. I think it's a decent radar detector.  Lasers are hard to detect If you want to get a jammer that's another story.
I was under the impression jammers will illegal?
Title: Re: Radar detector?
Post by: WAPatriot on February 16, 2016, 12:20:55 PM
Don't know all the rules but I think you can jam laser legally. Radar I don't think you can jam legally.
Title: Re: Radar detector?
Post by: bhawley76 on February 16, 2016, 12:21:05 PM
Valentine one has saved me a ton in lawyer fees. I think it's a decent radar detector.  Lasers are hard to detect If you want to get a jammer that's another story.
I was under the impression jammers will illegal?
Only if you get caught! :4w:
Title: Re: Radar detector?
Post by: Bennick16 on February 16, 2016, 12:22:51 PM
Valentine one has saved me a ton in lawyer fees. I think it's a decent radar detector.  Lasers are hard to detect If you want to get a jammer that's another story.
I was under the impression jammers will illegal?
Only if you get caught! :4w:
:chuckle:  :chuckle: knowing my luck, it would take about 5 minutes to get caught.
Title: Re: Radar detector?
Post by: muzbuster on February 16, 2016, 01:29:00 PM
Used to have one, a top of the line at the time, Cobra. Worked great on radar but not for lasers. It detected lasers no problem, but if you are detecting a laser they already have you caught unless they are shooting from in front of you and they are aiming at the car directly in front of you then you may get lucky. I liked it best for the emergency vehicle approaching notification.
Also, if you do get pulled over for speeding and have a detector, the officer tends to write "DETECTOR" across the top of the ticket, then good luck getting a break from the judge  :peep: :chuckle:
Also, don't try and toss the sucker into the back seat after you pass them when they snipe you, kind of a bad idea, makes them a little on edge thinking you are trying to hide things from them.  They spend a little more time "talking with you"  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Radar detector?
Post by: Bennick16 on February 16, 2016, 02:24:00 PM
I'm looking at a escort passport 9500 on Amazon for 383. Looks like it's gotten good reviews from people. Has anyone had experience with these?
Title: Re: Radar detector?
Post by: Smossy on April 03, 2016, 09:09:33 PM
They work, just gotta learn the one you have and learn where all your false reads are.... Mine has saved me from tons of tickets.
X band, usually nothing... K band, 30% could be a cop but likely nothing but automatic doors infront of stores. KA band, 100% the law, I've picked them up over a mile away. Make sure to get a 360 if you do so it will detect all around you. I wont lie, on the back roads out by my house.. I tend to speed alittle.
If I see KA band picked up, I know ahead of time.  I also have a cobra.
Title: Re: Radar detector?
Post by: bigtex on April 03, 2016, 09:48:46 PM
Here's the thing about radar detectors, they only detect radar units  that are actively transmitting. Many officers put their radar on hold which essentially means the radar is not transmitting and thus won't get picked up by the detector. Officer sees a fast car, takes the radar off hold and bam they get that speed detecting before the detector goes off.
Title: Re: Radar detector?
Post by: Orion81 on April 03, 2016, 10:08:47 PM
I've been using an escort passport for about 10 years and absolutely love it!  Price is steep but you will not find a better unit nor will you regret buying one after a few weeks of driving with it. The best feature is its ability to learn false detections. After 3 radar detections in the same location, the radar stops alerting in those places to that specific radar. After a couple weeks of daily routine driving you will not be constantly annoyed by x band radars. Another great feature is the mute button on the power cord.  It's super easy to reach on the plug-in to silence the audio.  You can change the display to show all radars being detected along with their signal strengths. It's does great at picking up multiple radars I've had up to 5 different hits at one time and with the signal strength displayed for all of them at once make it really easy to determine which one are factors or no factors. When I travel I feel naked without it.
Title: Re: Radar detector?
Post by: Becky on April 03, 2016, 10:21:49 PM
I mean save yourself a few tickets and they technically pay for themselves amiright?  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Radar detector?
Post by: huntingfool7 on April 06, 2016, 05:42:42 AM
They work, just gotta learn the one you have and learn where all your false reads are.... Mine has saved me from tons of tickets.
X band, usually nothing... K band, 30% could be a cop but likely nothing but automatic doors infront of stores. KA band, 100% the law, I've picked them up over a mile away. Make sure to get a 360 if you do so it will detect all around you. I wont lie, on the back roads out by my house.. I tend to speed alittle.
If I see KA band picked up, I know ahead of time.  I also have a cobra.
I've had an Escort 8500 X50 for several years and recommend highly. 
http://www.costco.com/Escort-Passport-8500X50-Radar-Detector-Blue-Display-with-Supercup-Windshield-Mount.product.100043540.html

