Radar Detectors

[capt512]

Hello fellow Marauderites,

As a lot of you already know I am a new owner of one of these Black Beauties and I'm having a little bit of trouble staying under or at the posted speed limits.

It seems that for some unknown reason my shoe has gotten heavier since I acquired my MM on friday or maybe my brains a little lighter.

Anyway I'd like your advice and suggestions on the best and if possible least conspicuous Radar Detector.

Thanks to all of you who responsed to my previous questions and all of your help.

Seems there are some great guys and Gals in this Marauder family.

Have a great week all.
Mike :banana2:

[TAF]

Welcome capt,

This is one of my priorities now that I'm done with performance mods. First of all, we have a sponsor on the site out of Dallas that could be helpful. (Snooper www.radardirect.com) It's always good to support the sponsors. Second, some folks here swear by the Valentine 1 portable. (www.valentine1.com)

Me...I would like to due front and rear stealth from someone...utilize the useless compass area for the unit...and replace the rearview mirrow with temp/compass mirror. I have a quote of around $1300 for it. Hopefully, I can move on this soon.

Hope this is helpful.

[golfnut]

Capt512

I had the same problem. Got the car on a Fri, got my first ticket on the next Mon. I went and got the Escort 8500 series. I did some research, and for the money it was the best option for me. I had it hard wired so it comes on and off with the car. I placed it just to the left of the rear view on the dark part of the windshield. No more tickets!
Like TAF said though, support for the sponsors is a good thing.

[capt512]

Todd,

Thanks for yoyr reply.

I've heard a lot of good things about Valentine Detectors and had not heard anything about Snooper.
That was my reason for asking and I am trying to support the sponsors of the site.

I think your idea about using the compass area is a great one.
Such a wasted space. Why they didn't put the outside temp and compass there is strange.

What did the $1300 price include and also would the front and rear stealth detectors be hooked to one unit or what.

Thanks,
Mike

[TAF]

Front and rear detectors and "defusors" a.k.a. laser jammers. Power is already up in the console for the compass so wiring is a breeze. My other idea was to cut out the front of that console and hard-wire a V1 in so it could shoot front and rear. I don't know...I'm still trying to figure it out myself. You'd have to get a LOT of tickets to get to $1300...

I just dont like the dash or windsheild mount, personally.

And I REALLY don't want anything that makes me look like a "PI"!!!

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by TAF
And I REALLY don't want anything that makes me look like a "PI"!!!

Didn't I see you at SHERIFF's barbeque last week?

:lol:

[shannon corkill]

If you do alot of X country driving, get a bear tracker in addition to any radar detector...you will be glad you did. I have had My uniden Bear tracker since 1998 and still works great and not a ticket since...I just drove from Oklahoma City to San Diego under 16.5 hrs....1450 miles....
My Marauder actually felt good at 125 mph.......

[TAF]

Welcome aboard Shannon,

You the "Okie" that bought Logan's ride? BTW...what's a "bear tracker"? Is it a CB?

She is sweet at 125, aint she?

[MAD-3R]

Bearcat Scanner. Scans police radio bands. Good way to know where and how many. Not illegal cause it doesn't transmit, only recieves.

[shannon corkill]

A Bear tracker is a scanner that detects scout cars within 3 miles of you that have trunking units on them. It has all 50 state and city police freqs programed in it. you can also listen to CB freqs also..BT7 is the model I purchased
I am not the one who bought some else's ride...I just beat the salesmen down here on there price until a dealership caved in..

[TAF]

Originally posted by MAD-3R
Bearcat Scanner. Scans police radio bands. Good way to know where and how many. Not illegal cause it doesn't transmit, only recieves.

Thanks Mad.

But then...I couldn't listen to "Hot Rod Lincoln":banana2: :rock:

[DLoreanMARAUDER]

in NY it is Illegal to have a scanner in a moving vehicle. it is also illegal to have radar jammers, so know ur laws. diff. states have diff. laws, and crazy ones too. Right now i have a cheep $100 radar detector that i bought at walmart. it mounts on the windshild via suction cups, but hey it works. i plan on buying an invisible detector, like snooper but for now the walmart detector works fine, except its got a compass on it and it doesnt always agree with the MM compass :)

[duhtroll]

Since all of you have been helping me on the car I can finally help with something!

