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Car&Driver FEB2002: Top Radar Detector Test

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Old 01-03-2002, 02:45 PM
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Car&Driver FEB2002: Top Radar Detector Test

1st place - (97pts)Valentine 1
2 - (73pts)Escort Passport 8500
3 - (61pts)Bel 980
4 - (43pts)Cobra XR-1050
5 - (35pts)Whistler 1780
6 - (34pts)Uniden LRD 987
Old 01-03-2002, 02:54 PM
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Not surprised (maybe only by the large discrepency in points over the 8500)... I love my V1.

Do you know if C&D has the test online yet? (my subscription ran out in Nov. and I've yet to renew).

[checked the C&D site ... and couldn't find it]

Last edited by Drew; 01-03-2002 at 02:56 PM.
Old 01-03-2002, 03:24 PM
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Didn't last year's

show some other company's detector coming very close to topping the V1? I remembered people starting to say that Mikey's unit was going down (boy, that doesn't sound good), and that the competitors were going to put a dent in V1's dominence.

I'm glad that I bought mine - saved my *** again this past weekend on the way back from Atlantic City.
Old 01-03-2002, 03:36 PM
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What About The K40?

I have the K40.. I wanted to know if anyone else has it.
Old 01-03-2002, 03:45 PM
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Hey Tommy

When you were cruising in NJ this weekend, were you in your 230 Coupe? What speed do you normally cruise on the freeway in it. Is the engine excessively loud?
Old 01-03-2002, 04:02 PM
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Cool Was on it on Monday

I drove down from Clifton to exit 3 off NJT, then Black Horse Pike to AC, then back to Clifton on the Parkway.

I was going from 60-85 (was leading a pack on the GSP at 85 when V1 went off, then I slowed down, then pack did - it was like watching synchronized swimming).

During this trip, I generally kept the sunroof up in the venting position (personal outgassing [that was for MB-BOB]), and the radio up pretty high. So, I don't notice the engine much. Having said all that, I don't think the engine is very loud at all, though that is a common complaint that I've heard from other drivers of ccoupes. I guess it depends what your previous car was, and what you're used to. Is that vague enough?
Old 01-03-2002, 04:48 PM
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As always, opinions vary, and this topic is no exception. Speed Measurement Labs (speedzones.com) is supposedly a non-commercial, "independent" lab that has played with radar detectors quite a while. IMO, I would trust them over any car rag, which receives regular doses of cash (advertising) from all the detector companies.

Speedzones.com

According to the excerpt below, they rank the Passport 8500, Bel 980, and Valentine One pretty much a toss up, with a general nod to the Passport 8500 overall.

"Those mostly not found at "Discount Don’s", like Escort, Bel, and Valentine One have stuck to the basics of aggressively sniffing out radar. We found the Passport 8500 "the pick of the litter" with the most useful, radar detection features. The 8500 gives dogged, predictable, performance and retrieves all radar signals, like a "Blue Ribbon" winning Labrador Retriever. Its performance was ferocious and its packaging is exemplary. We loved the Bel 980’s immediacy of alerts and volume level with voice. It’s tenacious performance makes it a vigilant radar watch dog. When the Bel 980 barks..believe it! The Valentine One still is a top detection dog for front and unequalled rear reception with its patented rear facing antenna and unique directional arrows. It lets you know where the prey is hiding. Any of these three are "Best In Class."

Very interesting reading.

BTW, I have a Bel 980 and it works great.

Last edited by MB-BOB; 01-03-2002 at 04:58 PM.
Old 01-03-2002, 08:46 PM
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Smile radar/laser detectors

Ah, from what I've seen most people have been using the Passport and Valentine 1 here in Florida. Only the out of state people (Mostly from the NE) seem to use the K40's in some sort of hidden and remote manner. Makes no difference.
Old 01-03-2002, 08:58 PM
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Re: radar/laser detectors

Originally posted by Randy B
Ah, from what I've seen ... Makes no difference.
Ah, a voice from 'the other side of the radar gun':

So Mr. Trooper ... 'makes no difference' ... really?

What's your experience with radar, laser and their detectors?

Q: Do Florida Troopers have guns mounted both on the front dash and on the rear-seat deck lid (to get ya coming and/or going)?
Old 01-04-2002, 12:22 AM
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Ever tried to figure radar at night???

