jerryjerry

Currently have Escort 8500, however it does not detect "Laser" These Motor Cops are always aiming the "Gun" & my radar does not detect or prewarn!!
Any ideas...which brand are you using? Thanks..jj

AMG 17GT

Valentine one sir. But if your going to spend $$ get a blinder xtreme, which eliminates laser tickets and helps with parking of course

Pntblnk

Beltronics STiR+ for your radar / laser DETECTION needs. This unit is the top performing radar detector on the market (range, ability to customize sweeps, off axis detection, etc...). The issue with laser detection is that it's only telling you the CHP's have already acquired your speed. The laser jammers will alert you to the shot, jam the signal for a short period while you slow down to the posted limit and cut the jammers off ( very key to cut them off) to allow the CHP to acquire the new lower speed.

Check out Laser Interceptor, Blinder, Anit-Laser, etc...) All have strengths and weaknesses. I've been running the Laser Interceptors for 4 yards and never had a laser ticket. My previous SoCal commute was 41 miles x2 on the 241 which was filled with CHP motor cops running laser. Jammed dozens of shots and cut my speed. WAZE is also your friend in CA. Saved my butt many more times that either the detector or the jammers. YRMV.

mke111

I have the following equipment:
Valentine One (two of them)
Passport Max
Cobra SLR 650G
Escort 9500ix (not using anymore)

And the Laser Interceptor in two of the cars.
Blinder on another car.

I agreen with pntblnk - Waze is a good one.. not perfect but comforting.

I have had several encounters with Laser and have not been ticketed - saved usually by Laser Interceptor.. Most often, the Escort 9500 ix, Passport Max and Valentine 1 do not even sound alarm with laser. Only the Cobra alarms promptly, with laser! But the detectors are too late.. You MUST get the laser jammer.

The Laser Interceptor almost never gives false alarms. I can't be 100% sure but I think it has saved me several times, from laser tickets. One of my cars has the high power version of the LI and I am not sure it is worth the extra expense - but who wants to take a chance on a ticket? You buy a $100k car, the few hundred extra for high power might be worth the peace of mine.. My LI units are probably 6 to 8 years old.. I have been moving them as I change cars.

I don't know whether the Blinder is as good or not.. It might well be as good. I have not checked the reviews recently.

I keep using the laser interceptor more - because when ever I move one from one car to another, I send it back to Cliff - the guy who sells these - and he updates the firmware for free.. for a nominal $10 shipping charge. If you buy LI, buy direct from him..
Buy Blinder, if it is substantially cheaper (I have not recently checked prices on either).

Oh btw, if you do get the laser interceptor - don't get the exterior speaker option - that option creats annoying noise with cell phones.

The cobra unit I have is no longer made. I dislike the Valentine one because it lacks the auto mute feature.. Do these idiots use their own products? They like the sound of the beeps of their own products, I guess? Such idiots! Why not give, a user selectable, auto mute? Additional cost factor would be insiginificant! Also, the valentine 1 needs to be hooked up to your car's diagnostic port to make it mute with speed.. maybe because someone else has a patent on GPS based detectors.. and I think I read that valentine 1 diagnostic port option does not work with mercedes.

The passport max seems ok. It too does not have a 100% audio mute below certain speeds (and yes, I do know about its speed based settings and the phone app based interface).. As most of us know, they sound off a lot in parking lots and airports.. when we are parked.. Does it occur to anyone that the detectors should shut off automatically below, say - 15 or 25 mph? And the Escort live is a useless feature.. Waze is free and much better! I have a subscription to escort live but I don't really use it.

The cobra has an auto audio mute based on engine rpm. Unfortunately, i am using it in a hybrid car and thats useless.

Bottom line?
1. Buy a cheap radar detector from BEL or Cobra.. Cobra seems to work fine. I believe that most of these detectors are pretty good at detecting radar. Passport Max's GPS based ignore feature is not as good and as useful as you would expect.. I still get same stupid false alarms repeating at the same location.. I think I like the Cobra best.. Its much cheaper.. And don't buy Valentine 1. The guy is behind times in design.. Its too big and overpriced.. Buy Cobra..

2. Absolutely, positively, buy a Laser jammer. they are legal in many states.. but not in some, including IL.. I don't think they are checking in IL whether or not you have illegal laser jammer. Between the Blinder Vs Laser interceptor, I can't suggest one against the other. I did test my LI unit once, with the help of a friendly cop.. It did seem to have worked.. He said he had trouble clocking my speed twice but got me 3rd time, when I got closer.. Therefore, I do know that the LI works.. The blinder also might work just fine..

S63LAW

Saved me in 911 mostly and MB as well. Great for price.

ENVē

I have the Passport 9500ci, seems to work well