False readings on K band is usually an Escort detecting a Cobra or vice versa.  Put competing brands next to each other and they will alternately trigger K band alarms.
The Escort allows you to turn off X band and that is how I have mine set up. 
In my experience, X band is always a false reading, turn it off. 
K band may be an Officer or a Cobra user, check your speed.  KA band is ALWAYS an Officer.
 
Laser, you're hoping he pulls the trigger on someone out in front.  The Escort will detect that at longish range but it's a crap shoot.  Any laser will set it off so you will get repeated false readings around survey sites.

In open country like Eastern WA and Eastern MT, the Escort 8500 will pick up radar several miles away.  In Western WA the distance is significantly reduced but it always surprises my passengers. 
Fife, WA writes more tickets per capita than any other city in WA by a huge margin.  They have been on a mission to reduce all surface road speed limits to well below what an honest engineering study would indicate.  Most people drive at a safe speed.  Speed limits for any given road should be set at the average speed of 80% of the drivers on that road (throw out the fastest and slowest 10%).  When you see the radar on a trailer that tells you your speed, you are involved in an engineering study. 
Title: Re: Radar detector?
Post by: trophyhunt on April 06, 2016, 06:31:21 AM
I don't like to go the speed limit most the time, when I'm on highways.  So, do jammers really work against lazers?? I really don't care about the legality of them, it's not like I stole the car I'm driving.
Title: Re: Radar detector?
Post by: MADMAX on April 06, 2016, 07:10:56 AM
I have 3
like the cobra best, was cheap too at car toys under 50 bucks how do you beat that ?

http://www.cartoys.com/car-audio/radar-detectors/esd-7570
Title: Re: Radar detector?
Post by: CAMPMEAT on April 06, 2016, 12:01:51 PM
I do believe if you're driving a commercial vehicle, it's a BIG NO, NO.
Title: Re: Radar detector?
Post by: Bennick16 on April 06, 2016, 12:14:18 PM
I do believe if you're driving a commercial vehicle, it's a BIG NO, NO.

Even if it's a personal car used for delivering pizzas?
Title: Re: Radar detector?
Post by: Bennick16 on April 06, 2016, 12:16:37 PM
Also, would an older radar detector like a passport 8500 from 2002 be considered obsolete with today's technology? Do the x k ka and laser frequencies ever change?
Title: Re: Radar detector?
Post by: CAMPMEAT on April 06, 2016, 12:40:12 PM
I do believe if you're driving a commercial vehicle, it's a BIG NO, NO.

Even if it's a personal car used for delivering pizzas?



Hmmmm, I don't know, since you're not really and employee right ? You're a sun-contractor delivering pizza for a company. I'd say yes, since you're using it for commercial purposes. Call the WSP and local LEO and ask them, would be your best bet.
Title: Re: Radar detector?
Post by: Bennick16 on April 06, 2016, 12:41:35 PM
Well I mean I am employed by papa johns, I make pizzas and manage sometimes too. That's interesting, I've never thought about it like that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Radar detector?
Post by: JDHasty on April 06, 2016, 12:46:39 PM
I'm looking at a escort passport 9500 on Amazon for 383. Looks like it's gotten good reviews from people. Has anyone had experience with these?

Yes, they are top drawer. 
Title: Re: Radar detector?
Post by: JDHasty on April 06, 2016, 12:47:23 PM
They work, just gotta learn the one you have and learn where all your false reads are.... Mine has saved me from tons of tickets.
X band, usually nothing... K band, 30% could be a cop but likely nothing but automatic doors infront of stores. KA band, 100% the law, I've picked them up over a mile away. Make sure to get a 360 if you do so it will detect all around you. I wont lie, on the back roads out by my house.. I tend to speed alittle.
If I see KA band picked up, I know ahead of time.  I also have a cobra.
I've had an Escort 8500 X50 for several years and recommend highly. 
http://www.costco.com/Escort-Passport-8500X50-Radar-Detector-Blue-Display-with-Supercup-Windshield-Mount.product.100043540.html

False readings on K band is usually an Escort detecting a Cobra or vice versa.  Put competing brands next to each other and they will alternately trigger K band alarms.
The Escort allows you to turn off X band and that is how I have mine set up. 
In my experience, X band is always a false reading, turn it off. 
K band may be an Officer or a Cobra user, check your speed.  KA band is ALWAYS an Officer.
 
