Radar detector?

[The Mistress]

Just discovered I am Dutch not Irish...my luck has run out and I resent prising open my musty wallet to pay the fines :shit: I got saddled with after being pinged today...more worrying is accruing demerit points. What radar detectors are recommended?

[Hitcher]

Your eyes are about the best value for money when it comes to beating The Fuzz(TM). No technology has yet been invented that can beat Joe Law with his finger on the pulse trigger or a laser. If you're going to exceed the legal limit, do it in a place where the statistical likelihood of getting busted is at or approaching zero.

[ynot slow]

Minimum BEL RX55 or RX65 had both and great value,ours saved us this weekend twice,mind you only sitting on 115km according to speedo,but gps said 109km.More likely to get pinged in 50 and 70km zones I've found to my wallet.

[MaxB]

The mark 1 eyeball and watching your speed are the best defences but...

The better makes: Bel, Valentine and Escort have improved detection capabilities but they cost a lot, like $1K. That is a lot of tickets to save before you get your money's worth. Slowing down may be cheaper.

These expensive detectors can detect Stalker radars in the instant on mode because the mobile units emit a tiny reference signal that the detectors are tuned for.

Laser units are harder to detect but the detector is designed to be activated by scatter from other targets. Plus the fact that many officers don't really know how to use them properly further alerting nearby vehicles.

[Winston001]

Bel STi is rated as the best. Undetectable. $1800!! The XR is cheaper.

There is a motorcycle-specific detector TPX which LBD has and he likes it. A review I found rated it as good but not the top.

Trouble with the Valentine 1 and Bel STi is that both need add-ons to waterproof them, mount them, wire them, and make the alerts visible or audible. So the purchase price to put one in your car is only the beginning for a bike.

The Escort X50 is far cheaper and still a reasonable detector.

However.......what's your licence worth? Even $2000 starts to look reasonable up against 3 months loss of licence. In that sense the best is the only choice. Or so I'm trying to tell myself. :D

[Winston001]

Your eyes are about the best value for money when it comes to beating The Fuzz(TM).

Yes so you and Ixion keep saying. But eyeballs were no help to me at all south of Timaru 6 months ago. :crazy: The nice orifficer was in a plain car going the other way, he didn't even think I was speeding but gave a quick check.......130k.....oh dear.

Besides my eyeballs would suit an ambulatory bat. They don't do me much good. ;)

[RedKLR650]

Yes so you and Ixion keep saying. But eyeballs were no help to me at all south of Timaru 6 months ago. :crazy: The nice orifficer was in a plain car going the other way, he didn't even think I was speeding but gave a quick check.......130k.....oh dear.

Besides my eyeballs would suit an ambulatory bat. They don't do me much good.

Said officers of the law could probably vouch for my knowledge of the fine/demerit point system :-(

Last work lisence cost $1300 ( It was a bit more involved than usual ) and that was ON TOP of the fines already paid, so top of the line detectors don't look so expensive after all

Fines are as follows
Kms.... $
11-15 80
16-20 120
21-25 170
26-30 230
31-35 300
36-40 400
41-45 510
46-50 630

And Demerits.........

-10kph 10
10-20 20
20-30 35
30-35 40
35+ kph 50

And as for south of Timaru, What about down your way

Last Tuesday there were 2x officers hiding behind a Macrocarpa Hedge at the north/east side of Clinton with a lazer...... Bastards......

Luckily the car in front of me saw them :woohoo:

Just my thoughts......

Stu :scooter:

[awayatc]

Eyeballs served me well for over 30 years, but the increased tax collection of late is no match for eyeball alone....
It used to be a game you could play with some sort of skill.....the ambush techniques being deployed at present however take away that fair chance......
I got myself an Escort 8500 and an escort 9500, one for the cage, and one for the bike......(ok, I am a bit obsessive compulsive )
Admittedly to bikeproof one is a bit of a put off,.....but if it rains to hard i put it in my pocket....not speeding much in the wet
I realy don't want to pay another speeding tax again EVER.....
Should my cunning plan fail then I will either have to buy the fastest bike I can afford and outrun the vultures,
or pack my bags and move to less Analy controlled horizons....
Escort picked up a few stealthy stalkers so far.....

