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stevedak
Dodge Dakota
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9/19/2006
23:01:48
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 Subject: radar detectors
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so i want to get a radar but i hear that cops are thinking of new ways to outsmart radar detectors everyday is it even worth it to get one anymore and if so what is the best one for the price?
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Grumpy
Dodge Dakota
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9/20/2006
01:04:14
| RE: radar detectors
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A Google search for "radar detector test" found some good information at:
http://www.radarbusters.com/support/product-tests/radar-detector-intro.asp
and
http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=9090
and if you do the same, you'll find many more.
The suggested procedure is to read several of these articles, and then make a decision based on your perceived needs vs ability to pay.
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GB2000
GenIII
9/20/2006
01:10:07
| RE: radar detectors
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Radar detectors are HELPFUL...but once you start relying on them, you'll screw yourself. Mine's saved me a few times...and other times, I was lucky I was watching the oncoming traffic because I've had a few cops flip their radar on right as they got to me. Radar detector went off as he was passing me...had I not seen him ahead and slowed down, i prolly would have been pulled over (though I wasn't driving waaay over the limit...but speeding nonetheless).
On the highway, I've honestly been saved more often by my cb radio (recently removed it...kinda sucks) than my radar detector.
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shatto
Dodge Dakota
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9/20/2006
01:33:14
| RE: radar detectors
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Radar detectors may help find a police radar.
Consider this:
1. Pulse radar is very hard to pick up. Too fast.
2. A radar frequency your detector doesn't have can get you.
3. A Doppler speed gun is passive. Impossible to detect.
4. Most police use laser, not radar, detectors.
Save your money and drive the speed limit.
Look at it this way. You'll be demonstrating something those 'macho' tough guys aren't doing. Self control.
Chicks..no, women, dig self control.
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GB2000
GenIII
9/20/2006
02:23:04
| RE: radar detectors
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...and while you all are demonstrating self-control, I'll be sitting at my destination 45 minutes earlier (assuming I don't get pulled over for speeding...lol) than if I had driven the speed limit. I can shave almost an hour off my frequent trips to IL if I drive a bit faster on the backroads/interstate. Not insanely fast...but like 10-15mph over. Insanely fast is stupid...while driving 10-15mph over is more dangerous than driving the speed limit, the chances of causing an accident aren't THAT much higher (if there's little/no traffic)...if you're driving like a nut, chances are good you're gonna cause an accident down the road, possibly killing someone. And that's not worth it. Common sense also comes into play...if there's a lot of traffic...10-15mph over may even be too risky. A lot comes into play...but I'm not gonna sit here and lecture people about speeding. Everyone does it/has done it and it's quite hypocritical to sit and lecture people about it.
Most newer detectors pick up both radar and laser...they also pick up pulse radar and a bunch of other bands. I have no knowledge about the doppler speed gun that's mentioned. But I hold my above opinion...a radar detector is a helpful tool, but if you rely on it, you will screw yourself over. And also remember...if you get pulled over (specifically for speeding or driving like an idiot) the officer will be more likely to give you a ticket after he sees that radar detector sitting in your window...whether they're legal to use or not. AND...some officers like to be real dicks and write you a ticket for obstruction of view because of its location...which is dumb...that's no worse than driving down the road with a school/work parking pass hanging from your rear-view mirror.
Last time I was pulled over for speeding the cop looked in and the first thing he said was, "Didn't your radar detector tell you I was coming..." and I was honest and replied back with, "Probably...but my speaker is blown..." He issued me a warning since I immediately said I knew I was driving too fast and apologized rather than playing stupid (while everyone says to do it...every time I've done it, I've been ticketed) yet every time I was like, "I'm sorry officer...I was driving a bit too fast there..." they let me go with a warning.
Okay...sorry for the novel...
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Kevin
Dodge Dakota
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9/20/2006
14:12:02
| RE: radar detectors
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Message:
" A Doppler speed gun is passive. Impossible to detect. "
In order for there to be a Doppler shift, a base frequency has to be sent out. That's how it works. The radar 'gun' emits a stable frequency, constant or pulsed, and the speed of a vehicle shifts the frequency of the returned signal higher if it's approaching, or lower if it's going away. The doppler shift can be calculated easily.