Radar detectors I have done LOTS of research on, and for the price I have found that Rocky Mountain Radar has the best products available. They have a 360 detector and passive jammer that has saved me from at LEAST half a dozen stops since I got them.

The latest and best (as of last month anyway) is their Viper, but they also have the Phantom IV. These are so good they will pay your fine (just the speeding fine) if you get a ticket while the thing is on (only up to 15 MPH over speed limit, tho')

I have had a Phantom II and just upgraded to the latest Viper. I got it for less than $200 on EBay and it is the best I have ever seen, and I have tried many of them out there. It detects just as well as any other (all detectors basically do the same thing - when the price goes up you are just paying for power and sensitivity,) and is perfectly legal in most states since it is not an active jammer. Passive jammers merely delay the signal so they cannot get a lock on you until you are within 100-250 feet of the radar.

This is something I can wholeheartedly recommend, from one lead foot to another.

Geez, I am a lead foot NOW. Just think How bad I will be in about a month when I get my MM!

:burnout: :burnout: :burnout:

Some other tips:

Spray your license plates with hair spray - they aim for the license plate (if you have to have a front plate like we do here) because it is a good flat surface for a reading. The hair spray works like one of those plastic covers for the plate, (diffuses the signal somewhat) without the obvious repercussions (like them stopping you just because you have a plastic plate cover - hey, i've seen it) Of course you'll have to reapply after rain.

Don't rubberneck- it's a sure giveaway. Learn to have the "oh sh**" reaction without moving.

I have gone very fast for over a year since my last ticket, and have only had 3 lifetime (20 years of driving).

Note - my comments are not to be taken as condoning excessive speed. One should always drive within legal, etc., etc. Yadda, yadda, sis boom bah. :D

Hope this helps,
Andrew

[MAD-3R]

Here in VA, radar detectors are illegal. So I just deal with it. :)

[Murader03]

I have had no problems with my Valentine V1, the best detector I've owned in the past 20 years. I have it mounted in the dark portion of the windshield on the left of the mirror with the power cord run through the overhead and down the pillar to a fuse block. The only thing I don't like about it and other detectors, is that by the time the Laser warning goes off, it's to late. That will soon be rectified by the addition of a K-40 Laser Diffuser. I also have a CB mounted in the car. It may be illegal to jam radar, but there is no Federal law about Laser jamming. For those in states were detectora are illegal, where there's a will there's a way! My $.02's!

[WolfeBros]

Originally posted by Murader03
I have had no problems with my Valentine V1, the best detector I've owned in the past 20 years. I have it mounted in the dark portion of the windshield on the left of the mirror with the power cord run through the overhead and down the pillar to a fuse block.

Ditto exact same comments here.:up:

[Paul T. Casey]

With instant on radar, laser,etc. I depend on my eyes and cb. But, according to the ads in Hot Rod, this thing is stealth!! Don't need detector. Maybe it is, as I remember going by a smokie at about 85 the first week I had the MM. He didn't even look up. I also have noticed a definate lightening of the brain since purchase.

[helifool]

I have owned numerous highly rated detectors since they came on the market. To me, the Valentine 1 is the best and provides the most useful info, i.e. direction of radar source, # of signals, etc. Also it seems to come out on top of most comparisons.

[tomd]

Originally posted by MAD-3R
Bearcat Scanner. Scans police radio bands. Good way to know where and how many. Not illegal cause it doesn't transmit, only recieves.

Word of caution some states a scanner is illegal.

[modular46]

Moblile scanners are illegal in some states, unless you are a ham radio operator. The federal law supercedes the local or state laws in this case, according to the FCC.

[tomd]

I believe both these sites were posted on here before.

http://www.speedzones.com/

http://www.speedtrap.org

Radar detectors are illegal in all of Canada!