[CookMySock]

These expensive detectors can detect Stalker radars in the instant on mode because the mobile units emit a tiny reference signal that the detectors are tuned for. Can you cite your sources for this statement?


if it rains to hard i put it in my pocket...Do you still get a good range?


Steve

[NighthawkNZ]

Your eyes are about the best value for money when it comes to beating The Fuzz(TM). No technology has yet been invented that can beat Joe Law with his finger on the pulse trigger or a laser. If you're going to exceed the legal limit, do it in a place where the statistical likelihood of getting busted is at or approaching zero.


Yes so you and Ixion keep saying. But eyeballs were no help to me at all south of Timaru 6 months ago. :crazy: The nice orifficer was in a plain car going the other way, he didn't even think I was speeding but gave a quick check.......130k.....oh dear.

Besides my eyeballs would suit an ambulatory bat. They don't do me much good. ;)

But he also covers his but by saying... If you're going to exceed the legal limit, do it in a place where the statistical likelihood of getting busted is at or approaching zero

[Jantar]

I have both an Escort X50 and a Bel Sti. The Escort has been modified to be fully bike compatible (ie waterproofed, internal sounder bypassed) and so is used only on the bike. The Bel can be swithched between bike or car as required. A radar detector will only give you warning if there are other vehicles around that the cop tagets first, or if the cop is lazy and leaves his radar on all the time. Both these models have POP detection which give some protection agains instant on radar (I don't think we have that in NZ yet), but not if the cop is using his radar in standby mode and waits till he has you well in range before triggering his unit.

Radar detection has saved me from a few tickets, but my biggest saviour so far has been a GPS permanently recording my speed. I just loved the look on the cops face when he accused me of 118 kmh when I knew I was under 100. I just asked him to record on his notes that the bike was fitted with GPS, it was recording, the time and location displayed, and that I would see him in court. He just walked back to his car and drove off without another word.

[Swoop]

Bel STi is rated as the best. Undetectable. $1800!!
Rubbish. More like $800- for the STi.

Like here (http://www.parallelimported.co.nz/car-audio/radar-detectors.html). The V1 is still a bit high!

[crazyhorse]

Check on Trademe - the cobra was inexpensive and seems to work really well

[What?]

What radar detectors are recommended?

Google is your friend.

The Escort 8500 X50 or 9500 are the best bike-friendly detectors by all accounts, although if they get outlawed, then the Bel STi is the only one to get at the moment, as they are undetectable by radar detector detectors.

I have read a few tests on the TPX, however they are only any good at detecting X band - which hasn't been used in Nz for yonks. Their K and Ka detection is rubbish. For Ka band detection, Bel, Escort (they are the same) and Valentine are tops. As always, you get what you pay for.
And don't get hung up on laser detection unless you buy a jammer as well - if your detector signals laser, you are almost certainly already stung.

And don't believe the bullshit from outfits like Radardirect that they sell NZ-spec models. No radar detector manufacturer makes NZ-specific models. Buy direct from the US and save a truckload of cash.

Oh, and use your eyes - even the best detector only increases your odds slightly.

[Winston001]

Rubbish. More like $800- for the STi.

Like here (http://www.parallelimported.co.nz/car-audio/radar-detectors.html). The V1 is still a bit high!

Well I found it hard to believe too but Radardirect have the STI XR Platform NZ XR-C for $1776.88 +GST. http://www.radardirect.co.nz/new/frameset/

They wouldn't bother if they didn't sell any.

Warranty is a biggie - there is a member here who had 3 STis fail but all replaced under warranty. Stories like that make parallel imports look a bit risky.

