I bought the X50, my first detector in ten years! NOW WHAT?

**Slower Joe** · 07-14-2006, 08:05 PM

The last time I used a RD was over ten years ago. The rule was, ignore X-band, slow down for K-band. Times have obviously changed.

K-band is going off everywhere on this Escort 8500 X50. Never strong...just one bar. But it is consistent, so it isn't instant-on.

So is K-band being used for security systems now? Is Ka the one to worry about? I'm in Southwest Florida, by the way, if that matters.

Thanks in advance!

**hookem202** · 07-14-2006, 08:23 PM

k and ka are the serious threats today. K-band automatic door have been out for a few years causing those falses.Also k-band security atbanks is now a factor. K-band is live and well in the LEO force.

Advice, learn where the common k-band falses are and turn your x50 to "threat mode" this will show if there is more than one k-band source. Useful if there is a LEO hiding by one of the falses, cheaper RD users just think its that normal false when actually there is an actuall cop there. On threat mode the x50 would alert to the seccond k-band source. beware when i had my x50 there were cases when my x50 didnt alert to the seccond k-band source, it thought it was the same one. My V1 3.826 has the bogy lock on LOCKDOWN. It always alerts to more sources.

**Gregor** · 07-14-2006, 08:39 PM

Good advice there from Hook. In short get to know normal noise in your area and the real threats will start to become more obvious. I added a remote mute switch right next to the shifter to easily quiet things in the city. I also have a more aggressive K muting option that I enable when I'm in driving around town.

Next up for you might be some lidar counter measures. As I discovered with the V1, there's not much for warning unless you get some scatter which is rare and cannot be depended on.

Some options to consider:
Laser Jammer
Veil on the headlights
Laser Shield on the (or remove it if legal)

If you don't want to jump in with both feet you can start with passive stuff (Veil and LS). However there are some laser jammers that are strong enough so you don't need the passive stuff. So pick your path. At first all the lidar countermeasures seemed "over the top". But over time and being hit numerous times with LIDAR, it starting to seem a bit more reasonable.

**Slower Joe** · 07-14-2006, 08:56 PM

Hook, Gregor, thanks for the advice!

I guess I've been "outta the loop" a while. I'm sure, in time, I'll learned where the K band noise is coming from. I guess I should go ahead and put the screen in "Expert" mode.

As far as laser countermeasures, I'll probably start off with VEIL. They don't require front license plate in FL, so I imagine LEOs will be aiming at my headlights anyway. I may go to a laser shifter if I decide to open up the wallet a little more.

Have you used VEIL? Any luck?

**Gregor** · 07-15-2006, 01:23 AM

Originally Posted by Slower Joe

I may go to a laser shifter if I decide to open up the wallet a little more.

You should check out the LIDAR jammer forum and counter measures videos before purchasing. The is some interesting info there, and its not about the Shifter :wink:

Originally Posted by Slower Joe

Have you used VEIL? Any luck?

I've been planning on getting the 3m light covers, but keep dragging my feet. Not sure if you are aware, but Veil can't be removed from the 3m covers. Since I can't seem to execute on the covers, I went ahead and ordered some Veil for road trip a couple weeks ago. 1300 miles and only one LIDAR hit at less than 500 ft. No joy. That with the family car. I'll be putting it on my "fun" car in the couple days. Its silver so I'm not expecting much.

There are plenty of reports of Viel and LS doing an amazing job, but mostly over 500 ft. It looks like your S2000 is silver so you will be a bit more reflective than some of the super dark cars, like Holein1's civic. You've got a huge advantage without plate. Even with the LS the plate is still reflective.

Here is the latest, amazing Veil report (good reading)

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtop...975&highlight=

**Slower Joe** · 07-16-2006, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by Gregor

Originally Posted by Slower Joe

I may go to a laser shifter if I decide to open up the wallet a little more.

You should check out the LIDAR jammer forum and counter measures videos before purchasing. The is some interesting info there, and its not about the Shifter :wink:

Originally Posted by Slower Joe

Have you used VEIL? Any luck?

I've been planning on getting the 3m light covers, but keep dragging my feet. Not sure if you are aware, but Veil can't be removed from the 3m covers. Since I can't seem to execute on the covers, I went ahead and ordered some Veil for road trip a couple weeks ago. 1300 miles and only one LIDAR hit at less than 500 ft. No joy. That with the family car. I'll be putting it on my "fun" car in the couple days. Its silver so I'm not expecting much.

There are plenty of reports of Viel and LS doing an amazing job, but mostly over 500 ft. It looks like your S2000 is silver so you will be a bit more reflective than some of the super dark cars, like Holein1's civic. You've got a huge advantage without plate. Even with the LS the plate is still reflective.

Here is the latest, amazing Veil report (good reading)

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtop...975&highlight=

Gregor, thanks for the tips!

K band falses are driving me nuts, because I am so used to K automatically meaning "cop". But you guys are right...I drove in front of my local grocery store and K alert went nuts in front of each automatic door. I'm just going to have to learn where the K is around here.

I did get hit with my first Ka last night. Never saw the cop, but I can't imagine that THAT is a false.

(Off to the laser countermeasure forum)

**weezer134** · 07-19-2006, 11:01 PM

hope your having fun with your new detector

yeah, k band falses are rather annoying, but you should NEVER learn to disregard k band. when i first had my detector, i never payed attention to them, because most cops in this area use ka... that was until i was hit with k band. so like everyone else, my biggest advice would be to learn where the k band falses are located and drive accordingly. likewise, look into whether or not cops in your area use x band. if they do, treat it like k band as well.

**Slower Joe** · 07-20-2006, 01:26 AM

Originally Posted by weezer134

hope your having fun with your new detector

yeah, k band falses are rather annoying, but you should NEVER learn to disregard k band. when i first had my detector, i never payed attention to them, because most cops in this area use ka... that was until i was hit with k band. so like everyone else, my biggest advice would be to learn where the k band falses are located and drive accordingly. likewise, look into whether or not cops in your area use x band. if they do, treat it like k band as well.

I'm paying attention to the K alerts. I'm starting to memorize where the falses are, so hopefully soon I'll automatically know which alerts are falses and which are real threats. I also have it in "Expert" mode so I'll know if there is a LEO hiding where there is a known K false.

Stupid that the X50 tracks 4 different X bands and only 2 different Ks. But I guess it is irrelevant...if 2 Ks are around, your -ss is slowing down regardless.

I want to turn X band off, but not quite sure I can. The last time I saw an LEO using X, it was like 1987. I am dead serious. But I will still see if I can get some "insider" info first before shutting it off.

Thanks for the tips, weezer!

**xihua** · 07-20-2006, 08:54 AM

Yeh, dont turn of your X-band yet. You would be suprised that small counties or constables are still using X. Give it a month or so then turn it off.

**venexoz** · 07-20-2006, 10:20 AM

Slower Joe forget X band it cannot be used by cops here in Florida trust me you would never have a real X band experience.

Read:
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtop...504&highlight=