cruse control is my rader detector....no speedy for me....

 

I've ran into X-band in some smaller towns. I've seen it used every now and then in town for the head fake too, start off with X-band then boom, go to K or Ka while you think it's an automatic door opener or something.

 

Valentine-1 with remote display. Pics in the gallery. I've had it 2 1/2 years, probably ~100,000 miles, no tickets (he said while knocking on wood). I rarely use it around town/surface streets, bought it for the open road.

Depending on time of day, traffic, mood, etc., I set the cruise at 85-90 mph, stay in the farthest right lane as possible, only hit the hammer lane to pass & then get back to the right.

700 miles at 60 mph average = 11.7 hours

700 miles at 80 mph average = 8.75 hours

3 hours saved/trip (700 mile trip) @ $30/hour (arbitrary figure) = $90/trip. 24 trips per year. ( And, yes for the AR folks, I use more gas at speed limit +20, than I do at SL...)

Yeah, it has paid for itself over and over.

 

I have used them for many years now and I have also been stopped with them a few times but been saved many more than ever stoped when using one. But for the last couple of years i only use my detector on long road trips as it is too much of a hassle to hook it up then when i get to where ever I'm agoing to disconct it and hide it then hook it back up and so on I just got to the point and only use it on long trips.

 

I'm still using the Escort Passport 4600 that was given to me by my dad before I started my freshman year of college in '97. I think that he had it for a year before that, but it's basically has moved from a '94 Explorer to a '97 Mountaineer to the current '05 F-150 Supercrew that I'm driving. The first two I was able to mount on the windshield above the rear view mirror and run the wire to the fusebox using the visor and the plastic A-pillar cover to hide the wires, but now the F-150 has the 4600 about 4" above the dash on the windshield with the wire running from the plastic tray on top of the dash.

I noticed that I have slowed down a bit from the college days, so in-town isn't much of a worry as it was back then. On the highway, I usually don't do anymore than 5-10 mph over with traffic unless the rest of traffic is flying, and then it's almost the speed limit when there is no cover. For a while I was debating whether or not to wire the radar detector to the iginition or just to pull it out and plug into the 12V accessory port when I traveled.

 

I love my Beltronics. I did alot of research before buying. A year ago it was rated the best radar detector on the market. Not sure who won the award this year. Here is a pic.

 

Not running a detector currently. I never got mine hard-wired, but if I buy another one I defintely will. Here's a funny story for you, well it's funny now. I had my radar detector plugged in while on a trip day after christmas. Wife unplugged the detector to plug in her cell phone to charge...I didn't realize she did this and was buzzing along 20+...Wasn't paying too much attention and before I knew it looked up with the all too familiar view of lights in rear mirror, before I could stash the detector he was at my window....Looked at me with a real smart *** tone, referring to the detector said "I guess that didn't do you much good today did it!" I acted smartly on my toes and said "It wasn't plugged in" Needless to say I spent a few dollars on the ticket. The crapiest part was that I had gotten a ticket the day before for 'disregarding traffic device' ...running a red light...Oh well, so now I just get behind someone that has a detector and buzz along with them. So moral of story...if you use a detector...hard wire it..or tell wife/girlfriend to keep hands off the plug!!!!!

 

WOW, that sucks

 

I bought my first radar detector in 1980, (an old SuperSnooper) since then I have been saved from numerous tickets by the things. I have a very heavy right foot, but Im a believer.
Currently velcroed to the dash of the F150 is an ESCORT PASSPORT 8500 X50 BLUE RADAR / LASER DETECTOR, the absoulte best so far IMHO.

 

I have the same radar detector, it has kept me out of trouble plenty of times. I have it hardwired and mounted just to the left of the rearview.

 

there's a pic of mine i just took today
-Patrick

 

yes I am the Master. (I am resizing now)


My many of your picture taking skills SUCK! Angle the mirror and flash AWAY from reflecting back to you and turn on your interior lights if you are going to attempt it in the dark


Hardwired to a hot lead under the overhead lights using black phone cable and wire taps.






Anything other than a V1 is worthless in my opinion and I have owned all the big competitors......

 

Here is another look. THe mirror is crooked not the V1 which is mounted to that plastic thing behind the mirror (Compass?)

 

I have my V1 in the same place but I dont have the remote, looks good.

 

Since we are telling stories, I was in VA picking up my 99 Cobra. I live in Texas where it is legal to have a radar detector. So flew to VA, stopped at the dealership, wrote a check for the rest of my car and I was off on my way. I am cruising down the road when I see an officer about 1/2 mile back; he is working his way through the crowd of cars. I don't know why but I unplugged my radar. Then he stopped moving back and forth and just went steadily along, so about 5 minutes later plugged it back in, once again he starts moving through traffic towards me. I think what the heck he has some type of device on his car to help locate radar detectors. I get smart and unplug it again, then leave it unplugged. I get to a gas station a couple of hours later and ask the attendant. She says sorry sir they are illegal here.

Can they sniff them out? Luckily I didn't get caught she said it was a 2500.00 fine. I keep one in my Mustang and one in the F150. I too am a believer in the Radar Detectors!