So I'm looking for a radar detector to prtect me from speed traps and was wondering if anyone has had experience with a particularly good product. I've gotten 2 speeding tickets recently because there is a new 'speed trap' setup around my local area. I can't seem to win and I am tired of getting pulled over because I drive an Audi. Basically, I was wondering if anyone has used the ESCORT PASSPORT 9500ci and if it protects against all lasers? I live in Ohio and was wondering if there was a way for me to find out what laser technology is in my area so I can shop around. I'm not looking for the latest and greatest radar detector, I'm just looking for something to protect me before my insurance doubles up. Any USEFUL advice would be great.

 

The Escort is a good product. I have owned three in the past 25 or so years. I now own/use three Valentine V-1 units (from a company right there in your state of Ohio) which I think are currently top of the heap from the standpoints of performance and customer service. No radar detector is going to give you much real help with Laser enforcement by qualified officers but the V-1 is as good as any and better than most at giving you early notice that you have been had.

Advice. Slow down. <g> No radar detector is 100 percent foolproof.

 

Just to let you know, if a cop pulls you over for any reason whatsoever and sees a radar detector, the chances of you getting away with a warning are slim to none.

 

^ True dat. Also, you need to check your local laws and make sure that they're legal. A lot of states don't allow detectors.

 

Not Ed Zachery. The vast majority of law enforcement officers keep their biases to themselves and stick to law enforcement applied equally. While it is possible that a police officer might be biased against someome displaying a radar detector, detectors are legal in all fifty US states and commonwealths except Virginia. They are alsao illegal in the federal compound (District of Columbia). If you live in another country, check it's laws.

 

Actually rdar detectors are illegal in only 1 US state(commonwealth) and the District of Colombia.

 

I own a Cobra XRS9830. It is a nice unit and I have had it for about 5 years now I believe. Only problem I am having is I cannot get it to come out of "DIM" mode so I cannot see the display during the day. My wish was for the V1 but the wife didn't want to spend the extra $$$ for it. Still on my wish list for this year.

Take a look as this website where they compare and test radar detectors.

Radar Detector and Laser Jammer Reviews & Ratings

 

By the time You've detected the radar, the cop has already locked it in...

Where ya from in Ohio? I'm from Kent.

 

"By the time You've detected the radar, the cop has already locked it in..." Not Ed Zachery. One can learn to read signals. Valentine Research includes instructions along with a good treatise on how radar works with the V-1.

 

If you drive with a radar detector then you need to know how to use it properly. Radar detectors can protect you 100% but you have to use them properly in order for them to work in your favor.

How does one use a radar detector properly? Simple, make sure you have another vehicle one half to a mile ahead of you. When that vehicle get tagged your radar detector should pick that up and give you plenty of time to slow down. If you are the first car in line then your detector isn't going to help much as you are the target.

The key is in detecting the radar before you are the target. If you happen to be the first in line then you are going to have to slow down until you can get another target in front of you. By following this simple rule you should never again be caught speeding.

Now Laser is another beast altogether and I don't have much experience with them. I have been in traffic that laser was used but everyone was driving 10 over so I don't know if my car was the target or if my radar/laser detector was picking up signals from another targeted car.

Also it is good to understand how the radar works. Radar cannot pick out a single vehicle and target it. It see everything in its field of vision, so while a cop might pull you over for speeding he could have just as well been following the car going the opposite direction. If you have a judge that understand how radar working he will most likely give you a pass and drop the ticket. I know I have been down that road already.