Radar Detector Advice? (Infiniti M45 owner)

[M45forBri]

The only downside of the M45 is that it's too easy to speed even when you're not trying. It's hard to go only 65-70 on the freeways in San Diego. So I'm thinking of getting a Radar Detector. It seems that the Valentine V1 is the best rated but it's a bit bulky and there really isn't a good place for it on the M45's dash or windshield. Is it easy to take off and hide in case I get pulled over?Has any one installed one of those that are hidden behind the grill and wired the allert light or speaker somewhere in the cabin of the car. If so what brand, does it work well, where is it? so that it doesn't look obvious that you have a radar detector if a cop pulls you over. It seems like those run up to $1000 or more but it might be worth if it means avoiding higher insurance premiums and 2 or more tickets. My fear is that I'll definately get a ticket or the maximum fine if I'm pulled over and he/she sees my radar detector on the windshield.

[lswaidz]

I have an passport 8500 hard wired up by my rear view... it's suction cupped just below the tint on the front windshield. It works perfectly and is hardly noticeable. I've heard the new 9500 is just as good, if not better than the V1's. The nice thing about buying radar from a retail store is you can take it back anytime it doesn't work. V1's are great but for $100 to $200 less there are options just as good.

The stealth stuff is probably the best out there... I know passport makes one that is pretty good, but I have no experience with them. When i worked retail it seemed like every guy w/ a car worth more than $50k had a stealth detector and laser jammer.

[auditech10]

I highly recommend the V1. It seems that most radars now a days are designed after this unit and there hasnt been much changed since its debut however many years ago.I installed a few Passport hidden models that mount on the front and rear liscense plates but for the price of them I would never even consider one for myself.I have heard that using a jammer also helps out a lot, basically making you invisible for just a few extra moments to be able to slow down just enough.

[M45-Zero260]

I hope I'm still around when this device comes out...imagine the possibilities of this fuzz-buster

http://www.startrek.com/startr....html

[nmgoodthing]

I have the Escort 9500i. It's their newest one and I love it. It has GPS built in so I can mark all the locations in town that have red light and speed cameras. It reminds you and counts down the distance. It also displays your speed on the unit if you do get clocked so you don't have to look down at your speedo. Another great feature is the ability to lock out false singles with a mute button, but it will permanently lock it out. This unit has saved me a bunch already. It also has a USB port. Rumor has it will be linked up to a database that has cameras and known speed traps.

If your really serious, don't waste your money on a cheap radar detectors.

Go with Valentine 1, Escort 8500 x50 or 9500i, or Belltronics STI.

I personally like my new Escort better than the old V1 I had. The V1's arrows really didn't help that much, but it is a great detector.

[nmgoodthing]

Radar detectors are not illegal in CA are they?

Why would you need to hide it. Chances are if your doing 15-20 miles over the speed limit and get popped, your getting a ticket regardless, also laser is very hard to detect, even with a laser detector because they can pin point the laser and by pass detection.

[lswaidz]

The jammers I've seen on the market return a false wavelength making the laser gun think it's reading a car going something like 1000 mph... they're easy to detect by cops and usually very, very illegal. However, all of the best 'speeders' out there swear by them... guys that do cross country stuff...

[szh]

If your really serious, don't waste your money on a cheap radar detectors.

Go with Valentine 1, Escort 8500 x50 or 9500i, or Belltronics STI.

Yes! Go for something that is worth the money.

I use and like the V1, but anything tops from the above three mftrs ought to be good.

Z

[jhd-m53x]

Had my '07 M35x 3 months and it's easy to find myself well above the limit. I have an Escort 8500 suction cupped low in the center of the windshield. It has saved my butt countless times. I just wish there was a way to filter out the X-band street light radars.

[ejfiii]

I have a V1 mounted at the top of the glass to the left of the rear view mirror on my new M45 Sport. While it interferes with the visor a bit, it is totally hidden from the outside. I have had the v1 for years and wouldn't recommend anything else. It has saved me countless times and the bogey counter is much more useful than the arrows and anything the other guys make. There are many radar detector third party reviews out there on the web - they're easy to find.

Good luck.

[audtatious]

Nothing wrong with the V1. Nothing wrong with the X50 and higher either or the equiv Bel detector (which owns Escort). The X50 can track multiple bodeys as well in expert mode, it just does not have arrows.

[vzuptnguyen]

I hope I'm still around when this device comes out...imagine the possibilities of this fuzz-buster

http://www.startrek.com/startr....html

you do realize they have already invented a cloaking device right? i was so shocked when i saw it on the news.

i dont know much about it, but its something that messes with your eyes and is an optical illusion i think. it blends it with the background, not disappear though.

