For my first post with this excellent forum, I thought I'd share my recent experience in buying a radar detector for my Crossfire. I've never owned such a device before now, but I figured that if the detector saves me just one 120-mile-per-hour ticket, it will have paid for itself!

If you buy a detector that provides 360-degree coverage, dash mounting in the Crossfire is out of the question. Because of the small rear window and the high bulkhead behind the seats, the problem with the Roadster is that you have to mount the detector fairly high up on the windshield. In fact, the optimum position seems to be about one-and-a-half inches below the rear-view mirror; luckily this position isn't nearly as obstructive as you might think.

I at first bought a Cobra XRS 9840, which retails at around $200. It has all kinds of bells and whistles, including an eight-point compass and a car battery level display. I'm sure the Cobra does what it's supposed to do detection-wise, but I'm not impressed with it's functionality. It wobbles about on it's windshield mount way too much, and the LCD display is crowded and not very attractive. To put it bluntly, the display looks cheap. The unit also protrudes out into the car a little too much. But what finally made me decide agaist the Cobra is the fact that, with the Roadster's top down, it's impossible to read the LCD display at all - it just isn't bright enough.

I then bought a Beltronics Vector 955, which also retails at around $200. This is a much more solid piece of equipment than the Cobra, though it lacks the Cobra's 'extras'. (I figure I can live without knowing whether my battery is at 13.6v or 13.8v.) It sits very solidly on its windshield mount, and protrudes less than the Cobra. But the clincher is that it has an LED display, which is plenty bright enough for even the sunniest top-down day.

I bought the optional Permanent Wiring kit ($30), and was able to completely conceal all wiring to the unit exept for a few inches behind the rear-view mirror. The kit provides a handy mute button, which I surface mounted just below the headlamp rotary switch. I passed the power wire through the front bulkhead into the engine compartment (there's a hole covered by a rubber cover) and wired it into a spare socket in the main fuse box. The power wire has its own in-line fuse. The ground wire is connected under a bolt at the side of the smaller fusebox inside the car.

I'm still a little unsure as to how the 360-degree detection will work. Positioning the unit to 'see' over the bulkhead and through the rear window is difficult enough; but you also have to take into account the spoiler, which (as you all know) considerably narrows the view to the rear. I'm pretty sure the rear detection capability is mainly for signals from laser (LIDAR) equipment, and I'm also pretty sure we have very few (if any) of those in Wyoming. But as the spoiler will be up during all those times I need the radar detector the most, I'm wondering if there's a better way to mount the unit to give both forward and rearward coverage.

Does anyone know of a detector that has a seperate rear sensor unit that could be mounted behind the seats, or even on the rear licence plate? If manufacturers don't make such a two-part detector, maybe they should consider it.

 

Yes, their are manufacturers that provide remote sensors. I don't remember who they are but they are there. Of course you will pay for this feature. Most of them are above $500.00. Then of course installation is another issue. If you are handy with tools, which it sounds like you are. Then you should have no problem installing it. I will be doing this on my RX7 and XF sometime in the future. Keep us posted if you go this route.

 

May I ask if you considerd the Valentine One?

 

http://www.compuplus.com/i-Beltronic...e3qze323z8ifs1

 

No, I didn't. Should I have done so? I was really in a hurry to get a detector, so had to shop locally (and in Wyoming, that means within 100 miles or so).

 

Yes you should, it's only the best detector on the planet bar none.

 

Yes, what he said ^^^. They would have shipped it to you in two days no extra charge.

 

My escort 8500 has saved me from many a ticket......not a problem with it. I also have mine mounted just a little below the mirror and to the drivers side. I'm 6'4" and it doesn't obscure my view in any way. (unless I'm looking at an airplane?)

 

I heard all the good stories about V1 and researched it pretty thoroughly late last year. I had a Bel for 5 years that worked real well until it finally lost it's brain . I replaced it with a Bel 965 (similar to yours) and it works fabulously. The articles I read had it very close to the V1. I still getting radar warning 1/2 mile before I reach a trap or cruising trooper - plenty of time to slow down. What's a V1 (for $200 more) going to do - give me another 100 feet of warning?

V1 generates a lot of hype about their arrows. Frankly, the detector goes off and I hit the brakes. I don't look first to see where it's coming from. It's a nice product differentiator, but in my mind not worth the extra money.

I'm not on my home computer, but there is a radar detector forum out there and if you can find it, it has a lot of the articles, comparisons, and comments. As I said, overall the V1 was rated best but other detectors were better for X band or laser. Most of what I encounter is K and Ka and there was little difference between V1 and Bel.

I mount mine to the right of the rear view mirror where it can "see" out the rear window (which is rarely up) and over the spoiler.

 

I have had the V1 for about three months now. I mounted it in the same way you did. Just under the rear view mirror so it looks out between the seats and out the window. It seems to work pretty well but does pick up all the damn radar operated doors I drive by. I was also considering the BEL Driver and if I decide to change that is what I will try next.

MikeR

 

I've had my V1 for 10 years, the same one. Once you have the arrows and see how many threats and which one is the most dangerous announced to you, you will never want to drive without it. It's way more than just the arrows.

 

Perhaps a dumb question - but if they are illegal in your state - wouldn't mounting near the mirror be a dead give away? How can that be avoided?

In my old age - I can't take the stress of flying blind anymore, this past weekend went flying by a Maryland trooper doing 90 - have no idea how he missed me - the Crossfire gods must have been smiling on me that moment

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAKIII

Perhaps a dumb question - but if they are illegal in your state - wouldn't mounting near the mirror be a dead give away? How can that be avoided?

I'm open to correction here, but it's my understanding that radar detectors are technically legal in all states: something to do with the FCC saying you have a right to receive all broadcast signals, including radar. Of course, you probably don't want to be arguing legalities at the roadside with a cop who doesn't know any better.

The Escort web site (and several others) has the following statement: "Radar detectors are completely legal to use in non-commercial vehicles in 49 states. Virginia and Washington DC are the only places in the United States that currently ban radar detectors. Radar detector use in commercial vehicles has been prohibited in the U.S. since 1995."

It seems that whereas radar and laser jammers are illegal in most states, radar detectors are not. (see http://www.1stradardetectors.com/rad...ector-laws.php for a complete listing).

Secondly, thanks to everyone who has responded to my initial post on this subject. I've been given some great information - Crossfire owners are just a terrific bunch of people!

 

just to let you know i have the beltronics sti-R. it destroys all the radar detectors ive had, k-40. valentine, escorts. its built in and has laser jamming. it also has a seperate unit for the back of your car and 2 units for each side of the front.

 

It doesn't matter what the FCC says. Get caught with a radar detector in Virgina or Ontario and kiss it goodbye + a ticket. They do emit a signal. I was picked up in Ontario by an OPP with a radar detector detector on my old leaky Escort. It was so crappy he let me keep it but gave me a ticket.

Some of the new radar detectors say they are undetectable, but our traffic enforcers have a way of catching up with the technology. Speeding revenue is too valuable.

 

Actually, I think Ontario is somewhat outside the jurisdiction of the FCC! You're right, of course, Virginia and DC both have anti-detector laws: but I think you're okay in the rest of the country.

 

Just let Shark067 lead the way, you won't need a stinking radar detector

 

I'm with apkano. I love my escort 8500. I've had 3 different escorts over the last 20 years. The only time I had a problem is when it's not in the car I'm driving.

 

Hey there

Here is a forum I researched to get info about radar detectors.
http://www.radardetector.net/forums
My interest was finding out what is the best protection money can buy front and rear for my SRT6. THe protection is there but it will cost you. Good luck

Paulius