What counter measures for my situation... or not to bother at all?

[sanctityfouled]

Hi folks! I've been lurking around here for a little while, thought I'd get the experts' opinions now I've had an Escort 8500 X50 Silver a few years ago but haven't had one for a few years since that one broke. I'm now considering getting new counter measures and want to get some thoughts. But first, here's some background on my unique situation:

1. I live in TX, which means laser jammers are illegal.
2. About 90% of driving I do is in the city, whether it be on a city road or highway to get from one side of the city to the other. Once every couple of months I'll get on the interstate to go to another city.
3. I'm a casual speeder. I go about 10mph over on large city streets, and about 15mph over on the highway.
4. The local LEO use radar only (K and Ka) on city streets, but do utilize laser sometimes on the highway.

Since most of my driving is in the city, I figured I need to get a GPS enabled model to be able to lock out the false sources, which are sure to drive me nuts. Based on my research, here are the likely options:

Escort 9500ix
Pro: Cheapest setup. Auto-learn lockouts. Reasonably good performance.
Con: Not great at detecting Q/T. Laser detection sucks due to high mounting location and low laser dispersion.
Cost: $650 (RD + Blendmount + Direct Wiring)
Notes: I plan to get the Blendmount for stealthy/clean install. After the X50's suction cups detached itself from my windshield and slammed onto the ground and promptly broke the unit, I swore to never use suction cups to mount a RD again.


Escort 8500ci Plus
Pro: Stealthier than 9500ix. Simple single display/control unit. Receiver can be mounted below front license plate for better laser detection.
Con: No auto-learn (manual lockout only). Not great at detecting Q/T. More involved install than 9500ix.
Cost: ~$700
Notes: Similar radar performance as the 9500ix, but stealthier and with better laser performance (in theory) for marginal increase in price.


Beltronics STiR Plus
Pro: Best radar detection performance. Stealthier than 9500ix. Receiver can be mounted below front license plate for better laser detection. Auto-learn lockouts. BS and RDR for great Q/T detection.
Con: Significantly more expensive than the above options. More involved install than 9500ix.
Cost: ~$1000-$1170
Notes: Probably the best detector out there, but you pay for the priviledge. I've read multiple veiled references (no pun intended) about being able to purchase this from a legit source (i.e. keep your warranty) for around $1k, but the best I've been able to find is 10% off at radarbusters.com ($1170). Someone want to tell me where to get it for $1k??

Do Nothing
Pro: It's FREE!
Con: No protection
Cost: $0
Notes: Seeing that I basically can't (legally) do anything about lasers, would the more expensive units with better laser detection be even worth it? And since I can't have a laser jammer and I'm a casual speeder, should I even spend any money at all on a RD?

Anyways, I apologize about the long post and I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

[DevinR]

Whats the fine for having a laser jammer in Texas? You could theoretically still run a Laser Interceptor with a panic kill switch. Just get on the brakes hard and once your down to PSL kill the jammer. Most Leos wont suspect a thing.

[sanctityfouled]

Whats the fine for having a laser jammer in Texas? You could theoretically still run a Laser Interceptor with a panic kill switch. Just get on the brakes hard and once your down to PSL kill the jammer. Most Leos wont suspect a thing.

It's a Class C misdemeanor in TX:

Class C Misdemeanors

Class C misdemeanors are considered the least serious type of criminal offense in Texas. A Class C misdemeanor conviction carries a punishment of a fine of up to $500. Community service in addition to or in place of the fine is at the judge’s discretion. A common example of a Class C misdemeanor is a traffic offense that results in a traffic ticket. Other types of Class C misdemeanor offenses include:

Disorderly conduct
Public intoxication
Bad checks
Simple assault
Criminal trespass
Gambling
Bail jumping
Leaving a child in a vehicle
Petty theft such as shoplifting
Possession of alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle
Driving under the influence of alcohol by a minor
Minor in possession of alcohol
Minor in possession of tobacco

The thing is, it's still a criminal offense, so it goes on your record. I don't want to risk that.

You voted for the 9500ix in the poll. Any reason why?

[DevinR]

Wow I didn't know it so severe!
I guess I should ask you if the extra 600 bucks isn't a big deal for you before recommending the 9500ix.
The STiR-Plus is an amazing dector, but it just depends on if you think the extra 600 bucks is worth the the features and performance of it.
Otherwise im sure you'd be very happy with the 9500ix

[KlokanXM]

Hello,
if is in your country jammer illegal (same as in mine), you can install it so, that it can´t be seen. See my install here on forum. Than even if LEO will stop you, he will not be able to find your jammer.

But then you must pay for detector and jammer so the budget is rising...

