I had a SR-1 install last week. From what I have been able to research on detectors, and from personal experience with several different brands, Escort has never let me down.

I realize that not fully endorsing the V-1 could get one burned at the stake, but it is just too big, bulky, and lets be honest, what the *%$# difference does it make WHERE the radar is coming from? You are going to put your foot on the brake regardless if you are to have even a remote chance of not getting a blue-light coupon.

Enough rambling. The new detector fit in great. The remote is mounted on the left side where it can be seen through the steering wheel. It could go on top of the steering column, but that is a bit high profile for a stealth detector.

The sensor was mounted in the middle section inside the grill. After a call to Escort, I have found out that it MUST have a clear line of sight out through the grill to pick up Ka, K and Laser. So, back to the installer to have it raised about 21/2 " so it can "see" over the bottom of the grill opening. This gets done Wednesday, so I guess the "road test" will be the trip to S2K days. I am planning to temporary mount a Passport 7500 to the windshield to compare sensitivity.

Stay tuned...

 

How clear is that line of sight when a car is in front of you???....(throwing in the kindling now)

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by stbrnd
[B]I realize that not fully endorsing the V-1 could get one burned at the stake, but it is just too big, bulky, and lets be honest, what the *%$# difference does it make WHERE the radar is coming from?

 

Laser, as I understand it, is usually targeted on your front grill/lic. plate. Since 99% is in front of you, THEY have to have a clear line of sight to YOU as well. The big deal with laser is that it is accurate, quick, and is very small in the beam size. Windshield-mounted laser detectors are going to be useless b/c they don't "see" the laser hitting the bottom of the car on the nose due to the very small size of the beam.

As far as the K and Ka, evidently (this from Escort tech support) detectors cannot see through the paint used on cars today. So the sensor has to be mounted in a place that has unimpeded access. The beam of the radar gun is relatively wide, so it can easily pick up all bands of radar when not shielded in this way. You would have to be NASCAR drafting someone in front of you to block the sensor, like probably less than 1' away (which some of you may do from time to time

I will find out though on the "test run" to and from S2K Days.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Schatten
[B]Thats just the problem. Perhaps with flat, unobstructed roads that technique can be used, but where I live there are no such places. There are continuous curves, hills, trees, medians with trees. ANY confident signal from K, Ka, or Laser better be followed by an immediate, reflex-like speed reduction, or you are NAILED. Even doing this doesn't help every time. The one ticket I have came from having rode past a trooper with instant on that tagged me after I had went around a curve where he was hiding in the middle of down a hidden side road. Got me from behind. On that one, no radar detection would have helped. We have 'em on the side, behind, in front, and above. It serious business here.

I guess it all depends on terrain, and mindset. I respond more frequently, in hopes of not getting caught, you respond less so as to not have to slow down as often.

Which is better? I dunno.

 

Ok, now the sensor has been raised. We used a suplus Alpine CD Changer bracket and a 1/4" spacer to get the height needed to have the sensor level with the bottom grill opening.

This weekend I should be able to find out how sensitive this detector is compared to my Escort 7500.

 

Glad to see another SR-1 fan. I was stopped in Wyoming yesterday dry running a loop our Utah Club (may take next Sunday). The officer's first question "do you have a radar avoidance device in your vehicle"? I said yes, is it illegal in Wyoming (honest question)? I showed him my SR-1 system and he kinda didn't say anything. I had gotten several Laser alerts and and slowed; only to accelerate when the signal disappeared. I thought my detector was "falsing". He turned out to be a pretty nice guy and indicated he had been unsuccesfully "painting" me for 10 miles from the rear! He told me to slow it down a little and then asked about the SR-1. I told him it is manufactured by Cincinatti Microwave and distributerd by Escort. Should have seen the look on his face when I took him around back and showed him the rear laser detector mounted just below my license plate! STBRND you will be very very happy with your purchase.......I know!

 

how much you guys pay?

 

I had mine installed for me. You could do it yourself, but this could cause probs for warranty repairs, or at least this was hinted at.

I paid $700 installed. $575 for the unit $125 to install.