My first radar detector having concerns

[dmband]

I just bought my first radar detector because I travel the NYS thruway to work now and I have a few concerns. Keep in mind I have no clue really what I'm doing. I have the escort 9500i and I mounted it just below my rear view mirror and as of right now just use it in auto mode. The range doesn't seem all that great. Tonight on the way home there was a cop in the U turn and I was going 80mph and it didn't really alert me at all until I actually saw the cop although I did not get caught. It was a KA alert for that one. Also it doesn't really seem to register an alert unless cops are in sight like right behind me or no alert at all. It doesn't seem like I'm getting the results that people are when they say they get an alert and then 1/4 of a mile later or more they then see the cop. Any help or suggestions would be great guys thanks! --Jeff--

[proudNMAmember]

You might try using Highway mode when out in the wide open.

[KaPro]

Which way was the trooper sittting? If he was not facing you "directly" then you would get a shorter alert time. How strong was the signal? Did it go from standby to full alert? If so it was instant on. The 9500i has very good performance against the Ka band radar that the NYSP use. These are Stalker dual SL's and the new DSR 2X's. I think anyone who owns whatever brand detector will agree that with Ka you get some very good alerts and some very short alerts. It's all about the circumstances when the leo is encountered and where.

[Z1NONLY]

It doesn't seem like I'm getting the results that people are when they say they get an alert and then 1/4 of a mile later or more they then see the cop. Any help or suggestions would be great guys thanks! --Jeff--

You will have to give it a little time. Stuff like this doesn't happen every day...

http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...rformance.html

There are so many variables,(instant on, hills, cars between you and the radar, radar not facing you or facing away from you altogether etc) it's hard to know when your detector is "off" a little or if conditions reduced your alert range.

For K-band, you can just find a speed sign and test it out, but the all important Ka band has very few signs that I have seen.

If you have to, test it out the next time you see a LEO running Ka. Wait until you are out of sight, find a safe place to turn around, and drive back toward the radar source.

[CJR238]

1- try highway mode.
2- sounds like the LEO wasn't monitoring your direction. this happens all the time.

next time you encounter something like that exit and go back around so he's targeting your direction. you should see a big improvement.

[AirMoore]

Oh this is classic...


The problem here is this (I have been saying this FOR SO LONG) these people above don't deal with the New York State Troopers... they are a breed of their own when setting up hard-to detect traps. The people above deal with cake-enforcement! Even with the highest-end RD's thats about all you can expect on the thruway.

They use Instant-On like no others! (They only hit you when they see you) and they are so sparing of their use... that pre-detection is a rarity.





I hate to say it... you can't expect too much out of the 9500i on the thruway (or any detector for that matter).

What section of the thruway are you normally on? (Specifically: the western end... between Dunkirk>>>>Rochester, the LEO's are unbelievably skilled) though the entire thruway is watched by skilled LEO's.


You will get a few great detections of 1+Mile, but expect to get ~1/2Mile max detection, and their use of I/O is simply unparalleled too boot. I get the same alerts with my V1... (They set up around corners and hills that cut detection range to nothing).


A few things to check:
You must make sure your RD is level.
What kind of car is it (no metallic tint issues)?
Any Service Req/Self-cal messages? (Big one!)
Anything else worth noting?



I often travel the section between Exit 41 and Dunkirk... that whole western stretch (~150Miles), so (if you drive that) let me know if I can be of any further assistance, I know the thruway there rather well.

[AirMoore]

You will have to give it a little time. Stuff like this doesn't happen every day...

Yes it does... he is on the New York State Thruway.


Even with the highest-end detector... in perfect working condition, that is common (especially on the western half of the Thruway)... but anywhere on it for that matter.


Again, my only concerns are: Metallic tint, level mounting, and service-req messages... because at this point, it sounds like he is he experiencing common NYSTrooper detection range... as long as those 3 above things aren't an issue the mode he is in: WORTHLESS... doesn't matter.

[Z1NONLY]

Yes it does... he is on the New York State Thruway.


Even with the highest-end detector... in perfect working condition, that is common (especially on the western half of the Thruway)... but anywhere on it for that matter.


Again, my only concerns are: Metallic tint, level mounting, and service-req messages... because at this point, it sounds like he is he experiencing common NYSTrooper detection range... as long as those 3 above things aren't an issue the mode he is in: WORTHLESS... doesn't matter.

The "stuff like this" I wus refering to was great Ka detection in my link.

Here it is again...
http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...rformance.html

I was trying to point out that amazing Ka detection is rare in the real world.

[AirMoore]

Sorry I missed the ellipsis (which is uncommon as I use them too often). My bad.


At any rate, his detection is pretty much spot on for any high-end on the thruway: Worthless.

[dmband]

Thanks for all the replies you guys are great! The trooper was I would say facing me and at about a 30 degree angle. The signal went from standbye to about 1/2 to 3/4 signal pretty much all at once. I was afraid of what you were saying about NYS troopers and them being a pain in the butt! The exits I travel to work are 38-33 other than other trips to wherever that is where I am on the thruway. Would you say it is even worth having a RD when mainely using it for nys thruway use based on how skilled and tricky troppers are on the thruway? Also from driving on the thruway in the past I have never really seen any troopers hiding anywhere crazy pretty much they just sit in the u turns.


THANKS, --JEFF--