Autopia.org - View Single Post - Which Detector

User Name · 02-13-09, 05:58

Some things to think about (some have been mentioned, some haven't). I've used a bunch of detectors over the last 15 years, including the K40 and the 9500ci, (also test the V1 for 4 months and used an 8500 X-50 for a while).

Although the longest detector I owned as a regular 8500, I think with regards to the question of pure detecting ability, V1 is the champ. The 9500 is close, although frankly I think the Bel STI Driver is a better choice, but that is really not germaine to this discussion.

Problem one is laser. NO DETECTOR is going to save you from a laser gun and laser jammers are only partly successful, so if you drive REALLY fast and you run up on a cop who has a laser gun, your toast. Your detector will be there to give you advance notice about the ticket you just got. That's it. The color of your car will also have an impact on the "detectibility" for a laser gun. A small black car and a laser jammer is more effective than a white Escalade and a laser jammer.

I did a side by side by side comparison (years ago) between a V1, 8500 X-50 and a K40. The K40 was consistently outclassed by the other two. V1 was dominant for X band radar (which is only used in a handfull of States - like NJ where I lived) so be cognizant of what is being used in your area. V1 was slightly better on K band and on KA band it was a virtual tie with the 8500 X-50, with maybe a slight (insignificant) edge to the X-50. The K40 was last in all bands and last by a significant margin in each.

The big problem with the V1 is falsing. Great detector but if you live in an urban area, the V1 is a real PITA. The 9500ci eliminates this problem which is a great feature, but certainly doesn't solve the laser problem.

So here are some things to think about...

1. Don't get caught up in the K40 "we'll pay your ticket" nonsense because the big problem with tickets is the effect on your insurance premiums and not necessarily the tickets themselves.

2. Know the law in your State. I was a practicing attorney in NY State and the law in NY is pretty clear with regards to speedig tickets. Do you know a cop doesn't need to "clock" you on a gun or even pace you in his car? By law, he can "estimate" your speed and write you a ticket based upon his estimation. So, let me give you the scenario. Guy driving North on I-87, doing 95 on a 65. He's got a 9500 + the Escort laser shifter. Cop with a laser gun is hiding in some cover and suddenly his shifter goes off, cop gets jammed but visually estimates the car to be going 90mph (yes I know he's just guessing). That is enough for the ticket to stand. So, guess what, he just made your detector and jammer 100% useless.

Arbitrary? Yes. Capricious? Probably, but legal nevertheless.

3. A detector can be a good tool and save you from tickets IF you use it smartly and don't drive too fast. In my 15 years using a detector I've been stopped twice and each time I talked my way out of a speeding ticket (once he gave me "no seatbelt). I find detectors are actually the best for non-interstate travel. More often than not, piggies on tertiary roads usually don't have laser guns and are much easier to detect. I've NEVER been even been stopped by a cop on a side road and I've done some fast driving.

So, my advice would be 9500ci over the K40, but understand that unless you use your detector smartly, it won't work the way you think it will.

02-13-09, 05:58	#31 (permalink)
User Name Banned User Name is offline Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 496	Re: Which Detector - K40 Calibre or Escort 9500ci Some things to think about (some have been mentioned, some haven't). I've used a bunch of detectors over the last 15 years, including the K40 and the 9500ci, (also test the V1 for 4 months and used an 8500 X-50 for a while). Although the longest detector I owned as a regular 8500, I think with regards to the question of pure detecting ability, V1 is the champ. The 9500 is close, although frankly I think the Bel STI Driver is a better choice, but that is really not germaine to this discussion. Problem one is laser. NO DETECTOR is going to save you from a laser gun and laser jammers are only partly successful, so if you drive REALLY fast and you run up on a cop who has a laser gun, your toast. Your detector will be there to give you advance notice about the ticket you just got. That's it. The color of your car will also have an impact on the "detectibility" for a laser gun. A small black car and a laser jammer is more effective than a white Escalade and a laser jammer. I did a side by side by side comparison (years ago) between a V1, 8500 X-50 and a K40. The K40 was consistently outclassed by the other two. V1 was dominant for X band radar (which is only used in a handfull of States - like NJ where I lived) so be cognizant of what is being used in your area. V1 was slightly better on K band and on KA band it was a virtual tie with the 8500 X-50, with maybe a slight (insignificant) edge to the X-50. The K40 was last in all bands and last by a significant margin in each. The big problem with the V1 is falsing. Great detector but if you live in an urban area, the V1 is a real PITA. The 9500ci eliminates this problem which is a great feature, but certainly doesn't solve the laser problem. So here are some things to think about... 1. Don't get caught up in the K40 "we'll pay your ticket" nonsense because the big problem with tickets is the effect on your insurance premiums and not necessarily the tickets themselves. 2. Know the law in your State. I was a practicing attorney in NY State and the law in NY is pretty clear with regards to speedig tickets. Do you know a cop doesn't need to "clock" you on a gun or even pace you in his car? By law, he can "estimate" your speed and write you a ticket based upon his estimation. So, let me give you the scenario. Guy driving North on I-87, doing 95 on a 65. He's got a 9500 + the Escort laser shifter. Cop with a laser gun is hiding in some cover and suddenly his shifter goes off, cop gets jammed but visually estimates the car to be going 90mph (yes I know he's just guessing). That is enough for the ticket to stand. So, guess what, he just made your detector and jammer 100% useless. Arbitrary? Yes. Capricious? Probably, but legal nevertheless. 3. A detector can be a good tool and save you from tickets IF you use it smartly and don't drive too fast. In my 15 years using a detector I've been stopped twice and each time I talked my way out of a speeding ticket (once he gave me "no seatbelt). I find detectors are actually the best for non-interstate travel. More often than not, piggies on tertiary roads usually don't have laser guns and are much easier to detect. I've NEVER been even been stopped by a cop on a side road and I've done some fast driving. So, my advice would be 9500ci over the K40, but understand that unless you use your detector smartly, it won't work the way you think it will.