the title tells everything. Any comment appreciated. thanks!
Samo
Samo
Any experiences with Escort Passport radar detector?
samosali
21 - 40 of 59 Posts
Samosali,
I am confused. I lived in Italy in the late '90s. If you weren't doing 120 in the fast lane, they would run over you. I thought it was just Italy but we traveled in France, Spain and Ireland. Everyone drove fast and safely. Never saw a radar unit or a traffic policeman anywhere. The fact that cars were traveling in excess of 100 mph hour after hour got me interested in Mercedes and I bought a used one when I returned to the US.
Is Europe slowing down or is it Slovenia?
Anziani
I am confused. I lived in Italy in the late '90s. If you weren't doing 120 in the fast lane, they would run over you. I thought it was just Italy but we traveled in France, Spain and Ireland. Everyone drove fast and safely. Never saw a radar unit or a traffic policeman anywhere. The fact that cars were traveling in excess of 100 mph hour after hour got me interested in Mercedes and I bought a used one when I returned to the US.
Is Europe slowing down or is it Slovenia?
Anziani
W140 500 SE 1992 (sold)/C180 wagon 2012 140k km/W221 S500 2008 4matic 232k km/W220 500S 4matic 232k
Joined
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5,637 Posts
Europe has speed limit 130 km/h on a highway (except some regions in Germany where there is no limit on the 'Autobahn"). So it is about 80 mph. With no big risk to lose driving license on place or pay a big ticket one can drive 160 km/h on a highway in big part of Europe. Not recommended to do it in Scandinavian countries where ticket depends on salary and in some cases it means over $10,000 or even $100,000. In these countries it is normal to drive according to speed limits, that's my impression, someone can correct me. The border for more respect to speed limits and less respect to them is Netherlands I guess. This is a country where big majority of drivers respect speed limits.
Italy is something special in my mind. I do not like their style of driving now. In contrast, 30 years ago i admired it. Now they use left lane for normal driving. However this lane is reserved for overtaking only. They actually ruined the concept of a highway and they turned it into a normal road with two lanes. I agree that speed control is rare on highways nowadays in Europe however this does not mean that you will not pay a ticket if they catch you.
maybe you did not see a control on a highway but for a very long time over all european countries there are stationary radars. They picture you and you receive a ticket on your home address. I guess there is a big tolerance for these radars so one must really be fast to get a ticket in this way.
Your last question: I think in average (if this can be said in this way) the speed on a highway is correct, so 130 km/h in biggest part of Europe. Not so big share of drivers go over 160 km/h (motobikers and Germany is excluded from this opinion of course). A really small number of drivers go over 200 km/h, but they are usually caught by radars or police directly if they drive long distance (more than 10 km for instance) with such speed. In general i think not all cars were capable of getting so fast in the past. now they are (every opel corsa can go 130 km/h with pedal to the floor) so yes, europe, not just Slovenia, slowed down: rules and penalties became more strict.
Italy is something special in my mind. I do not like their style of driving now. In contrast, 30 years ago i admired it. Now they use left lane for normal driving. However this lane is reserved for overtaking only. They actually ruined the concept of a highway and they turned it into a normal road with two lanes. I agree that speed control is rare on highways nowadays in Europe however this does not mean that you will not pay a ticket if they catch you.
maybe you did not see a control on a highway but for a very long time over all european countries there are stationary radars. They picture you and you receive a ticket on your home address. I guess there is a big tolerance for these radars so one must really be fast to get a ticket in this way.
Your last question: I think in average (if this can be said in this way) the speed on a highway is correct, so 130 km/h in biggest part of Europe. Not so big share of drivers go over 160 km/h (motobikers and Germany is excluded from this opinion of course). A really small number of drivers go over 200 km/h, but they are usually caught by radars or police directly if they drive long distance (more than 10 km for instance) with such speed. In general i think not all cars were capable of getting so fast in the past. now they are (every opel corsa can go 130 km/h with pedal to the floor) so yes, europe, not just Slovenia, slowed down: rules and penalties became more strict.
Thank you. We must have lived there at a good time (for cars). You mention that Italy has slow drivers in the fast lane. You had not better come to the USA. The freeways are usually clogged so all lanes are slow. But we still have jerks that will not get out of the fast lane. In Kalifornia we used to have signs that said "Slow cars keep left" but they are no longer. That way, the CHP can control the speeds a little better.
The great days are gone.
Anziani
The great days are gone.
