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      10-04-2012, 06:12 PM   #1
mdm0515
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What's the Best Radar/Laser Defiance Setup?

I'm curious as to member experiences and plans on what the optimum (I'm relatively cost indifferent) speed defiance technology is that is most suitable to put into the F10 M5. I'd prefer to do a permanent install and would greatly appreciate advice from those that have been there done that. Thanks!
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      10-04-2012, 06:16 PM   #2
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V1.... That said It can't save you all the time... But if there shooting you will know.

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      10-04-2012, 06:43 PM   #3
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Cool, thanks. What's V1
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      10-04-2012, 06:54 PM   #4
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http://www.valentine1.com

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      10-04-2012, 07:05 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by MasterDank View Post
V1.... That said It can't save you all the time... But if there shooting you will know.

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And how will that protect you from laser? By telling you your speed has just been measured?
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      10-04-2012, 07:19 PM   #6
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It has let me know that cars a mile ahead of me are getting hit then I slow down and drive past the po po... If they are popping the laser per car then it can as I said not protect you.. You can get a laser jammer but you (stealth.pilot) would still get a ticket as that tells the cop you speed consistently . They can get you for reckless driving or some other infraction possibly worse then the speeding ticket.... If you want an answer that doesn't get any smartA$$ Questions.... Don't Speed!!!!!
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And how will that protect you from laser? By telling you your speed has just been measured?
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      10-04-2012, 08:10 PM   #7
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Honestly after almost my car (+50km/hr rule) for speeding because I had too much confidence in my radar I just use common sense now. Speed on roads I know and slow down in areas that are too obvious for speed traps. Cops have great stuff now and its just not worth the risk in Ontario. To answer your question I heard the Valentine, the newest Escort, and the Beltronics are all awesome.
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      10-04-2012, 08:16 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mdm0515 View Post
I'm curious as to member experiences and plans on what the optimum (I'm relatively cost indifferent) speed defiance technology is that is most suitable to put into the F10 M5. I'd prefer to do a permanent install and would greatly appreciate advice from those that have been there done that. Thanks!
I don't think you'll find there is one 'best,' there may be several that are 'suitable.'

There are many variables that need to be considered and you need to decide which are most important to you. This is usually based upon where you live, the local & state laws, how the radar/laser systems are used by the authorities where you drive and what you want to defend yourself from (speeding, red light cameras, etc.).

In my case I live in California where anything that interferes with radar or laser (jammers) are illegal and they can tell when they're being jammed, so a jammer is not feasible for me. And because the police can tell they're being jammed it may piss them off and not help you! You don't want to be confronted by an angry cop!

For radar and laser detectors, none are perfect and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Those with built-in and wireless databases are rarely accurate. They tend to be ok for permanently located radar and laser (ususally red light cameras) but they don't really work for handheld radar and laser guns. They also tend to warn you of places where the radar or laser has long ago been moved away.

In general, laser detectors also can't do a good job of protecting you. First almost all laser guns must be handheld by the operator to aim it at the specific vehicle targeted. But because of this they can't be used in a moving vehicle because they can't be 'hardmounted' to the vehicle like radar systems. They also aren't used in a 'always on' mode like most police use radar. They are used in an 'instant on' mode when the operator pulls the trigger after he/she aims at the target car. Also, the only time you'll get a warning when it isn't you being measured is if the laser beam happens to hit the vehicle ahead of you being measured at just the perfect angle to reflect directly to you detector. (That has happened to me once.) Unlike laser beams, radar beams spread out as they move away from the transmitter so the radar signals are pretty easy to detect when other cars are being measured.

But for me the best and most useful feature is the directional arrows in the Valentine 1. They tell you the direction (front, side or back) the radar is coming from. This, coupled with the rate the signal strength is changing (getting stronger, getting weaker or staying the same) tells you not only where the radar is coming from but whether it is stationary, moving toward you, moving away from you or driving in your direction of travel and about at your speed). The Valentine 1 also has laser detection but as discussed above it may not help much (nor would any other laser detector).

While the Valentine 1 has an optional remote display the receiver isn't made to be hidden. There are 'aftermarket' companies that sell mirrors, etc. with disassembled Valentine 1s hidden in them. But I've been using a Valentine 1 for over 15 years. On my current car it has been stuck to the middle of the windshield, above and to the left of the rear view mirror for 12 years. I never remove it and I've never had a problem. By the way, you want the radar receiver mounted as high as possible to maximize your detection range.

These are just my thoughts on the things I think you should consider. Good luck with your decision.

