Wisconsin Detector Needed - Please Advise

Hey guys: First post. I travel I-94 in Wisconsin and occasionally travel into the Twin Cities. Haven't had a radar detector in 20+ years but got a stupid ticket just daydreaming 56 in a 35 as it went from 55 to 35. Also, haven't had a speeding ticket in 20+ years.

Anyway I have to visit the county D.A. to get him to knock it down a couple and then go on with life.

I need to pick up a unit to save me from getting another ticket. I have read quite a bit on this site and looked at the 8500 X50 (which has just went up in price the last few days - according to Google Shopping) and need advice from you experts. For mainly Wisconsin/Minnesota travel should I purchase a used 8500 X50? Would a used one hold up. I see in the south they shut down from heat. I see some need to be re-calibrated. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

What drew you to the x50?

Where are you driving to the twin cities from?

WSP primarily uses LIDAR, with some I/O K and Ka.

Detector wont help with the LIDAR, but you'll need decent range to get the bursts of I/O from traffic ahead, good thing is they tend to just hit the front of each pack when they run I/O so you'll see bursts pretty frequently during the daytime speed traps. CB may be more benifical for the road, but not gonna help ya when the limit drops going through the tiny one stop sign towns.

The week-end ticket was stupid. I drive I-94 Eau Claire, WI to the Minnesota border for work two days a week. Make it to the airport and Mall of America Area each month. I see on I-94 heading East just about every day the State Patrol is pointing his device - I don't know what it is. Is that IO? Since my ticket I have backed off some.

The 8500 - X50 just from reading things and the price. Don't need to break the bank. Although if a used 8500 X50 will not be good investment, I could spring for a newer model. In Wisconsin my 21 over is $225 and 6 points. One more ticket within a year and I'm done. Not to mention insurance increases.

I love my V1. I'm mostly in the SE part of the state but do my fair share of traveling. It is not illegal to have a radar detector in MN, but it is illegal to have things hanging on your windshield. I don't know how much it is enforced, but the couple of times I've been out that way, I haven't had any second looks at my car.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Arkansaw

The week-end ticket was stupid. I drive I-94 Eau Claire, WI to the Minnesota border for work two days a week. Make it to the airport and Mall of America Area each month. I see on I-94 heading East just about every day the State Patrol is pointing his device - I don't know what it is. Is that IO? Since my ticket I have backed off some.

The 8500 - X50 just from reading things and the price. Don't need to break the bank. Although if a used 8500 X50 will not be good investment, I could spring for a newer model. In Wisconsin my 21 over is $225 and 6 points. One more ticket within a year and I'm done. Not to mention insurance increases.

---

I/O is instant on, were the shut the radar off so detector users won't know they're their until the radar comes on in an instant.

Pointing the device at you car, holding it up to his eye with lenses on the front is LIDAR, more commonly called laser.

I'd suggest looking at the factory refurbished escort detectors on ebay, and investing the money into a laser jammer for true defense against laser guns.


What kind of vehicle do you drive?

I drive an 96 Oldsmobile Aurora. Fantastic car! However, I am going to give that to my daughter and drive a cash for clucker 2009 Nissan Sentra (no laughs).

I did find the refurbs on e-bay for around $200. Unfortunately the Nissan does not have any power going to the mirror as I was going to draw power there. Question: I see the 8500 X50 have a mute on the power cord - If I hardwire it into the fuse panel, I assume you will not have the mute ability. Or is this a bad idea to have it on your visor hardwired? I also have a Jeep so I will be using it in two vehicles. How much for a Laser Jammer? What model? I probably don't need to spend the money for a V1 because I am not traveling a long distance every day.

I cannot speak on the 8500s as I'm not too well versed in those, but with a hardwired V1, you will have the ability to mute it.

Laser Jammers are expensive, for the M27, that is about 450, the Laser Interceptor 2 heads is about 750. If you aren't going to spend the money on a V1, I doubt you'll spend it on a laser jammer.

I could spring for a V1, I have not studied them much. What about different versions, updates, etc. I see them prices about $490 to $600 +.

A basic V1 will run you ~$405 shipped. That includes: windshield mount; visor mount; lighter adapter; power cord, coiled; power cord, straight; direct-wire power adapter; wiring-harness connector; owner's manual; spare suction cups; spare fuse. 30-day Money-Back Guarantee. There are also no official V1 resellers. ;)

Read information on the link you provided. That seems to be the way to go. I'll order that and put it under the tree from Santa. Thanks for helping me out. The V1 seems to be worth the extra money. Thanks again.

You say basic model - is there more than one mode? Are RDs legal in Ontario Canada?