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  1. #1

    Default Good time to buy?

    I'm in the market for some radar-detector/lidar-shifter systems, but I'm wondering what you all think: is it a good time to spend money on these systems right now? Is it likely that there will be a new top-of-the-line detector system soon that will be better to wait for and invest in than the current standards? (I'm new to this, so I don't really know how the industry tends to go.) Are radar-detector and lidar-jammer systems getting less and less useful as radar and lidar technologies get more and more advanced? (I'd hate to invest $1000+ on a system that is already obsolete or outmatched just a few years later.)
    What are your thoughts?
    Thanks!

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Good time to buy?

    Wow! Great questions. When you refer to systems, are you thinking in buying a package deal? New products will continue to come out and some are waiting for improved products versions that are already out there. Useful? Got to beware on some lidar systems for they have holes in performances on some guns (check out Guys of Lidar on the web and read threads in the lidar section on this site- ask questions there). For radar, that is a large area. What you want is a perfect RD, but that is not possible for your not totally safe with instant-on radar around (I/O). It is a gamble. Some will buy a RD and get a ticket and do not understand why nor what happened. Certain equipment have flaws that are unspoken, again speeding is a gamble.....

  3. #3

    Default Re: Good time to buy?

    Quote Originally Posted by North Alabama View Post
    Wow! Great questions. When you refer to systems, are you thinking in buying a package deal? New products will continue to come out and some are waiting for improved products versions that are already out there. Useful? Got to beware on some lidar systems for they have holes in performances on some guns (check out Guys of Lidar on the web and read threads in the lidar section on this site- ask questions there). For radar, that is a large area. What you want is a perfect RD, but that is not possible for your not totally safe with instant-on radar around (I/O). It is a gamble. Some will buy a RD and get a ticket and do not understand why nor what happened. Certain equipment have flaws that are unspoken, again speeding is a gamble.....
    I guess what i'm asking is this: Lets say, for example, I wanted to buy a top-of-the-line radar-detector / laser-jammer combo. (Bel STi-R Plus and LI laser jammers, or something like that.) Would I, in your opinion, be better off buying those now, or waiting until the next models come out? Should I expect any really significant improvements from the current generation of detectors/jammers to the next? Should I maybe be expecting a new top-of-the-line model to come out soon? This year? Next year?
    Obviously, the answers to these questions are all opinions and guesses. What do people think though?

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Good time to buy?

    That is a great combo for a lot of the guys use that and love them. Sorry, I'm a Valentine guy but have not heard of any new models coming out in those two (Maybe new program features on the Bel. Rummor of a new laser gun coming out but don't know if the LI would jam it, it should). If the Bel and LI pros don't chime in soon. Repost your questions in their sections (Bel and LI sections) for those pros hang out there mostly and may not see your pacific post question here. They may troll in and see this and chime in....
    Last edited by North Alabama; 10-08-2012 at 12:53 AM.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Good time to buy?

    My opinion,
    yes the STi-r is a good investment, it is software upgradeable, as new threats emerge. HP 905s are also a good investment.

  6. #6

    Default Re: Good time to buy?

    I think that if you consider "top of the line" products, you must look on what functions will secure you safety in mid or long term range.

    So for radar detectors:

    GPS is necessary for protection from fixed cameras, camera speed traps and other things you cannot detect.
    GPS can be also used to reduce number of false alerts by reducing sensitivity on some frequencies on specific spots.
    GPS can also be used for warning if you are speeding inside known speed trap.

    Bands segmentation is also usefull for reducing false alerts and increasing performance. (more important in Europe than in the USA)


    Software upgrade capability for the user (flash card, USB etc) and web-based upgrade is also key-functionality. Sending of the unit to the manufacturer for software upgrades is prehistoric.

    For Laser safety devices is upgrade possibility much more important. If you cannot upgrade the system for new LIDAR guns, you have a big problem.
    Without correct algorithm for each new gun, the system can only try "brute force" approach which can very easily result in jamm code on LEO´s LIDAR and big problem for you. (where is it not legal to use such laser defence systems)


    For both systems - RD and laser is from my point of view very important to have possibility to hide the instalation from the eye´s of LEO´s. Even if a RD is legal in your country, I do not see any benefit from showing an officer that you have a RD or laser jammer.
    Why to "hurt his feelings for you" by showing him this equipment. I´m sure you wouldnt start a conversation with LEO by showing him a finger, so why start with showing him a radar detector or jammer ?

