two violations and you loose it...so watch it.

Radar detectors are great, especially at night here in ohio. saved me a few times already when im not really paying attention.

Like stated, its not an excuse to go fast, and youll most likely get a ticket if you get pulled over again when they see you have one.

 

would appricate you showing pics

 

I just got home from work, I work second shift. It sucks sometimes. I'll try to get some pics up tomorrow in the afternoon.

 

wouldnt mind you posting pics

 

Sorry for the hold up with the pics. I was busy the past couple of days. I added the red lines in Paint (I know, fancy right?) to show how i ran the power wire. In the fourth pic you can see the wire, but only becuse I'm too lazy to mess with it anymore right now because it is too cold out. It is only visible when the door is open anyway. In the fifth pic you see where the cord comes out of the car into the cig lighter socket. In the future I am going to hardwire it under the center console. I am happy with how it came out. It only took a couple minutes to do and I didn't have to remove any paneling so imagine how it will look if you take some more time and hardwire it in! Enjoy!

 

I barely use mine.

 

i got the passport 8500 x50 any reviews?

 

EWWWW on the wire install. I'm not trying to mean. . . but

You can tap the wires for the moon roof for a power supply. You have to test for the correct wire, but it's great since it's ignition powered so that it turns off when you turn the key off. What's even better is that unlike the cigarette lighter, it turns off when the key is at acc. That means that you can listen to the radio and not have the detector on, but it still turns on when the motor is started.

NOT TO MENTION NO UGLY WIRE EVERYWHERE and big ol honkin plug in the cig lighter!

Just pull out the dome light and you can run the wire up through the headliner (use a flat screw driver to pry up the headliner ever so slightly, and fish it through). Use T-taps and it takes about 3 minutes to do.

 

I have the Bel 995 (basically the same circuitry as the 8500, Bel and Escort are the same company now). I tested my 995 against my buddy's x50 and we have near identical Ka range (which is the one that matters).

I'm getting ready to buy a Valentine and double up on my protection (double bagged, baby).

I personally like the radar range of the Bel/Passport, but I really do like the arrows on the Valentine (I've used both). It's a dead heat for me. I slow for all Ka alerts, regardless of the direction, which is why I opted for the Bel. However, I may be getting laser blinders instead of a secondary V1, which will defeat the need to maximize my laser detection.

In all honesty, however, good visual scanning for cops is the best countermeasure as many cops leave their radar guns OFF nowadays. Radar detection is priceless though, don't get me wrong.

 

Yeah, it really ____es me off having to look at an inch of wire at the top of my window and a cigarette lighter plug.

But seriously, I said it was a temporary install until the temperatures around here are slightly above freezing. I'm pretty picky about having everything look really clean but I guess this doesn't bother me as much as some people. Interesting point about tapping into the sunroof. That is a good idea, I didn't even think about doing it that way and having the detector off when the key is in the ACC position. I just may have to try it out.

 

There's over a foot of wire by the door jam, and some more by the center console too. . . but it's just my opinion. I hate clutter. I do like mods, but I like them to have the quality appearance, as if it could have come from the factory. But different strokes for different folks. . .

Tons of people tap their sun roof. . . it's the most popular way to hard wire. Just do a search and you'll find a DIY somewhere. Even if it's for a Lexus/Toyota, the wire harnesses are the same.

It really does take about 5 minutes. . . it would have taken less effort to hard wire to the sunroof then to run all that wire. I used and cut telephone cable (same as the power plug), ran three inches of wire, identified the correct colored wires to tap, used two t-taps, and squeeze squeeze. Done. You just need an ignition switched 12+ and any ground.

 

let me just say this. from a quote from liar liar

STOP BREAKING THE LAW _______

if you don't break the law you wont have anything to worry about.

 

its only breaking the law if you get caught

 

spoken like a true 17 year old.

 

So what Mode you think i should leave my valentine on i live in the suburbs if that makes a big difference

 

nebster Posted: 2/10/07 3:48PM Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

spoken like a true 17 year old.




so true

 

Not to be a punk or even that I disagree with you, but you're only 3 years older. That's not a whole lot.

The speed regulations are all based off statists and calculations for the highest possible speed practical to minimize the statistical chance of fatal accidents.

But if you know anything about statistics, is that not everyone will fall into the average. Unfortunately 99% of drivers do, and should drive EVEN slower (in the appropriate lanes). But a skilled and experienced driver in a maintained and capable car can safely exceed the speed limit.

The German Autobahn is living proof, as they often exceed 100MPH, and have a smaller fatality rate than the average American interstate. It's due mainly to the fact that German's have MUCH stricter license requirements and generally have cars designed to handle higher speeds (suspension, braking, wheels/tires). No Lincolns/Caddilac's or any big truck/SUV should ever cruise over 80mph, due to roll over probablity and long stopping distances.

 

You forgot about the fact that speeding tickets make up for a large percentage of most local gov. income. In fact, on most secondary roads, the speed limit is altered to take advantage of the fact that most people will want to drive faster. This increases the income for the local city.

You're sorta right here. It does have to deal, in part, with the stricter license requirements. However, only about 40% of the autobahn is speed limit free. And even then the gov. has a posted recommended speed.

Saying that the other reason is because their cars are better maintained is incorrect. Just because it's Germany doesn't mean everyone drives a BMW or Mercedes around. Those are sill luxury cars and an even higher premium to own there than here in the US. Most of your other Euro manufacturers don't even meet US safety regulations. Even worse is that most older European cars are “grandfathered” by the law, and are not required to have safety devices offered today.

Also, Lincoln and Caddy both make some cars that would put them up with BMW or Mercedes any day (Performance and Handling wise).

 

Whether or not the gov't is "out to get us," is political opinion and speculation. I don't know whether or not it is true or not. . . and I was trying to keep things simple by not posting a 200 page post. There's more history to it than that. Originally, the 55mph speed limit was introduced during the oil crisis in the 70's to help conserve oil.

And I own a Japanese car, so you don't have to lecture me on the problems of German cars. If you've actually traveled to Germany, you'd realize that the car culture is very different. German cars didn't come with cup holders for many years as it would be seen as an uneccessary distraction have a soda while you drive.

And you're right, there are speed regulations on many parts of the autobahn. But contrary to popular belief, the unrestricted areas are not death traps. Slow traffic stays right, and the left lane is reserved for passing. No bottle necking, no accidents.

When I refer to the build of german cars, I'm referring to the fact that many have wider tires and stiffer suspensions than typical cars. Sure American engineering is great. . . but a Caddilacs and Town Cars have the floaty suspension. . . as if they were made with cotton candy. That type of set up is great for cruising, but ill suited for high speed driving. Sure, the Z06 will blow the doors off an M3 or an M5, but for the most part, the great American engineering available on A SELECT FEW CARS is not employed in the rest of them.

But again, I own a Japanese car, so you don't have to get on my case about it.

 

My main point is that we HAVE to have rediculous speed limits in America because Americans are BAD drivers. Too many people on cell phones, putting on make up, not signaling for lane changes, clogging traffic by staying in the fast (passing) lane, and too much more to list. Any european country. . . and in many parts of the world, two high beam flashes from a car behind you in the fast lane and you MOVE. In the good ol' USA, we slow down, because it hurts our ego to get passed. That type of stupid thinking causes accidents.