Bought a New Radar Detector.

Three weeks ago, while driving home from a job in CT. I had my cruise control set at 60. I am in a rental car and NOT trying to speed... I see the sign say 45, I disengage the cruise and start to slow. The cop is sitting directly in front of the sign... I get popped for 50 in a 45. I was really pissed...

So I have bought and new Radar Detector. Since I live in VA, I needed one that will NOT be detected by the police... That left me with only one option. The Beltronic STi Stealth....

It was a bit pricy. If you want pics, let me know, I took pictures of the unrapping....
 
Good luck Shipkiller, but as I said before, those things just give you a false sense of security and make sure it is out of sight, as most cops will give you the max over if they see one. :(
 
WaZZZZman said:
Good luck Shipkiller, but as I said before, those things just give you a false sense of security and make sure it is out of sight, as most cops will give you the max over if they see one. :(
Especially in VA. Yikes.....
 
WaZZZZman said:
Good luck Shipkiller, but as I said before, those things just give you a false sense of security and make sure it is out of sight, as most cops will give you the max over if they see one. :(


Not really sure what you mean by that.

I have been playing with the idea of getting a Radar Detector (RD) for the last three months, and during this time I have done a ton of research on the matter.... and asked a lot of people there opinions on this subject. Most have the same opinion you have.
After all of the research I have done, I have come to the conclusion that those negative opinions are based on very old data (old detectors that really did not work) and ignorance of the subject. I am defiantly NOT calling you dumb, just uninformed....

Do most need them? Most likely not, but because I was trying NOT to speed, this stop pissed me off so much, I am willing to spend $500 to give me a 90% assurance that it will not happen again....

No, I agree with you, they are not the endall, beall and cureall, but GOOD ONES will give you ample warning when getting near, but outside the detection range of a X, K and Ka band radar, including POP models. Ku band is not used in the USA. And then you have to worry about Laser detection.....

The one I bought has all this, forward and rear radar and laser detection and POP detection.....PLUS it absolutely cannot be detected by the two best RD detector models: V2 and Spectre Mk IV. Unless the police see it in the car AND turned ON... It is NOT illegal to own one or have it in your car, but it is illegal to have it turned on.
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If you really want to get radical, then you get into the Laser countermeasures.... Whether active or passive.

Active countermeasures use a laser projector in the front of the vehicle to reduce the effective range of the officer holding the laser gun. Eventually the laser gun will burn through the active countermeasures that are on the car.
Then you have Passive countermeasures. This consists of something called Laser Veal. Laser Veil is a translucent darkish liquid intended to coat the reflective bits on a vehicle, in particular the headlights, fog lights, turn signal lights, license plate and any vertical brightwork capable of reflecting the laser beam.

In every test I have seen on this subject, with both active and passive countermeasures on the vehicle, it reduced the the range that the laser gun getting a reading on the vehicle from approx. 2000ft to 450ft. Ave...

I will be able to better test this unit when I drive back home in Aug. Plus, I plan on getting Laser Veil also... To me the Active laser protection is a bit much. For some, it is worth it....

Right now, the Valentine One, Beltronics STi Driver/Beltronics RX-65 and Escort Passport 9500i are the best ones... which one is the best, depending on the site you visit, but all are VERY close to each other. It really depneds on what features you want...

I am not trying to start a flame war. I just learned a whole bunch about this subject in the last few months..
 
I am not saying anything about the technology not working, it does, but let me put it this way. Out here anyway, when you go to Banger next time, you may be bopping along at lets say 70 MPH, all your devices are A-OK and a guy in a custom looking 57 Chevy pulls you over and he used a stop watch, a road detector, or just his eyes as he was tailing you. :cry:

People get to trusting those devices and do not pay enough attention to what they are doing and get more tickets. My advise… go the speed limit or just pay the ticket as a cost of having fun. :)
 
WaZZZZman said:
I am not saying anything about the technology not working, it does, but let me put it this way. Out here anyway, when you go to Banger next time, you may be bopping along at lets say 70 MPH, all your devices are A-OK and a guy in a custom looking 57 Chevy pulls you over and he used a stop watch, a road detector, or just his eyes as he was tailing you. :cry:

People get to trusting those devices and do not pay enough attention to what they are doing and get more tickets.


