Laser detection on radar detectors are not useless after all
 

For as long as I’ve owned my V1, I’ve always thought that the laser detection feature on it was just a gimmick; because as soon as the detector goes off, the cop already have a reading of your speed. And in the last couple of years, the laser part of the detector always false alarmed whenever a late model Infiniti is nearby. Therefore, it simply became an Infiniti indicator/detector. But tonight, for the first time, the laser detection feature actually saved my butt.

I was heading home a bit late tonight and traffic was relatively light (I know...hard to believe for So Cal). On a stretch of straightaway (approximately 5 - 6miles long), the laser indicator suddenly blast off. At first, I thought it’s probably just another Infiniti coming in the opposite direction (since the arrow was pointing ahead). But there were no on-coming traffics. I looked at my speedo and I’m doing 80+mph in a 55mph zone (somewhat rural street). I figured I should let up a bit since I’m the leading car in the pack. The detector continues to blare for another ½ a mile or so and by the time I finally saw the police car sitting on the side of the road, I’ve only slowed down to about 65mph. As I drove by, I was almost certain I was going to be nailed for a speeding ticket. But to my surprise (and relieved), he (the policeman) didn’t pull out after me. Perhaps he was being generous tonight or may be the V1 detector alerted me early enough that allowed me to slow down enough to walk away from a speeding ticket. But whatever it is, I certainly got away with one tonight and the laser detection feature worked as advertised. I guessed any type of detection is better than nothing.

:thumbup: congrats...its like a new lease on life

My BEL has picked up laser probably a dozen times since I've owned, every time is is right on and every time I've avoided a ticket. :thumbup:

Yup, the laser detector of my passport already saved my ass a couple of times. :thumbup:

Love the V1...I have no traffic tickets on my driving record and I drive great distances on some rural and city roads for my job.

The V1 has everything to do with my clean record and it saves me at least a dozen times a month.

V1's laser detection also picks up Chevy Trailblazer/Envoy tail lights.... it's quite annoying.

My old V1 (need a new one now) went nuts whenever my old volvo's nav screen was up :confused:

V1 works pretty well, but does nothing against Lidar. By the time mine went off, it was all over!

How is that possible?

I don't know, but gresch is right. All traiblazer and GMC lights set off the V1. It's maybe the bulbs they are using...? :dunno:

My Portable Passport, (admittedly not the state of the art, but
not bad with Radar), has saved my fanny a couple times with
its Lidar capability. I chalk that up to being back several cars
when the cop targeted the lead car with his laser gun.

I also find several brands of cars setting it off and also, some
airports as one drives by. I'm guessing the rotating beacons,
though I would think the wavelengths(s) are some space away
on the EMS.

That was exactly my point. I also thought it was all over when I realized the laser alert wasn't false. My V1 first went off when I was doing about 80+mph. So I thought he would of had me clocked in that neighborhood (70-80mph).

The neon lights on some store signs also do the same to my V1. So I guess V1 is probably just doing some simple detection on a certain light spectrum. LEDs aren't that far off the spectrum from laser.

I don't use a radar detector. At the same time, I drove slowly enough, and when combined with the heavy traffic and fairly lenient MoCo cops, speed really isn't an issue. Plus, I have at least a sprinkling of common sense. I mean seriously ride in a car with me, and you will be tempted to be lulled to sleep :yawn:.

Except that you won't, because the X3's suspension will keep you awake.

I agree and am definitely not an advocate of speeding. But sometimes it doesn't hurt to have some extra information.

I think you were just lucky in this case.

What was the speed limit on the road you were on.

Over here the calibration settings that the police have to do on their laser guns means

that you get the speed limit plus 10% and add on 2 miles.

So for a 70mph zone your ok if you are doing 79mph.

I think he had his gun on you and thought what the hell can't be bothered doing him.

The speed dectectors are only good for warning you of speed cameras locations and any known mobile locations will not help with the video/laser camera vans and nothing else in the UK anyway as I know to my cost. 6 points on my licence.:rolleyes:

Like that quiet departure from the parking lot after the meet in MD? :stickpoke

Shhh!!! :rofl:

Ok, correction. It's fuel-economy driving 90% of the time. The other 10% is er, well, less discrete. ;)

Aren't a lotta you guys from the DC metro area and aren't radar detectors illegal in VA? Do people get pulled over for that? I always see the sign "Welcome to Virginia: Radar Detectors Prohibited" (or whatever it says) when I drive into Rosslyn.

Yeah...the cop probably had a nice day Or maybe that he initially read 80+mph and saw a steady decline to about 65mph (over about a 1/2 mile distance), decided to let me off? :dunno: (I was doing 80+mph in a 55mph zone when the detector went off). I'm almost certain that I would have been nailed if I had blasted by him at 80mph+. So...the detector is not completely useless as some would believed (myself included prior to this incident)

Yes they are. However, I know many BMW owners that hardwire their V1s and continue using them in conjuction with a jammer.

Are they using Lidar where you are? I find that I have around a 10 sec warning against other radar, but with Lidar, once they hit you, that's it.

My V1 will pick up false signals next to electronic stores like Radio Shacks, BestBuys etc., didn't know about the Trailblazers and other cars, maybe I just didn't pay much attention.

All in all, I have been happy with the V1, except when I got hit with Lidar couple of months ago.

Yes...they are starting to make the transition from Ka to Lidar down here at the OC.

Most of the false alarms I used to get from automatic door openers are in X and K-band. Since most agencies in California are either using Ka or Lidar these days, I completely shut off the X and K bands detection on my V1 to avoid such false alarms.

The Trailblazers' high mounted LED brake light, some store's neon signs, and Infinitis' laser guided cruise control (mostly FX and QX) will trip V1's Laser warning. All these false alert are known issues according to Valentine. But as of now (last time I checked - few month ago), they (Valentine) still haven't found a way to work around those false laser warnings.