The advantage of the V1, especially at night when you know whether something is behind you, ahead of you, pacing ahead of you etc. is priceless peace of mind. Take it from a One Lap of America veteran.
Old 01-04-2002, 07:46 AM
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Well Drew,

Yes most all Troopers in the State have a what is branded as a Stalker Dual SL model Ka band radar, with dual antennas (ie: one in back and one in front). Laser only works from a stationary position. Here is what the State has been buying for us since about 1994:

Stalker Dual SL

We do have the Pro Laser which we pass around from squad to quad. Only our Motorcycle Troopers have both the radar and the Laser permanantly assigned.

Prolaser III

Both of these units are the latest and greatest, and are a real pleasure to use compared to older models.

Now some of us old timers still have stop watches and VASCAR. I personally love my VASCAR. Easiest thing to use for Speed Measurement and Enforcement.

VASCAR Plus

And that's about all my counselor friend. Oh except the aircraft on occasion, as it makes its way through the Troop.

Last edited by Randy B; 01-04-2002 at 08:01 AM.
Old 01-04-2002, 10:14 AM
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When pulled over at night...more

No question, VASCAR is effective, which might be a good reason to monitor a CB.

One tip for anyone pulled over at night: If you have seen any of the tapes on television, put yourself in the patrolman's shoes...

- after pulling as far off the road as possible, put on your interior lights and flashers

- roll down your window

- keep both hands on the wheel

- do not attempt to get out of the car unless directed

good luck, drive safe, and for pete's sake use the left lane for passing only
Old 01-04-2002, 10:47 AM
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Thumbs up Hmm, neat tips.

"Mike, the ONLY car to be worrying about at 100 mph is a "Crown-Vic" ... blue lights on top ... angry, underpaid, armed driver ... who gives you a present that costs you hundreds of dollars ... and busts your ***** for an hour .... "

Gees Drew, maybe if you took some of Zonaman's tips, you would not have all the concerns and problems from above! (ok, last time I quote something from the previous record).
Randy
Old 01-04-2002, 04:00 PM
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Easy, fellas, easy now. OK, let’s all calmly walk to the curb, put our toes on the white line facing the center median, and see who can PEE the farthest across the road!
Old 01-04-2002, 05:08 PM
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Re: Hmm, neat tips.

Originally posted by Randy B
"Mike, the ONLY car to be worrying about at 100 mph is a "Crown-Vic" ... blue lights on top ... angry, underpaid, armed driver ... who gives you a present that costs you hundreds of dollars ... and busts your ***** for an hour .... "
Gees Drew, maybe if you took some of Zonaman's tips, you would not have all the concerns and problems from above! (ok, last time I quote something from the previous record).
Randy
Great ... now I have you, Randy, quoting my rants as well as MBTech.

I know your busy protecting and serving and all that ... so I wouldn't expect you to remember ... but here, let me 'refresh your recollection':

Originally posted by Drew
"I used to get pulled over often, but never given a ticket for a moving violation ... mostly seat-belt infraction (I chalk it up to my learned-reaction when approached; dome light on; hands at 10 & 2; tell Trooper what your going to do before you do it; wait for permission to do it; do it slowly; etc.).

I don't know if its the procedure I follow (as outlined above) that gets me out of the ticket, or what's implied by my license plate(below). We're always a pain in the ***!."
Who needs to know the exceptions and limitations to the Fourth Amendment when you are kind and courteous to the government official who lights you up ... (no 'implied consent' to search in being courteous BTW!).

You fired first ... so you better be careful Randy ... in 'self-defense', I just may take MB-BOB's advice ... and be foreworned ... I haven't had a bathroom-break all day ... So, I might just reach you up in O-Town!
Old 01-04-2002, 06:31 PM
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Wink ok, ok , ok.

One of those tests, and we both will fit many degrading comments made about our chosen professions. Have a good night Drew, and BTW find the water closet will you?!
Old 01-04-2002, 10:58 PM
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Hey Randy, as a fellow Orlando citizen, I think I might have seen you a couple times. I work at the Westwood Center in south Orlando overlooking I-4. We love sitting there on the top floor and watch the 4-6 patrol car attacks during the early afternoons. They are quite amusing and entertaining.

The best one so far was when the chase car pulled over the wrong car. The guy who tagged it must have told him on the radio, because the officer didn't even get out. We just saw him waving the stopped car to go. The driver wasn't sure if this was some weird southern game (pull you over, tell you to go, then claim you didn't stop) because they didn't dare go more than 1-2 feet and then stop to see if cop changed his mind. Finally the officer must have made it very clear on the speaker and he finally dared go. Seems the lucky speeder lived to see another day.
Old 01-05-2002, 09:39 AM
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Cool I Know where you are talking about.

I have not worked that in quite a while. Very easy area to enforce though. Some engineer built the flyovers just right for that.

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