[North Alabama]

You did good on your thread! It is not long. Mounting your RD low or high does not always reflect where (or if) laser will hit your RD. My head light covers reflects laser up across my roof line! My eyes have won all laser traps so far before the V1 alerted, except when the semi blocked the Leo. Use a laser pointer at dark to see where the beam sprays. So if you are a hawk like me, I'm at war when behind the wheel, you will see most easy traps. Also keep cars around you if you can, safety is in numbers. But sneaky (cycle) cops are bad news with laser and I/O hand guns in light traffic in Metro conditions. The ix can be programmed on your normal routes for lockouts, that is good if your an average driver and don't pay attention. The only one thing that I would be concerned about is that the ix is a slow RD. So, with laser or I/O hits (sitting traps), the Leo has watched your speed for a few seconds before you (know it) can react therefore a more than likely you will get a ticket if the Leo is agressive, that is the downside of most RDs with design filters that you cannot turn off. TX is like Bama, a heavy Stalker user. Kustom is next up. LI's (with a kill switch) with STR+ will cost you, a great way to go. So, ask yourself, when was the last time you got a ticket? The ix will serve you well on C/O and in the city. How deep is your pocket? You have to decide, I will not vote.......

[sanctityfouled]

You did good on your thread! It is not long. Mounting your RD low or high does not always reflect where (or if) laser will hit your RD. My head light covers reflects laser up across my roof line! My eyes have won all laser traps so far before the V1 alerted, except when the semi blocked the Leo. Use a laser pointer at dark to see where the beam sprays. So if you are a hawk like me, I'm at war when behind the wheel, you will see most easy traps. Also keep cars around you if you can, safety is in numbers. But sneaky (cycle) cops are bad news with laser and I/O hand guns in light traffic in Metro conditions. The ix can be programmed on your normal routes for lockouts, that is good if your an average driver and don't pay attention. The only one thing that I would be concerned about is that the ix is a slow RD. So, with laser or I/O hits (sitting traps), the Leo has watched your speed for a few seconds before you (know it) can react therefore a more than likely you will get a ticket if the Leo is agressive, that is the downside of most RDs with design filters that you cannot turn off. TX is like Bama, a heavy Stalker user. Kustom is next up. LI's (with a kill switch) with STR+ will cost you, a great way to go. So, ask yourself, when was the last time you got a ticket? The ix will serve you well on C/O and in the city. How deep is your pocket? You have to decide, I will not vote.......

Thanks for the replies guys! I was thinking that without a laser jammer, it really doesn't matter if I improve how well I can detect laser. If I'm hit by laser, by the time I'm notified of it, my speed has already been clocked. So unless I want to be illegal and install a laser jammer (I don't), improving the laser detection at huge expenses isn't really worth it IMHO.

I was looking at 9500ix' cousin, the Beltronics Pro 500. It's the same hardware, but cheaper and without Auto-Learn, which is something I can live with. I think it will help me keep me on my toes to have to manually lock out falses too. I've also read that Bels have better Ka ramp-up than the Escorts. I understand the 9500ix/Pro 500 are not as quick as the V1 when it comes to short radar bursts, but my understanding is that the proper procedure for the LEO is to establish the speed over a couple of seconds. Of course, it's as you say, some LEOs may be aggressive and not follow the proper procedures. Belscort has said they are working on adding BS and RDR disable to their high end RD, so hopefully that is available at some point.

I've also decided to go with a simpler/cheaper/stealthier permanent windshield mount above the RVM instead of Blendmount, since it appears to be universally disliked here on the forum.

I have only one speeding ticket in the last 8 years. It was a case where no electronics could have helped. I was paced by a LEO at night without using his radar (I had my X50 at the time).

[North Alabama]

.......it really doesn't matter if I improve how well I can detect laser. If I'm hit by laser, by the time I'm notified of it, my speed has already been clocked...........I understand the 9500ix/Pro 500 are not as quick as the V1 when it comes to short radar bursts, but my understanding is that the proper procedure for the LEO is to establish the speed over a couple of seconds

Never say never in any clocking situation. Many variables come into play to determine if one gets a paying ticket. If you get pulled over and talked to very badly by Leo and that is all, that is ok. One must have instant alarming equipment to have a chance. Time after time I hear the same ole BS about Q/T or quick I/O, V1 vs Escort, it is not about short burst, it is about the slow alg alarm delays that gets the speeder in most trouble, it is called filtering.....

[sanctityfouled]

Never say never in any clocking situation. Many variables come into play to determine if one gets a paying ticket. If you get pulled over and talked to very badly by Leo and that is all, that is ok. One must have instant alarming equipment to have a chance. Time after time I hear the same ole BS about Q/T or quick I/O, V1 vs Escort, it is not about short burst, it is about the slow alg alarm delays that gets the speeder in most trouble, it is called filtering.....

Wouldn't you say it's a combination of short burst from the radar source and the delay introduced by the additional filtering in the detector?

Actually I just got a ticket earlier today Three motorcycle LEOs with lasers running a speed trap just off of a major highway exit where speed drops from 65 to 40. I would have caught it if I was paying more attention to my surroundings but I was in my own thoughts at the time and didn't notice until it's too late

[North Alabama]

.....a combination of short burst from the radar source......

Short Burst (Q/T and fast I/O) are so rare from Leos. Most will never see it in their life. A bad designed RD can miss far off spikes from weak I/O because the RD wants to rescan/recheck to make sure that it agrees with the permissive program...... Sorry about your ticket. That is wild, in my post above, I stated that cycle cops with hand guns are bad news, the eyes! With a fast RD (great laser detection like the V1) with traffic around can give you a chance with laser if you play your cards right, but the eyes were the first line of defense.....