Which Detector - K40 Calibre or Escort 9500ci

[milani]

I stopped into my Benz dealer to "accessorize" the new C, and started to talk about radar detectors. The salesperson was really hyping the k40 Calibre (Calibre Radar and Laser Detector Protection – K40 Bluetooth Radar Detectors) saying that it was the best one to get. They also had the Escort 9500ci (Escort Radar Detectors & Laser Detectors - The Radar and Laser Experts - Escort Inc.).



The K40 is a completely invisible detector, meaning that the indicators are hidden in the dash, and all that you can see is a blinking LED. The Escort has a display and a small control panel. I did some research and I found an "unbiased" review on radartest.com that the Escort blew away the K40. However, k40 will supposedly pay for your ticket if you get one with their detector.



Both units are "custom installed", meaning that you can conceal the units, and they must be professionally installed. THey are not portable units.



Both provide X, K and Ka as well as laser detection. Both also provide laser frequency "shifting" to help protect you from laser.



She also said that she could install either for $2000 installed, which seems to be about average for the Escort, and about $400 less than average for the K40.



Have any of you used either of these systems, and what did you like/dislike? Which would you recommend and why?

[Accumulator]

I can`t help with your choice (V1 user here), but I will suggest that you drive cars with each installed. Some warning systems work better for some people; they`re just more intuitive. Others, no matter how nice the system is, have you going "huh, what the.." for a moment when you shoudla been on the brakes.



I`ve driven cars with the K40 systems (of various vintages) and I just never quite got synched to them..probably more me than the systems, but that`s how it went. And I couldn`t stand having to look down at the display; I just couldn`t interpret it with only my peripheral vision and I wanted to keep looking through the windshield.



Make sure you like whichever before spending the bucks and having the car modified, taking a K40 out of a Benz once cost me a pretty penny.



Oh, and I never care much about "ticket guarantees". Getting some $ back is nice, but not getting popped is a whole lot better, especially if you`re doing big numbers.

[KnuckleBuckett]

Valentine has been the way to go for a long time...

[02whitetundra]

Just save your money. There is a feature on police radars that are called instant on. By the time your radar detector recognizes police radar, it`s too late anyway. Police are able to turn on/off their radar units quicker than any radar unit detection.

[crofa]

This isn’t exactly true. Even in instant on mood, the radar guns still puts out a RF frequency that the better radar detectors can pick up, but as soon as the radar detector goes off saying there is "instant on" in the area you better slow down quickly. The police radar guns can’t be “turned off� and right back on to get your speed. Once you turn the gun off and then back on it goes through a BIT test, and this takes on the norm about 10 to 15 seconds. So, the guns are in standby mood for the lack of better terms when they are using the instant on detection.



One thing about detectors that have laser detection… If your detector picks up a laser it’s all ready too late. Laser guns put out such a small beam it can’t be picked up in the air like X, K, Ka bands. So, yes detectors can pick up the laser, but only when it’s aimed at your car, and by the time it hits you and back to the gun it’s over, and you’re getting a ticket if you were speeding. I was an Electronic Warfare Technician in the Air Force so I know how radar works, and how they can be defeated or not. Bottom line on radar detectors just like with most things in life, you get what you pay for. The two you mentioned are very good, but like you stated you’ve already done your research and found out what the test results were in a head to head comparison. If money isn’t an issue, then go for the best out there, and enjoy the speeding. Until you get caught, I’m pretty sure most of us have been caught speeding even with a radar detector. I know I have.

[az57chevy]

It isn`t as covert but a portable unit can save you a ton of money

[LouisanaJeeper]

V1 user here. I have the V1 mounted up top on the windshield (pretty much concealed by the rear tint and tinted strip at the top of the windshield) and hardwired w/a concealed display near the factory gauges









took about 20 minuted to install & hardwire



alot of cops roll around 24/7 with their radar on and probably about 70% of the speed traps here they are not using instant on/POP. When they do use instant on you pick them up a mile away with short bursts of radar when they are hitting people up the road.

[Accumulator]

Yeah, sometimes you`re simply gonna get caught, but with some good thinking and situational awareness a good detector can save you a lot of the time.



I`ve only had one ticket in the last few years (laser), despite a lot of miles of flying low.



Heh heh, without a laser-blinding system, any detector that picks up laser is merely a ticket-announcer.



Why do some of you value concealment? I can understand it in states where the detectors are illegal, or for theft-deterrence, but otherwise I don`t see the point; I`d rather have the display right where I can see it and the antennas where they`ll provide the best coverage. I`ve *never* had an LEO display any attitude about my detectors during a traffic stop and I still catch a lot of breaks (warnings, lowered observed-speed when I do get cited, etc.).

[milani]

Heh heh, without a laser-blinding system, any detector that picks up laser is merely a ticket-announcer.



Why do some of you value concealment? I can understand it in states where the detectors are illegal, or for theft-deterrence, but otherwise I don`t see the point; I`d rather have the display right where I can see it and the antennas where they`ll provide the best coverage. I`ve *never* had an LEO display any attitude about my detectors during a traffic stop and I still catch a lot of breaks (warnings, lowered observed-speed when I do get cited, etc.).

These detectors actually have laser-shifting capabilites that deter the laser by shooting back a response back to the laser that negates the original signal, so the gun gets no reading. I know it`s not 100%, but it helps (thus the extra cost).



Concealment? I guess more for asthetic purposes. It`s not legality, since they are only illegal in Va. and DC and for use in commercial vehicles. The receivers are placed where they can be best utilized, in the front and rear bumpers, where most officers aim their guns.

[sweetlou]

a friend of mine has the k40, really good system with remote display. I believe this is the one that comes with jammers for front and rear bumpers. If u get hit with laser in these vicinities, it makes it read error or something. probably the best system. Others i know have x50s and v1s, which are good for radar, but if you get hit with laser, you`re screwed

[Accumulator]

I was pricing a stand-alone anti-laser system to augment the V1. The one I liked was ~$600 though, and I decided I`d rather just risk the tickets. Plus, I`m sure not gonna buy one of those systems for each of our vehicles! Having five (or is it six ) V1s is bad enough.



I can see the aesthetic benefits of a hidden system, but I dunno...I`m in the form-follows-function mindset with this stuff (including having the antennas up high in the vehicle`s greenhouse) and I just never liked having the readouts outside of my normal line-of-sight. Hey, that might just be another one of my personal quirks but I do think people oughta test drive something like that before they get it for their own car.

[Maison]

But aren`t lazer jammer illegal in most States?



I have the V1 right and like it alot, but I do want to install K40 also as a stealth system. However, I found out that lazer jammers are not allowed in CA so that dampened the idea a bit.

[Accumulator]

But aren`t lazer jammer illegal in most States?

No, *radar* jammers are (because they transmit on a certain frequency) but *laser* jammers generally are *not* (because, put simply, they`re basically just a special type of lights whose glare confuses the laser system).



There are laser absorbing paints you can apply to your headlights/etc. that will also diminish the effectiveness of police laser...I can`t imagine you`d get in trouble for using that stuff, but it might not be the most Autopian approach thing to do



Here, check this out: Blinder-Xtreme (and note that they have dealers in CA).

[Scott301]

Love my V1.



Brad

[hondaguy2582]

Learn to drive near the speed limit and you won`t need one.





But if you so desire one, any of the high end escort, bel, or the v1 will suffice.