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Radar/Lidar detectors

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#8 of 1206 div2 by div2 Jan 30, 1999 (2:07 pm)
A lot of people believe that Craig Peterson (Automobile's expert) is prejudiced against the V1. There is a rumor that Valentine Research had refused to hire him as a consultant. One of his persistant criticisms of the V1 was that the direction arrows were "confusing". I consider them essential. It seems that the V1's performance increased to the point that even Mr. Peterson had to acknowledge the fact.
#9 of 1206 MongoaPawn by MongoaPawn Jan 30, 1999 (4:34 pm)
div2 I understood the same thing regarding Peterson's bias....which if true, makes the results of the Automobile review more credible. As mentioned previously, I actually found the review and tests somewhat puzzling. For example, why would one unit test longer on Ka than another on a straightaway but shorter when the Ka is hiding in a curve due "to higher sensitivity"? To me, false alerts are my biggest problem to overcome. Get enough of them and then you start ignoring real problems. It's not so much highway as it is metropolitan areas. You can drive all over the city of Atlanta and deal with 70+MPH speeds through areas loaded with radar emitting devices....most of which are not speed detection. At least if you have directional arrows like the V1 you may get some help discerning the difference between false and real problems. Still studying the situation.....before I buy. Just my .02
#10 of 1206 C13 by C13 Jan 31, 1999 (2:54 am)
Automobile's credibility has been challenged before. If memory serves, on one of their old radar detector tests, the expert (Peterson?) was later accused of being in the employ of one of the manufacturers (whose products did very well on the test). It turns out that the allegation was true. The magazine published an admission of this, "but we stand by our test results". I don't ask anybody to take my word for it, since I can't make specific allegations, but for my money, the magazine and the editor have lost all credibility. They're also one of the sillier, more juvenile car magazines. Car & Driver, which I generally think tries to do a respectable job of reporting, found the 'jammers' that they tested to be worthless.
#11 of 1206 MongoaPawn by MongoaPawn Jan 31, 1999 (2:48 pm)
Agree with you C13. Not an Automobile mag reader but do read Car & Driver. I do recall the article that stated that 'jammers" are worthless, based on the testing they did. C&D also has year-in/out put the V1 at the top of the list as well....to the point that I might wonder if they work so closely together that it hurts their credibility. I certainly am not making any allegations either but if you go to the Valentine website in Mike's labs you find a report where C&D asked Valentine to do a laser/windshield test for them in the August 98 issue. It would make me feel better if there was no other relationship other than objective 3rd party. Again...just my .02. Still want a V1!!
#12 of 1206 Questions, questions... by bhepler Feb 01, 1999 (3:37 pm)
Anybody had any experience with the K40 in-dash radar detector? I know it's expensive as all get out but I live in VA and that funny black box on the winshield is readily visible, you know? I have heard nothing but praise about the Valentine unit from people who have them. C13: when you said that C&D rated the jammers as useless, were these radar jammers or laser jammers?
#13 of 1206 C13 by C13 Feb 01, 1999 (5:11 pm)
I don't remember. I'll see if I can find the article.
#14 of 1206 MongoaPawn by MongoaPawn Feb 01, 1999 (8:51 pm)
bhepler Can't help on the K40 question...however, since you are in VA where detectors are illegal aren't you concerned about police use of radar detector detectors. Some web research I did today did state that there is such a thing and they are being used. I guess if it's mounted in your dash they can't confiscate it and drive over it with the squad car. Regarding jammers, check out this website. http://www.radar.co.nz/usa/usarticle4.html They basically conclude that passive radar jammers don't work and active radar and laser jammers have limited range. Also, legality questions for use in US. Very easy to detect. I recall the C&D article to be less positive than the info at this site.
#15 of 1206 Detector detectors by bhepler Feb 01, 1999 (11:41 pm)
Like most radar detectors out there, they (K40) claim that their product is shielded against VG-2 detectors. Essentially, it should be completely invisible to your friendly neighborhood speed enforcement. My concern is that it is illegal to have them in VA, and I don't want this funny black box taped to my winshield with a coiled black cord running to my cigarette lighter. An in-dash unit would be ideal, but Valentine only makes a remote view panel, you still have to have the box on your dash. The cops out here are very sneaky and if they ride your butt like they are prone to do, they'll spot a dash unit for sure. MongoaPawn: Thanks for the link. If the detector detectors is in use, I'm sure it's in VA.
#16 of 1206 C13 by C13 Feb 02, 1999 (1:54 am)
I'm in VA too. I once saw a copy of the applicable laws. I'll try to find it. I don't believe that they can confiscate the unit legally, though I hear that they do it all the time, possibly in ignorance, possibly in hopes that the owner is ignorant. I think that the extent of the law is just that you get a small additional fine on top of your speeding ticket - like $30. Some of the magazine tests rate the units for their stealthiness in the face of VG-2. The best units are pretty good at being invisible to radar detector detectors. You don't necessarily have to have your detector on the dash, but you do have to have it somewhere where it can receive the signal, and that usually means it's gonna be visible. I've been thinking a lot about where to stash it stealthily but still allow it to receive well. A lot depends on whether you need to turn it on and off at the head unit. I think it's weird that nobody makes a modular unit with separate antennas, display and head, and an on/off switch at the display. I have no faith in jammers, but I think a good police-frequency scanner could be very useful for locating the gendarmes when their radar is not on. They also know about these and try to stay off the radio as much as possible when they're out takin pictures.
#17 of 1206 Scanners by bhepler Feb 02, 1999 (3:00 pm)
I already have the scanner, I need the radar. Uniden BCT-7. Nice toy, and has already paid for itself.

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