It's completely detectable.
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Kowalski
GenIII
9/20/2006
16:35:07
| RE: radar detectors
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I've had quite a few different ones over the years, and the Valantine is easily the best I've used. Pricy, but you can easily set up a remote display so it's not obvious if you get pulled over; and it's the only one on the market that tells you how many signals it is picking up and what direction they are coming from.
Can't agree with the earlier post about most now being lazer (it gets that too); almost every signal in my area is radar.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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JimboDakota
Dodge Dakota
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9/20/2006
20:24:06
| RE: radar detectors
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And Yes,.. Cops Do Flip On and Off their Radar as they pass you or you them.
I Own One and have for the last 20yrs.
The last one i bought about 16 months ago i bought from circuit city for like $100. You can spend Way more and Way Less for them. I'd buy one from a place that has a return policy that way once you put it in your truck you can see if you like the looks and sound it makes when it goes off,... Some are Really Annoying.
Oh mine also has the feature that when it's going off for like 10 seconds or so it switches to a lower lvl volume which is nice because I have the radar volume turned way up incase I have the stereo turned up loud.
Also it does all sides of the vehicle so you can tell where the radar is coming from.
JimboDakota
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stevedak
Dodge Dakota
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9/20/2006
21:14:59
| RE: radar detectors
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thanks for all the information what kind do u have?
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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9/20/2006
23:00:25
| RE: radar detectors
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When only the best will do:
http://www.valentine1.com/
And spare me the crap about self-control, etc. The whole system is broken. My self-control is fine, especially when it's not stuck in a crowd of brain-numbed bumper-humpers. Speed is controlled by cops maintaining high profile visibility (it's been shown again and again), not hiding in the bushes making money for the local police unit. Also, radar is a radio transmission, and, reception of radio transmissions within the continental United States is a right protected by the Communications Act of 1934. Communities that have outlawed radar detectors are actually in violation of this Federal mandate, but then you get into states rights, yada, yada, yada. Anyway, anywhere I can even the odds a bit, and be less like a fish in a barrel about to be shot, I'm gonna do it.
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Kowalski
GenIII
9/21/2006
15:22:54
|  RE: radar detectors
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Jimbo - what kind of detector are you talking about ? Mike Valentine makes the claim that his are the only detectors that identify the location; and to the best of my knowledge that is true. Some detectors also have a sensor to the rear; but they don't identify where the signal is coming from - only that a signal is out there somewhere...
The Valantine also has auto mute after a few seconds, and can be configured in several ways. It detects radar further away than just about all others, and falses less than anything else I've had. For those not familiar with Mike Valentine, he designed the original Escort, then split off to make his own, better detector. You won't hear of it much because it is so much better than what else is out there that he hardly has to advertise if at all. If looking at them on ebay, make sure to run the serial # through Valentine's website first - this can tell you how current a version it is; and wether its been reported stolen to them or not.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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9/21/2006
19:51:44
| RE: radar detectors
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You also don't hear about the V1 because it's not carried in retail stores. There are some pretty good units out there for $100 or so, but none can top the V1, and sometimes it's just that margin of superiority that makes the difference. Many chafe at the price tag, but you truly get what you pay for, and there's a trade-in program. Mine's been going strong for 10 years now, and a trade-in would be half the price of a new one. It has paid for itself many times over, but I have to say it's been worth it just for the show. Many times I've gotten alerts and backed off some, only to be blinded in a hail of high beams, and passed angrily and thrown a shower of one-finger salutes. It's easy to reach over to give the V1 a pat, and smile as they pass. Within a couple minutes or so, I pass them, pulled over with the blue light special. Nothing is 100%, but short of military hardware, the V1 is as good as it gets.