You are defiantly correct on that score. :rofl:

Axiom number one: The Stupid shall be punished....
 
I agree with most of what has been said here. I got a handmedown old bell 800 series RD, which is there for extra situational awareness only. Your eyes and common sense are the best ways to avoid being caught...and I speed 90% of the time I drive, mostly cuz I get the car out once or twice a week and I want to have fun. Haven't gotten a ticket since I was in europe...got a flashed by a camera in switzerland doing 8 km/h over.

Anyway...looking for cops is fun, keeps you awake and aware while your driving, the RD is there for the ones you don't see. My favorite is finding unmarked cop vehicles...;)

Did you do any research on scanner's? Apparently uniden has scanners out there that'll tell you if you're near a police radio transponder signal...very cool :thumbsup:
 
Saved my A** today as a matter of fact...

Driving on one of the back roads in Mystic CT. going back to my hotel. The speed limit was 35 and I was doing 38...

The STi went off and I started to slow. Around the blind corner was another speed sign that says 25 with a cop sitting directly underneath it... When you get around the corner and see the sigh, it's too late.....

The STi saves the day...
 
I'm assuming this has to be on the dash? Or is there a way you can "hide" it so cops can't readily see?
 
Never been into any of this technology and to be honest in the UK I think it would largely be a waste of time. We are using ever more sohisticated cameras and technology.

The average speed cameras being the worst, that usually on dual/motorways simply read your licence plate as you pass each one and then in any combination calculate your average speed over a few hundred metres or tens of miles. Do what you like but if the average is over you get a ticket.

Other cameras that watch you approaching and digitally put marks ont he road to show speed are another pain. IOnfra red so not jammed ( as far as I know)

Better is that we can simply download databases of all cameras and known regular mobile locations.

Talk of cameras and big brother I left the car at an airport this week. On entry it read my reg and printed it on the ticket on exit read again and let me out wihout any ticket presented as it had my prepayment already logged and validated the reg again - cool or what!!
 
That's awesome Cj10. But scary too...as cameras get better it's a wonder everyone everywhere doesn't use them. Hard to fool those cameras when they avg your speed. Course having speed camera POI's help :P
 
Here's another one I forgot that has enormous potential with it's live video feeds and database.

The Watchman Casualty Reduction Scheme is a traffic calming measure used in the United Kingdom. The scheme comprises various methods to reduce traffic speed including cameras and Variable Message Signs which flash the speed limit when a driver is going too fast. The cameras do not issue fines or penalty points to the driver, but record the number plate, speed and time of vehicles. The scheme has been very effective on keeping general traffic speeds below the limit of the road. Each Watchman System comes standard with high speed communications allowing access to live and recorded video images without having to physically visit the unit. This feature allows traffic managers remote access from a PC, Laptop or dedicated control room. Each unit can be programmed to take appropriate automatic action upon detecting a certain speed of vehicle, for example, automatically issuing a letter to the owners of vehicles traveling in excess of 50mph on a particular stretch of road, or to capture on video the passage of vehicles driving above a certain speed

In addition to recording the information of speeding vehicles, a Watchman System can also be used for long-term analysis of traffic movement by counting each passing vehicle and registering its speed. Details of up to 2 million vehicles can be stored into its memory, in essence creating a traffic census for the stretch of road. It can also be used to track suspect vehicles after crimes or terrorist attacks.
 
Aebous said:
I'm assuming this has to be on the dash? Or is there a way you can "hide" it so cops can't readily see?


Unless it is illegal in your area, I don't think is matters too much...

There are other mounting options that I have found.

Bel also makes the STi-R. The remote model. Twice as expensive, but the antennas are in your bumper, front/rear with a display where ever you want it.... That is more of a permanent mount.
 
Here's the package that I received....

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The external powered speaker is mainly (I guess) for something like a big truck cab...
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There are two power cords that came with the unit, One is a coiled power cord and one is for permanent power hook up.
Both have the indication assembly so you do not need to see the actual detector unit..

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The hard wired power cord.
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This company makes a rear view mirror mount..
http://www.countryjoycrafts.com/ConnectorForRadarDetector.htm
 
i just fitted the blinder xtreme m25 and aquired a new beltronics toy, a vector 965.

no more tickets for me! :driving:
 
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