[scumdog]

Yes so you and Ixion keep saying. But eyeballs were no help to me at all south of Timaru 6 months ago. :crazy: The nice orifficer was in a plain car going the other way, he didn't even think I was speeding but gave a quick check.......130k.....oh dear.

Besides my eyeballs would suit an ambulatory bat. They don't do me much good. ;)


Ouch!

But a detector still might not have saved you - might have made the fine cheaper I guess..

[Winston001]

Ouch!

But a detector still might not have saved you - might have made the fine cheaper I guess..

He was a very nice chap. He even had the grace to look embarrassed as he handed me the ticket and remarked that modern bikes are difficult to keep at low speeds. I thought a warning might have been ok....;)

[Winston001]

Rubbish. More like $800- for the STi.

Like here (http://www.parallelimported.co.nz/car-audio/radar-detectors.html). The V1 is still a bit high!

Hang on Swoop - that site doesn't even have the Bel STi - or any Bel at all. Nor Escort. The only high rated detector is the Valentine 1. And its only $200 cheaper than Radar Direct.

So where are these STis at $800? I'm keenly interested. Even in the USA they don't get much below $US418.

[Swoop]

Hang on Swoop - that site doesn't even have the Bel STi - or any Bel at all. Nor Escort. The only high rated detector is the Valentine 1. And its only $200 cheaper than Radar Direct.

So where are these STis at $800? I'm keenly interested. Even in the USA they don't get much below $US418.
I purchased mine from there a year ago, for that price or a bit cheaper. I noticed that they have removed it from their site for some reason.

[dangerous]

What radar detectors are recommended?
I use the Escort with HARD system which even tho an extra 400 a must.
Its saved my arse, and Ive been nicked with it... but its saved me more times than I remember.
So, SD SHOVE THAT IN YA PIPE N SMOKE IT... :chase:

[Blackbird]

I purchased mine from there a year ago, for that price or a bit cheaper. I noticed that they have removed it from their site for some reason.

Some of the guys on one of the the US Blackbird sites ran into reliability problems with the STI's a while back. Haven't heard any more in recent times though.

[cheviot]

I have an Escort 8500 X50 with a HARD transmitter and the receiver in my helmet. It has almost paid for itself after a trip to Taupo and back. Most times though I had spotted the cop car and checked my speed, although it went of twice for sneeky ones hidden in the bushes. A detector won't always save you but it'll help.

[bsasuper]

My bell sti is awsome, purchased from the US when the $$ was good (nz$500),It gives good warning on the bands used here (k,ka,laser).Even picked up a plain car that was 4 cars infront zapping oncoming cars, and awsome on our country roads.Your not screwed if the laser beeps as its awsome at picking up scatter,you should be looking ahead anyway.The sti and xr are the same.

[The Mistress]

[QUOTE=Hitcher;1129292233]Your eyes are about the best value for money when it comes to beating The Fuzz(TM).
Thanks guys n gals. So how do you spot a mufti cop from behind? I actually overtook him :doh:

[scumdog]

[QUOTE=Hitcher;1129292233]Your eyes are about the best value for money when it comes to beating The Fuzz(TM).
Thanks guys n gals. So how do you spot a mufti cop from behind? I actually overtook him :doh:

Oh, a shitload of KBers will now post "How to pick a mufti from behind at 100 metres" or something like that...;)

[Cloggy]

What about this Veil coating you can buy in the US. Supposed to give you a couple of seconds grace before the laser can get an accurate speed on you.
Is this available in NZ?

[CookMySock]

Oh, a shitload of KBers will now post "How to pick a mufti from behind at 100 metres" or something like that...;)The radio antenna will be up. Who listens to the radio?

They will be travelling dot-on the speed limit. Never above, never below.

When you come up to pass, look for the microwave unit on his dash.

When you pass him, ask your passenger to look straight in his drivers' window and give him a beeeeeg wave! "HULLO BOYYYYS!"