Anziani
W140 500 SE 1992 (sold)/C180 wagon 2012 140k km/W221 S500 2008 4matic 232k km/W220 500S 4matic 232k
Joined
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5,637 Posts
i can confirm this. great days were then when movie "Mad Max" (with Mel Gibson) was made. This film is showing "future" however a spirit of the time when it was filmed is intelligently incorporated in it. And it tells everything ... it is poetry, not just a movie.
Don't you mean "slow cars keep right"? The engineer in me could not let that pass.:devil
My bad. I engaged mouth before depressing brain. :surrender:
Anziani
MB>BMW, you opened my eyes to this rdforum. I have been reading through it for the past couple weeks and already ordered the Uniden DFR7 ($300) from Amazon based on the review of it on the RDforum which should arrive hopefully soon.
I also ordered a Whislter CR93 ($170 @ Walmart) just out of curiosity to try it and compare it against the DFR7.
I would advise to sign up on the RDforum and also watch Vortex radar review videos on YouTube.
So Anziani what device you have?
hamada, I have a Whistler XDR(?). It has saved me many times. Doesn't have laser jamming though but unlike you guys on the East Coast, radar isn't a biggie out here. The only ticket I ever got was with "instant on" speed detector. I was following 2 pickup trucks on a back road in my Mercedes. We came to a hill and everyone picked up speed. At the bottom sat a CHP. Dumb me, I heard the chirping before I crested the hill but didn't react fast enough. He let the pick ups go by (locals, I'll bet) and got me. When I finally found a safe place to pull over (narrow mountain road), he walked up to the passenger side and I unloaded on him. Asked him why he let the locals go by but got me, had nothing to do with the fact that I was driving a Mercedes. huh? My wife shrunk down and cringed at my attack. Well it worked as he went from 75 in a 55 to 62 in a 55. Moral of the story, "locals rule" and with "instant on" you are doomed. :frown
Anziani
Anziani
Just received my CR93 from Walmart yesterday, paid $170 but the price went up now to $230 ish.
I tried it on a 5 hours trip on the NJ turnpike and the CR93 picked all the K band speed signs like a mile before.
I also spotted a LEO using Ka 34.7 band around 3/4 mile in advance but he was on the opposite direction.
The unit is not so quite but I will test it again with TFSR ON and FDSR ON.
It was tested using the default factory settings:
GPS ON
TFSR OFF
FDSR OFF
X, K ON
Ka, K, X Filter 1
Ka MaxId
I also ordered an Escort Max from Amazon and I will be comparing the performance of both the Max and the CR93.
I also tried a Whistler XTR558 last week and the performance was so bad. the XTR was so noisy and did not pick up a Ka band even when I was standing in the parking lot next to the LEO on route 46 while my brother's Escort 9500ix received it like 3/4 mile before.
So anyway I returned the XTR to Walmart after couple days and ordered the Two RD mentioned above.
I tried it on a 5 hours trip on the NJ turnpike and the CR93 picked all the K band speed signs like a mile before.
I also spotted a LEO using Ka 34.7 band around 3/4 mile in advance but he was on the opposite direction.
The unit is not so quite but I will test it again with TFSR ON and FDSR ON.
It was tested using the default factory settings:
GPS ON
TFSR OFF
FDSR OFF
X, K ON
Ka, K, X Filter 1
Ka MaxId
I also ordered an Escort Max from Amazon and I will be comparing the performance of both the Max and the CR93.
I also tried a Whistler XTR558 last week and the performance was so bad. the XTR was so noisy and did not pick up a Ka band even when I was standing in the parking lot next to the LEO on route 46 while my brother's Escort 9500ix received it like 3/4 mile before.
So anyway I returned the XTR to Walmart after couple days and ordered the Two RD mentioned above.
Very impressive. Haven't a clue as what all of that meant and glad I live where radar is a novelty not an income source. Remember years ago southbound on the 5 lane wide freeway coming out of Seattle. Traffic jammed and moving at about 4 mph and one of their troopers sitting on the side of the road aiming his radar gun at cars. Typical radar stupidity!
Anziani
Anziani
Impressive? I think not, this is mighty impressive:
Also no radar detector jams laser, they merely detect it if at all. The first generation max is garbage IMO, the max 360 (3rd generation with arrows) is impressive but still is not great on catching off-axis shots. You can beat instant on even if the cop is being fairly selective if you use a rabbit whose half a mile in front of you. Also using waze is awesome because even if a cop is using laser and you have no jammers, you may be able to get the alert of police ahead.
Also no radar detector jams laser, they merely detect it if at all. The first generation max is garbage IMO, the max 360 (3rd generation with arrows) is impressive but still is not great on catching off-axis shots. You can beat instant on even if the cop is being fairly selective if you use a rabbit whose half a mile in front of you. Also using waze is awesome because even if a cop is using laser and you have no jammers, you may be able to get the alert of police ahead.