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OBIO3
Dodge Dakota
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9/21/2006
21:47:08
| RE: radar detectors
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In reading these posts. I went on line just for the h**l of it and the first Valentine location I clicked on showed several models. Right in the middle of them was the Bell 550 which I own and have never complained about. Point is why was the bell in te middle of all those valentines . There was no other brands there. The thought came maybe there made by the same company but I realy do not think so. I'm sure the bell isn't as good as the valentine but at the same time it is very good . I would love to get a valentine but I can't justify it with the bell. Your thoughts
So many problems .... So little time
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trucky
Dodge Dakota
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9/22/2006
09:07:22
| RE: radar detectors
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i know this was erlier on but shatto had a point...real women arent impressed by speeders... its only necessary on long trips where it makes a difference...i would say around 10 over tops...15 is a little excessive and will get u an automatic ticket
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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9/22/2006
11:29:27
| RE: radar detectors
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being pulled over and the cop seeing you having a readar detector will certainly give you a ticket.
- Dan M
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GB2000
GenIII
9/22/2006
13:16:21
| RE: radar detectors
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Message:
being pulled over and the cop seeing you having a readar detector will certainly give you a ticket.
Depends on the cop...and how respectful you are to them. I've been let off with warnings twice (once for speeding, once for no front license plate...stupid law) and my radar detector was in plain view of the officers both times. When I was speeding, the officer even brought up my radar detector (as mentioned in a previous post). Radar detectors aren't illegal in 48 or 49 states...so they won't necessarily earn you a ticket...a bad attitude combined with a radar detector will increase your chances ten-fold though.
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JimboDakota
Dodge Dakota
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9/22/2006
15:00:12
| RE: radar detectors
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You have to Remember It's a Radar Detector and Not a Cop Detector. A lot of people get that confused. I've been pulled over many times with my Radar Detector right there on my Windshield from anything to not stopping for a bus, failure to stop at a stop sign, Ect,... nothing big and never once did they say anything about it.
I dont remember the maker right off hand but the next time i'm in my truck i'll look at it and get my model # and let you guys know which one it is.
JimboDakota
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Kowalski
GenIII
9/22/2006
16:10:30
| RE: radar detectors
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Message:
One of the nice things about Valentine is that the cop might not see it. I have one mounted in my Dak, and another in our Baja; and both are very hard to see - the window tinting hides it from the front - and where the displays aren't lit (use remote display in the dash) the cop would have to crouch down to see it from the back or side. No cord to see in the window either, ran a hardwire across the top and tucked into A-pillar trim. Window tinting in some Fords can block the signal, but doesn't seem to have an effect for us.
Bell is not related to Valentine.
Jimbo - are you still claiming your detector tells what direction the signal is coming from ?
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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GraphiteDak
GenIII
9/22/2006
17:13:53
| RE: radar detectors
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Message:
LOL like Kevin said. Radar guns USE the doppler effect. And they most certainly GENERATE signal.
I rarely see police use LASER guns. Most still use Ka or whatever RADAR guns here. Probably because it is easier to leave running in the dash with it's spread out detection area vs. LASER the police actually look through it and aim at a single car.
The way the Police get you is to in fact use INSTANT ON Radar guns, switching it on as you are already in distance to nail your A$$!
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Xrated
Dodge Dakota
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9/22/2006
18:54:24
| RE: radar detectors
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www.radardetector.net is the best forum about radar detectors and laser jammers , the search function will answer all the questions you guys have :)
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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9/22/2006
22:29:51
| RE: radar detectors
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OBI03, unless you went here:
http://www.valentine1.com/
you went to the wrong place.
And to all the "real men" out there that think they understand women, you're more in the dark than the rest of us. So, what are women that use radar detectors? Lesbians that don't want a date with a "real woman"? Or maybe they're just un-real women looking for...what? Attention from a cop?
Get a clue. If the chick judges you solely on the basis of your driving habits (mild speeding, not maniacal/suicidal antics), she probably needs to find other transportation. That's just as bad as one that won't talk to you if you don't have a particular car. That's not a real woman, that's a shallow bitch.
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