Steve

[awayatc]

sounds like you got more to worry about then just speedlimts....................:yes:

[dangerous]

Thanks guys n gals. So how do you spot a mufti cop from behind? I actually overtook him :doh:
1st give away are the red n blues (actually clear when off) on the rear parcel shelf, same on the dash.
Remember tho if ya coming up fastish, they may already haver you on radar befor you even see them.

[What?]

What about this Veil coating you can buy in the US. Supposed to give you a couple of seconds grace before the laser can get an accurate speed on you.
Is this available in NZ?

Yep - you'll find it on the shelf next to the powdered Rhino horn and below the bottles of snake oil.

[CookMySock]

sounds like you got more to worry about then just speedlimts....................:yes:Me? You hint at some deficit in my personality, or maybe my character?

Perhaps you can be more concise rather than just making some snide all-knowing remark? Lets hear it.

Steve

[pritch]

Oh, a shitload of KBers will now post "How to pick a mufti from behind at 100 metres" or something like that...;)

Well, I'm not going to jump on that bandwagon.

The guys who extol the virtues of the eyeball really do not know that of which they speak. Whether they are just out of date or are exhibiting luddite tendencies I don't know, but they are absolutely wrong. Radar detectors do work!

My X50 has detected radars that were just not visible, as in being down in a gully or behind a solid object. Without going into incriminating detail, in some instances that would otherwise have resulted in loss of licence. The detector has saved way more than it cost.

A detector is not the only answer, you have to stay awake, pick your time and place, and generally keep doing whatever you did to avoid getting tickets before you got it, but used intelligently within their limitations they definitely do work.

If you are going to speed regularly though, it's like SD and his colleagues say , you need to be lucky all the time, they just need to be lucky once.

[fergie]

I got na clear plastic cover from radar direct for my valentine one which is mounted to a bracket i also got from radar direct.very pleased with the performance of my V1,on one trip to gisborne and back recently it saved me on 5 occasions over the 3 days. well worth it in my opinion.

[ynot slow]

Our Bel RX 55 works good,saved us a couple of times over the weekend,also a couple of times we had just passed a few cars within passing lane and the detector went mad,we were travelling at max 110km after passing but got to 120 ish passing,also a couple of patrol cars didn't have the unit on.Went off at Ohakea weigh station,siganl picked up as leaving Sanson heading north.Bel RX65 was good for the week we had it till stolen from car,but 55 model not much behind.

[MaxB]

[QUOTE=Hitcher;1129292233]Your eyes are about the best value for money when it comes to beating The Fuzz(TM).
Thanks guys n gals. So how do you spot a mufti cop from behind? I actually overtook him :doh:

TBH most good detectors wil light up like a Christmas Tree when approaching a mufti from behind given that they are 'working'.

[Cloggy]

What about this Veil coating you can buy in the US. Supposed to give you a couple of seconds grace before the laser can get an accurate speed on you.
Is this available in NZ?


Yep - you'll find it on the shelf next to the powdered Rhino horn and below the bottles of snake oil.

I guess that means you believe this coating to be full of empty promises.:yes:
This seems to be a fairly unbiased test of the product
http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleID=10056
It is not a magical solution on its own, but used in conjunction with a detector and/or jammer it seems to be able to give you an edge over just using a detector alone.
Just wondering is someone on here has any personal experience with this product?

[Swoop]

Hang on Swoop - that site doesn't even have the Bel STi - or any Bel at all. Nor Escort.
Just for you, mate!!;)
Since I was over that way today, I popped in and had a chat. They are not stocking Bel at the moment. No reasons why.
They had shedloads of Escort stuff though. Heaps of models.
Also, some very nice V1 concealed installations!

[carbonhed]

I guess that means you believe this coating to be full of empty promises.:yes:
This seems to be a fairly unbiased test of the product
http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleID=10056
It is not a magical solution on its own, but used in conjunction with a detector and/or jammer it seems to be able to give you an edge over just using a detector alone.
Just wondering is someone on here has any personal experience with this product?

