Let's talk radar detectors

$M2 · 01-01-2019, 12:16 PM

I have been out of the "detector" market for quite awhile. So I did the research thing and have determined that Escort, Belltronics and Valentine are the big 3.

I would use a blend mount with hard tap to the mirror for installation.

So what are you currently or contemplating using? What influenced your decision? And how many issues with the sensors for false triggers? I have read the thread on our windshield and interference but practical everyday users have the real perspective.

Thanks in advance.

LostX · 01-01-2019, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by $M2

I have been out of the "detector" market for quite awhile. So I did the research thing and have determined that Escort, Belltronics and Valentine are the big 3.

I would use a blend mount with hard tap to the mirror for installation.

So what are you currently or contemplating using? What influenced your decision? And how many issues with the sensors for false triggers? I have read the thread on our windshield and interference but practical everyday users have the real perspective.

Thanks in advance.

How do they compare with Thinkware and Blackvue?

BMWZ4 · 01-01-2019, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LostX

Quote:

Originally Posted by $M2

I have been out of the "detector" market for quite awhile. So I did the research thing and have determined that Escort, Belltronics and Valentine are the big 3.

I would use a blend mount with hard tap to the mirror for installation.

So what are you currently or contemplating using? What influenced your decision? And how many issues with the sensors for false triggers? I have read the thread on our windshield and interference but practical everyday users have the real perspective.

Thanks in advance.

How do they compare with Thinkware and Blackvue?

Those are dash cams, OP is asking about radar detectors.

OP, I went with Beltronics based on other user's feedback, specifically around laser detection tech used by OPP and Surete in Quebec

So far so good, a few false alarms here & there but not a constant issue.

AnOldBiker · 01-01-2019, 01:39 PM

Am I wrong, or are we talking apples to oranges ?
Thinkware & Blackvue are dash cams (or apples),
Escort, Belltronics and Valentine are radar detectors (oranges).

LostX · 01-01-2019, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnOldBiker

Am I wrong, or are we talking apples to oranges ?
Thinkware & Blackvue are dash cams (or apples),
Escort, Belltronics and Valentine are radar detectors (oranges).

Nope, you guys are right, I was thinking incorrectly.

TXSoxFan · 01-01-2019, 04:40 PM

Head over to RDforum.org . All you could ever want to know about detectors, etc.

$M2 · 01-01-2019, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CASoxFan

Head over to RDforum.org . All you could ever want to know about detectors, etc.

Thanks. Been all over that forum. Just wondering with our windshields if there are any specific issues with interference.

Orient330iNYC · 01-01-2019, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by $M2

Thanks. Been all over that forum. Just wondering with our windshields if there are any specific issues with interference.

if you have gesture control, you may have a non stop rear laser alert.
ended up putting some gaffers tape over the emitter thats on the roof console, even shutting off gesture control does not disable the emitter.

$M2 · 01-01-2019, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orient330iNYC

if you have gesture control, you may have a non stop rear laser alert.
ended up putting some gaffers tape over the emitter thats on the roof console, even shutting off gesture control does not disable the emitter.

Thank you for the info. That is what I was looking for.

MechX3M40i · 01-01-2019, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by $M2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orient330iNYC

if you have gesture control, you may have a non stop rear laser alert.
ended up putting some gaffers tape over the emitter thats on the roof console, even shutting off gesture control does not disable the emitter.

Thank you for the info. That is what I was looking for.

Another member posted a thread about this with a YouTube video. You might want to check it out...

Radar Detector Laser keeps going off.. found interior location https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1569184

Jeepersjoey · 01-01-2019, 08:17 PM

Mine is a Escort 360.
Mounted under the rear view mirror.

No issues with mine. Works just fine. No false alarms that are apparently caused by my car.

I leave in Highway mode.

Paul

Rhidium · 01-01-2019, 08:51 PM

Yup.. Look at the video for the position of your gesture control or it will drive you nuts setting off the laser warning.

