Gift To Self

[13IS250C]

:D

I hated to replace my old dectector. It had saved me so many times, but the case had cracked where you put the batteries in and it was just time for an update. I also found this little sticky pad mount on Amazon. It got really good reviews. Makes a nice clean mount and will end the awful circles on my windshield and stop any rattling. I don't see how it is going to hold it in place, but I guess I will find out. I will have to lift it off about once a month to change the batteries out. I'll let y'all know how I like it.

[VBdenny]

I use a Valentine One. I have two of them and have used the for over a decade. Nice thing about the Valentine is that it is never obsolete. You can send it back and for 100 bucks they will replace the entire insides to current specs, and give it a new serial number. Not to mention that there isn't a better detector.

[13IS250C]

Wow. That is awesome. I'm too anal to have a cord running across my dash.

I had the coolest RD mount in my 370Z, but it won't work with my mirror on this car. Held it good and tight right under the mirror.

[lenore]

Wow my gift to myself was a S & W MP9 Shield....I guess the radar detector is more useful back east.....

[LEX-SV]

I've been thinking about replacing my old Escort detector with a top of the line Escort, although Valentine is tempting...

I only use a detector on long highway/freeway trips. With the increased use of laser in CA, the new Escort dectectors with feedback loop from other detectors warning of those locations seems helpful.

[pj8708]

I just keep my speed at 50mph regardless of location. That way I figure I'm within a safe range at least 50% of the time. lol Back in the 80's, I used an Escort detector for I was traveling around the state and did not need a ticket that might effect my driving status. At that time you folks probably remember that the darn thing would go off every time you drove past a grocery store with automatic doors. It would also go off as you went past certain garage doors with RF remote activate door opener.

If only life was so simple. Am I correct in saying some states make the use of a radar detector illegal?

Paul

[VBdenny]

In violation of the Federal Communications Act of 1934, Virginia has in place a ban on radar detectors.

I had a Fuzzbuster II back in the day, then the original Escort, then the original Passport, then several others prior to getting the V1. Now, I'd never consider anything else.

[13IS250C]

Only Virginia that I know of, Paul.

Like I think I have said before, Piperton, TN is nothing but a speed trap blip on the map. Some of my drive is 35 mph, the rest is 40. Way too easy to creep over. Especially on a beautiful day with a favorite song one the radio. I don't roll without it on.

[13IS250C]

Gosh Denny. We posted at exactly the same time. Teeheehee

[lenore]

So are the ones for around $40 any good...I see them on Amazon....

[13IS250C]

Detectors? I would be afraid of those. Mine was like $260.

[VBdenny]

Valentine One. Detector goes for $400

Bought a used one for my brother for $280

Accessories available such as remote controls and indicators and now Bluetooth

They are a lot of money. It still much cheaper than speeding tickets

[13IS250C]

Not only the money for a speeding ticket, but also the inconvenience. I haven't had one since 1977. Don't want to be pulled over and bothered by a cop with an attitude.

[VBdenny]

So true. Not sure what it is about some cops, especially the young, shaved head ones but now but with the attitudes. A good time to be older and white for sure.

[LEX-SV]

What's your observation on how Valentine unit deals with laser detection?

[VBdenny]

Liar (as cops radar is known) is deadly fast and accurate. IF you are lined up and the first target, you are caught, period. The V1 does an excellent job of warning you when the cop is targeting other cars nearby but if it is you in the crosshairs, you are bagged.

The other day I drove up from Virginia Beach to Boston almost all the way is the nasty, east coast storm. Yeah, driving in rain is nasty but the benefit is that the cops just about never run laser or radar in the rain except for rolling which is easily detectable even miles away.

Your first line of defense is ALWAYS your SI (situational awareness) not your detector. If you do not know how to observe traffic, terrain, vehicles and conditions you are probably best to keep around the limit.

Remember, a $50 detector will get you a $500 ticket. As always, you get what you pay for.

[VBdenny]

LIDAR. (Not liar) is the name of the cop laser. Damn spell correct.

[LEX-SV]

Liar (as cops radar is known) is deadly fast and accurate. IF you are lined up and the first target, you are caught, period. The V1 does an excellent job of warning you when the cop is targeting other cars nearby but if it is you in the crosshairs, you are bagged.

The other day I drove up from Virginia Beach to Boston almost all the way is the nasty, east coast storm. Yeah, driving in rain is nasty but the benefit is that the cops just about never run laser or radar in the rain except for rolling which is easily detectable even miles away.

Your first line of defense is ALWAYS your SI (situational awareness) not your detector. If you do not know how to observe traffic, terrain, vehicles and conditions you are probably best to keep around the limit.

Remember, a $50 detector will get you a $500 ticket. As always, you get what you pay for.

Yes, thanks. Many of us are seasoned drivers with decades of driving experience and know all about the differences between radar and laser and the importance of situational awareness.

I should have asked my question with more details included for clarity.

Rephrased questions:

1. Does Valentine detector identify the type of electronic monitoring (such as x/k/ka radar or laser)?

2. If so, have you had any situtations with Valentine where you picked up laser scatter (while it was aimed at others), where the warning was somewhat useful?

[VBdenny]

Yes, yes and yes. The V1 has the arrows which is perhaps the best thing ever. Tells you front, back or side making it easy to identify radiation from all directions. Very useful determining approaching radar. The V1 also tells the band, the strength and also detects POP and instant on bursts. The laser alert is very bold but again, when you hear that klaxon, your blood runs cold and you're stabbing at the brakes even when you're not speeding.

You simply can not beat a V1 for quality and company support. Very important to me that my detector is never obsolete. Ive used one for years in Virginia off and on and often been near a bear with a "detector detector" and apparently this V1 has an excellent shield. I'm not sure not obeying an illegal law is illegal? Either way, better a $75 "equipment" infraction (no points) than a point type ticket.

[13IS250C]

Denny, I read once that it is illegal for the state of Virginia to outlaw a citizen to receive radio signals. You might want to Google it.

The way I understand it, not only do they ticket you, they take your detector. A-holes. We at least deserve a fighting chance.

[LEX-SV]

^ Agreed, that law is unconstitutional. And should be circumvented or carefully ignored.

[VBdenny]

Years ago the courts made them stop taking the receivers especially after a bunch of Yankees headed for Florida were getting bagged on 95. Never heard of anyone getting a ticket for one either in recent years. Except for laser which requires line of sight, the Valentine works just about as well on the seat as the windshield.

[LEX-SV]

Yes, should be mounted on windshield just above hood level for best results across all radar bands/laser. Glad to hear VA police have found something better to do.

[13IS250C]

Back to my original post, so far I love that little sticky pad. The detector is staying tight. My only concern about my mount is that there is a little bit of windshield wiper in front of it....not much. I have been getting good signals though. I wish I had a popo friend that would let me play with his radar gun.

[LEX-SV]

One thing to note for those shopping radar detectors, is that small sensativity loss and less advanced warning is a compromise with cordless operation to ensure acceptable battery life. Every cordless unit has a duty cycle with this effect.

Lets hope others report in on the detector experiences on the road too.