I've got some if you want to try it. Gives your headlights a kind of smokey appearance which looks kind of cool.. but also diffuses the beam which is anything but cool.

Would it work? Well when the cops are shooting laser they're looking for a strong return signal which they can get from headlights, numberplates, chrome etc. We don't have front numberplates and usually tiny headlights so maybe it would be worth trying. Be really interesting to know how hard we are to tag with laser. Of course you'd have to have a radar detector to even know you were being targeted.

Pritch sums up the benefits and limitations of radar detectors perfectly.

[3umph]

1st give away are the red n blues (actually clear when off) on the rear parcel shelf, same on the dash.
Remember tho if ya coming up fastish, they may already haver you on radar befor you even see them.

The VE dunnydores don't have rear lights in there rear window but and extra set of LED's in the rear lights.... quite visiable when you know what you are looking for

[scumdog]

The VE dunnydores don't have rear lights in there rear window but and extra set of LED's in the rear lights.... quite visiable when you know what you are looking for

Aw.. now you've gone and ruined it!

[dangerous]

Be really interesting to know how hard we are to tag with laser.
having used them on bikes, it aint that easy... you have to lock on for several seconds before it regesters, loose the target and yanhave to re lock on, a bike is small and unless riding in a perfect straight line, rather tricky to nab, but pratice does make perfect.


The VE dunnydores don't have rear lights in there rear window but and extra set of LED's in the rear lights.... quite visiable when you know what you are looking for
have noticed that, but thought it was aswell as.


Aw.. now you've gone and ruined it! ohhhhhhhhhhhh... hey lost any more spoilers from ya fancy wank slimline lights again? oh and... what couldent ya aford the paint job below the bumper height? ;)

[scumdog]

having used them on bikes, it aint that easy... you have to lock on for several seconds before it regesters, loose the target and yanhave to re lock on, a bike is small and unless riding in a perfect straight line, rather tricky to nab, but pratice does make perfect.

Putting the laser on a tripod (when I remember to take it out of the bedroom:Oops:) makes quite a difference.

And as Dangerous said - a bit of practice and your laughing.

[scumdog]

ohhhhhhhhhhhh... hey lost any more spoilers from ya fancy wank slimline lights again? oh and... what couldent ya aford the paint job below the bumper height? ;)

Nah, silicone sealer fixed the spoiler thing - and we will need to 'give' out more tickets if we want the full paint job!!;)

[CookMySock]

a bit of practice and your laughing.Are they really that hilarious? ;)

Steve

[carbonhed]

having used them on bikes, it aint that easy... you have to lock on for several seconds before it regesters, loose the target and yanhave to re lock on, a bike is small and unless riding in a perfect straight line, rather tricky to nab, but pratice does make perfect.


That's really interesting. Do you aim at the headlights or any particular feature or just paint centre of mass and wait for a return?

[pritch]

we will need to 'give' out more tickets if we want the full paint job!!;)

Sorry, gotta share the love :clap:

[awayatc]

That's really interesting. Do you aim at the headlights or any particular feature or just paint centre of mass and wait for a return?

I have found out that any swinging dick can and will lock on my Harley Ferguson with 3 f*ckn headlights, lots of chrome and a windscreen........
Is why my clever daughter only buys cars with pop up (and down) headlights......

[dangerous]

That's really interesting. Do you aim at the headlights or any particular feature or just paint centre of mass and wait for a return?
IIRC the beam is a average of 1m in diameter (depends on distance) hence why the lazer jamers on cars have 2 sencers, just one needed on a bike... so best aimed at the most reflective part, the number plate or head light (they aim forward not up)

[Flip]

I have a Bell XR950. It works fine and I can hear it behind the screen on the bike. The furtherest I have picked up a cop was 12km. If the cop turns his radar on when you are right under his nose you are usually stuffed, you might be able to drop a few kph, but not many in a couple of seconds.