radar detectors

professor · 05-13-2008, 12:08 AM

i have never used one of these so i thought i'd ask your views on using radar detectors. do they work? if so, what should one look out for when getting a good one?

cozza · 05-13-2008, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by professor

What should one look out for when getting a good one?

Cops :wink:

Seriously though, never had one. Given that they're illegal, they're not cheap. I wouldn't risk having one in Melbourne.

Zuzu · 05-13-2008, 12:38 AM

Illegal in NSW..
Attract 6 demerit points and massive fine..

professor · 05-13-2008, 12:41 AM

righty ho, not worth it then. thanks.

SimonB · 05-13-2008, 04:40 AM

Still legal in Western Australia, FYI...

d3syd · 05-13-2008, 04:43 AM

Illegal in all states except WA, still I have one. Planning to use it in my 1er, can mount it in the tinted band on the top edge of the windscreen and wiring it up to the interior light so there is no visible cord.

jcw2006aus · 05-13-2008, 05:04 AM

As said before, BELL do a remote mount one the detector unit is in the front grill and back window and the controller nicely mounted in the cabin "somewhere" also has a LASER blocker, works very well!. the radar detector controller is the one on top the bottom one is the coilover dampening rate adjustment.

d3syd · 05-13-2008, 05:09 AM

I have a Bel STi driver which is meant to be undetectable by detector detectors.

Endre · 05-13-2008, 07:28 AM

Expensive tho.:s

d3syd · 05-13-2008, 07:32 AM

Hellooo Norway!

Endre · 05-13-2008, 08:34 AM

And hellooo Australia.

dodgey · 05-13-2008, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endre

And hellooo Australia.

LOL nice weather in Norway then?

d3syd · 05-13-2008, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dodgey

LOL nice weather in Norway then?

Summer there would be similar to a Tasmanian winter, I'd hazard a guess.

amk2912 · 05-13-2008, 10:21 AM

I've got a Valentine V1 in my 130i. So far it has saved my bacon about a dozen times - mostly Ka band Multanovas but also twice with laser guns. The Multanova warnings ranged from as short as 50m to as far away as 250m.

Good thing they are legal in WA but I have to admit more often than not I've been saved by someone oncoming flashing their headlights - that's not too legal in our Nanny State.

I reckon drivers should adopt a warning sign like the Vulcan greeting to oncoming traffic. Looks like a friendly wave but really it means watch out for the Kojak with the Kodak.

amk2912 · 05-13-2008, 10:23 AM

d3syd........if you mount your detector in the shade band doesn't that reduce it's effectiveness?

Endre · 05-13-2008, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d3syd

Summer there would be similar to a Tasmanian winter, I'd hazard a guess.

lol, cant complain now. Have about 16*c and sun.

d3syd · 05-14-2008, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amk2912

d3syd........if you mount your detector in the shade band doesn't that reduce it's effectiveness?

I would imagine that the tinted band may have some effect on the reception of laser because laser is optical, but it shouldn't effect the other bands as they are radio frequencies.

d3syd · 05-14-2008, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endre

lol, cant complain now. Have about 16*c and sun.

That's about what we have here now. I was right:smile:

BMWDave · 06-25-2008, 08:55 AM

I've not even received my car yet but have decided to procure a radar dector based on the test drive. I can easily and frequently see my speed creeping up over the legal limit before i've even realised so I've got myself a Bel STi-R. It's a remote installed detector so only the display and control modules are visible in cabin. No windscreen mount. Trouble is that it's not portable between cars. Can rip it out though once (if) I go to sell the car obviously but can't switch between cars on a daily basis.

cozza · 06-25-2008, 09:09 AM

Geez Dave, not cheap at $1300!

BMWDave · 06-25-2008, 09:47 AM

No kidding. Although I have friends in the industry and got it a little (only a little) cheaper than that. When you weigh up the monetary value of fines + demerit points and the impact they have on things like your insurance premiums (which are expensive enuf even with clean driving records and max NCB's), I can justify the outlay.

WAY · 06-25-2008, 10:02 AM

Mike Valentine is a member of a forum I frequent, and I have heard a lot of good things about his products. But heck, he already has a 911 turbo and Carrera GT amongst his collections, and every Valentine 1 unit you buy will just go towards contributing to his car collection.

