Recommendations and information for a new member

[DougiesGoinDeep]

I just discovered this forum today and so far I am very impressed with the amount and quality of the information. I have come across Radar Roy's website in the past and done some very light research into laser jammers, but not too much until recently. I am now more interested in the subject after finally giving in and paying a ticket which I got back in 2006 (it's a long story, kind of interesting too).

So, the main point of this post I guess is to just ask for some personal suggestions, on what you would do in my situation. I currently have an Escort 8500 (old), and that is all. It has served me well over the past 5-6 years. I never been pulled over with it, and I drive fairly fast (the ticket was while driving a 15 person passenger van, no detector, at night, literally in the middle of nowhere Maine). That has been my only form of protection so far. But I am looking into some other options, it is only a matter of time before I get caught on the highway by LIDAR.

I am currently driving a black 1997 Saab 900. It will (very) soon be replaced with a 2002 BMW 530i, also black. I will be living in Boston, but traveling a lot to the metrowest and ski areas in Maine, NH, VT.

OK, 3 main points to focus on:

1) Radar. The 8500 has been good to me so far, is there any reason to upgrade? I'd rather not spend the money on a new 9500, but if I could get something back for the 8500 (on ebay it looks like you can still sell a used one for as much as 200) AND the 9500 is a huge improvement, I would consider it.

2) Laser. I have been reading a lot about laser jammers today. I probably need more time, but some guidance would help...what is right for me? I am not looking to spend 600+ on the LI. I am interested to see how the new ZR4 turns out. Any idea when that will be? I have read good things about Veil, and am pretty set on getting the Veil G4 + Laser Shield combo when that comes out (soon? anyone know a date?). That seems like a no-brainer, right? Or is the $100 better spent by getting a better laser jammer?

3) Any other good sources I should be reading? As I said I found Roy's site, so I read about all the tests and the GOL (when is the next GOL 2008?).

Thats it for now. Thanks for the great site and all the information. I look forward to seeing what you guys have to say.

ps...I put this in the laser jammer forum because that is what I am most interested in learning about/buying in the near future. I didn't a place for this type of recommendation thread (that would be a good category to add for newcomers), so if it should be somewhere else, sorry.

[edweird]

If I were you, I would try and sell the 8500 and roll the money into the purchase of a new top of the line detector. (V1, 9500, STI)

I think you will find a big enough performance difference to make it worth it.

GOL doesn't announce their tests ahead of time now for a couple of good reasons. I would expect that their test will occur sometime after the new Escort products are released, and before next winter.

If you have the option of waiting, why not? If you were looking to buy today, there's 3 top tier LJ's in my opinion.(LPP, LI, AL) Each has had it's own share of issues and also a slightly different feature set.

I would also wait for the test results on Veil G4.

[hockey005]

Maine state Police use 34.7 Ka...on the maine turnpike u need all the sensitivity you can get because there is nothing really around it to cause false alerts...V1 all the way...i have picked up maine state police from 1-2 miles running i/o and c/o Ka...watch out for silver mustang GT's with balck racing stripes cuz its a state trooper...also they also use laser in the summer but I am not sure which guns...id wait for the escort zr4 to come out as well...

[DougiesGoinDeep]

I am looking at the V1 and 9500 a bit, but are they really that much better? I have never been pulled over with my 8500. Plus the cost, even if I could sell the 8500, would take away from a laser jammer.

I am looking for the best value. I do not want to spend $1000 on a new V1 and LPP/AI/LI setup. I also want something that works reasonably well of course. How does the Blinder M25/M45 and ZR3 compare to the LPP/AI/LI. Sure they are not as good (arguably), but is the price difference worth it? I'm very interested in the ZR4 if it tests well and is a reasonable price. Is there any benefit in having the ZR3/4 combined with an 8500/9500, or is that just marketing?

Thanks for the Maine turnpike tipoff. I have heard they have a few other unmarked vehicles as well ranging from a dodge ram to a Lincoln towncar. My roommate got a ticket from a plane also. I am afraid to speed on the turnpike now, they seem to have really ramped up the number of cops/traps in the past year. I usually see at least 1 or 2 from the border to exit 80, I have seen as many as 5 or 6 in one trip.

[djrams80]

I say wait for the latest GOL testing. All of the jammers have been significantly tweaked within the last year. Also, the ZR4s have never been tested. If they are good, this would make for excellent compatiblity with an X50, 9500i or whatever Belscort RD you might decide on down the road. For now, your 8500 is fine, IMO. I feel a jammer is more important than upgrading your adequate 8500 RD.

Also, I have already purchased a 9500CI. Once it arrives, I should have my own personal testing of the ZR4s done within a week or so. Obviously not as intensive as GOL's testing, but it should give us some idea of whether they suck or not.

[FlyinZX-10R]

I am looking at the V1 and 9500 a bit, but are they really that much better?

I have an original 8500 and a 3.861 V1. The 8500 is no slouch, but the V1 smokes it on everything. There is that big of a difference.

[DougiesGoinDeep]

I am looking at the V1 and 9500 a bit, but are they really that much better?

I have an original 8500 and a 3.861 V1. The 8500 is no slouch, but the V1 smokes it on everything. There is that big of a difference.

Thanks for the opinion.

I found a decent deal on a used M20 and V1 on craigslist. Any reason to avoid used/not buying direct?

[djrams80]

I am looking at the V1 and 9500 a bit, but are they really that much better?

I have an original 8500 and a 3.861 V1. The 8500 is no slouch, but the V1 smokes it on everything. There is that big of a difference.

My 9500i definitely gets the jump on my SRX, which is basically a remote mounted 8500, however, like the OP, I have never received a radar ticket with either of them. I do however have a laser ticket that I might have avoided had I had a better jammer. My ZR3s are outdated. That's why I am upgrading to the 9500CI. That and I like new toys! 8) That being said, a point blank rear laser shot from an elevated onramp like I had would probably be challenging for any laser jammer.

I still think adding a laser jammer would be much more important than upgrading your RD, but that's just my opinion.

Here is a bad video comparing my SRX and my 9500i against a 34.7Ka mobile speed sign:
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=34029

[DougiesGoinDeep]

So after much thought, and some searching, I found what seems to be a great deal. V1 and M20, both used and in great condition (latest firmware on the V1) for 450. Should I take it?

I know its best to be patient, but this offer won't last long. And I do not see myself spending 400+ for the new ZR4, and from what I have read the newer M25/45 may not even be an upgrade over the M20.

I am going to think about it for at least a few days before pulling the trigger. In the meantime, I would appreciate any opinions (should I start a new thread about the v1 + m20 combo, or a thread about each in the v1 and m20 topics, or is it enough to leave it here?). Thanks.

[TSi+WRX]

Like the other here recommend, I'd also say to wait-out for the latest GOL testing.

Those will be critical datapoints for you, DGD, and I honestly think that with the budget that you're working with (which is actually quite healthy), you *should* wait-out.

In the laser game, it's all about first-line defenses. If you truly want protection, it's best to overkill on the active jammer - and then later, when you've got the spare cash or inclination, to come back to round-out your passive protection.

Honestly, I'd say to just sit back, take a few deep breaths, and wait for the GOL results just as you're waiting for your new ride, and relax your right foot off the happy pedal for the few weeks it may take for both of these factors to be settled in your life, before making the big jump.