october 15, 2006 radar review

[Kevinrt8700m5]

well it looks like it's about time i sell my x50 and get a new valentine one.
http://www.guysoflidar.com/radar-detector-test-fall-2006/radar-detector-test.html

[S2k Dude]

9 times out of 10 when I see a speed trap they are running Laser, not radar. On my trip last week down to Port Canaveral, FL I saw three speed traps, one in GA and two in FL, all running Laser. IMO, it's too bad the good 'ol radar detector isn't much help anymore.

[Matt The Bagel]

Radar & Laser detectors are a waste of money.

[OyATL]

Radar & Laser detectors are a waste of money.

:withstupid:

[sprix!]

Radar definitely is outdated. It only helps to detect scanning in smaller areas. Atlanta is up to date, and if all you are running is a radar detector, you won't even see it coming. The police in the metro area never use anything but laser, right? That's what I have experienced.
The way I see it, the only good reason to have a laser detector is to know when you are boned. There simply isn't enough time to react. And besides, with laser, they don't just leave it on the way they used to just leave radar on. Typically, they scan people individually using the pop technology. Unfortunately, alot of detectors are not advanced sufficiently to recognize this technique, and the whole confection ends up being a waste of money.

[Kevinrt8700m5]

i've only seen gwinette area use laser. all other parts of georgia use radar (k, KA) i've never seen one use X. about 70 times of the detections found i only saw one laser. and that was in gwinette and he had already pulled someone over.

[S2k Dude]

Radar & Laser detectors are a waste of money.

I tend to agree for those of us that live in the Atlanta and surrounding metro area, that's why a few of you guys in the club are running the laser jamming systems. Maybe radar is still being used in the mountains and less populated areas of Georgia.

[dvergar]

Nothing but Ka RADAR in Colbert - and they leave it on all the time! GSP uses their instant-on, but they use it so much, unless the road is deserted, the V1 sniffs 'em out well ahead of time. However, for those of you who come to Athens from time to time, the motorcycle officers all use laser and they are very hard to see. Laser is such short range that you can generally see a crown vic on the side of the road before you're in range, but the motorcycle coppers are almost invisible.

[tonybell_57]

Radar & Laser detectors are a waste of money.Says the guy with the radar/laser detector and laser shifters:D

[tonybell_57]

Radar is still used very much in Gwinnett. I go through 2 speed traps every morning on my way to work and both use radar. My last ticket ( back in April) was by radar on PIB @ Chattahoochee Dr. just before Sugarloaf Pkwy and was written by a Duluth Police officer.

[Welery]

Radar is used in moving police cars, Laser is used only when stationary.:goodjob:

[dvergar]

Has anyone had any experience with airborne traffic enforcement? I've seen the signs on the highways, but I'm not sure how I would know there is a traffic enforcement plane up there. I guess it's more popular out west.

[S2k Dude]

Has anyone had any experience with airborne traffic enforcement? I've seen the signs on the highways, but I'm not sure how I would know there is a traffic enforcement plane up there. I guess it's more popular out west.
When I lived in Sarasota, Florida the FHP used VASCAR a lot although I've not seen it being used much in other parts of Florida even though I see an occasional sign for it in Florida. Maybe aviation fuel has gotten too expensive. I've never seen Georgia usedAir Patrol for traffic enforcement.

I guess there are some place radar is still used so buying a radar detector isn't a complete waste of money. I just try to keep my speed less than 10 over and haven't had a problem.

[sprix!]

Radar is used in moving police cars, Laser is used only when stationary.:goodjob:
Good information.

[dvergar]

When I lived in Sarasota, Florida the FHP used VASCAR a lot although I've not seen it being used much in other parts of Florida even though I see an occasional sign for it in Florida. Maybe aviation fuel has gotten too expensive. I've never seen Georgia usedAir Patrol for traffic enforcement.

I guess there are some place radar is still used so buying a radar detector isn't a complete waste of money. I just try to keep my speed less than 10 over and haven't had a problem.

VASCAR is very seriously flawed because it relies not only on the visual acuity of the officer at a given range but also his/her reaction time. This is a pretty good evisceration of that method of speed detection...
http://travel.3dresearch.com/prep1.html

[tonybell_57]

VASCAR is very seriously flawed because it relies not only on the visual acuity of the officer at a given range but also his/her reaction time. This is a pretty good evisceration of that method of speed detection...
http://travel.3dresearch.com/prep1.html

Uh...it was my understanidng that the process was completely automated - point and shoot. The VSACAR unit measures distance between 2 objects in it's field of view and clocks the length of time it takes you to travel from point A to point B. It then calculates your speed using basic physics r = d/t (where r = rate of speed, d = distance and t = length of travel time). At least that's how it worked when I lived in VA. As a state employee, I went on several ride-alongs with VA State Troopers.

[dvergar]

Uh...it was my understanidng that the process was completely automated - point and shoot. The VSACAR unit measures distance between 2 objects in it's field of view and clocks the length of time it takes you to travel from point A to point B. It then calculates your speed using basic physics r = d/t (where r = rate of speed, d = distance and t = length of travel time). At least that's how it worked when I lived in VA. As a state employee, I went on several ride-alongs with VA State Troopers.

VASCAR is basically a calculator. The flaw is that the officer has to turn it on and off, and his reaction time and ability to determine when you reached each point can introduce errors outside the range most speeding laws allow. The article I linked above does the math for you.

[wpriller7]

True, radar detectors will not stop you from getting a speeding ticket, but they do offer a little bit of security. I was driving up to Ohio using my Valentine1, knowing that my unit was one of the first units that Mike Valentine sold. I decided to stop by their office in Cincinnati to buy a new unit because of the pop radar capability. They gave me $200 for my unit on purchasing one of their new units and I been very pleased with my purchase. A ounce of security is better than nothing, unless you clocked by air.:drive:


Radar & Laser detectors are a waste of money.

