radar detector.. which one is the best?
Re: radar detector.. which one is the best?
Looks like you got slightly mixed up there.
VG-2 is the 'radar detector' detector used by law enforcements. All radar detectors emitt radiation due to the high operating freuqency. It is this emission that the VG-2 sniffs out. Some unit emitts more than the others. A well designed radar detector will have a robust shielding that cuts down on this type of emission, but never completely. The old Unidens were among the worst. It's not uncommon to have a good radar detector (i.e. V1 or Passport 8500) going off in the presence of one of those Pick-n-Save radar detector at close range.
Both the V1 and Passport 8500 have decent shielding and other EMI suppression built into the design. Still, there are newer equipments that are sensitive enough to pick out EVERY single detectors out there. It's unkown to me if law inforcements have gotten their hands on them yet.
For most of us, VG-2 is not of a concern, unless of course, you live in those two states (or in parts of Europe) where Radar Detector is outlawed.
Clint (THX723)
VG-2 is the 'radar detector' detector used by law enforcements. All radar detectors emitt radiation due to the high operating freuqency. It is this emission that the VG-2 sniffs out. Some unit emitts more than the others. A well designed radar detector will have a robust shielding that cuts down on this type of emission, but never completely. The old Unidens were among the worst. It's not uncommon to have a good radar detector (i.e. V1 or Passport 8500) going off in the presence of one of those Pick-n-Save radar detector at close range.
Both the V1 and Passport 8500 have decent shielding and other EMI suppression built into the design. Still, there are newer equipments that are sensitive enough to pick out EVERY single detectors out there. It's unkown to me if law inforcements have gotten their hands on them yet.
For most of us, VG-2 is not of a concern, unless of course, you live in those two states (or in parts of Europe) where Radar Detector is outlawed.
Clint (THX723)
Re: radar detector.. which one is the best?
I believe California is one of those states. And they have new updated detector detectors that detect everything. And the radar detector companies have not yet come out with something to counter the detector detectors yet.
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Re: radar detector.. which one is the best?
Supposedly, there's a new type of radar detector detector, called Spectre (like the new version of VG-2 I guess). From what I heard/read, none of the detectors are able to bypass this technology. Anyone know if this is true?
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Re: radar detector.. which one is the best?
As for those who did "real-world testing" comparing two radar detectors side-by-side in one car. Whether the Passport 8500 or the V1 came out on top, it is quite inaccurate. Two radar detectors in one vehicle actually either makes one's performance extended than normal, or it hinders one of the two detectors. So unfortunately, if you want to do your own real-world testing, you have to know a place where a certain band always gives you a warning (such as the K band false alarm for certain EZ Pass gates) and measure the detectors' performance independantly...one off, the other on, then vice-versa.
As for VG-2 technology, most good radar detectors have what's called VG-2 Shielding. Cops have what they call a "radar detector-detector" which is basically a little unit that detects if another vehicle is running a radar detector. Radar detectors with VG-2 Shielding with literally "cloak" itself to these radar detector-detectors so that the cop's unit does not realize that a certain car is running a radar detector. The radar detector's VG-2 Shielding system is always on standby and when it detects a radar detector-detector, it will start cloaking and will indicate that it is doing so. Unfortunately, while it is cloaking itself with VG-2 Shielding, it will NOT detect any radar at all, on any band. So basically, if your radar detector indicates that it's performing a VG-2 shield, slow the f*ck down until your radar detector is finished doing its shielding job. Fortunately most of us don't even have to worry about this as radar is LEGAL in most states.
MrElussive
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As for VG-2 technology, most good radar detectors have what's called VG-2 Shielding. Cops have what they call a "radar detector-detector" which is basically a little unit that detects if another vehicle is running a radar detector. Radar detectors with VG-2 Shielding with literally "cloak" itself to these radar detector-detectors so that the cop's unit does not realize that a certain car is running a radar detector. The radar detector's VG-2 Shielding system is always on standby and when it detects a radar detector-detector, it will start cloaking and will indicate that it is doing so. Unfortunately, while it is cloaking itself with VG-2 Shielding, it will NOT detect any radar at all, on any band. So basically, if your radar detector indicates that it's performing a VG-2 shield, slow the f*ck down until your radar detector is finished doing its shielding job. Fortunately most of us don't even have to worry about this as radar is LEGAL in most states.
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Re: radar detector.. which one is the best?
Dr. valentine says the same but I went ahead anyway and did the side by side. Interestingly though everytime I powered on the 8500 after the V1, the V1 would set off the Ka on the 8500. But when the opposite was done the V1 would not go off, made me wonder if the faulse alarm or sensitivity in either was working as they should or not.
Now with the new X50, I wonder if the arrows and the V1 are better?????????
Andrew, We Miss and Love You! Peace!
Now with the new X50, I wonder if the arrows and the V1 are better?????????
Andrew, We Miss and Love You! Peace!
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Re: radar detector.. which one is the best?
yesterday I saw a group of cops (looked like they were training or trying out new equipment) they were blatantly clocking people coming down the road but it never once set off my valentine one..I even drove by a second time to see if something was wrong but it never picked it up. new technology maybe?
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Re: radar detector.. which one is the best?
