X-Band Radar, V1’s, and Speed Cushions
 

I get a lot of X-Band false alerts on my V1. You can turn this off, but before I do, how can I find out if X-Band is still in use anywhere I typically travel? Does any jurisdiction still use this old technology?

And if they crack down on speed cushions, we could all be in trouble:

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&e=1&u=/ap/autos_speeding

Local cops all over New Jersey still use x-band. State cops get newer stuff, but other local jurisdictions around the U.S. may have older equipment.

Why don't you just put it on the big L. That will supopsedly filter out things like Wal Mart doors and the like.

I just drove back through PA for several hundred miles. They stick a K band gun on the flashing signs. Never know if it's a real cop or a sign until you get close. PITA, but nice to know if there's more than 1 signal....I love my V1

Thanks, I have it on the big L. That eliminates some warnings, but I still get a lot near shopping centers, etc.

big L doesn't do crap when you are driving through town. I regularly get Walmart, Circle K, gas stations, etc.... Some of the local stores use k for their doors.

OK, that was an exaggeration, I'm sure it helps, but it does not eliminate false alarms.

I'm sure if you go to groups.google.com, you can find a thread relevant to your area about this. In my area (Sacramento) everything's Ka, so I disabled X completely.

I turned x off. Go to the valentine site and search for modification you can do by following procedure.

I did get hit with x in a Georgia town in '99. I bet the Nat'l Motorist Ass knows where x is used.

I think the use of X band is very rare. I think I heard "Ohio," but I'm not positive. If you call Escort, they have the info. In California, it's not used, so I turned of X band and it's a huge improvement. What state are you in?

Since we're on topic of of false alarms. Today, while sitting in bumper - bumper traffic, my radar warned for about 10 seconds. It was like I was gettting hit directly with radar from the front. No cops in site, only bumper to bumper cars stopped on I25. This happened twice about 1/4 mile apart.

Thoughts? Did someone have a radar jammer built into their car? Doesn't radar have to be line of sight, not moving?

Michael

Was it a laser warning? Some 3rd brake light LED's can set them off. Seems like mostly GM (trailblazer & cadi's) set my V1 laser off...

- Skip

Yes, it was laser. Break lights. That would explain it. I believe it was a GM SUV of some type in front of me.

Sounds like it was the lights. Check this list of possible false laser alarms. GM SUV brake lights are on the list:

http://www.valentine1.com/moreinfo/LaserWarning_pg22-24.pdf

I checked groups.google.com but couldn't find a definitive answer to my question. Oh well.

Interesting that there have been no comments on the speed cushion article...

I love how laws work!

First a law is passed.

We are told that it won't be enforced to the letter, but the letter was placed where it was to allow a reasonable threshold, some wiggle room. (I seem to recall the drinking age being put at 21 so that law enforcement could ensure that no one under 18 could get alcohol.)

Then, many years later, comes the crackdown. And the law is enforced to the letter, despite promises that it would never be.

Then, shortly after the crackdown, comes the lobbying for a tougher law...

I think we should force politicians to review all of the laws on the books each legislative session before they are allowed to make any new laws.

Ok, I'll comment on speed cushion -- it's an untenable legal position. Stopping someone for 66 in a 65 is difficult to prove because of the inaccuracies in the system. Heck, 70 in a 65 is even a challenge to prove sometimes. Worse, the fine for 70 in a 65 isn't enough to offset the administrative burden. 76 in a 65, now that's a ticket worth writing.

The remote for my Sony XM plug and play will set off the laser detector. Sometimes only.