Ok guys, its a rookie question.. having never used any of this stuff before,.although I've been investigating enough to understand the basic technology and issues.

The question I have in considering getting one is... How valuable is it? I suppose it depends on what the various LE's use in your area..

But going way back to first radar detectors I was always told the value was minimal since by the time you were lit up they already had you.. And maybe the value was you would pick up some stray energy before that.

But in the typical scenario I'm worried (and I've been nailed) is the chicken sh*t peeking around a block wall on a corner and shooting you.. How valuable is it for that kind of scenario.

Do they even use radar/laser for most highway patrols where they are moving (not hiding on an overpass, but then maybe I just answered my own question).

Anyway just trying to get an idea of the kind of situations where they are useful from practical experience.

And to any LE's who are behind on their quota.. I do not live in Orange County and the car in my avatar is not mine

 

I just completed a 2500 mile trip with my Valentine1 on. I've had mine for about 10 years and only use it while travelling in the US where it's legal and I don't drive at excessive speeds.

Some people are critical of V1's because they are too sensitive, but the reality is that it's paid for itself 100 times over.

If they are using Laser, that's a different story.

 

Not to restart the debate on Escort vs. Valentine, but I've had both.

First, the Laser component is fairly useless in that the alert will only tell you that you are about to be pulled over if your speed is way above the limit. The laser beam is so narrow (focused on your front bumper or plate) that you will rarely get an advance alert if you accidentally get a skipped signal aimed at someone else and it's bounced towards you. However, there are expensive some add-ons from different manufacturers that can instantly detect the laser signal and send back a confusing array of laser frequencies designed to make the laser unit not give the policeman a reading. It's not jamming the laser, it is sending too much information for it to process.

Radar alerts are exceptionally accurate. The key is that you can pick up an alert being aimed at someone 1/4 to 1/2 mile ahead of you and that does give you time to slow down. I get advance warning about once a month and it has paid for the unit many times over.

The reason I like the Escort 9500 series is that it is GPS-based. So I also get alerts for an upcoming intersection that has a red-light camera installed. I can also manually set an alert as I pass school-zones within my normal driving footprint so that it then reminds me to slow down to 20 MPH as I approach.

The Valentine has directional indicators that tell you whether the radar unit is ahead, behind or to the left or right. Some say they couldn't live without it. I, however, never found that relevant, as I immediately slow down when I hear and alert, regardless of the direction. I am impressed however, by those who can process information quickly enough that they can keep their foot in it, look at the display to see which direction the arrow is pointing and then decide whether or not to lift and slow down.

The Escort 9500 series also has the ability to remember the exact GPS locations and frequencies of every alert you receive. This is very useful: for example, on the third time you drive by your local WalMart's K-Band electronic door openers and give you an alert, the 9500 will remember not to sound an alert at that location in the future unless it receives an different alert from a different band or frequency in that same location (in the rare event that the police set up a real radar trap in front of the WalMart.)

Do your research on this and other forums. Good information everywhere, but beware of "fake" websites claiming to be independent but are actually owned or funded by a particular manufacturer.

 

I have a V1 and am a sucker for the arrows. I want to know where the cop is. That being said the escort is probably more advanced. After getting a ticket or two I have had my Radar for 3 years and would not drive without it. In Texas DPS likes to hide on the tollway, which is affectionately known as the Texas Motor Speedway. The V1 is upgradable but is commonly knocked for being sensitive at times. The radar detector has saved me more times than I can count by making me more alert.


If you go with the V1 make sure you buy it direct for the latest model. You can also save 10-15% by buying a refurbished one from them, just call.

 

In my opinion if you have cops creeping up behind you then you're driving too slow. All my alerts relate to police in front of me. So arrows are irrelevant.

I find Escort Live to be incredibly useful. Valentine has something similar but Escort invented this and has a larger user network.

In terms of sensitivity you also can't beat Escort's Bel STiR+. It offers KA band segmentation to offer faster sweeps.

To me the biggest disappointment is that there hasn't been much innovation in recent years. I would love to see Stinger in the US market. They use a patch antenna to provide even greater sensitivity, and have arrows, and have all the Escort features like GPS filtering, cameras, custom installation etc.

 

I guess I get the impression there may be value in situations where there are a steady flow of cars in front of you getting lit up. And you are picking up stray energy, not that focused on you..

For example on a highway speed trap of people as was mentioned a half mile in front. Or maybe in a more urban area if they are hitting everyone who goes by...

I'm getting the impression that my #1 problem where I live are cops who hide behind corners and jump out like rambo.. I guess it still helps.. but often the traffic is sparse and often I'm the only guy in 1/2 mile..

It sounds like in those kinds of situations I am most concerned about it would be mostly useless.

 

I wouldn't leave home without it.

 

I use mine sparingly but it certainly does a good job with radar on rural highways and freeways. I don't have a laser jammer, so I figure I am screwed if I get hit by that, even though my detector sees both radar and laser. My only hope with laser is that I am not the first person they hit.

And like most of everybody, I am more vigilant around overpasses and on-ramps where the LEO's like to hide. I want to be clear that I respect the job LEO's do and think in order to "protect and serve" they need to be patrolling the roads. Hiding in the bushes and shadows giving tickets is bull$hit tax collecting.

 

I've got an escort 9500 and wouldn't drive without it. Its GPS feature is very handy, and it gives ample warning of cops using KA band radar. That said, you always have to be aware of your surrounding and on the lookout for potential hiding spots for cops, and there's no substitute for situational awareness.

 

Scatkins, with you being in southern ca, a installed system would be the way to go, chp and city cops are using more laser than in the past so a installed system with a good laser jammer is important. I was just down in San Diego and was hit with laser, I got slowed down before hit the second time, cop just looked at me as I drove by. I have also used the escort and v1 portable systems, v1 has the arrows but after way to many false hits, I gave up on it, get one with a gps installed so it will remember areas that are false alarms. I would recommend something in your area as the Leo are watching.

 

John, do you know if CHP uses radar?

Years ago I had a friend who was with CHP and at that time they didn't it But that was many years. So I'm not sure now.

 

Thanks for that..

Laser jammers are illegal I believe in CA, what's the chance they can discern if you are using even if they pull you over?

 

yeah, I gather that the GPS function is a pretty useful feature....

 

Not sure. I think CA regulates the number of such devices on the car.

Either way, what would you rather be in violation off with evidence - owning a laser jammer or driving over 100mph?

Maybe install the Antilaser Prioirty jammer with bluetooth setup. That way if you get a fix it ticket for the jammers, you can easily remove and then replace them.

 

bump for reference.