New to the forum and the p-family...would like some opinions on radar detectors. With other cars, I've averaged at least a ticket or 2 a year (never bought a detector)...mainly because of stories I hear about the detectors going off too late (getting gunned over bridge or coming around a bend, etc). Looks like from a few threads folks recommend the Valentine 1, but this has no laser jamming functionality.

Can anyone comment on the Blinder M47 X-Treme Laser Jammer? Doesn't this unit also function as a jammer as well as a detector? What are the implications of a jammer in TX? Will this attract cops that shoot radar and it get scrambled even when I'm doing the speed limit?

 

Welcome to the boards. If you use search, you'll find a lot of information on this topic. Here is one thread with a lot information:
https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...ml#post2591516

Long story short: they are entirely different, and work for different things. I have both in my car. In GA, the V-1 is useless as it's 100% laser here. However, as I cross state-lines, the V-1 is awesome for radar. Here is my excerpt:

I have had the M-25 Blinder Extreme Laser Jammers installed and active on my car for over a year.

Let me clear up a couple of things I've read here:

1. The Valentine-1 has laser detection, but when it comes to laser, detection is meaningless. When you get hit with laser, it's over, they know your speed, UNLESS you have jammers.

2. Laser jammers are CURRENTLY legal in most states. It's borderline, so don't brag about it.

3. Laser DOES require a flat surface to get a reading. On a 997 there are only a few such spots, namely, the front edge of the front bumper), potentially the top of the front windshield, and the rear license plate. The M-25 unit consists of 2 units, each placed just below that leading edge of the front bumper, between the slats of the 997 radiator grills. You really can't notice them unless you're looking for them. You can buy the M-45 version, which comes with a bracket jammer to go with the rear license plate frame. Where I live (ATL, GA) it's all laser, and it's all front he front, so the M-25 is all I need. In TX, for example, they "bird-dog". One cop will be at an overpass, pointing his laser gun at cars moving away from him. Your eyes are meaningless here, since there's no car to watch for, and he's on the far side of an underpass. Yet he can see your speed based on his laser reading off your rear, and radio that ahead to a car waiting ahead of you, and you're toast. That's big in TX, rare elsewhere.

4. Proper use: the point is not to go as fast as you want past a cop while giving them the finger. The point is to be cloaked when they see you first to avoid the ticket, but when laser hits you (your active jammers "jam" their reading") you must hit the brakes and get to legal speed, then turn your jammers off (hit the kill switch) so the cops CAN get a reading on you, and the reading now (since you hit the brakes) is of you travelling at the legal limit. You don't just keep flying past them like an arrogant above the law jack-A$$, you slow down, hit the kill switch, give them a reading. If their eyes saw anything, it was you noticing them, and slowing down, which is what every other car anywhere near you did, too.

5. If you ever show up a cop, in any way whatsoever, you will lose. If you get pulled over, be polite, respectful, and answer questions directly and honestly unless you need/ think you need a lawyer, in which case, inform the office of such, then keep your mouth shut.
CATTMAN

 

Thanks Cattman! I'm assuming the reason you'd want to give them a read after the first scramble is they'd know you had a scrambler?

This particular Blinder is new and claims the following:

"This model offer several improvements over the previous series. It provides a new laser detector, which provides even better laser detection ability."

I realize not all laser detectors are created equal...curious to see if anyone's bought this one and used it yet?

 

You are going to find tons of controversy on laser jammers. One test Blinder beats Laser Intercepter, the other test vice versa. Now Blinder is suing Laser Intercepter. Escort also makes laser jammers that never seem to be at the top of the mark.

..no perfect answer here.

 

http://www.laserjammertests.com/

 

If you're going to invest in just one item, get the V1.

As has been said, most of the state patrol use laser, but laser for all patrol cars is far from being a 100% issue. (In GA for example, GSP has laser almost exclusive but most of the non-GSP do not). Most still have front/rear regular band type radar. And honestly once you've been tagged with laser its game-over, other than you can possibly slow down before a 2nd hit.

On a side note. The officers are trained first to accurately gauge your speed w/o radar of any kind when in initial training before they are even trained on the units themselves and to pass that portion of the course.
(So lets say a officer tags you, or trys to with their laser and has a strange reading, they still can very possibly detect your speed just through training which will still stand in court)

BobR

 

http://www.guysoflidar.com

See... Controversy...

 

Try a search and you will learn a lot here.

Laser "detection" is worthless, for as soon as ANY device "detects" laser, it usually means you've been hit, they have your speed, and you're toast.

Laser "jamming" is another matter. Rather than just notifying you that it's at you, it prevents the laser from getting a reading. Once you're hit, you'll know, and while the cop tries to get a read, you slow down, get to the limit, hit your kill switch to uncloak, and give him a reading of you, now at the legal limit.

As has been said, laser is great for cops, as they instantly know your speed, and there's no such thing as advance warning. If you are not worried about laser, go for the V1, and get it hardwired. If laser is prevalent in your area, you will need jammers.

BTW, if you are getting 2 tickets per year, you should know this:
1. drive safely, please, for the sake of all of us, and our kids
2. your eyes are your best defense against either radar of laser
3. just because you have a radar detector or laser jammers doesn't give you a right to drive like an A-hole. Be responsible, and see (1) above.
Good luck! Feel free to PM me with any questions.
CATTMAN

 

I got hit the other day on 400N with laser - I mean the detector, 9500ix, went off. And I immediately slowed down - along with the sea of cars I was in. The end.

Moral of story: safety in numbers.

I used to get a ticket or two a year. Long highway drives through GA once every week or two. Now I am older and those trips are much less frequent. I rarely get a ticket anymore, but I don't think I am driving any slower - the relief from "55" everywhere is probably a huge help. If you drive a often and over the limit, Viva Las Vegas - the odds will get you.

 

Gents - thanks for the feedback. Still have pressing question after reading all the posts from months passed: Why not just buy the Blinder M47 x...which seems to not only "jam" laser but also detect radar?

 

Blinder doesn't do radar, just laser....

The Escort 9500ci does both, but doesn't seem to rate too high as a laser jammer....

Bottom line is it appears laser jamming is difficult to accomplish 100%, and complete success may forever be a moving target...

 

As mike just said, you also need a radar detector. Further, in case you are not aware, neither will protect you from the "instant on" radar now used in many locales. So $500 for a good Valentine or Escort + $1000 for an installed Blinder M47 and the police are still going to have a chance to get you, as they should.

 

I use the V1 and Laser Interceptor. I'll be posting a video soon just to show you my setup.

Best Regards,

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Nq8iB4-h1s

 

I wish V1 had a remote mount model. I use one today in my cab, but would prefer a custom installed unit. Looking at the 9500ci, but seems a bit overpriced given its poor performance in laser jamming tests.

I like the rearview mirrors with integrated V1 display, but then where do you put the V1 unit? I don't like things hanging off the visor or windshield....