Finally, I won't tell you to drive "legally," (that's almost impossible with these cars) but please drive safely.
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      10-04-2012, 08:59 PM   #9
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^^^^ well said!
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      10-04-2012, 09:48 PM   #10
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Wow, these are some seriously "good boy" answers. Who are you guys monks? hehehe

Well my two cents' worth is this. I agree wholeheartedly that it depends tremendously on where you live. But I think the general vibe in this thread is to really underestimate the value of a radar/lazer protection system. I've used radar detectors in my cars my entire driving life in three different countries and I've saved myself on countless occasions. Currently I have The Escort 9500iX in both these BMWs and they have both paid for themselves already at least twice over I guarantee you that. IMO after researching tirelessly for months before deciding, This and the V1 are the best detectors money can buy right now if what you're looking for is simply a detector. Which as others correctly said does NOT protect you from lazer detection. It just lets you know you're screwed, basically. It's like the worst sound known to man. The 9500ix is one of the detectors with built in GPS technology which knows of upcoming speed traps and traffic light cams/speed cams etc (valuable depending on where you live, again). To suggest it's inaccurate is false. It depends on how meticulous you are about keeping your database up to date. I keep my subscription going on both detectors and I marvel often times at the accuracy. I can't imagine driving around either and having to deal with false alerts forever more. These GPS units store false alerts automatically. I love that.

Luckily where I live in NC they don't use much lazer at all. But with the M5 I'm about to take delivery of, I asked the dealership to go ahead and install the Escort 9500Ci system for me. It's basically a 9500ix "pulled apart" in theory with multiple small components which can be mounted professionally very stealth. so that no one can see it. It's also immune to radar detector detectors (someone mentioned Ontario: aren't detectors illegal there???), and has what they (Escort) refer to as "lazer shifters" which are installed very stealth on front and rear of the car to initially deflect a lazer signal for long enough to allow you to adjust your speed before the cop gets a true reading. Different from a jammer. It's s pricey system at like 1500 bucks but for me with a car of this caliber it's worth it.

So that's my take. GET A GOOD detector. Don't be fooled into thinking a system isn't valuable with a car like these. It is. Sure it won't likely save you if you're driving on a lonely night road and a cop pops on a detector on you going 120 in a 45, even with those brakes. But for all those instances where you're "accidentally" going 15 over or 20 over or 30 over etc. which are much more common than "wreckless speeding", it's foolhardy to think a detector doesn't have value. Happy researching and good luck!
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      10-04-2012, 09:50 PM   #11
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      10-04-2012, 09:54 PM   #12
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Gonna do mine similarly to this.....
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      10-04-2012, 10:16 PM   #13
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Also you might find this comparison of available remote units valuable:
http://radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=100584
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      10-05-2012, 12:05 AM   #14
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      10-05-2012, 03:19 AM   #15
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Valentine 1 for radar detection combined with Laser Interceptor for active laser jamming. Key aspect of LI is the programmable ecu that allows for firmware updates to counter changes in laser technology. Has been working great on my 1M on which I did a custom install.

I have my second kit ready to go in my M5 as soon as it is redelivered...
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      10-05-2012, 04:53 AM   #16
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Excellent feedback and education for me. Many thanks
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      10-05-2012, 09:03 AM   #17
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My vote would go for a V1 / Blinder M45 setup. Best of both worlds.
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      10-05-2012, 09:19 AM   #18
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Curious for those with the V1 - ive always heard its the best out there and am thinking of getting one of them. However, unlike Passport, Valentine has always just been the V1 it seems. Have there been new versions or are updates made and its always been referred to as V1? For example there are numerous versions of the Passport Escorts.
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      10-05-2012, 10:02 AM   #19
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Valentine 1 paired with LI (Laser Interceptor) BEST COMBO!
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      10-05-2012, 12:04 PM   #20
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If $ is not an object, then Beltronics StiR Plus with Laser Interceptor BMW EDITION DUAL
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      10-05-2012, 01:19 PM   #21
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I'm a V1 user already. I didn't take the V1 with me on my ED so I couldn't test this out, but I heard that the V1 goes nuts with the lane departure warning or blindspot detection on the new M5. Anyone stateside check this out yet? I still won't have my M5 back to play with for another few weeks.

I am planning on getting the Beltronic StiR Plus with Laser Interceptor installed when I do get the car back. Haven't heard about the BMW Edition Dual. What's that?
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      10-05-2012, 03:06 PM   #22
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Only pansies order lane departure and blind-spot detection option :-P
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