FuzzBuster issue...

I know that most of this is my fault for having such an old radar detector, but I thought it was interesting. I've got a Uniden radar/laser detector that I've had for probably 7 years. It has always done the trick for me. I know there are better, but the places I drive don't require a $400 detector. Anyway, in my Integra I would always set off the laser detector every time I adjusted my side mirrors. I have no idea why it did that, but it did. When I put the unit in the Legacy the laser goes off about every 20 seconds while just driving. I can find absolutely no tie to what I'm doing and the randomness of the alert. Changing it from highway to city mode doesn't change a thing. Bottom line is that I need a new radar/laser detector. I've always known that, but now I've got a reason to do some shopping.

 

Any idea why it does that? I just thought it was interesting.

Possibly the sunlight sensor used by the ACC? I also had an old Uniden that served me well for like 7 years, and paid for itself over and over and over. But when I got satellite radio the sat receiver would set it off constantly. So I bought a Whistler on Ebay for $60, and it has since paid for itself about 5 times. The Whistler is fine, the range is much better, etc, but nothing matches the simplicity of that old Uniden.

My Uniden goes off if I use the wipers....it's about 7 years old too...

At that age, it's possibel the microwave reciever in the detector has just plain worn out and just about anything will set it off. Same goes for the laser sensor..a few years up on the dash in the sun probly just cooked it to death.

valentine 1

How did I know someone would suggest the Valentine...? lol

 

I don't think its cooked yet. I'm sure it is wearing out, but it has always gone off when I've adjusted my mirrors. It did it on my Mustang when I first bought the detector and it has always done it on my Integra. My mother's Uniden did the same thing when she adjusted the mirrors on her SVX. I'll just have to start shopping around and be prepared to make some returns until I find one that doesn't go off.

 

Other than the Valentine (again, I don't need that kind of unit) what radar/laser detectors are you guys using that work well in your Legacys? Suggestions are appreciated.

Yea I am gonna start looking for a new one soon, any suggestions?

I use the Escort Solo 2 - it has saved me many times. I like the fact that there are no wires since it runs on batteries. And it fits perfectly above the mirror.

How long to the batteries typically last? I like the wireless idea too considering the placement of the outlet on the Legacy. I was going to have to hardwire the unit and run the cord behind the dash if I wanted to keep the Uniden. That doesn't work out very well when you need to take the unit down to put up a sun shade. A wireless unit is definitely a great suggestion.

Escort 8500 X50.

I have an 8500 at the moment. I think the only downside to them is I have heard on numerous occasions that the quality is spotty. You can get them cheap on Ebay but Escort will NOT warranty any detector bought on Ebay.

I basicly comes down to two models. If you are serious about having a detector that is going to work and that you can actually trust, you need to choose between the newest Valentine or Escort. Any other brand is just a piece of junk, as illustrated by the fact that power mirriors make them go nuts. Rocky Mountain and Whistler are the same thing, and they're pretty junky. All the walmart brands fit in with just about everything else from walmart.

I'd like to know how 'cheap' is defined as a $250 - $300 radar/laser detector.... lol I think it is going to be cheaper to just watch my speed.

Had the Escort Solo, worked about as good as if I had the 3 blind mice sitting on my hood conveying potential popo up ahead. Valentine 1...awesome!

I'd like to know how 'cheap' is defined as a $250 - $300 radar/laser detector.... lol I think it is going to be cheaper to just watch my speed.

Even though I recommened the Escort, I don't even use my 8500 anymore (and not often in my WRX when I had it), I just speed intelligently. Knowing when it is or isn't an appropriate time to speed is the best "radar detector."

I agree. Every ticket I have gotten would not have been averted by a radar/laser detector. It was just plain stupidity on my part speeding where I should have known better.

I'd agree w/ the above. The only 2 detectors worth considering are the V1, and the 8500. The 8500 is about 90% the detector the V1 is, for about 75% of the price (that's a quote from some test, though I don't recall which).

 

Of course, I'm still using a 4 year old Whistler...