I Can't Drive 55
In a general way, I'm fast, aggressive, and a threat to normal drivers. I have to drive at the head of the pack or between packs on interstates. My thoughts are that ANY vehicle in front of me poses a threat to my safety. I know what MY vehicle is capable of, and it's condition. I don't trust the average driver to have the same driving skills or the ability to maintain the essentials on their vehicles.
That being said, I firmly believe in radar detectors and COMMON SENSE. If you have a cheap one, it will probably give a lot of false blips, grocery store automatic doors, trucks with jammers, curb sensors on luxury vehicles, etc. LEARN these false alarms and yer good to go. IF you get a blip in the middle of nowhere, no other vehicles in sight, and it keeps blipping slowly, it's probably the instant on gun up ahead. The highway signs with radar are a great way to test your device, toll booths even better(EZPass). If you err on the side of caution, you are wise. When in doubt, throttle down.
I have a "factory" dealer installed detector in the ashtray of my '99 W140, with the sensors under the hood behind the grill. I have a $5 garage sale Escort from 2003 ext to the rearview mirror in my BMW X1. Both have saved me several times. Beware the fast moving troopers behind you. I've been doing 100+ mph, and noticed headlights or vehicles approaching me from behind. If you are getting blips under those conditions as I have, back off to see what the hell could possibly be moving faster than you.
The very best deterrent IMHO, is that "rabbit". Find someone willing to challenge you at high speeds, then give up and let the fool take the lead a 1/4 mile in front of you. You'll hear the blips he gets as he passes the radar trap, and all you must do is pull into the right lane to allow the cop to begin his attack. :devil
The one device that proved to me that speeding really is silly, was the GPS. Take notice how much time you save by speeding by noting your destination arrival times at normal and way above normal speeds. Mere minutes on 1-2 hour trips, no more than 10-15 minutes on those 500-1000 mile trips. I speed to acquire or maintain a position on the road, and when appropriate on certain stretches under certain conditions because I can. If I get any blips when I'm over 100 mph, I'm ready to brake hard and fast.
Bottom line: I'd never spend too much on a radar detector, but I find them to be essential.
In a general way, I'm fast, aggressive, and a threat to normal drivers. I have to drive at the head of the pack or between packs on interstates. My thoughts are that ANY vehicle in front of me poses a threat to my safety. I know what MY vehicle is capable of, and it's condition. I don't trust the average driver to have the same driving skills or the ability to maintain the essentials on their vehicles.
That being said, I firmly believe in radar detectors and COMMON SENSE. If you have a cheap one, it will probably give a lot of false blips, grocery store automatic doors, trucks with jammers, curb sensors on luxury vehicles, etc. LEARN these false alarms and yer good to go. IF you get a blip in the middle of nowhere, no other vehicles in sight, and it keeps blipping slowly, it's probably the instant on gun up ahead. The highway signs with radar are a great way to test your device, toll booths even better(EZPass). If you err on the side of caution, you are wise. When in doubt, throttle down.
I have a "factory" dealer installed detector in the ashtray of my '99 W140, with the sensors under the hood behind the grill. I have a $5 garage sale Escort from 2003 ext to the rearview mirror in my BMW X1. Both have saved me several times. Beware the fast moving troopers behind you. I've been doing 100+ mph, and noticed headlights or vehicles approaching me from behind. If you are getting blips under those conditions as I have, back off to see what the hell could possibly be moving faster than you.
The very best deterrent IMHO, is that "rabbit". Find someone willing to challenge you at high speeds, then give up and let the fool take the lead a 1/4 mile in front of you. You'll hear the blips he gets as he passes the radar trap, and all you must do is pull into the right lane to allow the cop to begin his attack. :devil
The one device that proved to me that speeding really is silly, was the GPS. Take notice how much time you save by speeding by noting your destination arrival times at normal and way above normal speeds. Mere minutes on 1-2 hour trips, no more than 10-15 minutes on those 500-1000 mile trips. I speed to acquire or maintain a position on the road, and when appropriate on certain stretches under certain conditions because I can. If I get any blips when I'm over 100 mph, I'm ready to brake hard and fast.
Bottom line: I'd never spend too much on a radar detector, but I find them to be essential.
I agree with hamada and logical. I'm rarely over 90 with 80 being the best speed for the area I live. I don't have an Escort or Valentine but my Whistler has saved me many times. But then I like to be in front of the pack or someplace by myself to stay safe.
In Kalifornia radar can't be used on a road/street unless a traffic study is done every 5 years. Radar units are set up out of sight and cars are clocked. They then take that data and set the speed limit accordingly. THEN they can use radar.
