Radar Detectors

akssriva · 08-21-2009, 08:34 PM

Inspired by the 10 Most Ticketed Cars thread, what kind of radar detector or other related device do you use on your M3? And is it effective?

I am thinking about getting one seeing as California cops are out for blood these days.

Patricius · 08-21-2009, 08:37 PM

V1. Yes.

/thread

AlpWtE92 · 08-21-2009, 09:03 PM

I have and use a V1, but it is by no means a substitute for being careful and observant. In my area, I started noticing CHP officers using Laser more and more, which is very difficult for the V1 (and any other detector for that matter) to pick up. On a few occassions recently, I will see an officer pointing a speed gun at traffic, but my V1 does not go off. Luckily, this has so far only happenned on roads that I drive often and know where the usual CHP hideouts are, so I was not driving that fast.

I have found Trapster to also be helpful in identifying locations where police often hide.

RealSanaii · 08-21-2009, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlpWtE92

I have and use a V1, but it is by no means a substitute for being careful and observant. In my area, I started noticing CHP officers using Laser more and more, which is very difficult for the V1 (and any other detector for that matter) to pick up. On a few occassions recently, I will see an officer pointing a speed gun at traffic, but my V1 does not go off. Luckily, this has so far only happenned on roads that I drive often and know where the usual CHP hideouts are, so I was not driving that fast.

I have found Trapster to also be helpful in identifying locations where police often hide.

Some states have the newest speed guns that are invisible to any detectors. I was surprised my V1 didn't even pick it up at all.
However, if the cops in your area only uses the old fashion radar, it works everytime.

isugoo · 08-21-2009, 10:26 PM

V1. period.

But one thing for sure, if you trust detector 100% and drives like a maniac, you'll get a ticket for sure.
So you'll still need to drive carefully (50 - 60% chances avoiding tickets) but V1 will help you avoid tickets a lot (40 - 50% chances of avoiding tickets).

OddJobs · 08-21-2009, 11:25 PM

Escort 9500i and Laser Interceptor.

Radar is still used on the highways(exclusivly Ka where I live) but Laser pretty well the enforcement method of choice in the city.

The only effective countermeasure for laser is a jammer which are legal in most but not all states. The laser detector feature included in radar detectors is pretty much usless. Buy the time the detector goes off your speed is already recorded. Both of my laser encounters the Escort didn't make a sound. Usually the front headlight is targeted and the laser beam is so well columated a windshield mounted detector dosn't get enought energy to detect it. You might get lucky and dected some scatter from someone else being targetted ahead of you.

All laser jammers are not created equally, and with every new generation of laser gun the jammer industry will have to play catch up.

Radar detectors are not foolproof. LEOs can wait at hills or curves in the road in ambush. And then there is "instant on" modes where the radar gun is held in standby untill you are right on top of the LEO before he/she triggers it.

Lastly, if you are driving "reckless" they really don't need to record your speed.

Odd Jobs

URBAN LEGEND · 08-22-2009, 12:00 AM

Escort 9500 and common sense do pretty well.

doba_s · 08-22-2009, 10:05 AM

I say Valentine 1 (V1) and Laser Interceptor (LI) ... Combination of these two is the best what you can get today ... Now you can connect your V1 to LI and it will be like a one solid system !

08-21-2009, 08:34 PM	#1
akssriva Private First Class 17 Rep 130 Posts Drives: 2009 M3 (E90) Join Date: May 2008 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Radar Detectors Inspired by the 10 Most Ticketed Cars thread, what kind of radar detector or other related device do you use on your M3? And is it effective? I am thinking about getting one seeing as California cops are out for blood these days. __________________ 2009 M3 E90, Jerez Black, Red Nov leather, Premium Pkg, Tech Pkg, DCT, 19" Wheels and loads of attitude
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08-21-2009, 08:37 PM	#2
Patricius Lieutenant 17 Rep 532 Posts Drives: 04 325xi, 05 M3 cpe, 08 M3 cpe Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Philadelphia, PA iTrader: (0)	V1. Yes. /thread
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08-21-2009, 09:03 PM	#3
AlpWtE92 First Lieutenant 22 Rep 319 Posts Drives: '08 AW E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SF / Bay Area iTrader: (0)	I have and use a V1, but it is by no means a substitute for being careful and observant. In my area, I started noticing CHP officers using Laser more and more, which is very difficult for the V1 (and any other detector for that matter) to pick up. On a few occassions recently, I will see an officer pointing a speed gun at traffic, but my V1 does not go off. Luckily, this has so far only happenned on roads that I drive often and know where the usual CHP hideouts are, so I was not driving that fast. I have found Trapster to also be helpful in identifying locations where police often hide.
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08-21-2009, 10:26 PM	#5
isugoo Major General 248 Rep 6,125 Posts Drives: 991.2 GTS Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (73)	V1. period. But one thing for sure, if you trust detector 100% and drives like a maniac, you'll get a ticket for sure. So you'll still need to drive carefully (50 - 60% chances avoiding tickets) but V1 will help you avoid tickets a lot (40 - 50% chances of avoiding tickets). __________________ PAST: F80 M3 ZCP \| 911.1 C2S \| F10 M5 ZCP \| E70 X5M \| E90 M3 \| E46 M3 \| E36 M3
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08-21-2009, 11:25 PM	#6
OddJobs Enlisted Member 7 Rep 47 Posts Drives: 2015 E82 Mineral Grey M4 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Calgary AB iTrader: (0)	Escort 9500i and Laser Interceptor. Radar is still used on the highways(exclusivly Ka where I live) but Laser pretty well the enforcement method of choice in the city. The only effective countermeasure for laser is a jammer which are legal in most but not all states. The laser detector feature included in radar detectors is pretty much usless. Buy the time the detector goes off your speed is already recorded. Both of my laser encounters the Escort didn't make a sound. Usually the front headlight is targeted and the laser beam is so well columated a windshield mounted detector dosn't get enought energy to detect it. You might get lucky and dected some scatter from someone else being targetted ahead of you. All laser jammers are not created equally, and with every new generation of laser gun the jammer industry will have to play catch up. Radar detectors are not foolproof. LEOs can wait at hills or curves in the road in ambush. And then there is "instant on" modes where the radar gun is held in standby untill you are right on top of the LEO before he/she triggers it. Lastly, if you are driving "reckless" they really don't need to record your speed. Odd Jobs
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08-22-2009, 12:00 AM	#7
URBAN LEGEND Rocky 412 Rep 3,085 Posts Drives: 16 M5, 18 ZL1 1LE, 18 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brenham TX iTrader: (0)	Escort 9500 and common sense do pretty well. __________________ 22 Audi RS E-Tron GT 21 Model S Plaid
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08-22-2009, 10:05 AM	#8
doba_s Major General 405 Rep 6,107 Posts Drives: X7 l Cayenne l 997.2RS Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Danville iTrader: (26)	I say Valentine 1 (V1) and Laser Interceptor (LI) ... Combination of these two is the best what you can get today ... Now you can connect your V1 to LI and it will be like a one solid system !
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