    Despite any training, most of the people will create their meaning about you in first few seconds when you meet. So don´t give them any reason to judge you in wrong way....

    So STi-r plus is good solution, HP 905 probably too (I have only small experience with this jammer, so I cannot judge it)

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Good time to buy?

    Quote Originally Posted by KlokanXM View Post

    .......GPS is necessary for protection from fixed cameras, camera speed traps and other things you cannot detect.......
    Also to note that one can use free web map/phone apps from trapster (and is it waze also? Escort Live is in question), for example which their members update. It shows cameras, speed traps, Leo locatons, etc when they happen and alot more road info that I find not so usefull. I just go to the web site and look at the map (the new map is better) and note any thing of importance on my travel route. Here in the South, camera issues are spotty in certain areas, like a few in down town Chattanooga TN for example. I have not found the need to subscribe to any thing that has a monthly or yearly fee. I don't want to pay for these service(s) that are not need in my case. I do not use GPS nor have a need too yet for man has got around for years without it (LOL). But one has to look at their needs in their area for there are options out there....

  8. #8
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    Default Re: Good time to buy?

    Quote Originally Posted by KlokanXM View Post
    .......

    Bands segmentation is also usefull for reducing false alerts and increasing performance........Sending of the unit to the manufacturer for software upgrades is prehistoric.
    ......
    Band Seg: Remember this is good only to a certain point. Turning off certains radar freqs (for certain guns) can get you nailed in unknown areas, your running partly blind. You better be sure what the Leo's freq is using because off tuned guns are out there and missed by band seg (not a great ideal by Belscort)......... Upgrades: Depends on what your talking about. A lot of upgrades require hardware revs (changes) also, so you must return the unit to the factory. In doing so, you get problems or issues in poor design fixed (hot patches) and the unit tested for performance to assure it works up to par. Again, depends on what your talking about.....
    Last edited by North Alabama; 10-14-2012 at 05:37 PM.

  9. #9
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    Default Re: Good time to buy?

    I cannot comment on our upcoming products but you can be sure that we will have something new coming in the next year or two, which is our normal product cycle. Radar use for traffic speed measurement is regulated by the FCC in only certain bandwidths. There are no new radar threats on the horizon that I am aware of. We have recently introduced SmartRadar (a semi-permanent installed detector), and the Beltronics Pro 200, 300, and 500 detectors.

    The detector industry has been moving in two directions in the past several years: improved false alert filtering, and the networking of alert data. We are leading the way in false alert filtering using GPS location data. You can have this advanced false alert filtering by either purchasing a detector with GPS integrated (eg Passport 9500ix, Beltronics STi-R Plus) or, if you have an iPhone or Android smartphone, by using a non-GPS Escort or Beltronics detector with our Escort Live app (eg RedLine or Magnum w/Escort Live). Escort Live also provides network live alerts from other nearby detector users and alerts to red light and speed cameras. Escort Live has been available to the public for almost a year with many people using it on a daily basis. Don't take my word for it though, try it for yourself. You can download and use the Escort Live app for free with limited functionality or fully featured for one month for $4.99 to see how many are reporting in your area. Escort Live is available in The App Store and Google Play. You can subscribe to the full version completely through the app.

    To lock out false alerts on your non-GPS Escort or Beltronics detector, and to share your real alerts with other Escort Live users, you will need to use our bluetooth equipped SmartCord Live power cord with your detector. Direct wire and 9500ci/Beltronics STi-R versions of the SmartCord Live cord are also available.

    Note that Escort Inc also manufactures Beltronics brand detectors.


    Escort Radar customer service is available from 8am-6pm Eastern Time Mon-Fri at 1-800-543-1608

  10. #10
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    Default Re: Good time to buy?

    To add, if one is doing research on Escort products, go to the "Escort Radar Forum" (search on the web) where the members/users post alot of information.....

 

 

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