I basicly comes down to two models. If you are serious about having a detector that is going to work and that you can actually trust, you need to choose between the newest Valentine or Escort. Any other brand is just a piece of junk, as illustrated by the fact that power mirriors make them go nuts. Rocky Mountain and Whistler are the same thing, and they're pretty junky. All the walmart brands fit in with just about everything else from walmart.

 

This is completely untrue.

 

What type of detector you need depends 100% on where you live and what type of enforcement the police use there. Here in NJ, the highways and local roads I drive on are patrolled by police using almost 100% constant-on X-band. For this, just about any detector manufactured in the last 5 years will do a perfectly fine job. My $60 Whistler gives on average about 1/2 mile warning (or more) of a constant-on X-band speed trap. That is *plenty* of time to slow down. Sure, a V1 or 8500 is better, but their price premium is not even close to worth it for me or anyone who drives the same roads I do.

 

-Nick

This is completely untrue.

 

What type of detector you need depends 100% on where you live and what type of enforcement the police use there. Here in NJ, the highways and local roads I drive on are patrolled by police using almost 100% constant-on X-band. For this, just about any detector manufactured in the last 5 years will do a perfectly fine job. My $60 Whistler gives on average about 1/2 mile warning (or more) of a constant-on X-band speed trap. That is *plenty* of time to slow down. Sure, a V1 or 8500 is better, but their price premium is not even close to worth it for me or anyone who drives the same roads I do.

 

-Nick

They still USE X-band? Wow...must beep constanly for you with all the convience stores and such...

Do you have any problems with your Legacy's electronics setting off the Whistler? I'm just looking for a cheap replacement for my Uniden. I'm in the same boat as Nick. I'm not doing 80 miles of driving through 50 speed traps a day. I have a 10 mile commute to and from work and the only cops I see are coming the other direction across the three foot concrete barrier. I just like to know where they are...

 

I'm in city mode all the time with my Uniden and that filters out most of the trash signals like grocery stores and banks. I just need a detector that detects radar and laser and not other Legacys. lol

I have a Whistler and it works fine for my purposes. It's 8 years old and as a couple have said, it's sufficent for mild, intellegent speeding. And no, the LGT hasn't set off any false alarms with it.

 

No radar detector can truley protect against instant on radar or laser. Basically you *might* get a few microseconds to scrub off as much speed as you can. The more over the limit you are, the more likely you are busted.....

 

Any cheap detector will protect against cops who leave x, k or Ka on. The worst thing about them is that they do have alot of false alarms from interference, naturally this is less in "city" mode. You can deal with it for $60 or shell out $400...I deal with it.

Do you have any problems with your Legacy's electronics setting off the Whistler?

 

No.

They still USE X-band? Wow...must beep constanly for you with all the convience stores and such...

 

Yup. Just one of the many sucky parts of living in NJ.

Boy, I hate getting into this detector mess, as I have on other carlists that I've been in!! I have coined the term "Val-1 Groupies" that has been used extensively!! ;-)

 

FWIW, I have been using Escort products for 22 years, and most of them have been the battery-powered Passports and then the Solos.

 

For more background, my last four speeding tickets, dating back to 1989, have been:

 

VASCAR MI State Police 1989

 

VASCAR IN State police 1992 (2) and in 1996.

 

Please note that "NO" detector would have saved my ass on any of these tickets!!!

 

I heartily recommend the Escort battery Solos. The Val-1 does best in tests, but in todays world, long range is next to useless with low-powered instant-on radar guns and laser. Plus, I can use the battery model in rental cars when I go on business trips.

 

IMHO, the arrows on the Val-1 are useless to an experiencd radar detector user. Yes, I have recommended the Val-1 to folks who are (1) not regular detector users, and (2) don't use a detector much (like my brother-in-law).

 

In reality, detectors in todays world are not as valuable as they were in the past with high powered radar/laser guns and ignorant cops. Today, many of the young cops are very knowledgeable about radar detectors.

For the ultimate, how about the Bel Pro RX75-Plus