Laser, you're hoping he pulls the trigger on someone out in front.  The Escort will detect that at longish range but it's a crap shoot.  Any laser will set it off so you will get repeated false readings around survey sites.

In open country like Eastern WA and Eastern MT, the Escort 8500 will pick up radar several miles away.  In Western WA the distance is significantly reduced but it always surprises my passengers. 
Fife, WA writes more tickets per capita than any other city in WA by a huge margin.  They have been on a mission to reduce all surface road speed limits to well below what an honest engineering study would indicate.  Most people drive at a safe speed.  Speed limits for any given road should be set at the average speed of 80% of the drivers on that road (throw out the fastest and slowest 10%).  When you see the radar on a trailer that tells you your speed, you are involved in an engineering study.

 :yeah:
Title: Re: Radar detector?
Post by: huntingfool7 on April 06, 2016, 04:13:12 PM
Also, would an older radar detector like a passport 8500 from 2002 be considered obsolete with today's technology? Do the x k ka and laser frequencies ever change?
If you're going to step up to a good radar detector, don't buy someones discarded piece.  Whether stolen or defective, you don't need it. 

http://radartest.com/Escort-9500ix-review.asp  Note the line about Redflex photo vans.  They are reported to be a low powered K band.  As far as I know, there are none around here.  Anyone confirm that?
Note his settings!  Buy a detector that you can turn off the X band.  Also, there are almost no Pop radars in the country (none in WA) because they are known to give unreliable readings...Turn off Pop.

Above all, fight every ticket!  The courts do not see it as positive cash flow if the ticket is contested whether you win or lose.  Fight every ticket and you'll learn how to beat them.

Title: Re: Radar detector?
Post by: Cylvertip on April 28, 2016, 12:13:26 PM
I am running this one in two of my rigs.  I found some professional reviews and this one seemed the best bang for the buck per that info.  I have had the cheap ones fail due to warm temperatures in the car on a sunny day here on the Wetside.  The last cheap one lasted 4 months, that's when I made the jump to the Beltonics.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007T3PQRI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007T3PQRI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)


Some false alarms as everyone has stated.  You get a pretty good feel for when those are kicking in though. Though I have run into cops running x band radar in some small towns, but it has been a while ( might be upgraded and replaced with K / KA now).  1-2 mile range on the roads here on the Wet side, if they are running constant. Laser, as stated -  hope they are looking at someone else and you get a heads up from it.

One installation note, the higher on the windshield you mount it, the better it will pick up radar/ laser.  I hardwire mine in buy running a line from the fuse box, then up the windshield pillar (behind the shroud), and then between the roof and the liner, popping out where I want the detector to be at the top of the windshield.  Hook it into something that only comes on when you have the key on.  On the wife's Suburban, I was able to find a power source in the controller up by the rear view mirror and tap into it, so a super easy and short run.   With it hardwired in and high on the windshield, you have the added benefit of making it less visible to both cops and meth maggots. The two times I have had break-ins into the cabs of trucks, they never noticed the radar detector.

Title: Re: Radar detector?
Post by: follow maggie on April 28, 2016, 12:45:32 PM
I do believe if you're driving a commercial vehicle, it's a BIG NO, NO.

Even if it's a personal car used for delivering pizzas?

Your personal vehcle being used to deliver pizza isnt a commercial vehicle. Commcial vehicles ar company owned and i think generally class 4 trucks and up
Title: Re: Radar detector?
Post by: Bennick16 on April 28, 2016, 02:50:02 PM
I ended up getting a passport 9500ix and I like it. It gives you a speed readout and it seems like it gives me ample warning. If I was speeding with this, I think it would do the job. I asked a cop and he mentioned that there really isn't an exact definition and it was kind of a grey area but he considered a commercial vehicle one that is over 10,000 lbs and is used for the carrying of goods or people for hire.
SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal