newbie doing some shopping. . .

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10-09-2005, 04:58 PM
tonybelding

newbie doing some shopping. . .

I got my Lotus Esprit a couple of weeks ago. It's been many years since I ever had a speeding ticket -- but this is the hottest car I've ever owned, and I think this might be time to finally acquire some countermeasures. The Lotus attracts more attention than my old Bonneville!

I've been doing some homework. . . I've got half a mind to get a Laser Blinder installed first, and then figure out what kind of radar detector later. And then the other half is thinking, maybe I should get a whole integrated remote detector and laser jammer installed in one shot.

I like the idea of having the detector out of sight. I'm not so sure about compromised performance from that kind of system, tho. I'm also concerned about getting something that can be installed neatly, including controls in the *limited* cabin space of the Lotus.

Anybody care to offer pointers? I'll be grateful for any.
10-09-2005, 05:36 PM
crazyVOLVOrob

a system like the BEL RX75 Plus would be right for what you need...

If you are pretty handy you can deise your own mount for a dash mount detector to look hidden...I'd do that if i got a V1 and then get a AntiLaser AL6 laser jammer
10-09-2005, 06:35 PM
compu44

My vote is with the RX75 Plus as well. Good radar detection, and good jamming to front and rear on everything except stealth mode laser (not common at all).
10-09-2005, 11:23 PM
tjbender

A Lotus Espirit? Holy Mongolia--what year? Are we talking a newer model, or one of the classic James Bond cars of the 1970s? Freakin' sweet either way!

My suggestion would be to throw down a lot of money--if you've got a Lotus, odds are you've got the money to do this. Get a brand-new V1 and hardwire it. That way you've got the best detection, and it's closer to out of sight than hanging from the windshield (a radar detector hanging from the windshield of a Lotus is like begging any officer nearby to pull you over). Then get a can of Veil and coat the front headlights and front plate (if you have one).

Now the hard part--waiting. Wait until the AL6 comes out and is tested before deciding between it and the Blinder. If the production models are anything like the prototypes, you'd be virtually invisible to lidar.

If you spent all your money on the Lotus itself, then go for the absolute highest end you can afford. With a Lotus, I'd say a V1 is a must, as is a Blinder M20.

Very nice purchase you've made--I'd love to see a picture of the car. Just so I can drool some, ya know?
10-09-2005, 11:58 PM
f_399

For such a nice car... match it up with only the best, V1 and a laser jammer

if not, get any of the top 3 and a jammer
10-10-2005, 01:46 AM
stalker

hi m8 welcome...you cant go past Bel ;)

arew detectors banned where u r from?? if so...watch this forum ;)
10-10-2005, 07:04 AM
tonybelding

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcorby

A Lotus Espirit? Holy Mongolia--what year? Are we talking a newer model, or one of the classic James Bond cars of the 1970s?

It's a 1997 model, first year they made the twin-turbo V8.

http://users.htcomp.net/tbelding/img/blue_lotus.jpg

Quote:

Get a brand-new V1 and hardwire it. That way you've got the best detection, and it's closer to out of sight than hanging from the windshield

I'm not sure I follow you there. Where are you saying I should put the V1?

Quote:

Then get a can of Veil and coat the front headlights and front plate (if you have one).

Good news and bad news. . . As you can see from the photo, the Lotus has a low profile, it's a dark color, it has concealed headlights, no chrome on the front. Stealth car! Bad news, Texas requires me to have a front plate. So, I reckon that's where most of the VEIL will go. (And also on the fog lights, which you can't see in that photo because they're down in a hole.)

Quote:

Wait until the AL6 comes out and is tested before deciding between it and the Blinder. If the production models are anything like the prototypes, you'd be virtually invisible to lidar.

This is kind of tough. My inclination is to get something more proven, rather than waiting for a cutting-edge experiment. And there's certainly an appeal to the RX75 Plus, just because the radar detector and laser jamming are integrated into one system.

Quote:

Very nice purchase you've made--I'd love to see a picture of the car. Just so I can drool some, ya know?

Thanks! And since you asked nicely, I'll show you the "desktop wallpaper" image I'm using on my computer now. Warning: it's big. :)

http://users.htcomp.net/tbelding/tra..._1600x1024.jpg
10-10-2005, 07:27 AM
A-TownNavi

:shock: that is one nice car :D
10-10-2005, 12:35 PM
yawaben

Guys.. alot of my friends in CA have there front licence plate off and some of them said that cops have stoped them once or twice but all they do is give them a fix it ticket... i bet its like that in most states and you dont really need to be worryed about it.
10-10-2005, 12:56 PM
Iknox

One thing to solve the Lic's issue in texas "LASER SHIELD" the only way to go or put it inside the car on the window vary tacky but effective
10-10-2005, 04:32 PM
compu44

Seeing that car, i'm not so sure you even need to worry about a jammer. Get a lasershield on the plate and some veil for the foglights and a detector with good laser sensitivity (Valentine One), and you'd be pretty much set.
10-10-2005, 05:21 PM
tjbender

...I'm drooling all over my keyboard. Thank you for that picture. That is an absolutely beautiful car.

