The Truth about Radar Detectors

8036 Views 10 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Flipside909, Aug 28, 2008

gpstrac

Discussion Starter · Aug 25, 2008

I have not owned a radar detector for years, but I can't help but think I need some added protection as this car is so darn fast. What's the scoop on radar detectors these days? I think I recal somebody telling me that they have become mute with the technology available on the other end. Any input is apprecaited.

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BigMikeISF

· #2 · Aug 25, 2008

Depends on what your looking for, how much you want to spend, concealed or open, cordless or with a cord, etc. It also depends on if your looking for just a detector or a detector and jammer. Every radar detector has their own strength and weaknesses.

I believe most people run either the Valentine 1 or Escort Passport 9500i or 9500ci. I have had both and have positive and negative feedback about them. Those all have a cord but can be concealed. As for cordless I believe the most used is the Passport Solo S2. I have no experience with jammers so can be of no help there if that is what your looking for. Below is a site which can be helpful

http://www.radarbusters.com/?source=googleaw&kwid=radar%20detector&tid=Exact

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SuperFreak

· #3 · Aug 25, 2008

The passport has camera updates which is way nice, as it seems that is the way law enforcemant is going....

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alexzxlex

· #4 · Aug 26, 2008

I own the bel sti driver. i on east coast & drive Va & DC where they illegal. Sti is truely invis to cops. its pricy but works.

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FChampOH

· #5 · Aug 26, 2008

We have become an ESCORT authorized dealer over the last year and have started to offer the Escort 9500i as part of the deal when cutomers purchase an IS-F when the opportunity arises. We even offer to hard wire it in such a way that it can be mounted to the lower left of the inner windshield. It's a great peace of mind for those moments when the foot gets a little heavy.

The 9500i is really cool in that the fact that it's GPS enabled. If you remember the old days when your radar detector would alert you every time you went past a supermarket with motion activated doors or how it would go off at the same spot on the highway every time, well the 9500i is able to help get around that. When you encounter one of those "alert zones" you simply push the mute button 3 times and it marks that location with the appropriate GPS info and it also recognizes the transmitted frequency. It will not go off again in that area ever again, unless there is a new frequency in that spot, such as an officer with a radar gun! If you are "shot" on the highway it displays your m.p.h. on the digital display at the moment it comes on. Sweet unit!

Doug

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BigMikeISF

· #6 · Aug 26, 2008

alexzxlex said:
I own the bel sti driver. i on east coast & drive Va & DC where they illegal. Sti is truely invis to cops. its pricy but works.

Heard good things about this one gpstrac, I would definitely consider it

FChampOH said:
We have become an ESCORT authorized dealer over the last year and have started to offer the Escort 9500i as part of the deal when cutomers purchase an IS-F when the opportunity arises. We even offer to hard wire it in such a way that it can be mounted to the lower left of the inner windshield. It's a great peace of mind for those moments when the foot gets a little heavy. The 9500i is really cool in that the fact that it's GPS enabled. If you remember the old days when your radar detector would alert you every time you went past a supermarket with motion activated doors or how it would go off at the same spot on the highway every time, well the 9500i is able to help get around that. When you encounter one of those "alert zones" you simply push the mute button 3 times and it marks that location with the appropriate GPS info and it also recognizes the transmitted frequency. It will not go off again in that area ever again, unless there is a new frequency in that spot, such as an officer with a radar gun! If you are "shot" on the highway it displays your m.p.h. on the digital display at the moment it comes on. Sweet unit!

Doug

That is an awesome deal you offer when buying a new IS-F, sweet stuff! I've never heard of a dealership doing that before.

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SuperFreak

· #7 · Aug 26, 2008

The Passport Escort 9500i uses the Trinity database to update camera locations, in addition. If I wasn't clear ealier, sorry, I am running on fumes....

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jctheplaya888

· #8 · Aug 28, 2008

I believe that the Escort Passport 9500ci is the best one that is out there, there is a bit installation, but i believe that its well worth it, i personally use the valentine 1, which also is similar to the systems of the passport 9500ci, but a lot cheaper and still works really well, but the only difference between these two radar detectors are the range the valentine 1 according to testing alerts maximum of 1000 feet, and the passport 9500ci alerts maximum of 1500 feet, so thats why the prices will vary.

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FChampOH

· #9 · Aug 28, 2008

jctheplaya888 said:
I believe that the Escort Passport 9500ci is the best one that is out there, there is a bit installation, but i believe that its well worth it, i personally use the valentine 1, which also is similar to the systems of the passport 9500ci, but a lot cheaper and still works really well, but the only difference between these two radar detectors are the range the valentine 1 according to testing alerts maximum of 1000 feet, and the passport 9500ci alerts maximum of 1500 feet, so thats why the prices will vary.

Yep, the 9500i is a pretty cool unit. I will post some pics of the install we did on an IS-F here as soon as the car comes back. Shouldn't be too long. Good luck with the Valentine, it sound pretty cool as well.

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rushnut

· #10 · Aug 28, 2008

I can speak from my limited experience of 2 months of ownership of the Escort 9500ci that I think it's an excellent system.

Perhaps the GPS feature which reduces all those annoying false alerts at door openers, etc. is my favorite. The laser "shifting" (a nice word for "jamming") appears to work, as well, since I've been lasered at least 3 times in the last month while going at least 10-15mph over and haven't had anyone even light me up.

On my IS350 I owned the Escort S2 cordless and this new system, while a bit too expensive, completely blows the old detector away. I haven't yet updated the red light/speed camera database, but plan to today so we'll see how that goes. Installation should be done by a pro unless you really know what you're doing. Phone support at Escort has been surprisingly competent and helpful, too.

All in all, an excellent unit IMO and one I think is worth having with a car with the sheer speed capabilities of the IS F.

Hope this helps. Have fun!

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Flipside909

· #11 · Aug 28, 2008

I have had a Valentine 1 for many years now. I've even done side by side tests with the Passports on some trips (during the 30 day) and the V1 catches the radar a lot earlier than the Passports i've tried. Now that many agencies are switching over to Lidar. Pretty much all modern day radar detectors are useless as Lidar hits you instantly before your radar detector can catch it.

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