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  1. #1

    Default Another "help me choose a detector" thread

    Hi all!

    I'm in the market for a higher end radar detector, and I'm hoping to get some input.

    I drive a silver BMW E36, and since I live in NC, I have no front plate. I assume that this cuts down somewhat on radar and laser range, anyone have info regaurding by how much?

    I've been looking for info regaurding whether laser protection is really necessary here. I found somewhere a list that showed NC as using laser, but I have no idea how common this is. Both times i've been ticketed have been with radar. More specifically I live in the Asheville area, anyone here who can share some info?

    I've primarily been looking at the V1 and the Passport SR7 (plus, if I decide I need laser).

    The V1 has a very good reputation, and is seen as the holy grail on bimmerforums where I hang out. The SR7 also seems to be a good performer, and what I love about it is that I can do a very clean install. I know exactly how I would install the SR7, the V1 would be much more difficult to do cleanly.

    1. Has there been a test with a direct comparison between these two? Is there a consensus on these forums?

    2. Is there a way to run a V1 with the radar antenna seperate? I know about the remote display, but is there anything else?

    3. I have a tinted windshield (yeah, I know, illegal, intalled by previous owner). Since it's non-mettalic, it shouldn't cause a problem, right?

    4. Can anyone give me some dimensions of the radar antenna of the SR7, and of the V1?

    Thanks a bunch guys.

    Also, if your about to tell me to search, don't waste your breath (er, finger muscles), as I already am.

  2. #2
    Advanced Member
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    1. Direct comparison between which two? Check out the Guys of Lidar Thread. Consensus on this forum yeah right. V1 most would concede its number 1 overall but not the king of every category. SR7 not used as much nor does it have any large loyal following. Most of the big users on this board have plans to buy the AL product. Clearly the dominant anti laser product and the next gen.

    2. No

    3. Non metallic stips are fine and may even enhance laser on sunny days

    4.

  3. #3
    Newcomer
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    Check out www.radarbusters.com. Roy has the SR7 and if you email him I'm sure he will have something to tell you about the unit!

    I would get some VEIL and a black hood bra, where your car is silver to combat laser....Or maybe even look into a jammer.

  4. #4

    Default

    Looking at these comparison tests and not many of them include the SR7. Is a there a Bel or Escort detector that uses the same antenna/electronics that I can use to compare?

    It seems that the V1 definitly has the edge in the tests that i've looked at, but since the SR7 isn't listed, I don't know how much of a gap there is.

    Are there any other concealed detectors that I should be looking at?

    Thanks

  5. #5
    Radar Fanatic
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    Feb 2006
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    May I ask for your interest in "concealed" detectors? Are you driving thru areas where it is illegal? Otherwise I would recommend if money is absolutely no issue.

    Sti Driver is you are going thru area's where it is banned(not including VA, its just a 90 dollar fine)

    The V1 because I own one, and <3 it. Plus its a great detector.

    If you are really wanting to "conceal" IT than I hope you have some time and some creativity. Otherwise I would just look into a "concealed" Display like the v1 offers. Thats actually the reason I recommended it.

    Get a laser jammer of sorts - uhh - ask these guys - I don't know much about them. Laser Park Pro I believe is one of the top dogs.

  6. #6

    Default

    Radar detectors are perfectly legal here, so thats not the issue.

    I'm a fan of the consealed units because of the clean intallation: with a seperated system, you can have ideal antenna placement, ideal display placement, and with the SR7 you can get both radar and laser protection with one display.

    I believe that a good installation of mobile electronics should look as if it were designed that way from the start. I just don't think thats possible with normal all-in-one units. And I'm willing to pay extra for a seperated unit, and maybe even take a (small) hit in performance.

    And installation time and hasle are not an issue; I actually enjoy working on my car and coming up with unique solutions.

  7. #7
    Radar Fanatic
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    Well you won't have laser protection. You'll just have laser defense. You'll be toasted by the time that laser alert goes off. Hence why I recommended a jammer. AFAIK the SR7 isn't a jammer - just a radar/laser detector. You wll get MUCh better range with the v1 of laser and over hill radar alerts - I think. I don't know alot about the sr7 - but if you are all for it - than I don't think I can persuad you against it.

    But I would consider hardwiring your v1 with a remote display somehow mounted into your dash somewhere the remote display can actually be carved down to a little piece. You might be able to find internal picks of it somewhere.

    Either way - with laser - you're preety much toast. Good luck in your decision and just think about it.

  8. #8

    Default

    The SR7 "plus" comes with ZR3 laser shifters.

    Before I buy anything I'd like to find out if laser is even being used in my area. Maybe I'll just call up the police department.

    I'm not so much concerned about where to put the display as I am about where to put the unit itself. Either one would fit in the 3rd brakelight, can anyone comment on reception here? I imagine I would lose some over-the-hill coverage; is it really bad to put a detector on the rear deck?
    My other option is to build an enclosure into the headliner and light assembly up front. It might also be possilbe to mount it behind the gauge pod, but I think both are too large for this.

  9. #9
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    RD............V1 if you're driving mostly highway. It will drive you nuts in a City. If you're driving is mostly Urban, lots of choices (X50 is excellent)

    Laser Jammer.............AL.

    :wink:

  10. #10
    Radar Fanatic
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