Which Laser Detector?

[nitteo]

I am posting here in the 350z forum, because I think you Z'ers drive a lil faster than us M-er's

So, which Laser Detector you have and why did you buy it?

I am looking for one...

Thanks.

[BusyBadger]

A laser detector isn't going to do you any good. While it will pick up lidar, it won't do it early enough in advance to prevent you from getting a ticket.

Radar detectors are effective because the width of a radar cone is so wide that the beam can be detected well past the target vehicle, giving most drivers with a quality radar detector ample time to slow to the PSL. Depending on the brand of radar gun and wavelength of radar it can be anywhere between 200 and 300 feet.

Now with lidar, lets use the Kustom Prolaser III as an example, its beam width is a mere 3 feet at a distance of 1000 feet. Not much spread there, the only thing a laser detector is going to do is let you know when your vehicle has been tagged. Hope you weren't over the limit.

Your best bet is to run a laser jammer if they are legal in the areas that you drive through and coat your headlights and plates with Veil.

I've heard very few stories of someone getting a laser alert from a beam not aimed at them - just like I've heard stories of someone not wearing their seatbelt and being tossed clear of a wreck - believe me, those stories are the exception and certainly not the rule.

[R350Zz33]

i dont have a laser/ radar detecter per-say i just use my friend he keeps a look out and i drive lol

[Beancooker]

Had the escort, and gave it to my stepson. Buddy has the Valentine1. We traded for a month to try out each others detector.

Neither detected a laser until it was WAY too late.

Any cop who is worth a salt, will nail you before your detector will let you know. The laser doesn't fragment enough to hit the detector.

[xjmxstac]

I'm with badger on this one. When a cop points a laser speed gun at you, it's often too late. Another officer is already on route to intercept you. But with a laser jammer, the officer wouldn't be able to get a reading. It's illegal only in Washington D.C. and Virginia.

[BusyBadger]

It's illegal only in Washington D.C. and Virginia.

That's true of radar detectors. But unfortunately there are a few states that have put down the ban-hammer on laser jammers.

US Laser Jammer Map

But you're right about the laser alert. In fact if a radar/laser detector is mounted high on the windscreen as Valentine radar recommends there is the possibility that a close ranged shot with little beam spread may not even alert to it at all.

I love my 240 for its stealthy abilities - no front plate since they aren't required in TN and the next most common aiming point are headlights - got to love popups for that factor alone.

Now only if it weren't painted white.

[LeroyBrown]

a phazer.

if you get a ticket theyll pay for it.

[BusyBadger]

a phazer.

if you get a ticket theyll pay for it.

Rocky Mountain Radar products are ineffective and a complete joke. Even if I didn't already know that they were complete crap I'd be a little skeptical of a "laser jammer" that had no jamming heads or any other component that was mounted externally.

There's a $50,000 reward if they (or anyone for that matter) can produce a passive jamming device that works. The money is still unclaimed.

And as if it weren't hard enough to get RMR to pay up for their supposed ticket rebate program there are a couple of limitations - I think it was no greater than 15 mph or 30% over the PSL, whichever was lower. Additionally several states have either enacted or are in the process of enacting laws to prevent manufacturers from paying offenders' fines.

[LeroyBrown]

Rocky Mountain Radar products are ineffective and a complete joke. Even if I didn't already know that they were complete crap I'd be a little skeptical of a "laser jammer" that had no jamming heads or any other component that was mounted externally.

There's a $50,000 reward if they (or anyone for that matter) can produce a passive jamming device that works. The money is still unclaimed.

And as if it weren't hard enough to get RMR to pay up for their supposed ticket rebate program there are a couple of limitations - I think it was no greater than 15 mph or 30% over the PSL, whichever was lower. Additionally several states have either enacted or are in the process of enacting laws to prevent manufacturers from paying offenders' fines.

i didnt know that so thanks for telling me.

what radar detector would be the best one to get?
Modified by LeroyBrown at 6:18 PM 11/23/2008

[JDMisGOOD]

Go Valentine 1. However the passport 8500 works great too!

[Burtonboarder950]

have the passport. Saved me twice after six months...not 100% certain the cop would have pulled me over, but better safe than sorry. Valentine is great too...but totally diff price range. Anyway, those are your best two choices

[MesaZ]

Check out the Beltronics STi as well, great product!

[TeflonG35]

I love my 240 for its stealthy abilities - no front plate since they aren't required in TN and the next most common aiming point are headlights - got to love popups for that factor alone.

Now only if it weren't painted white.

My roommate has an 88 formula fiero. All fiberglass and pointy with pop up lights. Talk about stealth. That thing is rediculous. Also no front plates in DE either.

[Z31toZ32]

Has anyone here bought VEIL and if so, can you share your thoughts on the product??

[BusyBadger]

Check out the Beltronics STi as well, great product!

Its a good detector but unless you live in an area where detectors are illegal (Virginia, DC and parts of Canada) there are much better detectors for the same money you'd be spending for the STi Driver.

The Escort 9500ix is more sensitive and comes programmed with the locations of thousands of redlight/speed cameras and can also be updated through a USB port. Beltronics has recently released a similar detector in the GX-65. Both models use GPS for the camera monitoring systme and this gives the added bonus of giving the user the ability to lock out areas that always generate false alerts (say a shopping mall or gas station with automatic door openers). Prices for either of these top of the line detectors (or the STi Driver) is in the $500 neighborhood.

If you're looking at buying both a radar detector and a laser jammer its time to look at the Escort 9500ci. Its a custom installed (CI) detector that is invisible to radar detector detectors like the Beltronics STi Driver, comes programmed with redlight & speedcam locations and can be updated like the 9500ix & the GX-65, has an amplified speaker unit, but also has a trio of laser jamming heads (two front and one rear). Nearly invisible inside the car no one can really tell its there. Its a really slick setup - it also retails for $1600.

Has anyone here bought VEIL and if so, can you share your thoughts on the product??

I don't currently use it but the Guys of LIDAR did some Veil testing in their 2008 Laser Shootout. The results from the headlight shots are pretty impressive. The numbers from front plate shots may look odd, but if you read the test methods you'll notice they didn't coat the front plate with Veil. Scroll down almost to the bottom of the page to check out the numbers.

[samej82]

Valentine 1