few basic questions

[EnzoF66057]

Well I'm new to the forum and I'm also brand new to the whole concept of radars. I've known what they basically are for a long time, I just never actually looked into them until now (just got my first car, so I'd like to keep my license clean).

So I read in a few topics that people actually knew what the police in their area are using and they prepare their detectors accordingly. I'd like to know how you guys know what the police in your area are using in terms of equipment and what kinds of bands it uses. Do you have connections in your town/city's PD?

I've also read here and there about where to place the detector and I still don't really get it. I understand the pros and cons of putting it higher or lower. However, one topic said that if a cop sees a detector, then forget about talking your way out of a ticket, yet I see videos of guys with detectors sitting in the middle of the windshield (GOL). Now if it's technically legal, what can the police do if they see it?

On a related note, if you place the scanner high up, behind the mirror, what does it mean to hardwire it? (Again, I'm new to this branch of electronics). I ask because if I do put it high up, I don't want a chord hanging down the middle of the windshield all the time.

And last question...for now. I know there's a bunch of topics and stuff, but I read that the X50 and STi are very good and are constantly being compared with the V1. Can someone just very briefly, in a couple user friendly sentences explain the basic differences between the three? Nothing hugely in depth because I can find those long comparisons elsewhere. Just something brief and basic. From what I read the X50 seems to be just as good or better than the STi or V1 and yet seems to be a much better deal price-wise. However, I'm new to this so I could be wrong. I just want to make sure if I get a detector, it's gunna be good and do it's job. To me, this is one of those things where you really need to really dish out to get what you want.

Oh yeah, and what's a rabbit. I read the definition in that guide in the general forum area but keep seeing it used and I still don't get what exactly it means.

Thanks in advance to all that help me out with this. I just like to be informed before buying things like this.

[Buford T. Justice]

Hello EnzoF66057 and welcome to the forum. You will get half a dozen different opinons on your questions, so lets get started with the first and then maybe you can weed your way through them

[color=blue]Well I'm new to the forum and I'm also brand new to the whole concept of radars. I've known what they basically are for a long time, I just never actually looked into them until now (just got my first car, so I'd like to keep my license clean).

So I read in a few topics that people actually knew what the police in their area are using and they prepare their detectors accordingly. I'd like to know how you guys know what the police in your area are using in terms of equipment and what kinds of bands it uses. Do you have connections in your town/city's PD?

I have learned my local/state/county frequencies by simply learned experience with my past detectors.

I've also read here and there about where to place the detector and I still don't really get it. I understand the pros and cons of putting it higher or lower. However, one topic said that if a cop sees a detector, then forget about talking your way out of a ticket, yet I see videos of guys with detectors sitting in the middle of the windshield (GOL). Now if it's technically legal, what can the police do if they see it?

Placing RD higher means farther radar detection but limited laser. I have personally not tested this out but the concept seems understandable. Also GOL tested all RD at equal height so it didn't matter as long as all detectors tested were the same "fair" height. And for your last statement regarding technically legal. I live in a legal RD state, yet I have found LEO's either seeing or detecting my RD and pulling me over for other bull crap stuff that I call "legal harassment." I have purchased the STi with the best possible visual stealth to help reduce my odds of "legal harassment."

On a related note, if you place the scanner high up, behind the mirror, what does it mean to hardwire it? (Again, I'm new to this branch of electronics). I ask because if I do put it high up, I don't want a chord hanging down the middle of the windshield all the time.

I have my RD above the mirror, hardwired in. The power cord is tucked away on the outside of windshield. The STi comes with the hardwired installation kit just for this.

And last question...for now. I know there's a bunch of topics and stuff, but I read that the X50 and STi are very good and are constantly being compared with the V1. Can someone just very briefly, in a couple user friendly sentences explain the basic differences between the three? Nothing hugely in depth because I can find those long comparisons elsewhere. Just something brief and basic. From what I read the X50 seems to be just as good or better than the STi or V1 and yet seems to be a much better deal price-wise. However, I'm new to this so I could be wrong. I just want to make sure if I get a detector, it's gunna be good and do it's job. To me, this is one of those things where you really need to really dish out to get what you want.

I will only discuss the STi. I purchased the STi because its the only RD thats stealth, has very good Off-Axis detection while maintaining a solid field of depth, I also enjoy having the display read my car voltage and being able to see what frequency the LEO's are using.

Oh yeah, and what's a rabbit. I read the definition in that guide in the general forum area but keep seeing it used and I still don't get what exactly it means.

Rabbit is the car your following on the highway while driving fast, that you let "go first" to pick up the radar signals first. Basically taking the "hit" for you.

[carboncopy]

V1 and STi are generally considered the top dogs in the radar detector world. But there are a lot of excellent radar detectors that fall somewhere in between or slightly behind. Review the GOL tests to help you decide which RD is best for you and your budget.

[EnzoF66057]

So something that I'm now wondering after reading up some more. I saw pictures of the STi and X50 which show the display as saying K or KA (to identify the band obviously). But how do you know which frequency the radar is on in the KA band...or any band for that matter?

[Buford T. Justice]

So something that I'm now wondering after reading up some more. I saw pictures of the STi and X50 which show the display as saying K or KA (to identify the band obviously). But how do you know which frequency the radar is on in the KA band...or any band for that matter?

I know the STi will give you the exact KA band frequency as with all the other bands.

[carboncopy]

You have to select Tech mode and it will tell you the band and frequency you are detecting.

[ravi]

Love to have that feature in my V1

You have to select Tech mode and it will tell you the band and frequency you are detecting.

[carboncopy]

Love to have that feature in my V1

You have to select Tech mode and it will tell you the band and frequency you are detecting.

I hear that ravi!!! X2!

[John_in_NC]

Doesn't matter Enzo, it is just for enthusiasts to know exactly what frequency of Ka hit they are getting.

For me, on a detector :

1) I want warning over hills and around curves

2) If it goes off I want to know where it is coming from

That's it, this may sound pretty basic but for some reason V1 is the only detector that does this.

To sum it up as far as detectors go,

there is the Valentine One...,
and then there's the rest of em.

[didu_missme]

Doesn't matter Enzo, it is just for enthusiasts to know exactly what frequency of Ka hit they are getting.

For me, on a detector :

1) I want warning over hills and around curves

2) If it goes off I want to know where it is coming from

That's it, this may sound pretty basic but for some reason V1 is the only detector that does this.

To sum it up as far as detectors go,

there is the Valentine One...,
and then there's the rest of em.

X2