Hi

[Griz]

Nice site. Looking forward to learning some things here. I've been using Escort detectors for a while now, and am currently running a 8500 x50. Since I recently moved to a state where radar detectors are illegal, I'm looking forward to reading up on mounting options, other detectors, and additonal electronics (laser jammers, camera detectors, etc.).

Edit: It appears that in Minnesota radar detectors are legal, but cannot be mounted on the windshield. Also, laser jammers are illegal.

[snoopyc4]

Welcome to the forum. Since RDs are ilegal in your area, you should look into one of these RDs:

-Bel STi-r
-Bel STi
-Escort 9500ci
-Escort Redline

[Griz]

Thanks, Snoop. I appreciate the recommendations.

Bel STi-r: I'll have to read up on this one (not on the Beltronics website), but at first glance, it appears to be a custom installed version of the Bell STi.

Bel STi: I've always been under the impression that Beltronics lagged behind Escort & Valentine in terms of range/sensitivity. Was your recommendation based on the fact that this unit is supposed to be undetectable?

Escort 9500ci: I've read up a lot on this one... The car that everything will be going into is a BMW 3 series, I don't want to hack up the lower grill, and I don't trust putting the jammers behind it. So my best option is to go with a laser jamming optoin that allows for vertical-munt jammers that can sit in the kidney grills.

Escort Redline: I'll surely look into this one. I like Escort, though I'm kinda bummed that it doesn't appear to work with the Cheetah system (just started reading up on today).

[djrams80]

Thanks, Snoop. I appreciate the recommendations.

Bel STi-r: I'll have to read up on this one (not on the Beltronics website), but at first glance, it appears to be a custom installed version of the Bell STi.

This unit is like an STi on steroids, with more sensitivity. It is custom installed, but has been recently discontinued, due to lack of sales. This unit can still be found though.

Bel STi: I've always been under the impression that Beltronics lagged behind Escort & Valentine in terms of range/sensitivity. Was your recommendation based on the fact that this unit is supposed to be undetectable?

This unit is undetectable. In fact, the four units snoopyc4 recommended are the only four units on the market that are undetectable by Spectre, which is used in Virginia, which I'm assuming is where you are.

Escort 9500ci: I've read up a lot on this one... The car that everything will be going into is a BMW 3 series, I don't want to hack up the lower grill, and I don't trust putting the jammers behind it. So my best option is to go with a laser jamming optoin that allows for vertical-munt jammers that can sit in the kidney grills.

The laser jammers don't work at all behind a grille. Your idea of getting a better laser jammer and mounting it vertically in the kidney grille is a good one. I recommend the LI.

Also, I originally installed the 9500ci radar antenna behind my grille and even it worked like hell. When I cut the grille and mounted the radar antenna through it, it absolutely smoked! Basically, if you mount any radar antenna behind your grille, the odds are very good that performance will be negatively effected.

Escort Redline: I'll surely look into this one. I like Escort, though I'm kinda bummed that it doesn't appear to work with the Cheetah system (just started reading up on today).

These units don't integrate, but they work fine independently.

[Griz]

Thank you for the feedback, djrams80.

I moved to Minnesota about 5 months ago, and I've been repeatedly told that radar detectors are illegal here. I suppose I'll need to read into this some more. Based on a few searches just now, it appears that radar detectors aren't illegal here; rather, mounting anything to the windshield is illegal. The same site also says that laser jammers are illegal in the state, which is fitting since I've seen plenty of cops running laser.

[djrams80]

Thank you for the feedback, djrams80.

I moved to Minnesota about 5 months ago, and I've been repeatedly told that radar detectors are illegal here. I suppose I'll need to read into this some more. Based on a few searches just now, it appears that radar detectors aren't illegal here; rather, mounting anything to the windshield is illegal.

Same here in Cali. Mounting anything on the windshield is illegal. I've never heard of anyone getting ticketed for having a RD mounted on the windshield. Mine V1 is hardwired and mounted way up high, just left of the rear view mirror and no LEO has ever even mentioned it.

The same site also says that laser jammers are illegal in the state, which is fitting since I've seen plenty of cops running laser.

Speeding is also illegal. Laser jammers are illegal where I live also. My car has seven laser jammer sensors on it. I've never had a problem. When under fire, I get the laser jammer alert, slow down to close enough to the PSL to avoid a speeding ticket, shut the jammers off, let the LEO aquire my "new and improved" speed and drive away. No problem.

[Griz]

Speeding is also illegal.

Very true, but I'd like to avoid the worst-case scenario of paying for a speeding ticket and illegally using a laser jammer... and lawyer fees. It's good to know that you've had success under the same/similar laws.

[djrams80]

Very true, but I'd like to avoid the worst-case scenario of paying for a speeding ticket and illegally using a laser jammer... and lawyer fees. It's good to know that you've had success under the same/similar laws.

There are many of us here that have been using these devices in areas where they are illegal for years, without issue. If used properly, the chances of getting caught using a laser jammer are remote.

[protias]

Radar detectors are NOT illegal in MN, just hanging stuff from your windshield. So a windshield mounted GPS would be considered illegal, but on that is on the dash or or vent would not.

[QuickTrigger]

Welcome to the forum