Seeking advise on a new stealth system build

[fiveleaf]

A couple months ago I ordered a new Passport SRX. After spending awhile on these fourms, I realized that this was old technology and not going to cut it.

I am in the process of selling/returning the SRX, and going for a new system. I will be installing this myself, and pictures and a build thread will be created.

I have read much about the systems, but am hoping some of you knowledgable folk can make a comple of recommendations...
I live in Ontatio, Canada. Detectors are illegal.

I have $1,000 to spend total, assuming I return or sell the SRX for more than 400.

Radar
The police regularly use Spectre.
I believe they will upgrade to instant-on radar soon if they haven't already.
Remote-mouted units are a plus. I'm not going to be taking it off anytime soon.

Undetectable units that I know of are the STi, STi-r, Redline, and 9500i.
The STi uses 2006 technology, so I am leaning more towards the Redline or 9500i.
The 9500i remote mounts, and I have found a tester model for $1050.

From my understanding, the 9500i only provides front radar coverage.
How does it compare to the Redline for Instant-On Radar?
If an officer is, say, shooting from an overpass... Will the 9500 not still pick him up as he paints the cars ahead of me? I am not blessed with the knowledge of how often roaming radar is used (from behind).

I am leaning towards the Redline, and mounting it in the most discreet way possible.

Laser
This is where I need advise.

The car is small and low, but red with chrome bumpers. I had success in fabricating brackets (from sheet metal) to allow the ZR3 shifters to the bottom of the chrome bumper. test-fit them without bolting it on (to learn that Spectre is used in Ontario later that day). Mounting in this manner would be noticeable... but doesn't look too bad.
They would be mounted on the bottom of the actual bumper; not inside the grille.

If I went with the 9500ci, and veil, would this be enough to cover my car from radar? If so, I will go with the 9500ci (with veil).
I also read about upgrading laser shifters yourself. Is this possible with the ZR4's, and would this cover me?

If not, I will go with the Redline and a laser countermeasure.
I found one new, with mounting accessories, for $500.
That leaves $500 for laser countermeasures, assuming I can't find a better deal on the Redline.

Assume that I need veil; there's $100 off the budget.

So what can I find for $400?
I am willing to buy used and open these things up.
I guess the Blinder M27SC for $425 is an alright deal, but that only will protect my front.


Thoughts?

Here are pictures of the car I need to hide from laser.

://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy127/tom_braidwood/240%20in%20ktown%20as%20of%20feb%202010/fullcarshotfromfrontdriverssidejan2.jpg

Detectors mount under the bumper here with the brackets I made. Visable but not obvious. I know the car needs repairs. I'm working on the electrical right now, and would like to do a nice job with my laser/radar wires. Body work comes later.

://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy127/tom_braidwood/240%20in%20ktown%20as%20of%20feb%202010/frontdamagejan2010.jpg


As a final note, the 9500ci is only marketed as a radar detector, and it's ZR4 shifters only as anti-laser devices.
Though the Redline isin't remote mounted, it provides 360* and can be tucked away if you're pulled over. The blinder shifters, I believe, are also markerted as parking aids. Then again, this is only good if you're caught.



EDIT: to access photo's, you must enter "http" before the two forward slashes. I am unable to post them as photo's until I reach 15 posts.

[fiveleaf]

And as a last comment (and one more post towards 15), how important are rear-mounted laser shifters?
Isin't it already going to be too late, or are there cops that use laser while roaming....

[djrams80]

A couple months ago I ordered a new Passport SRX. After spending awhile on these fourms, I realized that this was old technology and not going to cut it.

It might be old technology, but the RD portion still works very well. The only reason that it won't work well for you is that the radar antenna is very detectable via Spectre.

I am in the process of selling/returning the SRX, and going for a new system. I will be installing this myself, and pictures and a build thread will be created.

I have read much about the systems, but am hoping some of you knowledgable folk can make a comple of recommendations...
I live in Ontatio, Canada. Detectors are illegal.

I have an extra $1,000 to spend. $600 if I keep the SRX. I am more than willing to go used. --------

I edited out the last sentence and you need to do the same for your post, per forum rules.

Radar
The police regularly use Spectre.
I believe they will upgrade to instant-on radar soon if they haven't already.

I/O radar is not an upgrade, it's a tactic. All modern radar units are quite capable of being operated in I/O mode.

Remote-mouted units are a plus. I'm not going to be taking it off anytime soon.

Undetectable units that I know of are the STi, STi-r, Redline, and 9500i.

The 9500i is detectable, but the 9500ci is not.