And I know exactly where Mercedes>BMW was driving. That is a great road especially after you pass Mojave and get into the mountains. And be sure to eat at Woolgrowers in Bakersfield!
Anziani
In Kalifornia radar can't be used on a road/street unless a traffic study is done every 5 years. Radar units are set up out of sight and cars are clocked. They then take that data and set the speed limit accordingly. THEN they can use radar.
And I know exactly where Mercedes>BMW was driving. That is a great road especially after you pass Mojave and get into the mountains. And be sure to eat at Woolgrowers in Bakersfield!
Anziani
Escort Max I & II are basically the same except Max II has Bluetooth to connect your phone and this option is now available for Max I with a smart cable that has the BT built in the cable, otherwise they both have the same performance.
For me I think one mile of warning is enough to slow down since the redline is outside my price limit ($300 max). I got the Max from Amazon for $225 +tax ($275 originally minus $50 Amazon CC instant discount).
I agree it's hard to stick to the speed limit yet at times you realize theres no rush. 80 is fine but on some of the highways here the speed limit is 55MPH! :crying
That's not my video actually, just an example of how capable the redline is. Some may think this kind of range/capability is overkill yet in actuality it's very useful if instant on, curvy roads, or other kinds of terrain killing radar is present.
This is the example in which you need the best: Radar If this doesn't prove the Redline (M3) is the ultimate beast, nothing will. - Radar Detector & Laser Jammer Forum - RDForum - RadarDetectorForum
I understand that the max 1 and max 2 are very alike. Although the max 2 does also have a bit of a boost on 34.7 radar and they all seem to false a lot on K-band but firmware updates may help. Also the Max 360 is the 3rd generation of the max series, and it's also hefty in price at $650. Plus it's not the most capable so I would never buy it. Also that bluetooth capability is for escort live which is garbage because barely anyone uses it.
Yeah, I am not planning to use this Escort Live, I am using Waze instead.
I noticed the Max give K false alerts but my Whistler CR93 is more quite in the same areas the max falses.
I might end up returning both and just stick to the speed limits.
I noticed the Max give K false alerts but my Whistler CR93 is more quite in the same areas the max falses.
I might end up returning both and just stick to the speed limits.
Everyone In Jersey Is In A Hurry.
We vacation in Stone Harbor/Avalon every year, and it amazes me how fast(and reckless!) people drive in Jersey. Around Philly is worse! I drive fast to hold my position, but I get people passing me at 80+ like I'm standing still. Those long straight stretches of toll roads and state hiways to and from the shore are tempting, indeed. The perfect roadways to get that "rabbit" out front 1/4 mile.
Just get a cheap detector and learn how it picks up signals. My wife finds all the false signals too annoying, I think of detectors as another fun toy. Where they seem to work the best is lonely hiways at night. If you spend a lot of time at very high speeds on major interstates I might get a better one. Those roads are where you see the sneakiest radar traps.
My guess is a 10 over speeding ticket in Jersey is $200+, so that alone would justify owning one just in case you felt like a quick run to 100+ on your favorite stretch of pavement. :devil
You live in New Jersey. It's one huge traffic jam around the cities and you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a police car. They are everywhere! :shit not:
We vacation in Stone Harbor/Avalon every year, and it amazes me how fast(and reckless!) people drive in Jersey. Around Philly is worse! I drive fast to hold my position, but I get people passing me at 80+ like I'm standing still. Those long straight stretches of toll roads and state hiways to and from the shore are tempting, indeed. The perfect roadways to get that "rabbit" out front 1/4 mile.
Just get a cheap detector and learn how it picks up signals. My wife finds all the false signals too annoying, I think of detectors as another fun toy. Where they seem to work the best is lonely hiways at night. If you spend a lot of time at very high speeds on major interstates I might get a better one. Those roads are where you see the sneakiest radar traps.
My guess is a 10 over speeding ticket in Jersey is $200+, so that alone would justify owning one just in case you felt like a quick run to 100+ on your favorite stretch of pavement. :devil
Mercedes, most all two lanes roads in Kalifornia are 55 when they should be 65. A head on collision at either speed is not going to be pretty. Higher speed limits haven't been changed here as long as I've driven. Cars are better, brakes are better but the low speed limits remain. Wonder if it has anything to do with generating more money, nah they wouldn't do that! I think radar detectors are the motorist's way of fighting against ridiculously low speed limits and excessively high tickets.
Fight on team, fight on!!!
Anziani
Fight on team, fight on!!!
Anziani
21 - 40 of 59 Posts
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