[rvtec88]

My 8500 has saved my ass so many times going back and forth to work from villarica to fairburn. It maynot be perfect but it has paid for itself 10 times over, Im glad i got it.

[REVS9K]

True, radar detectors will not stop you from getting a speeding ticket, but they do offer a little bit of security. I was driving up to Ohio using my Valentine1, knowing that my unit was one of the first units that Mike Valentine sold. I decided to stop by their office in Cincinnati to buy a new unit because of the pop radar capability. They gave me $200 for my unit on purchasing one of their new units and I been very pleased with my purchase. A ounce of security is better than nothing, unless you clocked by air.:drive:

:withstupid:

[HartS2K]

Are you telling me that I still have to look out for the police even though I have a Valentine1. I thought I could speed everywhere I went without repercussions. Damnit! It wasn't worth the money then. :D

[dvergar]

I thought I could speed everywhere I went without repercussions.

No, you have to live in Montana to do that.

[tonybell_57]

My 8500 has saved my ass so many times going back and forth to work from villarica to fairburn. It maynot be perfect but it has paid for itself 10 times over, Im glad i got it.Amen! Mine paid for itself just this past weekend coming home from Charlotte.

[wpriller7]

Vascar is basically a thing of the past, a number of years ago there were only about 3 states or Commonwealths using vascar detection. They were Virginia, Maryland & Delaware and Ontario Province in Canada. As you are aware Virginia, Connecticut, Michigan and Ontario Province radar detectors are illegal. Vascar was one of the advance technology back in the day because it was a simple format, even though states like Florida had gone to K band. One of the problems that existed with K band was the Officers were not properly instructed on how to use the equipment. Radar has gradually progress k, to ka to laser and now pop radar. The most advanced system out there today is Spectrum radar that is used in Australia. It has not been FCC approved to bring it into the United States, and alot States and Commonwealths will not purchase the units because of the price. So it is always a ongoing technology war between radar companies and radar detector companies, but it is always good to have one.:drive:



Uh...it was my understanidng that the process was completely automated - point and shoot. The VSACAR unit measures distance between 2 objects in it's field of view and clocks the length of time it takes you to travel from point A to point B. It then calculates your speed using basic physics r = d/t (where r = rate of speed, d = distance and t = length of travel time). At least that's how it worked when I lived in VA. As a state employee, I went on several ride-alongs with VA State Troopers.

[REVS9K]

I found someone on eBay who is the current highest bidder on a Valentine1 v1.8, guess who?

http://www.s2katlanta.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=981&g2_serialNumber=1

[REVS9K]

I am actually looking to pick one of these up also this week. Anyone know of a good place with fair prices. I was hoping to have it before I leave town next Thursday.

[S2k Dude]

I'd just order it directly from the manufacturer, they're only $399 retail and they may have a refurbished (like new) one for less than what the one is going for on eBay.

[1QUICK1]

Yeah, they don't sell through stores. Best to buy at their website.

I've considered purchasing a detector and the Valentine is the only one I'd consider.

[S2k Dude]

Yeah, they don't sell through stores. Best to buy at their website.

I've considered purchasing a detector and the Valentine is the only one I'd consider.

I'd have to agree. I had the Escort 8500 and while it sells for about $100 less than the V1 I think the extra cost is worthwhile. Also, if you order direct from Valentine1 you'll be sure you get the latest firmware installed, if you buy from some other place you may need to send the unit in for an upgrade.

[REVS9K]

I'd have to agree. I had the Escort 8500 and while it sells for about $100 less than the V1 I think the extra cost is worthwhile. Also, if you order direct from Valentine1 you'll be sure you get the latest firmware installed, if you buy from some other place you may need to send the unit in for an upgrade.

I was planning on buting the Escort 8500 or the S2, but every review I've read says the extra $100 is well worth it. It seems that the Valentine site is the best price. I can't believe how much more they are going for on eBay.

Thanks

[REVS9K]

I found someone on eBay who is the current highest bidder on a Valentine1 v1.8, guess who?

http://www.s2katlanta.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=981&g2_serialNumber=1

It's Danny's user name: dp32185

[REVS9K]

I ordered a new Valentine 1.8 from the Valentine site. Just under $405 shipped. I ships same day if the order is made before 12pm or the next day if ordered after 12pm.

It amazes me what people are paying for used Valentine radar detectors. Most of them seem to be going for $350-400 used plus shipping. Thanks for the info guys. I will let you know how I like it. It was $100 more than I was hoping to spend, but i'm sure it will be worth it.

[WebGod]

You could pay two speeding tickets for that price.... Ouch.

[REVS9K]

You could pay two speeding tickets for that price.... Ouch.

It could also save me from one :)

[Cyclon36]

You could pay two speeding tickets for that price.... Ouch.

After insurance costs and whatnot, they can pay for themselves. my insurance would be $ $900 cheaper a year if I didn't get busted by laser on 285 going 76mph. I should have bought my laser shifter sooner.

V1 is definitely the way to go as far as detectors go. The arrows are worth the extra $100 easily.

[lns2k]

I'm bias toward a V1 as well :). I got mine about 2 years ago and I love it. I take it everywhere I go even on business trip where I can use it on a rental car. I just need to send it in for the POP firmware upgrade.

V1 FTW!!!

[WebGod]

You just shouldn't speed, it's the cheapest alternative... :D :D :D

[Welery]

V1 FTW!!!


:rolf::rolf::rolf::rolf:

V1 = teh champ:D