The STi uses 2006 technology, so I am leaning more towards the Redline or 9500i.

The STi's 2006 technology is nearly identical to that of the RedLine's. In fact, the 9500ci, STi, STi-R and the RedLine all use the exact same M3 antenna, but the STi is just a little less sensitive than the other three units.

The 9500i remote mounts, and I have found a tester model for $1050.

It's highly unlikely that a 9500ci for that price will come with a warranty, so be careful of that.

From my understanding, the 9500i only provides front radar coverage.

There is only one unit we are allowed to talk about that has both front and rear antennas, and that's the V1. The V1 is not an option for you, because of Spectre. However, all of the four RDs that are invisible to Spectre detect radar from behind very well, despite having only a forward facing antenna.

How does it compare to the Redline for Instant-On Radar?

All four of these units detect I/O very well, so long as the LEO isn't using shots of less than a second.

If an officer is, say, shooting from an overpass... Will the 9500 not still pick him up as he paints the cars ahead of me?

No RD can detect a radar gun that is not actively transmitting radar. So yes, the way to beat I/O is to detect other cars in front of you getting their speed checked.

I am leaning towards the Redline, and mounting it in the most discreet way possible.

Most of the Canadians here just hardwire their detectors as high as possible on the windshield. They're pretty tough to see up there.

Laser
This is where I need advise.

The car is small and low, but red with chrome bumpers. I had success mounting the ZR3 shifters to the bottom of the chrome bumper after fabricating my own bracket from sheet metal. Noticeable, but doesn't look too bad.

If I went with the 9500ci, and veil, would this be enough to cover my car from radar?

I'm assuming you meant to say laser here, not radar?

If so, I will go with the 9500ci (with veil).
I also read about upgrading laser shifters yourself. Is this possible with the ZR4's, and would this cover me?

Probably, because of the fact that you are mostly up against the Laser Atlanta, which the ZR4s + Veil do pretty well against and that car is not that tough to protect.

If not, I will go with the Redline and a laser countermeasure.

This is probably your best bet anyhow, unless you can find an STi-R for a reasonable price.

I found one new, with mounting accessories, for $500.
That leaves $500 for laser countermeasures, assuming I can't find a better deal on the Redline.

That should be just about what the Blinder M-27 costs, which is the best you can get for that price and they perform much better than the ZR4s.

Assume that I need veil; there's $100 off the budget.

Veil makes every jammer perform better, but you can probably get away without it with the Blinders. Only testing can tell one for sure.

So what can I find for $400?
I am willing to buy used and open these things up.
I guess the Blinder M27SC for $425 is an alright deal, but that only will protect my front.

The ZR4s won't protect the back either. There is a rear ZR4 shifter, but it's basically useless. If you want front and back coverage, you're going to need a substantially higher budget.

Thoughts?

Here are pictures of the car I need to hide from laser.

//s784.photobucket.com/albums/yy127/tom_braidwood/240%20in%20ktown%20as%20of%20feb%202010/?action=view&current=fullcarshotfromfrontdriverssi dejan2.jpg]240]240 in ktown as of feb 2010 pictures by tom_braidwood - Photobucket

Detectors mount under the bumper here with the brackets I made. Visable but not obvious. I know the car needs repairs. I'm working on the electrical right now, and would like to do a nice job with my laser/radar wires. Body work comes later.

//i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy127/tom_braidwood/240%20in%20ktown%20as%20of%20feb%202010/fullcarshotfromfrontdriverssidejan2.jpg


As a final note, the 9500ci is only marketed as a radar detector, and it's ZR4 shifters only as anti-laser devices.
Though the Redline isin't remote mounted, it provides 360* and can be tucked away if you're pulled over.

Both the RedLine and the 9500ci use the exact same radar antenna and perform identically. 360* is a bogus marketing term. All decent detectors have 360* radar protection.

The blinder shifters, I believe, are also markerted as parking aids. Then again, this is only good if you're caught.

No one that uses jammers properly gets caught with them. You get the alert, slow down, shut them off and allow the LEO to attain your new and improved speed.

EDIT: to access photo's, you must enter "http" before the two forward slashes. I am unable to post them as photo's until I reach 15 posts.

You can't post links yet, but you can attach pictures.

[djrams80]

And as a last comment (and one more post towards 15), how important are rear-mounted laser shifters?
Isin't it already going to be too late, or are there cops that use laser while roaming....