I have a Valentine One and it senses the Ka band easily. Haven't seen any issues with it. Very little tasks alarm on its logic mode. I have no experience with other brands (been a V1 user for over 20 years and it has worked great)

darrylo · 01-02-2019, 01:44 AM

Earlier discussion of radar detectors and gesture control: https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1477151

therealtk · 01-02-2019, 09:04 AM

I've got a valentine one mounted under the mirror with near constant laser false alarms which, is stemming from the gesture control. I'm planning on programming the laser function off to remedy.

verysideways · 01-02-2019, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by therealtk

I've got a valentine one mounted under the mirror with near constant laser false alarms which, is stemming from the gesture control. I'm planning on programming the laser function off to remedy.

Why not turn off gesture control instead?

Rhidium · 01-02-2019, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by verysideways

Why not turn off gesture control instead?

Turning it off doesn't turn off the sensor detecting the gestures hence it's still emitting the wavelength to set off the laser warning.

I've determined that the whole thing is coming from the gesture system.. I've covered the sensor and it doesn't go off anymore. The thought that it was coming from the rear view mirror was partially wrong.. it was reflecting, not refracting the signal from the gesture control.

EvanF · 01-02-2019, 10:22 AM

Tangential question: am I correct in assuming the 12v "cigarette lighter " plug in the front console (2019 X3, non-wireless) is always on rather than switching on/off with the car? Will leaving a radar detector plugged in 24/7 kill the battery, or does the car have some way of cutting the power when the battery gets too low?
Thanks!

MechX3M40i · 01-02-2019, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvanF

Tangential question: am I correct in assuming the 12v "cigarette lighter " plug in the front console (2019 X3, non-wireless) is always on rather than switching on/off with the car? Will leaving a radar detector plugged in 24/7 kill the battery, or does the car have some way of cutting the power when the battery gets too low?
Thanks!

That outlet will be cut off when car is shut down. So no issues with slow battery drain.

Wgosma · 01-02-2019, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhidium

Yup.. Look at the video for the position of your gesture control or it will drive you nuts setting off the laser warning.

I have a Valentine One and it senses the Ka band easily. Haven't seen any issues with it. Very little tasks alarm on its logic mode. I have no experience with other brands (been a V1 user for over 20 years and it has worked great)

+1 re: V-1. Been using my 13 y/o unit in each car Ive purchased; detector plus one eye glued to the rear view mirror = no excess speed violations.

bmwgrande · 01-02-2019, 11:17 AM

I have a V1 as well. I programmed off the laser detection so as not to go crazy with the gesture control creating false alerts. I'm running the cable to the 12v plug at the rear of the center console, and have it mounted with a BlendMount.

Between the excellent detection range of the V1 and using Waze via Apple Carplay, I've so far not had any issues (knock on wood). And for the past 12 years of using the V1, the only two times I've ever been tagged were both in VA when the cops were pacing me in undercover cars, one apparently from 4 lanes over and a couple hundred feet back.

deladude · 01-02-2019, 12:44 PM

I use a V1 that I've had for well over ten years now and it has paid for itself ten fold. I drive the I89 corridor a lot and NY Highway Patrol is usually very active. It saves my ass on the regular.

Honestly I haven't looked at the market recently either so my opinion is probably dated but the directional detection and range is why I went with V1. At the time Passport was the only competitor that came close to the range V1 has and that matters a lot.

FWIW most of us found that mirror tapping in G01 is not viable. I used a fuse tap and it worked out great, no wire splicing. I have it mounted directly below the rear view mirror and haven't had any issues (no gesture controls here).

Rhidium · 01-02-2019, 01:58 PM

Happy to hear others have the same great experience with V1..

