newbie to radar detectors

Hey all!

So, a couple days ago i just purchased an escort x50 red.. i work at best buy, so got a great deal.

i know a little about radar detectors, as i sell them every day.. but all i really know, out of the ones we sell, is that escort>cobra

so.. with that said... id really like to get into this, seeing as im on my last straw with getting tickets... a few months ago i had a court date, and it was to vacate one of my tickets, in order for me to avoid a(second) liscense suspension(i also drive a yellow car, so its easy to see me.. doh)

so, it boiled down to me getting a radar detector.. ive been using it over the last couple days and i absolutely love it.. it works wonders, especially around town...

BUT.. i would like to get to know how to be an expert user of it, such as reading false alarms... some of them i can tell(like when i drive past work every day) but some of the little blips i get out of it i have no idea if their false or not

also, id like to find out as much info as i can about issues people have with the escort.. I.E. not picking up some bands.. etc... and what i should be careful about

i know that i cant completely rely on it, but it seems like a great tool to have..

You can read the escort forum and use the search button and type in your particular areas of interest. This should help you out. You have to have experience and additional knowledge from this site. Over time, you'll get better. There's just no magic for it.

Really their is only one way to know 100% if its a false alarm. Spec mode, shows the actually frequency of the radar its picking up, and you have to memorize the ones that are acctually frequency's of radar guns, and which are door openers and other things like that. You got to watch out though for the places that you know they are false alarms if a cop hides next to what you know is a "false alarm" you could get busted if you don't pay attention. You got to look for a second bar which means its detecting 2 radars... that can happen though with two doors as well but im just trying to give you examples.

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Originally Posted by five to one

Really their is only one way to know 100% if its a false alarm. Spec mode, shows the actually frequency of the radar its picking up, and you have to memorize the ones that are acctually frequency's of radar guns, and which are door openers and other things like that. You got to watch out though for the places that you know they are false alarms if a cop hides next to what you know is a "false alarm" you could get busted if you don't pay attention. You got to look for a second bar which means its detecting 2 radars... that can happen though with two doors as well but im just trying to give you examples.

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Ditto that^
Welcome aboard. You're on the right track. Use it and you'll get then hang of it. however remeber the best radar detector is the one behind your eyes 8)

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also, id like to find out as much info as i can about issues people have with the escort.. I.E. not picking up some bands.. etc... and what i should be careful about

i know that i cant completely rely on it, but it seems like a great tool to have..

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You made an interesting observation and I think that you are already far ahead of the game when you say that a radar detector is a really good tool to have.

A radar detector is just that, a tool in your arsnal that does one job, detect police radar. The most important tool you should have is situational awarness of what is happening around you and you obtain this awarness of watching what other drivers are doing or may do along with traffic and road conditions.

Other toold to consider, If you drive in areas where there is laser enforcement look at a laser jammer and/or veil, if speed cameras are a problem look at the NavAlert.

Learn on how to use your tools effectively and their limitations. If you're the leader of a pack watch out for instant on. It is sometimes better to slow down just a bit to get a "rabbit" out in front so they can take the Instant On fall.

There is a ton of good info here on the site and it is a great community. Welcome to the forum

hey, thanks a lot..

yea, i know a radar detector is just a tool.. not a license to speed like a mad man.. but over the past few days, its been amazing.. even just to see where you get clocked

the first day, i was driving down a local road, and it started going off, so i looked around... this guy in a lexus passes me like im standing still, and right around the corner, there he was, and i just drove by and laughed...

for the future, i might think about getting a jammer.. ive seen a few videos and how they work, and it seems interesting.. so its probably something to look into

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Originally Posted by five to one

Really their is only one way to know 100% if its a false alarm. Spec mode, shows the actually frequency of the radar its picking up, and you have to memorize the ones that are acctually frequency's of radar guns, and which are door openers and other things like that. You got to watch out though for the places that you know they are false alarms if a cop hides next to what you know is a "false alarm" you could get busted if you don't pay attention. You got to look for a second bar which means its detecting 2 radars... that can happen though with two doors as well but im just trying to give you examples.

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yea, ive just been using the normal mode, and my theory is, when it goes off, watch your butt, and slow down if youre speeding.. even if its a false alarm, better safe than sorry

ill have to give the spec mode a try, its probably better to use, as it can show multiple hits...

how does it go off though, does it beep differently, or the same?