DON”T get this one
http://www.beltronics.com/vectorlrremote.html
It is placed way to low to do much good! My eyes worked better then the unit!
:mad2:

[Hemlock]

LOVE MY V-1

[tomd]

Originally posted by capt512
Todd,

I think your idea about using the compass area is a great one.
Such a wasted space. Why they didn't put the outside temp and compass there is strange.

Thanks,
Mike

My 1998 Grand Marquis had the compass in the rear view mirror and the outside temp in the in the AC/Heat window. I think the outside temp is still in the AC/Heat window? I'd look but don't have my car yet.

But anyway if you want to keep a compass in the Marauder you could get a mirror with the compass in it.

[gonzo50]

I've always used Escort Radar Detectors, I have the Passport 8500 and it hasn't failed me yet. It can be re-programed with any updates to the software from the manufacturer:
Go here for more www.escortradar.com
Go here for test www.radartest.com
Interesting reviews.

[RCSignals]

I looked at radartest. They have a "SUNDANCE Flasher System" for sale which "Traffic Alert System alternately flashes your high beam headlights and informs other motorists of your presence. Day or night, SunDance commands instant respect, giving drivers ahead extra time to move aside and let you pass. "

Wouldn't that be illegal? Anyone coming behind me with that on would look like a Police vehicle in my rearview mirror. Of course people will pull over. That isn't exactly earned respect by the person using it.

[duhtroll]

Just a note for record - *active* jammers are usually the ones that are illegal. Those are the ones that mess up the coppers' signal -- they can tell you are using one because their reading shows interference. *Passive* jammers are legal in most states. All the passive jammer does is delay the reading of your speed (i.e. give you time enough to slow down).

This is where Rocky Mountain Radar Products are superior. They don't claim to make you impervious, but they do a great job at giving you the necessary reaction time -- something other brands do not do.

Every now and then my RMR C-430 even works on those trailers parked on the side of the road (the ones that bombard you so heavily it's hard to avoid noticing them 5 miles away!). They can't use those to give tickets, btw -- they are just a scare tactic.

I figure mine paid for itself already a few times over. I have been able to slow down within sight of an oncoming cruiser at least a dozen times - several where I should definitely have warranted a stop - and I have not been stopped in the 2+ years I have had a RMR detector/jammer. Given Iowa's predilection towards generating revenue via tickets (which is what prompted me to buy one of these 2 years ago because of a speedtrap stop right next to a limit change sign) I call that a major victory.

Thanks,
-A

[tomd]

Originally posted by duhtroll


This is where Rocky Mountain Radar Products are superior. They don't claim to make you impervious, but they do a great job at giving you the necessary reaction time -- something other brands do not do.

Every now and then my RMR C-430 even works on those trailers parked on the side of the road (the ones that bombard you so heavily it's hard to avoid noticing them 5 miles away!). They can't use those to give tickets, btw -- they are just a scare tactic.



Thanks,
-A

Thanks for the review duhtroll, this is what I've found so far on the c-430 unit, sounds good and they're selling it for $202.98 at http://jzwireless.com//product_details.asp?dept%5Fid= 158&pf%5Fid=S010RMRC430

