I know this has been covered many times before but I haven't seen a thread LATELY with the information I want and need. I have a 2004 F-150 and would really like to get something that goes well with the interior and thats wireless. Any suggestions? Prices? Where to buy? Thanks guys!

 

"wireless"

I have bought 6 or 7 radar detectors over the years including the first Escort. I bought their 8500 unit a couple of years ago but upgraded to the Valentine V1(its 'arrows' do make a difference!) and it looks fine in my 2001 Lightning. I hard-wired it to a 12v source in the rt. kick-panel.

Dan

 

Ditto Ditto Ditto

 

The wireless ones can get kinda iffy, especially when the batteries start getting weak. I've got a Cobra (something, dunno, heh) I bought at Radio Shack for like $150, works well enough and most times on the open road, I can see the politzei far ahead enough to slow down unless I get busted riding through a speed trap. I'll be getting a Passport Escort whenever I get the bucks laying around though.

 

Im looking at two units right now however theres a huge price difference.

Escort SOLOS2

PNI Silver Bullet RX7600

I'd get a normal one but I can't figure out a clean way to route the cord. Im not real worried about the battery issues. I'd rather have to replace batteries every month than look at a cord hanging down from my windsheild down to the dash.

 

I just set mine on the tray above the radio, I don't like the windshield mount thingy. Works just as well sitting in the tray as it would on the windshield, as far as I can tell. And sitting there, the power cable makes a neat little path to the 12V power port.

 

While I am not a cop, I do go on ride arounds whenever I can. I'm a wanna be cop, but my wife has asked me not to pursue it.

Anyway, a radar detector is useless. By the time a radar is detected, you're locked in. Alot of people think that they are benefitting from it, but really it's bogus. Let me give you an example of why...

In most, if not all cruisers now, the radar can be "triggered" by a button usually mounted in the center console or anywhere within easy reach. A selector is also mounted to choose from the dash mounted gun or the rear deck mounted. As a cop approaches a car, he can just momentarily engage the radar and lock in the speed detected. Your radar detector basically goes off just to let you know that it's time to pull over if you are doing enough over the speed limit for the cop to spin around and present you an award for your most excellent driving skills. If you're not going enough over for the cop to worry about, you end up slowing down and thinking that the radar just saved you from a ticket. It's really the cop's decision.

The cops I ride with get a kick out of watching that front end on the approaching offender take a nose dive while the driver is standing on the brake, only to find out he already got tagged.

Honestly, unless the cop has a chip on his/her shoulder, or suspects another type of violation, most will let you slide by up to around 8 to 10 mph over speed limit on highways. After that, well, it's usually how respectful you are towards the cop that determines whether or not you get just a warning, or a summons.

While I don't expect anyone to change their minds on the use of a detector, I do suggest you all sign up for a ride along and see for yourselves.

 

Go with a jammer. I saw the install on a mega dollar Benz--something like 500hp straight from the factory.
The guy loves to fly down the beltway hence the jammer. pretty cool, but way too expensive for me. I guess it works, but I always wonder, if we the consumers have the technology, what do the police have to foil it??

http://autoessentials.biz/laser.htm

 

If you get caught with one of those don't you go to jail?

 

Hmmm, I don't know???? I'm sure in VA since you can't even have a radar detector, but I just thought they were legal since the shops sell them......
BUT that's silly 'cause you can get darker tint, screens up front for dvd's, etc.

good question.

 

Not in PA, and in PA only the state cops can use radar

I bought the cheap one at harbor freight. Works good for me.

Adrianspeeder

 

Cordless detectors blow THumpster... get a V1 or nice Bel. I've had a few Bels in my day and each one has saved my **** numerous times. I'm not sure the V1 is worth the premium price though...

 

Do like I do...

Mount the radar detector.


Either use the cord it came with & splice into it to make it longer, or purchase a new cord from radio shack.
Run the wire above the headliner & down the windshield pillar.


Use a fuse tap to get power, and ground the ground wire.



I've hooked up a LOT of radar detectors like this for friends & family.

 

More and more departments are using LIDAR (laser). With laser a police officer can pick out a specific vehicle, put the crosshair on it and get the speed it's going. There is no defense (that I've read about) for it.

Radar detectors are of some benefit (for those of you who exceed the speed limit). If you've got the hammer down with no other vehicles around, you're going to be toast, it's that simple. When the radar is in stand-by mode it is not sending off any signals. Where it would come in handy is when a vehicle ahead of you gets hit with the radar, then your detector would go off giving you a chance to come off the gas.

If you do get pulled over using a detector, please don't try stashing it, unless you want the officer's .40 screwed in your ear .

 

1. I wasn't aware Valentine had a cordless detector.
2. Having a radar detector doesn't mean you should fly like a bat out of hell. If the cop uses instant-on pulse radar you're screwed if you're the only car in front of the pack. However, radar detectors will detect stray signals from reflections off cars in front of you, giving you ample time to slow down. As I have said before, a detector is only a tool, you should still use your head.

Not doing so would be.. bogus LOL. I think that's a term from the 80's, like dudes, from Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventures.. Dude! Excellent!

3. Quintin is right, cordless is definitely very iffy. The range is more limited and decreases significantly depending on battery conditions. I wouldn't recommend it. But, if I'd go with the Escort Solo if you really must have one.

Dude!! Sorry, I couldn't help it.