Pulled over twice in one month now with no alert. Faulty detector or new radar band?

[Silverado12]

Ok, so the stationary unit told me 500ft, but I dont believe there is any chance in hell that is accurate. Just based on my estimate I saw him at least 1200ft away and braked hard to 55. I have an Audi with 4 piston brakes so this happens pretty fast.

I specifically asked him if he hit me with laser, and he said no, just radar. I made a joke like "well I guess this thing {RD} isn't worth a damn". I almost thought he might have been shooting X-band because they have an old mid 90's crown vic and it is their only unit. X was turned off on my detector at the time. I was actually planning on pleading not guilty and asking for all the gun records through discovery. The courts here will generally lower your fine and points just for taking the time to show up.

As for the rolling unit it was a brand new charger with all of the bells and whistles, cowbar, blacked out grill, rear radar guns, the whole works.

Considering you specifically asked the first LEO, I'd have to assume he did tell the truth & it was radar. As for the second LEO in the Charger, there's no way in h*ll they had an X band gun in there, lol.

At this point, it's pretty safe to assume that this wasn't C/O; I don't care how out of tune your 8500 may be, there's no way it would miss two sources like that unless it was straight up dead. If your 8500 still picks up door openers, it would've sounded to those cops. A tune-up may be in store for your 8500, but at this point, I wouldn't spend the money. It sounds like your area is adopting I/O & Q/T, and in that case, your best route is to upgrade your equipment to a RD that excels at Q/T detection such as a V1 or Sti-R Plus. Also, make sure you keep rabbits out in front of you if you want to stand a chance. Remember, even the best equipment in the world still can't save you from a well-timed I/O shot.

[kpatz]

Welcome to the forum Pip.

I agree with prior assessments here... either your 8500 is in need of a tune-up or the cops in your area are getting sneaky with QT I/O tactics. Maybe a little of both--that 8500 is what, at least 7 years old now? It's probably drifted out of spec by now. It's served you well (and certainly paid for itself many times over over the years).. either send it out for a tune-up or put it into retirement and get something more capable against today's threats like a V1 or STi-R+.

Like others have said, it's extremely unlikely that you were hit with X band. It's equally unlikely you were hit with POP either. If you decide to fight the ticket, see if you can get the information on the gun that was used, and calibration records.

Start thinking about laser jammers too. They're the only reliable protection against laser. You'll need something like an LI Quad or a Blinder M47 so you can cover both ends of your car, since it sounds like they do rear laser shots there.

P.S. What kind of Audi do you drive? I'm guessing one of the S-series (S4, S6 etc.) if it has good brakes.

[protias]

Where were these encounters?

[powerpickle]

Since he gave a distance and said that radar was used and not laser then he lied and used laser.
Laser measures distance which is equated into speed. Microwave radar does not measure distance,only speed. He could have used radar and guessed at the distance. You guessed 1200 feet and he said 500. You guessed just under a 1/4 mile and he said just under 1/8. Not much difference that happens fast when traveling 55 plus.

[Pip]

Where were these encounters?

First was in the Town of Emmet, right outside of watertown.

Second was in rural Green Lake County.

[protias]

I'm not familiar with those areas so I do not know their tactics. Remember, no counter measurement gives 100% protection.

[SpeedUp]

Sounds to me like you were owned by Quick Trigger. Escort doesn't see a problem with it though so you might want to look into another detector if LEOs in your area are using this tactic. You can try a tune up but it's very unlikely to make it any better at QT response time.

[protias]

Sounds to me like you were owned by Quick Trigger. Escort doesn't see a problem with it though so you might want to look into another detector if LEOs in your area are using this tactic. You can try a tune up but it's very unlikely to make it any better at QT response time.

I have yet to see it in WI, but then again, it doesn't mean it doesn't exist either here.

[Palut]

My 8500 X50 saved me many times over several years, but eventually it got to a point where some days it wouldn't alert to the speed sign on my way home, even when the sign was displaying my speed. Without that speed sign, I'd likely have received a radar ticket.

Get a tune up, your detector is probably just old.

[Born2DV8]

Ok, so the stationary unit told me 500ft, but I dont believe there is any chance in hell that is accurate. Just based on my estimate I saw him at least 1200ft away and braked hard to 55. I have an Audi with 4 piston brakes so this happens pretty fast.

I specifically asked him if he hit me with laser, and he said no, just radar. I made a joke like "well I guess this thing {RD} isn't worth a damn". I almost thought he might have been shooting X-band because they have an old mid 90's crown vic and it is their only unit. X was turned off on my detector at the time. I was actually planning on pleading not guilty and asking for all the gun records through discovery. The courts here will generally lower your fine and points just for taking the time to show up.

As for the rolling unit it was a brand new charger with all of the bells and whistles, cowbar, blacked out grill, rear radar guns, the whole works.

Considering you specifically asked the first LEO, I'd have to assume he did tell the truth & it was radar. As for the second LEO in the Charger, there's no way in h*ll they had an X band gun in there, lol.

At this point, it's pretty safe to assume that this wasn't C/O; I don't care how out of tune your 8500 may be, there's no way it would miss two sources like that unless it was straight up dead. If your 8500 still picks up door openers, it would've sounded to those cops. A tune-up may be in store for your 8500, but at this point, I wouldn't spend the money. It sounds like your area is adopting I/O & Q/T, and in that case, your best route is to upgrade your equipment to a RD that excels at Q/T detection such as a V1 or Sti-R Plus. Also, make sure you keep rabbits out in front of you if you want to stand a chance. Remember, even the best equipment in the world still can't save you from a well-timed I/O shot.

Yes - Rabbits are a gift from the RD gods and their value is not to be overlooked :-) More rabbits = less tickets