RMR C430 "Viper" Radar DetectorThis radar detector is the size of a pack of cigarettes. The RMR-C430 radar jammer is a passive radar jammer. It has an outstanding jamming capability of 360 degrees, making your car completely invisible to the three radar bands X, K, Ka. The RMR-C430 has a 2-to-3 mile range. Once your vehicle is within 50 to 200 feet of the police radar, the radar has a chance of reading your speed. This is known as the "punch-Through". Drivers should adjust their speed accordingly. How it worksRMR-C430's scrambling device blocks police radar and laser, making it virtually impossible to detect your vehicle's speed. The RMR-C430 detects X, K, Ka and Superwide radar frequencies and works instantly on radar/laser guns and has the ability to scramble any signal it receives. Our jammers do not transmit radio frequencies. The radar portion is a receiver not a transmitter. *This is why our jammers are legal! They have an FM chirp, a mixer, and a waveguide antenna for all radar bands the FCC allows the Police to use ( 8GHz - 38GHz ). The lidar ( laser ) portion transmits a specially modulated field of light from the vehicle with infrared diodes that cover all three laser guns in use today. The radar and lidar portions of our jammers confuse the radar and laser guns which prevent a hard reading of your speed. This makes your vehicle electronically invisible to police radar and laser guns. The radar jamming circuit mixes a doppler FM chirp with the incoming police radar signal and reflects it back to the radar gun. The computer in the radar gun must receive eight identical, consecutive readings before it will display your speed. All the different speeds contained in the FM chirp confuse the computer in the radar gun so it does not display any speed This effect duplicates the normal operation that the officer usually sees. Since it is normal to occasionally lose the target speed, the officer is not suspicious. Reasonable care should be used as flagrant violators could still be caught visually with an estimated speed. Specifications:One year manufacture ticket rebate program. (some restrictions apply) Three year manufacture warranty! Full visual and audio 360° Radar and Laser Detector. Forward 180° Radar and Laser Scrambler. Jams and Detects all Radar (X, K, Ka) Jams and Detects all Laser (lidar) City, Highway, Mute, Dark & Test VG-2 Alert (radar detector detector) Covers all radar bands the FCC allows the Police to use (8GHz - 38GHz) University tested 100 % FCC Legal Effective range approx. 3 miles Dual diagnostic systems to confirm reliable operation. Universal windshield mounting system. (Suction cup) Compact size (1.5" x 4.1" x 4.0"). Covers all Superwide & European radar World's only All Band Scrambler Radar Laser Detector Specifications: Frequencies: 10.525 GHz24.125 GHz33 to 36 GHz904 Nano-meter Sensitivity: X - 105 DbmK - 104 DbmKa-wide - 97 DbmLaser < 1 microwatt Alarm:Separate for each BandVariable alarm for range Controls: Volume, ON/OFF, Dark, Mute, City, Test VG-2: Automatic Frequency Shift Size: 1.5" X 4.1" X 4.0" Radar Jammer Specifications:Frequencies:8.0 to 38.2 GhzAntenna:Dual ridge cast waveguideMixer:Custom MM wave SchottkyDoppler:FM-Chirp 500 to 9,000 HzCustom Integrated circuit Scrambler Questions and AnswersQ: Over what range do scramblers operate? A: The RMR-C430 scramblers disable Radar and Lidar guns up to three miles away from a squad car all the way down to the last 50 to 250 feet. At that point, the squad car will be within your sight and you can adjust your speed accordingly.Q: How does a Scrambler differ from a detector? A: A radar detector gives an audible warning in the presence of police radar but often alerts you too late to permit you to reduce your speed. A radar scrambler gives no warning. It disables radar/lidar to give the driver time to adjust speed if needed. Q: Are radar scramblers legal? A: The laws regarding radar scramblers are constantly changing. We will not mislead you by making any blanket statements about where they are legal and where they are not. You will have to research the laws in the places that you drive yourself.Q: How do I know they work? A:The RMR-C430 is the only scrambler manufacturer that routinely has its products tested by independent universities. We are the only company that backs its products with a full one year ticket rebate and a three year warranty. You get a ticket, we pay for it. We put our money where our mouth is.Q: By having a Jammer, can I drive as fast as I want? A: No, the RMR-C430 jammers have been proven over and over again to effectively disable the Radar/Lidar signals. But, safety should be your primary concern. Also remember, if a gun is 250 feet away and has instant-on capability, the signal may burn through the jammers signal. You may get a ticket. The message - Drive responsibly! Scrambler WarrantyThe RMR-C430 is guaranteed against defects in workmanship and materials for 36 months. Defective units will be repaired or replaced by the factory at no charge. You may have your unit checked free of charge at the factory during the warranty period.RMR C430 Radar Detector comes with a one year ticket rebate gauarantee for one year. see Ticket Rebate for conditions.

[SergntMac]

Stop this...Stop this right now, I object!

I am going on the public record here in protest of this thread!

