Radar/Lidar detectors

Glad that it worked out for ya!

Keep an eye on it - sometimes, the hard reset only "cures" things temporarily - alternatively, some detectors (totally random, production-line variances) just seem to require periodic resets in order to perform their best.

If it can't get out of "SELF CAL" mode (i.e. it gets stuck there) or displays the "SERV REQ" messages, send it in.

Honestly, my x50 is now more than 4 years old, and still works just as well as the day I bought it - and this is even considering the fact that it's been a 24/7 "live-in-car" detector, always exposed to the elements. I definitely got lucky.

Hope this does the trick for ya!

And hey, don't worry about your fingers! Mine are not exactly slender and delicate, either!

#1202 of 1208 detector mounting by cd1220

Dec 26, 2008 (2:19 pm)

I just bought a Beltronics STI Driver. I'd rather not attract attention to myself and I pass through Virginia every so often. I have it mounted low on the windshield but it's all the way over on the driver's side so that it's a little more concealed. Does anyone have an idea of how this affects the performance of the detector? Thanks.

Replies to this message:

upstatedoc (Dec 27, 2008 8:45 pm)
lgtwrx (Dec 28, 2008 9:49 am)
- izaclown1 (Dec 28, 2008 3:27 pm)
- upstatedoc (Dec 28, 2008 6:16 pm)

#1203 of 1208 Re: detector mounting [cd1220] by upstatedoc

Dec 27, 2008 (8:45 pm)

Replying to: cd1220 (Dec 26, 2008 2:19 pm)

If you ask any seasoned RD user, they will tell you hardwired high for radar detection. Not so great for laser detection but if laser is a real threat in your area you probably should have laser jammers. Mounting up high also gives you a bit more "stealthiness".
The STI is an excellent RD, immune to all of the radar detector detectors, good choice if you travel through areas where RD's are illegal. Let me know if you have any more questions, if I can't answer them the guys over on radardetector.net can!

#1204 of 1208 Re: detector mounting [cd1220] by lgtwrx

Dec 28, 2008 (9:49 am)

Replying to: cd1220 (Dec 26, 2008 2:19 pm)

Like [b]upstatedoc[/b] said, mounting high will give you, overall, better RADAR performance.

With the current crop of Bel detectors, LIDAR reception is not its strong-point, and while mounting low should help optimize "sure hit" reporting, the value of such an alert is already debatable (particularly with any noticeable corrective/remedial driving input on your part likely to be very noticeable to the enforcer, looking through the scope of his LIDAR device)....best-odds, thus, would still likely have you mounting the detector either high, or, better yet, mid-windshield (however, this is unacceptable in VA, as it would put the detector too-easy into the enforcer's line-of-sight, from outside-vehicle observations).

Low-mounting may allow you to bury the detector out-of-sight of the enforcer, when he/she is in-vehicle, to your periphery, but you need to make sure that the detector clears both your hoodline as well as any intrusions, such as a hood-scoop or the windshield wipers.

Even then, the detector is likely to rest in plain sight, on the dash, to any enforcer who might be walking up to your vehicle.....

Typically, a "high and tight" setup, against the headliner and the tint band (if you have one on your vehicle) will not only keep the detector out of the visual range of an enforcer sitting on your six (i.e. right up against your rear bumper, executing a stop), but also will put it out of their view as they approach the vehicle for your interview. There are several different methods to help accomplish such mounting (and hardwiring, which will fully conceal the wiring run), and thread such as this are a start:

http://www.speedtraphunter.net/speeding-tickets-traffic-citations/984-windshield- -mount-illegal-california.html

Also, I'd also recommend that you install a hidden - but easily accessed, without overt movements in-cabin which may telegraph your intent (as well as un-necessarily raise the threat level of your roadside traffic stop!!!) - "kill switch," to surely cut-power to your detector, to insure that you have an intrusion-free interview.

Finally, remember, a detector is only a tool, and just because the detector itself is fully cloaked with respect to VG2 and Spectre RDDs does not mean that your driving practices may not, themselves, tip-off the enforcer as to the fact that you have a detector in-vehicle.

As anyone will tell you, I'm a fan of VEIL, and also highly respect its creator, [b]The VEIL Guy[/b], for his "tactical thinking" approach to speed-detection countermeasures.

This is what he had to say, in his review of the Bel STi-Driver:

[quote]
realize really astute officers will likely still be able to determine detector usage when your vehicle is targeted by their radar gun if you quickly decelerate (the normal response to an alert) which can be done visually - either by an abrupt drop of your vehicle's front-end under heavy breaking, a rapid decrease in speed readings on the radar gun, or from the rear by observing brake lights or by audio - listening to the rapid decrease in the RADAR's Doppler tone at point of trigger pull.

At any rate, be prepared with a good explanation as to how you "visually spotted" the officer at the same time he/she pulled the trigger...[/quote]

So think about how you're using your detector - and just perhaps, carry with you an el-cheapo Cobra that you scored off FleaBay (and remember to carry the power cord with you, too), to nicely hand-over to your friendly enforcer, if you actually get pulled-over.

Replies to this message:

izaclown1 (Dec 28, 2008 3:27 pm)
upstatedoc (Dec 28, 2008 6:16 pm)

#1205 of 1208 Re: detector mounting [lgtwrx] by izaclown1

Dec 28, 2008 (3:27 pm)

Replying to: lgtwrx (Dec 28, 2008 9:49 am)

That is the best response and dialog advice on how to use a detector. You are correct you will get pulled if your speed drops quickly after the device has already recorded your speed.

I try to drive in the right hand lanes and not be as obvious as other detector users. The first thing a trooper looks for is break lights or front ends dropping.

#1206 of 1208 Re: detector mounting [lgtwrx] by upstatedoc

Dec 28, 2008 (6:16 pm)

Replying to: lgtwrx (Dec 28, 2008 9:49 am)

Long time no see LGT!

#1207 of 1208 Re: Detector Placement - My Experience [kirbstoy] by bmx4342

Nov 07, 2010 (8:21 pm)

Replying to: kirbstoy (Jun 03, 2004 11:14 am)

i dislike the escort solo cordless detector...this type of detector is the only one that i have recieved a speeding ticket with...i now have an 8500 x50 which has a quicker response time and overall just performs to a higher standard...u have to spend more but in the long run it works out way better than the solo...look at the comparisons between all escort and various comparable detectors...this will give u a good overview on quality and accuracy of your desired detector

#1208 of 1208 the latest and greatest by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Jan 09, 2013 (12:44 pm)

Introducing "the Cobra iRadar S-Series, a remote detector that is hidden away behind the car�s front grille. It sends information to a mobile phone with the Cobra app inside the car."

For the Speedy, a Sneaky Radar Detector (NY Times)

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