radar detectors

[willwren]

The higher up you mount it, the better it'll read forward, and the worse it'll read to the rear. Even the best quality radar detectors are lacking to the rear, and for that reason, I run a good one up front, and an economy model in the rear. Even the inexpensive model in the rear will sound a warning before the front can (which gives you a directional indication which is very helpful, as they don't sound the same).

I don't fiddle with the little switches either, and can't reach the rear. Since 2003, I've been running switches and hard-wired detectors. I was even asked while at a dealer in 2004 if they were OEM switches, and what they were for (before I added the LED's):


SLEeper was upgraded when I bought it to the same standard. Left and right paddle switches are front and rear radar, red is hi-speed fan override. Shifter is now a 2k, not a cobra head as shown.



Zilla's rear (SLEeper in the background).





Closeup of Zilla's LED mounting:



I occasionally have help flipping switches (yes, all 4 of my boxers have at times turned detectors on for me):



SLEeper's rear mount:

Both cars carried on a custom bracket attached under the headliner. The cord is tucked in much better now.

[BUBBA]

ended up buying an escort 8500 x50 off ebay. late 2009 unit with case and accesories . $202 shipped. look out georgia , here i come !

[laxmangl]

look out georgia , here i come !

Have fun through Georgia... Left Orlando at 7:30 in the morning and by the time We reached Chattanooga it was around 9 PM (after we stopped for an hour for dinner) because it rained and there was 5 accidents including a police car spun out in a ditch, a five car pile-up, and a 45 minute wait as we went through stop and go for an accident going the other direction...

Now my LEAST favorite state to drive through... otherwise Have a blast (Tennessee is AWESOME)

[BUBBA]

look out georgia , here i come !

Have fun through Georgia... Left Orlando at 7:30 in the morning and by the time We reached Chattanooga it was around 9 PM (after we stopped for an hour for dinner) because it rained and there was 5 accidents including a police car spun out in a ditch, a five car pile-up, and a 45 minute wait as we went through stop and go for an accident going the other direction...

Now my LEAST favorite state to drive through... otherwise Have a blast (Tennessee is AWESOME)

always been my least favorite state, lots of boys , takes FOREVER , but i have a great story about a waitress at the waffle house telling us her life story !

[Sadden]

Wren where is your front one mounted?

[RJolly87]

In the zilla pics it looks like it is right above the rear view mirror, which is where I like mine too.

[willwren]

High up on the windshield mounted with suction cups to the left of the rear view mirror. It can't be seen by a 'visitor' even if they're bending down in a normal manner to talk to the driver. I never take it down when being pulled over. I had at one time considered shrouding it with a small 'box' and covering it with headliner material, but it's just not necessary.

[Sadden]

Get Pulled over that often do we?
lol

[willwren]

And never get ticketed. Long story.


I've been pulled over probably 3 or 4 times in the Zilla since 2002. Twice in the SLEeper since 2006.

[Sadden]

Now those would be interesting stories.

My rule of thumb.
Put the car in neutrual.
Turn off the engine.
Coast to a stop.
Roll down the window.
Put your hands on the sill.
And wait for them to approach you.
Oh and dont forget just tell the truth. (they know when your *shoot* )

Cops are concerened about thier own personal safety.
And doing such things will calm them down and give them a certian level of respect for you.
Theres some other interesting stories to go with the aforementioned steps.

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

Drive the 70 mph speed limit and you won't have a problem on the interstate.

Now the little towns with the county mounties, that's where the detector will save you!

[Sadden]

Oh yes the countie mounties....
*shakes head*

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

Or the "local yokels". Either way, they usually have a very cozy relationship with the judge that will be hearing your case, and will decide against you anyhow even if you were in the right 12 ways from Sunday. Having advance warning of them is nice.

[BUBBA]

the escort worked great on our trip to florida. do get a few false warnings in urban areas but it worked great on the open highway. even saved me a possible ticket on one occasion. still was nervous going thru ohio. those frickers like to turn their radar on at the last second when they are going the other way ! 1244 miles each way. 18 hrs 5 minutes including stops on the way down and 17hrs 50 minutes on the way up.

[gonzo4191]

yea, my X50 does give a few false warnings as well, but i know what to worry about in my area, so a quick glance when it beeps tells me if i need to slow down!

[willwren]

Until you find an officer that knows where the false alarm areas are that the locals ignore. They do that around here from time to time.

[92BonneSE]

I have a Whistler XTR-550

I have the same one..I actually think it works great for how cheap it was. I pick up radar like 20 seconds before I pass the cop sometimes, and it always gives me enough time to slow down if it doesnt pick them up that early. Although its defiantly not as good as my buddies Passport but thats to be expected with how much cheaper it is.

Do the cops use X band at all near you guys? When I first got my radar I never saw a cop using X for the longest time then one day I was driving and I actually picked up a cop using X, most use Ka but I still see the same Crown Victoria running around using X occasionally.

[BUBBA]

they use the x around here but not as much as ka. i was surprised in georgia at how close you get before they hit you with the x. had plenty of time to slow down when i saw them sitting. still funny to see ten cars hitting the brakes pretty good when they see them sitting there at the last second ! lol