As to the topic itself, I'd hardwire the V1 as high as you can. It looks like there's some room above the mirror--perhaps you could have a mechanic rig up some kind of "stealth box" for it so that police don't notice the detcector above the mirror--just a piece of the car's interior that stretches down to the mirror. Odds are most LEOs aren't familiar enough with Lotus cars to know that it isn't supposed to be there anyway--Espirits are not exactly the type of vehicle they pull over every day.

And yes, absolutely cover the front plate in Veil. Cops can get you for putting a plastic shield on top of your plate (they write you for obstructing the plate) if they feel like it, and Veil is virtually invisible, again, unless the LEO knows what they're looking for (they won't).

As to the appeal of the RX75 Plus, it is a very nice combination detector/jammer, no doubt about that, but my theory has always been (and I may well be wrong) that spending more on two things designed to do one job well is better than spending less on one thing designed to do two jobs. For that reason, I'd strongly consider getting a V1 hardwired and then getting a separate jammer. The Blinders are proven to work and great at what they do, but since your car is relatively safe with just the radar detector and Veil for the time being, I'd at least wait for the AL6 to come out and get some real production-model reviews before deciding on a jammer.

As an aside, I believe Texas just became a one-plate state. There's a thread about it in the main forum somewhere.

Can I just say one more time what a beautiful car that is?
10-11-2005, 08:29 PM
tonybelding

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcorby

As an aside, I believe Texas just became a one-plate state. There's a thread about it in the main forum somewhere.

Someone said the law was changed, and someone else said the bill failed in the legislature. I haven't been able to find any kind of news report about it. Until I can find it confirmed somewhere else, I'd better assume that I'm stuck with a front plate.
10-11-2005, 10:45 PM
Road Warrior

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcorby

....And yes, absolutely cover the front plate in Veil. Cops can get you for putting a plastic shield on top of your plate (they write you for obstructing the plate) if they feel like it, and Veil is virtually invisible, again, unless the LEO knows what they're looking for (they won't).

BAD ADVICE... sorry to be so straight with you... Veil is black and darkness a lot... especially the white stuff... it's the best for head/foglights and done in a professional style it's next to impossible somebody to see it... the best for the license plate is the LASER SHIELD, it does NOT obstruct the license plate and eliminates the reflection of the license plate (the best antidot for lidar guns).
If you really want to use Veil on your license plate, my advice is to try first just one corner of the plate and see how it looks like, if you are happy... go ahead and paint the whole license plate!
I have Veil on my front headlights and LaserShield over my front license plate and so far I'm happy with my investments :)
Good luck :)
10-11-2005, 11:34 PM
holein1

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonybelding

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcorby

A Lotus Espirit? Holy Mongolia--what year? Are we talking a newer model, or one of the classic James Bond cars of the 1970s?

It's a 1997 model, first year they made the twin-turbo V8.

http://users.htcomp.net/tbelding/img/blue_lotus.jpg

Quote:

Get a brand-new V1 and hardwire it. That way you've got the best detection, and it's closer to out of sight than hanging from the windshield

I'm not sure I follow you there. Where are you saying I should put the V1?

Quote:

Then get a can of Veil and coat the front headlights and front plate (if you have one).

Good news and bad news. . . As you can see from the photo, the Lotus has a low profile, it's a dark color, it has concealed headlights, no chrome on the front. Stealth car! Bad news, Texas requires me to have a front plate. So, I reckon that's where most of the VEIL will go. (And also on the fog lights, which you can't see in that photo because they're down in a hole.)

Quote:

Wait until the AL6 comes out and is tested before deciding between it and the Blinder. If the production models are anything like the prototypes, you'd be virtually invisible to lidar.

This is kind of tough. My inclination is to get something more proven, rather than waiting for a cutting-edge experiment. And there's certainly an appeal to the RX75 Plus, just because the radar detector and laser jamming are integrated into one system.

Quote:

Very nice purchase you've made--I'd love to see a picture of the car. Just so I can drool some, ya know?

Thanks! And since you asked nicely, I'll show you the "desktop wallpaper" image I'm using on my computer now. Warning: it's big. :)

http://users.htcomp.net/tbelding/tra..._1600x1024.jpg

Nice ride! I beleive the first TT was in 96' not 97'.
10-11-2005, 11:40 PM
crazyVOLVOrob

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road Warrior

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcorby

....And yes, absolutely cover the front plate in Veil. Cops can get you for putting a plastic shield on top of your plate (they write you for obstructing the plate) if they feel like it, and Veil is virtually invisible, again, unless the LEO knows what they're looking for (they won't).

BAD ADVICE... sorry to be so straight with you... Veil is black and darkness a lot... especially the white stuff... it's the best for head/foglights and done in a professional style it's next to impossible somebody to see it... the best for the license plate is the LASER SHIELD, it does NOT obstruct the license plate and eliminates the reflection of the license plate (the best antidot for lidar guns).
If you really want to use Veil on your license plate, my advice is to try first just one corner of the plate and see how it looks like, if you are happy... go ahead and paint the whole license plate!
I have Veil on my front headlights and LaserShield over my front license plate and so far I'm happy with my investments :)
Good luck :)

VEIL is very visible on retro reflective plates which TX has...LaserSheild is virtually invisible
10-12-2005, 05:08 AM
tonybelding

From my understanding (and it's in the Lotus Esprit Fact File), the V8 was introduced with the 1997 model year. It would be S.O.P. for Lotus to begin making and selling those in 1996, just as they have already started making the 2006 Elise this year.