[vzuptnguyen]

Radar detectors are not illegal in CA are they?

Why would you need to hide it. Chances are if your doing 15-20 miles over the speed limit and get popped, your getting a ticket regardless, also laser is very hard to detect, even with a laser detector because they can pin point the laser and by pass detection.

not in cali yet, but it is illegal to mount anything on your windshield, except navigation.

[szh]

you do realize they have already invented a cloaking device right? i was so shocked when i saw it on the news.

i dont know much about it, but its something that messes with your eyes and is an optical illusion i think. it blends it with the background, not disappear though.

Not yet fully done : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sci...8.stmh ... 06...=5070

But getting there. And, it is not an optical illusion ... the idea is to actually bend the light and radar waves. Single frequency is easier. So, making a cloak for radar would be be easier than a true invisibility cloak for all visible light. Z

[lswaidz]

The new 9500 passports have GPS in them and I believe will qualify is a GPS-based traffic monitoring device... so you could probably get away with that.

[szh]

but it is illegal to mount anything on your windshield, except navigation.

I did not know that ... is there a specific reference you can point me to do some research on this? I'd like not to get pulled over for using my Valentine 1 in this way!

Z

[vzuptnguyen]

I did not know that ... is there a specific reference you can point me to do some research on this? I'd like not to get pulled over for using my Valentine 1 in this way!

Z

its on the DMV website, i checked iono how many years ago. 1-2 it might have changed.

[vzuptnguyen]

Not yet fully done : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sci...8.stmh ... 06...=5070

But getting there. And, it is not an optical illusion ... the idea is to actually bend the light and radar waves. Single frequency is easier. So, making a cloak for radar would be be easier than a true invisibility cloak for all visible light. Z

haha thanks for the clarity. optical illusion sounds pretty cool though. i like to use it all the time. dont you dare take that from me haha.jk

[szh]

its on the DMV website, i checked iono how many years ago. 1-2 it might have changed.

Thanks! I'll go look when I have some time ... I want to know the specific law in case I do get pulled over for this.

Z

[Bag302]

Here's a link to my stealth V1 install. Obviously, I like the Valentine.

zerothread?id=251411

[szh]

Here's a link to my stealth V1 install. Obviously, I like the Valentine.

zerothread?id=251411

Yeah, I love that clean look!

Z

[M45forBri]

Doesn't the window tint at the top interfer with the radar detector's range?

-M45forBri

[Tony407]

Radar detectors are not illegal in CA are they?

Why would you need to hide it. Chances are if your doing 15-20 miles over the speed limit and get popped, your getting a ticket regardless, also laser is very hard to detect, even with a laser detector because they can pin point the laser and by pass detection.

You'd want to hide it because if you get pulled over and you have one, you'll more than likely going to get a ticket regardless of the reason you've been pulled over.

Tony

[Tony407]

The jammers I've seen on the market return a false wavelength making the laser gun think it's reading a car going something like 1000 mph... they're easy to detect by cops and usually very, very illegal. However, all of the best 'speeders' out there swear by them... guys that do cross country stuff...

Lidar (laser) jammers are not illegal. RADAR jammers are.

Tony

[Bag302]

Doesn't the window tint at the top interfer with the radar detector's range?

-M45forBri

It cuts down on the laser detection, but not the Radar.

[Jakeintejas]

Hi, I am interested hardwiring a V1 up near the rearview using power from the center overhead area (ie map lights, mirror, sunroof??) but don't want to damage the headliner getting to the power leads. Are you wired in up there or did you bring power up from below? Are there any online wiring diagram sources that you know of for late model M35s?

Thanks,2007 M35 Sport, Graphite, Best car I've ever owned!!

[carbuff]

My Escort Passport 8500 X50 is mounted on velcro strips and centered on the dashboard next to the windshield. The unit is hard wired going left along the front glass-dash seam to the fuse box.

There are only a few states and the D.C. that I know of where a radar detector is illegal. I do not recall reading of a person receiving a higher fine simply for having a radar detector.

[TexasMadrone]

Virginia is one of the states that it is illegal to operate a radar detector. If I recall correctly, not only do you get a ticket for speeding if caught with one, you get a fine for having the "illegal" device, plus they confiscate it!

TexasMadrone

[mymman]

Go for the V-1. Mine fits on the dash - on the far left. It's the only one that locates the radar in front, beside or behind you. Mr. Valentine made the first Passports. He left the company and his V-1 is the first really different detector to hit the market since Passport.

[M30_conv]

I've read that headlights do a very good job of reducing the effective distance of lidar. They throw out a lot of infrared interference.