I've got to disagree with this characterization, if you're not a speeder, then you're not being honest.

Regarding the car ahead of you, laser is extremely narrow. I doubt you'd even get a reflection warning off the car in front of you. They target your license plate for laser speed (highest reflection surface) readings and that gives you an idea of how tight the pattern is.

Cale

 

I got tagged with laser doing 75/60. As soon as my Solo 2 went off, I braked hard down to about 67 within a second. Cop didn't come after me.

Does this mean that the cop didn't get a 75 reading on me? No. But here is what's being overlooked. Although the cop doesn't "need" a steady reading, he'd much rather get one. At least a 2-3 seconds worth. This is usually for their own conscience to be sure that they are clocking someone correctly, and also for court. So many cops think that laser is the end all be all to the speeding cat and mouse game, AND they think that so much of the public is clueless when driving that by paying attention and having quick reflexes, you can actually give yourself a chance.

But you have to have fast reflexes and be familiar with where false signals are. For example, I know that near the airport my Solo 2 screams laser for several seconds. The first time I freaked out, but after that I knew it was false.

Also, when I speed, I never blast my stereo. Do that, and you might as well shut off the radar detector because you can't keep your eyes intensely on the road and on RD lights at the same time. You need to hear the warning sound.

So if you hear your laser warning go off on a strech of road you never heard it on before, and hit your brakes, the cop will likely not be satisfied with his reading and hesitate pursuit. Believe it or not, they're too brainwashed into thinking that most drivers are too ignorant and unalert to react that quickly.

Remember, a laser gun is not an infallible instrument. It's susceptible to malfunction just like anything else. If a cop has a choice between writing a ticket on a reading that fluctuated and waiting 5 minutes more for some bonehead who just might give him a nice steady reading of 75, he'll wait just to be sure his gun is working properly and that he has a solid reading to present in court (if necessary).

It's no different than, let's say, you using a stud finder on a wall. How much can go wrong with a stud finder right? But if you're about to bang a nail into your wall, would you be satisfied with getting a little "bleep" or would you rather get a nice long "bleeeeeeeeeeeep" before putting holes in your wall? Exactly. The good news is that, unlike a wall which stays nice and still, a cop won't get a second chance if you slow down enough and go on your merry way.

FWIW, I lived next to a state trooper for 6 years. I learned a few things.

 

^^^ I like the way you think

 

I figured it out fine man. Anyway, IMO, I like the K40 Radar Detector and Laser Diffuser but it runs really really expensive and it needs to be installed in the dash. The passport and Valentine are great altearnatives. They can be hardwired through the top of the car and placed behind the rear view mirror.

 

The Bel RX65 gets my vote.

 

You need to know that when Police are using laser, the detectors are only good to let you know that you have just been taggged. Because laser is not widely broadcast, the detectors only see it when the beam is on you. If it is on you, you have been caught!

 

Wait a minute...Let's make a distinction here.
If the beam is on you, then the cop is trying to measure your speed.
It's up to you to try and avoid giving him a steady reading and cast reasonable doubt on your speed.

You're only caught when you fail to do that and he pulls you over.

 

So does having no front license plate (illegally in NJ) help you out?

I dont mind the extremely rare $48 fine if a cop decides to be a jerk and pull you over for it (8 years / 1 ticket for this in my vette)

 

Valentine...hands down!!!

 

Has anyone tried both in their cars? Both as in V1 & Passport 8500 x50.

 

I'd say it would definately help you out. Now if your car is painted in laser absorbing paint, that will help even more. I'd go matte black across the entire front bumper area for maximum cloaking.

 

Escort 8500 x50 --> saved my a$$ many times

 

V1 hands down...

 

Go here for videos of the V1 beating the X50 in radar and laser detection including POP radar:


http://www.jammertests.com/page/page/1904719.htm

 

I would like to add that if you live in Cali, the radar detector isn't that useful unless you are doing a trip across the state. Cops here just pace you and i've never had my detector go off but see them behind me.

BTW, when I was traveling cross country, my X50 saved my a$$ 5 times from the radar gun. The price of admission basically paid for itself.