Is my Vector 995 bad?

**mjv** · 08-17-2009, 07:22 PM

I was extremely happy when my Vector 995 arrived with the accessory to hardwire the power to my fuse box. While the installation looks good, I only pickup a cop two out of ten times. I am wondering if I have a bad unit or maybe I am doing something wrong?

I am mounting the unit directly behind the rear-view mirror of my car. When sitting in the front seat, it is not noticeable. I am also not hitting the factory window tint. I have an 04 Acura TL.

Any suggestions before I send it back?

**trailtow** · 08-17-2009, 07:25 PM

not all cops have radar in their cars or just don't turn it on should be fine. try to find a your speed sign and test it against that

**Freebird** · 08-17-2009, 07:26 PM

You are only gonna pick up the cops that have their radar unit turned on and transmitting. Alot of them sit with it off and spot shoot. Its called instant on. Alot of cops dont even have radar set up in their cars. The ones that are shooting radar are the only ones your RD will alert too.

**stlcardsfan** · 08-17-2009, 07:35 PM

In terms of raw detection a 995 is very good actually. Just bad luck finding cops with radar.

**dpatel01** · 08-17-2009, 07:43 PM

Remember, its not a cop detector. If you're picking up radar 2 out of 10 times, thats typical. Most cops, especially local, will not have their radar units turned on or even have a radar unit installed in their cars. State/highway patrol, however are morely likely to be transmitting so should have better luck w/them.

**mjv** · 08-17-2009, 11:00 PM

Thanks everyone. The cop that I passed on the highway had her radar gun out; I guess she was doing a spot shot. Would it be beneficial to move my radar lower or should I keep it as is?

**dpatel01** · 08-17-2009, 11:34 PM

Originally Posted by mjv

Thanks everyone. The cop that I passed on the highway had her radar gun out; I guess she was doing a spot shot. Would it be beneficial to move my radar lower or should I keep it as is?

Was it a handheld gun pointed out the side window with the cop parked perpendicular to the highway? It sounds like you may have had a laser encounter. Laser is very hard to pick up compared to radar as the beam is extremely focussed. The only true defense against laser is a jammer because with most radar detectors, if you get a laser alert, its already too late as the cop already has your speed.

**Elude** · 08-18-2009, 11:34 PM

To the op thats what i thought when i first got my first radar detector, im like why isnt it going off a cop just passed me. It took me a bit to figure out that not ever cop car has a gun.