C&D Detector Shootout - V1 wins by a mile!

Mike Feinstein · Mike Feinstein's Garage

No need to reopen the debate, but I expected the Escort 8500 to take the lead. The V1 cleaned up. I've been real happy with my V1 but had heard that the new 8500 was better. C&D doesn't think so....see newest issue.

cegerer · cegerer's Garage

Thanks for the lead Mike. What does the test say about laser? It is being used more and more here in Michigan. My experience has been that by the time the detector goes off for laser, you're dead meat anyway.

Ted Stringer · 01-03-2002, 12:39 PM

The only speeding ticket I have had was from laser. With what I have heard about laser I don't know how it could read a 911 with no plate on the front.

cegerer · cegerer's Garage

I don't think it needs a front plate to read. I'm talking about the handheld type. The problem (for us!) is the laser has such a narrow beam, it can only be detected if it is pointed right at your car. With conventional radar, the beam spreads out so far that you can pickup the signal even if it is aimed somewhere else and have plenty of warning. -- Curt

JmuRiz · JmuRiz's Garage

That's because no one can escape the power of my latest invention...I call it a LASER!

cegerer · cegerer's Garage

ROFL! It's the leader of SCWDP himself!

RoninLB · 01:18 PM

Just had my V1 updated. There is a legal laser jammer that I will install soon. It consists of two cigarette pack size boxes. One on each side under bumper. Tested great by same group that tests police radar for them. Made /called Blinder. Also, You can detect laser hitting a car in front of you thru scatter thru his windshield. That probably seldom happens. Tiger Lilly Prod. sells the Blinder M10 for $295. 1-307-772-9970

cegerer · cegerer's Garage

Thanks Ronin, I'll check it out. -- Curt

Nickshu · Nickshu's Garage

Whatever happened to Rocky Mountain Radar and their radar/laser jammer with the "guaranteed to work...we'll pay any ticket for 3 years"?

Either they lost too much $$$, or got legislated out of business by ticket revenue-dependent municipalities, or maybe they are still around????
Seemed like a good product for only $200 if it worked (considering a V1 is over $400)

Nick.

pwd72s · 01-03-2002, 04:41 PM

Uh, Nick...that "jammer" company in Colorado was flim-flam, according to an article I read in C&D...or was it R&T? But one thing I did read sort of fascinated me. Place infrared filters on your headlights & fog lights. Run with your lights on. If the laser gun cop focuses on your headlights (and many are trained to do so, because headlights are great laser light reflectors) it screws the beam up. Any of you military types out there? Is this true? If so, I may join the daytime running lights brigade.

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

I have the V1... I can tell you that even if the Escort edged it out technically, the directional capability of the Valentine is a HUGE differentiator of the product.

What good is a signal if you don't know where it's from?

I also use the blinder M10... It;s paid for itself in Michigan and Canada 3-4 times over.

RoninLB · 01-03-2002, 08:03 PM

Chris.. where did you mount the Blinder. I was thinking of mounting it in the fog lite cut outs in bra??? I don't have fog lites

Randy W · Randy W's Garage

Great thread - yeah, laser is a bummer. If the infrared filtered headlights work, that's a lot cheaper than a jammer. In addition to a V1, I use a small Beartracker with HP alert on longer fast trips. Both have saved my ass many times - except for handheld laser! Best advice, don't speed at night or over a hill.

Randy Wells

RoninLB · 01-03-2002, 08:23 PM

Randy...seems like there are a few of us around who take this seriously. I want a BearTracker for big ride this May. I enjoy 90-100 mph for hours. Where did you buy BearTracker. Not in Galls FD and PD catalog I received today.

Eric Coffey · 01-03-2002, 09:57 PM

Ronin-

If nobody has any referrals, your best bet would be an internet search. I believe the Beartrackers are made by Uniden.

RoninLB · 01-04-2002, 04:23 AM

freefly... I believe you are correct. I think they have a new upgraded model. This whole thing about ticket protection is a package /whole system approach, IMO. I always follow "bait". I slow down and the "bear" eats the bait. Left lane females doing the mirror hair thing on a cell phone 20 mph over limit is good bait.

ronb · 01-04-2002, 05:26 AM

I have a Rocky Mtn radar jammer / detector and a V1 - 2 of the ROcky Mtn jammers, were defective, the 3rd one is nowhere near as sensitive as the v1, which I think is far superior. The jamming function was not measureable; the lack of warning with the Rocky Mtn device was.

Randy W · Randy W's Garage

Ronin (great movie) - Unfortunately Uniden stopped making the windshield mounted Beartracker with HP alert. The ones they now offer are overkill, larger and more money. Anybody have more info on good jammers, etc?

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

I have the V1, Blinder M-10, and Beartracker (uses remote antenna) Blinder is external, V1 mounted on windsheild at the roofline, and Beartracker mounted to center console, very unobtrusive really

Here's a laugh, I love the people that have their radar detectors on the dash, pointing up to the sky... The device works as a line-of-site most effectively, should be mounted high with a slight down angle for best reception.

Long live the Valentine!

Jdub · 01-04-2002, 11:15 AM

C&D has a nice column on the red light cameras as well. Really makes you just want to weep. I had an idea this AM about finding a way to lower or spin my license plate so that nobody could shoot it.

And not because I run red lights...because nowadays they shoot you on green at the line should the yellow show milliseconds later. It is a total revenue scam.

Off my soapbox now. How about that Ford on the cover?

John