Laser can only be used while stationary. There is no mobile laser. Rear laser is usually done from on-ramps or overpasses. Usually there's a shooter and a pack of chase cars down the road and the shooter radios ahead to the chase cars. This tactic is rare, which is why lots here get away without using rear protection, but only the best laser jammers are capable of defending against a point blank laser shot from an elevated angle, on the back of a car, which is usually much harder to protect than is the front. Most here use the Laser Interceptors to protect the back of their vehicles, but an LI quad is way over your budget. Basically, you can't afford rear coverage yet, so spend your money wisely on radar and front laser coverage.

[fiveleaf]

Part I

Thank you!!

I did mean to say the 9500ci. Very good to hear that it picks up rear radar well! I'll have to watch a few more videos to see how it compares to the STi and Redline.

$1050 is for an opened module for testing, but will still come with a 1yr warranty.
This may be in part because the vendor sees me as capable as referring other customers, or that I am currently unsatisfied with the SRX (as I found Spectre is used in my area after I opened the SRX.

I read about no buy/sell when I joined... I just didn't know how relaxed it was.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part II

Found the Blinder M27 for $425. I might be able to convice the vendor to find some used veil. Add an airbrush to get it on, and I'm at a $500 laser total.
This would also allow for the "Parking Aid" feature (That I might actually use for the front of my car!)

That would leave me with just over $500 for the Radar unit.
So... How much of a peformance increase should I expect using the Redline VS the STi-r?

Or just pick up the 9500ci and some veil...



Stupid Spectre. I actually really like the look of the SRX.

[Jstglockem]

What year Z is that? I had a 280 and a 240z. Great cars. The 240z would eat most Corvettes and with just a few modifications all of them. Very fast car, very under estimated. My suggestion is just do it in parts. When you have the money get what part you want when you can. I have been waiting since October for my LI's don't settle or you well just sell it and get what you want later down the road. I did not see what State you are in but I think the Valentine 1 is the best in the world. If not I would go with a Bel STiR. I know that car better then my Excursion!
What State are you in? You can pick up a V1 on Craigs depending on what State your in for a good price sometimes. I have made a great deal of money on buying V1's on Craigs.

[category4]

For me with that budget I would look for an STi-R, they can be found for decent prices since they have been discontinued and then go with e Blinder M-27 or 47 if you can squeak out a few more $. You can always go with a 27 and add 2 heads later if you desire.

The ZR4 will not provide you decent protection on the rear.

If you found a 9500ci for 1K i would be really tempted to go that way if the LA is your primary opponent, but i still feel it leaves you vulnerable on the rear. But you can't find a better radar detector for your area in my opinion.

[djrams80]

$1050 is for an opened module for testing, but will still come with a 1yr warranty.

Is that a one year warranty from the vendor, or Escort? Be sure of that. You have to register the unit with Escort in order to get camera database updates. If the unit is gray market, you won't be able to get the updates. Also, if a gray market unit has a problem after the first year, you're SOL.

I read about no buy/sell when I joined... I just didn't know how relaxed it was.

It's not. This site is owned by radarbusters.com.

How much of a peformance increase should I expect using the Redline VS the STi-r?

None. They perform basically identically. Manufacturer's variance would be the biggest difference.

Stupid Spectre. I actually really like the look of the SRX.

The STi-R, RedLine and 9500ci perform at a totally different level than the SRX. It probably worked out for the best.

[fiveleaf]

240z (1972). Built for the touring class on the track.
L6 triple webers will give the V8 guys a run for their money.

It may have "burned a couple porsche's" in it's day.


I don't mean to step on any toes here. I am an amatuer driver, at best, and I know it.
That said, I am kind of in love with my project car (the z), and am egear to learn from the pros... as soon as the electrical is finished.
It will probably end up being driven 90% street 10% track.

I would never actually race anybody on the street, unless it was at a legal closed-course event. I am too much in love with the car to see it meet it's end at my hands.


That said, in Ontario, if you are 30mph over the posted limit, you will almost certainly be pulled over (especially on major highways) and charged with "Stunt Driving". Good luck getting insurance after that...

[fiveleaf]

warranty from the vendor, or Escort? Be sure of that. You have to register the unit with Escort in order to get camera database updates.

I believe it's from Escort, as he mentioned that I would have to pay a monthly subscription if I went with the 9500ci. I'll save another thread to rave about how helpful he has been through my buying process. Customer support and communication rivaled only by one really good hi-fi audio shop I know from Vancouver, and the guy from EBay who walked me through how to take apart and diagnose a faulty distributor (he sold me a $50 coil).


Currently leaning towards the STi-r and Blinder M27 w/ veil.