05-13-2008, 12:08 AM	#1
professor Major 46 Rep 1,473 Posts Drives: Z4 M40i Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	radar detectors i have never used one of these so i thought i'd ask your views on using radar detectors. do they work? if so, what should one look out for when getting a good one?
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05-13-2008, 12:38 AM	#3
Zuzu Major General 2816 Rep 7,637 Posts Drives: M2C HS 6MT Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sydney Australia iTrader: (0)	Illegal in NSW.. Attract 6 demerit points and massive fine..
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05-13-2008, 12:41 AM	#4
professor Major 46 Rep 1,473 Posts Drives: Z4 M40i Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	righty ho, not worth it then. thanks.
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05-13-2008, 04:40 AM	#5
SimonB 135 to 335 M Sport to X3 30d M Sport 164 Rep 1,788 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 30d, optioned up! Join Date: May 2008 Location: Perth, Western Australia iTrader: (0)	Still legal in Western Australia, FYI...
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05-13-2008, 04:43 AM	#6
d3syd Major 50 Rep 1,474 Posts Drives: 135i MT, LMB, ProNav Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Scamander, Tasmania iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i Coupe [0.00]	Illegal in all states except WA, still I have one. Planning to use it in my 1er, can mount it in the tinted band on the top edge of the windscreen and wiring it up to the interior light so there is no visible cord. __________________ Fun Car: 135i Manual LeMans Blue / Beige Leather / Grey Poplar / pro nav / euro plates. Delivered 24 June 08 Family Car: Land Rover Discovery 4 SDV6 Spare Car: Volvo V70 Sydney Car: MB 420SEL
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05-13-2008, 05:04 AM	#7
jcw2006aus Private First Class 6 Rep 136 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	As said before, BELL do a remote mount one the detector unit is in the front grill and back window and the controller nicely mounted in the cabin "somewhere" also has a LASER blocker, works very well!. the radar detector controller is the one on top the bottom one is the coilover dampening rate adjustment. Attached Images
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05-13-2008, 05:09 AM	#8
d3syd Major 50 Rep 1,474 Posts Drives: 135i MT, LMB, ProNav Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Scamander, Tasmania iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i Coupe [0.00]	I have a Bel STi driver which is meant to be undetectable by detector detectors. __________________ Fun Car: 135i Manual LeMans Blue / Beige Leather / Grey Poplar / pro nav / euro plates. Delivered 24 June 08 Family Car: Land Rover Discovery 4 SDV6 Spare Car: Volvo V70 Sydney Car: MB 420SEL
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05-13-2008, 07:28 AM	#9
Endre Lieutenant 17 Rep 420 Posts Drives: E36 M3 3.2 (321hp) Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Molde iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E82 120d [10.00]	Expensive tho.:s __________________ 120d, M-sport, H&R springs,Remus Exhaust, 135I kidneys, 18"BMW performance with Toyo T1R.(summer) 17" style 207 with Michelin Xice(winter), 17" M3 replica with Toyo R888 (Track), Hardwired H/K GPS 810. SOLD! Now driving E36 M3 3.2 (321Hp) Track and Autox
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05-13-2008, 07:32 AM	#10
d3syd Major 50 Rep 1,474 Posts Drives: 135i MT, LMB, ProNav Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Scamander, Tasmania iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i Coupe [0.00]	Hellooo Norway! __________________ Fun Car: 135i Manual LeMans Blue / Beige Leather / Grey Poplar / pro nav / euro plates. Delivered 24 June 08 Family Car: Land Rover Discovery 4 SDV6 Spare Car: Volvo V70 Sydney Car: MB 420SEL
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05-13-2008, 08:34 AM	#11
Endre Lieutenant 17 Rep 420 Posts Drives: E36 M3 3.2 (321hp) Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Molde iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E82 120d [10.00]	And hellooo Australia. __________________ 120d, M-sport, H&R springs,Remus Exhaust, 135I kidneys, 18"BMW performance with Toyo T1R.(summer) 17" style 207 with Michelin Xice(winter), 17" M3 replica with Toyo R888 (Track), Hardwired H/K GPS 810. SOLD! Now driving E36 M3 3.2 (321Hp) Track and Autox
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05-13-2008, 10:21 AM	#14
amk2912 Lieutenant Colonel 87 Rep 1,663 Posts Drives: '10 X5 40d & '12 F10 520d Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Perth iTrader: (0)	I've got a Valentine V1 in my 130i. So far it has saved my bacon about a dozen times - mostly Ka band Multanovas but also twice with laser guns. The Multanova warnings ranged from as short as 50m to as far away as 250m. Good thing they are legal in WA but I have to admit more often than not I've been saved by someone oncoming flashing their headlights - that's not too legal in our Nanny State. I reckon drivers should adopt a warning sign like the Vulcan greeting to oncoming traffic. Looks like a friendly wave but really it means watch out for the Kojak with the Kodak.
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05-13-2008, 10:23 AM	#15
amk2912 Lieutenant Colonel 87 Rep 1,663 Posts Drives: '10 X5 40d & '12 F10 520d Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Perth iTrader: (0)	d3syd........if you mount your detector in the shade band doesn't that reduce it's effectiveness?
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06-25-2008, 08:55 AM	#19
BMWDave Totally Add1cted 17 Rep 503 Posts Drives: X1 Xdrive23d Join Date: May 2008 Location: Perth, Australia iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW X1 23d [7.66]	I've not even received my car yet but have decided to procure a radar dector based on the test drive. I can easily and frequently see my speed creeping up over the legal limit before i've even realised so I've got myself a Bel STi-R. It's a remote installed detector so only the display and control modules are visible in cabin. No windscreen mount. Trouble is that it's not portable between cars. Can rip it out though once (if) I go to sell the car obviously but can't switch between cars on a daily basis. __________________ Proud new owner of a X1 23d in Jet Black
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06-25-2008, 09:09 AM	#20
cozza ///Mthusiast 135 Rep 1,751 Posts Drives: M135i (March delivery) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	Geez Dave, not cheap at $1300! __________________ ///M135i: AUTO \| ALPINE WHITE \| CORAL RED LEATHER \| HEATED SEATS \| SUNROOF \| NAV \| DAB TUNER \| HARMAN KARDON \| PERFORMANCE BITS 'N' PIECES
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06-25-2008, 09:47 AM	#21
BMWDave Totally Add1cted 17 Rep 503 Posts Drives: X1 Xdrive23d Join Date: May 2008 Location: Perth, Australia iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW X1 23d [7.66]	No kidding. Although I have friends in the industry and got it a little (only a little) cheaper than that. When you weigh up the monetary value of fines + demerit points and the impact they have on things like your insurance premiums (which are expensive enuf even with clean driving records and max NCB's), I can justify the outlay. __________________ Proud new owner of a X1 23d in Jet Black
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06-25-2008, 10:02 AM	#22
WAY Brigadier General 458 Rep 4,822 Posts Drives: Fast ones Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	Mike Valentine is a member of a forum I frequent, and I have heard a lot of good things about his products. But heck, he already has a 911 turbo and Carrera GT amongst his collections, and every Valentine 1 unit you buy will just go towards contributing to his car collection.
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