[rpolin]

As you guys know, I recently purchased a 2013 Evora and couldn't be happier but I have been feeling pressure (all self-applied) as to whether or not to get a radar/laser system installed in the car.

The issue isn't about which system but rather whether or not to do it. Living in the North East, I believe that radar by itself would be useless so if I do this, it would have to include Laser Jammers which basically rules out portable systems.

Anybody have positive experiences using full systems? Specifically, do you really believe it has stopped you from getting ticketed?

PS - they are legal in CT, where I live

 

[LostPawn]

I used to always have a radar detector in any car I drove, I’m sure there is on sitting in the glove box of my daily at this moment. I’ve grown tired of all the false alarms driving around town and the mounts not always holding them on my windshield. I’m sure if I took the time to permanently mount it I would use it again and I’m sure there are better versions out now that account for city driving better. I haven’t tried the jamming systems but I’ve avoided a few stops using a radar detector, enough to pay their purchases. If you do use one, don’t assume it will always work or warn you in time.

 

[fitfan]

the hardest part is paying attention to it.... i have an escort in the lotus - it the integrated component type, all hidden. i really like it! i have a V1 in the bmw... it just endlessly beeps, and you can't really tell what type of signal it is - the little lights are useless and all the beeps sound the same and its get crazy false signals, especially laser. id recommend on of the more modern escorts.

 

[bibbly]

no question that i avoided several laser based tickets using a built in Escort system with front and rear shifters. i was the only one on the road, speeding, and then the alarms for laser shifting went off. i was 25 over, tapped the brakes, and drove past the LEO without incident. on other occasions, i was targeted from overpasses but again, escaped unscathed. i should mention these incidents were not in an Evora, and i worry a little about where a LEO would aim the laser. normally, they shoot for the front plate, and that is the area where you normally locate the twin laser shifters. i'd e-mail Escort and ask what the effective vertical range for the shifters is in real world situations, e.g., if a LEO aims high and hits the windshield rather than the front bumper. one other note about portable detectors...they can sense laser, but they can't really do anything about it, except to tell you that you were just targeted and your speed discovered.

i was a complete non-believer in the laser shifters before experiencing their apparent effectiveness first hand. the system is expensive and a PITA to install, particularly on an Evora, but if you are a serial speeder, the investment is cheaper than higher insurance premiums, costly tickets, and trips to traffic court and plea bargained traffic classes.

 

[Chhirowolf]

If it saves you once it has paid for itself (even a good Escort passport is less the $500).

Sometime the beeps are just saying "chill, your speeding again"

 

[tvacc]

I have them in all my cars. V1 in the Elise. Passports in the rest. I have the Passport Laser Shifter as well.

They work fantastic. Saved me many times.

The shifter from Blinder works the best. Nice thing about the V1 is that is sort of trains you how to read the beeps on the Passport.

I have the V1 and Blinder in my Caterham. I am the new Caterham Dealer for the North East USA. Just outside of Buffalo.

 

[Allan Gibbs]

Question. If you're the only car on the car, wouldn't the beep you get mean you've just been tagged? Hence, the radar won't not be every effective in that scenario?

 

[Tcab]

Question. If you're the only car on the car, wouldn't the beep you get mean you've just been tagged? Hence, the radar won't not be every effective in that scenario?

I have the passport in my Elise and in many instances it beeps before I crest the hill or round the corner where the cop is waiting. Essentially warning me to slow down before I actually get hit with the radar... As well my version has red light camera warning installed and let's you know when you are approaching an intersection with photo radar.


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[XHILR8N!]

I've been saved 100 times easy over the years.

Sort of an art to proper use. And the usefulness is limited to a certain range, sorta like the salt they spew over our roads.

 

[Julian73]

Question. If you're the only car on the car, wouldn't the beep you get mean you've just been tagged? Hence, the radar won't not be every effective in that scenario?

Was always true on laser as its line of site. But this phase shifting feature distorts the feedback, doesnt sound too legal. Now as a to radar, the cat and mouse game has always to trigger ahead of effective range of transmitter, i.e. you only need to capture outgoing signal, whereas radar gun needs to detected signal bounce back (i.e. twice the distance = 1/4th signal strength)

 

[rhoyle]

Totally worth it. The higher end Escorts (9500, max, etc) have built in GPS and false alarm sending. So if mine goes off I know why. I typically don't speed on surface streets, but may do 15 over on highways from time to time . The Escort 9500 I have had for years has saved my bacon at least 300 times and I think that's a conservative estimate. Depending on terrain and situation, I've been alerted as much as 1.5 miles out...

 

[cashxdr]

+1000 for the Passport 9500and I carry it car to car

 

[realrundell]

Don't leave home without it! I have them in all cars including a built in Escort in the Elise. Lifesaver! As for laser shifters; although radar detectors are now legal in Connecticut(they weren't years ago when I lived there), laser shifters, on the other hand, may not be. I live in Vegas now and did not opt for the shifters because they are illegal in California and Utah. It's a misdemeanor if they detect them on your car. The good news is laser requires line of sight and a damned good shot to hit a good surface on a little Lotus.

 

[rhoyle]

Learning how to read your surroundings can protect you just as much as any jammer/detector also. For example: if you're the only car on the road, don't go blazing over the crest of a hill. Watch traffic patterns on the highway - see traffic ahead tapping their brakes? That could indicate an officer or something else capturing their attention, don't camp in the left lane and avoid aggressive passing on the right that causes you to change lanes quickly. There are lots of other examples, but the point is that even without laser countermeasures radar combined with common sense can save you a ticket.

And the number one rule I learned long ago from my dad: never be the fastest car on the road.

 

[cashxdr]

One of the most helpful things I have found is my Waze app on my phone. I works like any map/nav setup but it is simple to mark where a traffic jam is, cops, accidents or something on the road. You can easily mark if something is not there or if the road is now clear.

So as you drive you will see if someone has marked something, and also see if someone else that is running the Waze app so you have to reference if someone has been down the road recently

 

[tbd_Evora]

Learning how to read your surroundings can protect you just as much as any jammer/detector also. For example: if you're the only car on the road, don't go blazing over the crest of a hill. Watch traffic patterns on the highway - see traffic ahead tapping their brakes? That could indicate an officer or something else capturing their attention, don't camp in the left lane and avoid aggressive passing on the right that causes you to change lanes quickly. There are lots of other examples, but the point is that even without laser countermeasures radar combined with common sense can save you a ticket.

And the number one rule I learned long ago from my dad: never be the fastest car on the road.

I have to agree. I never got a ticket when I was consciously driving too fast. Every speeding ticket I got was when I was just cruising along without even observing either my speed nor reading my surroundings.:tadts:

 

[XHILR8N!]

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f68/basic-rules-successful-speeding-96953/

 

[cashxdr]

I realize that I am in the NW suburbs of Chicago so lots of people, but I just fired up my Waze app and it told me that 2953 other Wazers (people running the app) are in my area and there is 415 reports posted. You only see what is in your area map though so it's not overwhelming

It gives you a audible warning of things a mile ahead of what has been reported so you do not have to have your eyes on your phone

The downside is you really can't report cops on the move and that's where the radar detector comes in

 

[rhoyle]

Escort also has Escort live, which sounds similar to the app you are referring to. It's basically a social network for marking locations of cops

 

[cashxdr]

Yes I tried the Escort Live but not many people on it.

Also the Waze does traffic and such also

There were lots of accidents one day due to snow and I was able to message someone that was way ahead of me after being parked for 2 hours to find out what was going on and what lane I needed to be in. Pretty cool

And the Waze app is free

With the weather, I have to drive to Ohio today and it will be my most valuable player