I am totally embarassed by your discussion here. All these tricks and toys aimed at one thing...ILLEGAL SPEEDING! My God, you're Americans! And MM owners too! It's your patrotic obligation to our great country, to obey all laws, statutes and ordinances! Have you no shame?

You take our beloved MM out on the public way and openly flaunt the law! Flagrant disrespect for rules from behind the wheel of one of these black beauties will lead us all to Hell! You zip past the innocent victim on the highway at 30 over, but when he gets to Chicago, and finds me at a stop light, I'm the one who gets dragged from behind the wheel and subjected to public embarassment as he brands me an outlaw, a rebel, a common criminal!

Stop this! Stop this right now! Rebuke speeding! Repent and recover your rotting soul before it's too late! God save the....what's that? Excuse me, BRB...

(no, its not time yet...I took it 3 hours ago...I did, I swear...No really, count them. Oh, I see)

Sorry folks, Nurse Wilma says I have to go now. But, I'll be back later, and I expect to find this trash cleaned up! Enough of this talk about speeding, its TREASON I sa

[SergntMac]

Ummm....Sorry about that, but the Sarge was suddenly called to an important meeting. He'll be back later.

Wilma.

[TAF]

Let us know when the "medication" kicks in, Sarge. :lol:

I thought it was "Nurse Ratchett", though...

[WolfeBros]

We interrupt this thread for the following message:

Hey all.......^^^try and cut him some slack^^^........it must have been the long bus trip that did it. :rolleyes:

We now resume our regular programming. :confused:
:lol: :lol:

[TAF]

I just never pictured Sarge in the wired bus...

[martyo]

Originally posted by TAF
I thought it was "Nurse Ratchett", though...


My thoughts exactly!

Uh oh, I am starting to think like Todd.....Help me Mommy, help me!!!

[tomd]

Originally posted by duhtroll
This is where Rocky Mountain Radar Products are superior. They don't claim to make you impervious, but they do a great job at giving you the necessary reaction time -- something other brands do not do.

Every now and then my RMR C-430 even works on those trailers parked on the side of the road (the ones that bombard you so heavily it's hard to avoid noticing them 5 miles away!). They can't use those to give tickets, btw -- they are just a scare tactic.


Thanks,
-A

Just about to buy 2 of the RMR C-430 when I run across this on the web!
http://www.radarbusters.com/support/product-tests/6.asp

Rocky Mountain Radar
We receive several inquiries per day as to why we do not sell or recommend the passive radar and laser jammers manufactured by Rocky Mountain Radar sold under the name(s) of the Phantom, Phantom II, Phantom III, Black Widow, Phasor, Shadow, Eclipse, Mirage and Spirit to name a few.

Well the bottom line is that during our testing of these units we have NEVER found one unit to work and if you have one that does, we will buy it from you for ten times the money you paid for it (or if your a dealer or manufacture, ten times the money you sell it for)


:alone: :eek: :eek: :eek:

[Macon Marauder]

tomd,

Thanks for the informative link! I really enjoyed this quote from Rocky Mountain Radar's founder/inventor:
<b>
"I could ship an empty black box with a weight in the bottom and only get 22-24 percent back," inventor Mike Churchman told us in 1993. Which is exactly what he's been doing ever since.</b>

Kinda makes ya go "hmmm..." don't it?

[duhtroll]

Funny - mine seems to work fine. It detects as well as any other detector I or my friends have had, and I haven't been stopped in the two years I've owned one. At the speeds I drive I have enough time to slow down before I even see the patrol car. (That implication is by no means an admission to speeding, btw. One should always follow all speed laws). ;)

Since "when you see them" is too late I should have been stopped several times by now. Either this thing works to some degree, I have uncanny luck, or Chrysler has inadvertantly incorporated some sort of stealth technology I don't know about. :)

Since my luck generally sucks I know what conclusion I've reached.

-A

[tomd]

Originally posted by duhtroll
Funny - mine seems to work fine. It detects as well as any other detector I or my friends have had, and I haven't been stopped in the two years I've owned one. At the speeds I drive I have enough time to slow down before I even see the patrol car. (That implication is by no means an admission to speeding, btw. One should always follow all speed laws). ;)

Since "when you see them" is too late I should have been stopped several times by now. Either this thing works to some degree, I have uncanny luck, or Chrysler has inadvertantly incorporated some sort of stealth technology I don't know about. :)

Since my luck generally sucks I know what conclusion I've reached.