Merlin, I am getting a V1 or a 8500 X50 real soon. If I get the X50 (which I probably will), I'll let you know how I like it, but as I have never owned a V1, I have no frame of reference to compare.
tonio, they probably were doing practice runs and weren't shooting the guns. If they were shooting, the V1 will pick it up. Maybe they were practicing the POP mode, but even then the V1 has a good chance of picking it up.
MrElussive
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tonio, they probably were doing practice runs and weren't shooting the guns. If they were shooting, the V1 will pick it up. Maybe they were practicing the POP mode, but even then the V1 has a good chance of picking it up.
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Re: radar detector.. which one is the best?
Mr E. I meant to call them today and ask to see if my current 8500 can be upgraded to x50 technology. Will see if I can remember tomorrow. I have always used Passports or Escorts. Loved the arrows and some of the sensitivity of the V1 but hated that the auto mute was not there.[img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img] So I have been procrastinating and not gotten another detector and with the new x50 it makes the decision even harder. Wanted to have both to see which works better and if one missed the other would catch the signal.
Andrew, We Miss and Love You! Peace!
Andrew, We Miss and Love You! Peace!
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Re: radar detector.. which one is the best?
True point, and I love radar detectors, but I don't think one should put too much money and faith into radar detectors. They only get you so far, as a cop can easily just estimate your speed and give you a ticket for that. They are trained and certified to estimate your speed and if you get a ticket for that, it's hard to argue it in court...it's your word against a cop's. It's only too bad that radars don't pickup cops' brain waves. =P
My debate between the 8500 X50 and the V1 are as follows:
I like the V1's directional arrows and the additional concealed display. This way, I can mount the V1 on the right side of the rear-view mirror so it's completely out of my way and just put the concealed display anywhere. I like the 8500 X50 because you just leave it in Auto mode all day and it does the job extremely well, it is $100 cheaper, and it features the new POP mode detection.
Decisions, decisions, but I think I will go with the X50. Before my Whistler 3400 remote install detector which I have now, I was using the Passport 8500 and I was extremely happy with it. All I need now is a clever location on my windshield where the detector itself blocks my field of view minimally, but easy to read the display at the same time.
MrElussive
03 G35C 6MT
My debate between the 8500 X50 and the V1 are as follows:
I like the V1's directional arrows and the additional concealed display. This way, I can mount the V1 on the right side of the rear-view mirror so it's completely out of my way and just put the concealed display anywhere. I like the 8500 X50 because you just leave it in Auto mode all day and it does the job extremely well, it is $100 cheaper, and it features the new POP mode detection.
Decisions, decisions, but I think I will go with the X50. Before my Whistler 3400 remote install detector which I have now, I was using the Passport 8500 and I was extremely happy with it. All I need now is a clever location on my windshield where the detector itself blocks my field of view minimally, but easy to read the display at the same time.
MrElussive
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Re: radar detector.. which one is the best?
What part of town where the cops hanging around at? I use to have a V1 and I loved the arrow display thing but truth be told I don't really speed much as my commute to work puts me by 3 police stations and I have to be at work by 5am so I see about 4 to 5 police cars.
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Re: radar detector.. which one is the best?
<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>
It's only too bad that radars don't pickup cops' brain waves
<hr></blockquote>You could buy a police scanner; that's about the closest you can get to that. The nicer ones have a feature that detects the operation of police radios within 3 miles of your position, so you'll know there's a cop around whether or not he's using radar, as long as he has a radio on. (Someone correct me if that's not exactly how they work...I don't own one)
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It's only too bad that radars don't pickup cops' brain waves
<hr></blockquote>You could buy a police scanner; that's about the closest you can get to that. The nicer ones have a feature that detects the operation of police radios within 3 miles of your position, so you'll know there's a cop around whether or not he's using radar, as long as he has a radio on. (Someone correct me if that's not exactly how they work...I don't own one)
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Re: radar detector.. which one is the best?
I never 100% depend on the detector too. Let's just say there is Always someone faster than me, just like a forward scout.[img]/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/img]
I thought about the detector made to pick up police frequencies in addition to a detector, may be better spent the difference between the V1 and 8500 on one of those. Plus doesn't Escort give you a $50 trade in discount on any older detector?
Andrew, We Miss and Love You! Peace!
I thought about the detector made to pick up police frequencies in addition to a detector, may be better spent the difference between the V1 and 8500 on one of those. Plus doesn't Escort give you a $50 trade in discount on any older detector?
Andrew, We Miss and Love You! Peace!
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Re: radar detector.. which one is the best?
Wasn't that what nuttyproof was talking about, i.e., cops being able to detect whether you have a radar detector or not? The Escort circuitry can emit much lower emissions if you want it too. What that does to the actual sensitivity of radar detection, I don't know. Perhaps I am confused because I thought the cops were using devices that pick up radar detector emissions and the Escort minimizes this emission. Oh well.
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Re: radar detector.. which one is the best?
Boy, I guess I am confused. How are the cops detecting radar detectors if they're not detecting the actual circuitry emissions? A radar detector is a receiver device, not transmitter. Realizing of course, like others have said in this thread, radar detectors to put out a minute amount of signal. BTW, radar detectors are only illegal in DC and Virginia on the east coast.