01-01-2019, 12:16 PM	#1
$M2 Private 72 Rep 87 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Let's talk radar detectors I have been out of the "detector" market for quite awhile. So I did the research thing and have determined that Escort, Belltronics and Valentine are the big 3. I would use a blend mount with hard tap to the mirror for installation. So what are you currently or contemplating using? What influenced your decision? And how many issues with the sensors for false triggers? I have read the thread on our windshield and interference but practical everyday users have the real perspective. Thanks in advance.
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01-01-2019, 01:39 PM	#4
AnOldBiker Jim 270 Rep 156 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 XDrive 40i Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Land of Retirement iTrader: (0)	Am I wrong, or are we talking apples to oranges ? Thinkware & Blackvue are dash cams (or apples), Escort, Belltronics and Valentine are radar detectors (oranges).
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01-01-2019, 04:40 PM	#6
TXSoxFan Second Lieutenant 54 Rep 244 Posts Drives: 2018 M3 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Head over to RDforum.org . All you could ever want to know about detectors, etc.
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01-01-2019, 08:17 PM	#11
Jeepersjoey Stay Tuned! 297 Rep 390 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 m40i Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: North Denvah iTrader: (0)	Mine is a Escort 360. Mounted under the rear view mirror. No issues with mine. Works just fine. No false alarms that are apparently caused by my car. I leave in Highway mode. Paul
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01-01-2019, 08:51 PM	#12
Rhidium Lieutenant 274 Rep 426 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Yup.. Look at the video for the position of your gesture control or it will drive you nuts setting off the laser warning. I have a Valentine One and it senses the Ka band easily. Haven't seen any issues with it. Very little tasks alarm on its logic mode. I have no experience with other brands (been a V1 user for over 20 years and it has worked great)
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01-02-2019, 01:44 AM	#13
darrylo Head Idiot 251 Rep 551 Posts Drives: 2018 G01 X3 x30i Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: US iTrader: (0)	Earlier discussion of radar detectors and gesture control: https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1477151
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01-02-2019, 09:04 AM	#14
therealtk Private 64 Rep 72 Posts Drives: '12 E92 ZCP Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Geneva, IL iTrader: (0)	I've got a valentine one mounted under the mirror with near constant laser false alarms which, is stemming from the gesture control. I'm planning on programming the laser function off to remedy.
	Appreciate 1 $M271.50 Quote

01-02-2019, 10:22 AM	#17
EvanF New Member 4 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Texas, USA iTrader: (0)	Tangential question: am I correct in assuming the 12v "cigarette lighter " plug in the front console (2019 X3, non-wireless) is always on rather than switching on/off with the car? Will leaving a radar detector plugged in 24/7 kill the battery, or does the car have some way of cutting the power when the battery gets too low? Thanks!
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01-02-2019, 11:17 AM	#20
bmwgrande Private First Class 83 Rep 178 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: CT iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW X3 M40i [0.00] 2006 BMW 325i [0.00] 2010 BMW X3 xDrive30i [0.00]	I have a V1 as well. I programmed off the laser detection so as not to go crazy with the gesture control creating false alerts. I'm running the cable to the 12v plug at the rear of the center console, and have it mounted with a BlendMount. Between the excellent detection range of the V1 and using Waze via Apple Carplay, I've so far not had any issues (knock on wood). And for the past 12 years of using the V1, the only two times I've ever been tagged were both in VA when the cops were pacing me in undercover cars, one apparently from 4 lanes over and a couple hundred feet back. __________________ 2019 X3 M40i Alpine White
	Appreciate 1 $M271.50 Quote

01-02-2019, 12:44 PM	#21
deladude Second Lieutenant 266 Rep 294 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Vermont iTrader: (0)	I use a V1 that I've had for well over ten years now and it has paid for itself ten fold. I drive the I89 corridor a lot and NY Highway Patrol is usually very active. It saves my ass on the regular. Honestly I haven't looked at the market recently either so my opinion is probably dated but the directional detection and range is why I went with V1. At the time Passport was the only competitor that came close to the range V1 has and that matters a lot. FWIW most of us found that mirror tapping in G01 is not viable. I used a fuse tap and it worked out great, no wire splicing. I have it mounted directly below the rear view mirror and haven't had any issues (no gesture controls here).
	Appreciate 1 $M271.50 Quote

01-02-2019, 01:58 PM	#22
Rhidium Lieutenant 274 Rep 426 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Happy to hear others have the same great experience with V1..
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