Mr Wolf

I know this subject has been beaten to death already but since the new E55 is Hela fast (Cartman stop saying hela) I gotta get me one or I am going to lose my DL. What do you guys use and why. I had a cheap radar detector about 10 years ago it was constantly beeping I just threw is out. Thanks in advance. Wolf E55 SLK55

DerekFSU

I use the Passport SRX because of it's stealth install and built-in laser shifting. V1's are probably the best out there. Best out there meaning the V1 picks up the radar at 3.5 miles away and the Passport picks it up at 2.5 miles away. Not that much of a difference IMO.

That being said, the only way it will save you from radar is if the cop is being lazy by just keeping the radar on, or he hits a car up in front of you somewhere. Most around here use the "instant on" and there is NOTHING you can legally do about that other than pull over.

vraa

Once you've been hit, you're toast. Sorry malady.

Best thing is to use jammers. Even then though....

IanSL55

I've only been stopped once in the last 15 years (got off w/ a fix-it ticket) and while I do use a radar detector (Escort 8500), I think the best defense is keeping your eyes on the road in front (brake lights in the distance), behind you (being paced), and at oncoming traffic (thanks to drivers who flash high beems as a warning)... In a era of 'instant on' no radar detector is going to save you.

~ Ian

darren_dallas

The newest Bel (RX65) and Escort (8500 x50) are the leading detectors, even over V1, based on the most recent tests. The V1 has not kept as current on the technology and was the last to add POP mode support as an example.

I have the Bel RX65 and I swear by it. My friend has the 8500 x50 and swears by his. Both are rated neck and neck and you couldn't go wrong with either one.

If you get the Bel the also offer a Laser "jammer" you can add to your car in stealth fashion and hook it into your RX65.

medici78

I've got the new Passport 8500 X50. In fact, funny you mention that you need one now that you have the E55. As soon as I took delivery of the car, I went straight to the nearest Best Buy to pick one up, as I took delivery of the car in Houston, and had a 750 mile drive back to El Paso. Worked like a charm and saved my a$$ several times on the way back.

Vetluver

I drive like a maniac and haven't had a ticket in 5 years. (Where's that wood?) I have 4 V1s. It might not be the best according to the tests but I'm not sure that it can be beat in real life. Use it in L mode.

Hussain

The arrows my kompressor pals, THE ARROWS!! (and maybe a K40 laser diffuser)

houston

I have the Escort Passport 8500 X50 blue display... I haven't yet tried anything else but i know about 10 years ago I used nothing but BEL.


maybe this article will help you decide

superduper

The Valentine.

enzom

I also use an SRX radar detector/laser diffuser. The best thing to avoid tickets are PBA cards and shields. Once you've been hit with instant-on radar, you are done. I can't tell you that the laser diffuser has saved me, but others who have the SRX on their vettes swear that it has saved them.

But I agree that you need to keep your eyes wide open for clues, e.g. brake lights, service roads, etc., and check your mirrors every few seconds to really protect yourself.

Jakpro1

I have the full report from a "big 3 radar detector shootout"

It goes into super detail as to the strengths of each one....PM me with your address and I will shoot it to ya.

Ray J

8500 x50

jtc55

valentine v1

mysticblu999

rocky mountain radar c430! best radar/laser dector/jammer instant on, and POP dectection! you are protceted, with this radar detector

[]

gmdebruyn

First Defense: 11-99 Foundation License Plates and Membership (www.chp1199.org). A charity that donates to the families of officers who died in the line of duty. 11-99 is the code for an officer down. Not guaranteed to get you out of a ticket, but definitely makes any CHP officer your friend. Worthy cause, tax deductible, and you get a badge.

Second Defense: Valentine 1 (I tested it on a flat road after passing a CHP (who had his radar on) and I could detect him out to 2.5 miles away, with other traffic around me). I keep mine up by the sun visor, but have the stealth display in my ashtray so I can flip it up to see where he is hiding.

Third Defense: Blinder Laser Jammer. Not technically legal in California, but the jamming signal it gives out gives you time to slow down to a legal limit, and to flip the jammer off. The jamming code the officer gets is the same one he would get if he got high beamed by Xenon headlights or from a really strong sunlight reflection. Other items would cause it as well. Just be good about having the installer hide the jammers (I have 2 up front and 1 in the back). Again, switch and LED 'ON' light in ashtray area, so I flip up and turn it off after it engages. My two jammers up front are under the grille. The one in the back is mounted under the bumper, through the plastic strip on the very bottom of the bumper. The dealer never even realized it wasn't a part of the car when I brought it in.

darren_dallas

Please do not fall prey to Rocky Mountain Radar. They have had many tests performed on their products and they have been proven to have a bogus, on the verge of scamming, type of product. Please search the net and you'll find several articles on the company and their products confirming this statement.

DerekFSU

Please tell me you are kidding. Rocky Mountain is known to be the biggest joke in the industry.

WalshyNC

IanSL55 is right. The best way to be warned is to keep your eyes peeled. It's pretty easy to see the cops when you're as paranoid as I am. But it works. Never gotten a ticket, or even been pulled. Enjoy the wagon!

xraymd

Valentine 1 for sure. Five years in Ohio where everyone seems eager to write a ticket and I haven't had one yet. It definitely is more useful against the local guys. The Highway Patrol are a lot sneakier and try to have their units on as little as possible. Despite common wisdom, I have had ticket saving laser warnings twice. Radar sensitivity can be so strong, you wonder if the units working right. (Man, that thing has been going off for two minutes. Oh wait, there's the cop now.)

Two final points. 1. Arrows - very useful. 2. Upgrades - when POP became available in January, I sent in my unit and got it back within a week with the latest POP for about $60. No need to buy a completely new unit.

IanSL55

Does anyone know a good dealer/installer for the SRX in Orange County California?

~ Ian

IanSL55

I saw a 11-99 Foundation license plate frame on a black E55 in Irvine today... that wouldn't have been you would it?

~ Ian

gmdebruyn

not me. i'm in northern california. there are quite a few 11-99 members down south.