-A

Did you read the PM i sent you? If it works I sure would be sending it to them for ten times what you paid for it, you had to of paid over $200.00

[duhtroll]

Just did - not accustomed to those PMs so I tend to not notice them. :)

I of course cannot prove the radar jamming part works, only that in my estimation I should have been stopped several times - so I could just be very lucky.

I think it's mislabeled as a jammer - it's not jamming the signal, merely delaying the reading IMO.

I wonder if any of those tests have done the new Viper - the dates on those tests all seem to be a couple years old. (Once a snake oil salesman, always a snake oil salesman of course, but who knows?)

I suppose I will learn the truth if/when I ever get ticketed. :)

I have always thought the best radar detector is driving sensibly and not drawing attention to oneself. So I plan to get a MM . . ..

Wait . . .

:lol:

-A

[duhtroll]

Oh- forgot to add - I only paid $195 I think. Since I sold my Phantom II for $150 I felt really good about it.

:up:

-A

[tomd]

Originally posted by duhtroll
Oh- forgot to add - I only paid $195 I think. Since I sold my Phantom II for $150 I felt really good about it.

:up:

-A

Heck you've got nothing to lose, I send it off to Radar Busters and if it does jam the laser you just made close to $2000 or more! :up:

[duhtroll]

Yeah, but if it doesn't work I have to wait a couple of more months for my mods as I will be paying off their research crew. That's the bet, if you read further down.

Besides, they are the ones setting up the test. Anyone who has done such research can tell you you can set up a test to prove just about anything, much like you can find numbers to support most anything.

Did you know that 68% of statistics are simply made up?

:lol:

-A

[tomd]

Originally posted by duhtroll
Yeah, but if it doesn't work I have to wait a couple of more months for my mods as I will be paying off their research crew. That's the bet, if you read further down.
-A

No, no, no. I'd write to them and tell um you may have one that does work and if then want, you'll send them the unit. If they are trust worthy and the test proves them wrong and it does works MONEY MONEY MONEY! :rock:

[tomd]

http://www.speedzones.com/lasercounter/lasercounter.htm

They also mention in this article (done in 2002) that the Rocky Mountain Phazer II and Phantom II do not work, nothing about the Viper. I think what’s WRONG with Rocky Mountain is that it will pick up RADAR but will NOT jam LASER.

I did find this interesting!
There is NO law against jamming a LASER gun BUT there is a law against jamming or trying to jam a RADAR gun
If you own a Camaro or Firebird with a sloping hood hidden head lights and NO plates in front you’re pretty safe from Laser.
A white car at 1,000 feet has 10 times the reflectivity of a black car at the same distance.

The price for buying a Laser jamming device and a radar detector combo is going to cost (good guess here) $500 to $800!

Traveling to or thru Ohio?
In Ohio, a laser gun is standard equipment in all 435 state police vehicles.

I’ve got a headache am going to lay down now and let all this info pour out of my head!

:help: :confused: :cool4:

[MAD-3R]

Here's an interesting point though.

Radar guns are calabrated with a tunning fork.
How do they calibrate Lasers?

In my county, they have two targets set up at known distances, and measure the distance. The problem is these are not "official" tagets. They have not been authenticated by a board of mesure and standards, there for in my county, if you fight it, you can normaly get a redused fine or such. But it is dicey.

Other juradictions may have offical calibrations.

[tomd]

Originally posted by Macon Marauder
tomd,

Thanks for the informative link! I really enjoyed this quote from Rocky Mountain Radar's founder/inventor:
<b>
"I could ship an empty black box with a weight in the bottom and only get 22-24 percent back," inventor Mike Churchman told us in 1993. Which is exactly what he's been doing ever since.</b>

Kinda makes ya go "hmmm..." don't it?

Yeah, finally read that story and that is funny.