Shhhhhh....Where should I install my radar detector?

[whitex]

And if you're getting K-band alerts these days, it's most likely an Acura nearby falsing you. Look around for one.

The higher end radar detectors have BSM filtering, but yes the quality of this filtering varies by brand, and firmware version (hence the importance of being able to upgrade the firmware yourself periodically). In WA I've come across mobile K-band on some old police cruisers - the newer ones use Ka.

 

[Notso Fast]

My husband's car alerts Ka all the time....and then we see him on Waze. Love that app.

 

[Black/Black MS]

This is where a laser jammer comes in handy. Legal in most states, it jams for 4 seconds, then turns off so the cop can get a read. (Many here are in Cali though, so you're out of luck)

There just isn't any sense in getting a microwave detector, for the very reason you cite for laser.

Unfortunately CA is not one of them.

 

[Kant.Ing]

Exactly, Waze is the best way. You can have Waze in your cellphone and/or in the 17 inch touchscreen. Using a Valentine or Escort is so ICE day!

 

[chillaban]

Unfortunately CA is not one of them.

I mean, if you're going to speed, and going to consider mounting a detector on a windshield, both of those are similar or worse violations than possessing laser jammers, carrying points and/or higher fines....

I'll never understand how people decide to draw the line.

FWIW, Waze is great, but the 3 times I've been shot with laser, the cop was not on Waze. People report cops babysitting accidents / construction zones on Waze. For the well-hidden motorcycle cops on onramps or behind bridges, I find that Waze isn't very reliable. CHP doesn't stay at one place for very long, so once a cop has a customer, the report is utterly worthless.

 

[lloyds]

I mean, if you're going to speed, and going to consider mounting a detector on a windshield, both of those are similar or worse violations than possessing laser jammers, carrying points and/or higher fines....

I'll never understand how people decide to draw the line.

FWIW, Waze is great, but the 3 times I've been shot with laser, the cop was not on Waze. People report cops babysitting accidents / construction zones on Waze. For the well-hidden motorcycle cops on onramps or behind bridges, I find that Waze isn't very reliable. CHP doesn't stay at one place for very long, so once a cop has a customer, the report is utterly worthless.

That's why I have the Escort 9500ci. Saved me countless times and with several cars, it would have easily doubled or more my insurance premium.

 

[gmikew421]

White Model S, 75D delivered in March 2017. I have read everything I can to figure out which detector to consider and where to put it. The answers are all over the map. Leaning toward Radenso SE mounted remotely only because the windshield has a coating? Is that coating story accurate?

Thanks to you regular posters who provide such great answers and endorse my huge enthusiasm for this car.

First post... I got my S three days ago. I have a new, upgraded V1 and love it in my boxtster. I tried to find the hole in the rfid cage on the windscreen (mentioned on previous posts as obvious in the sunlight) and couldn't find it. Tried the V1 on the dash and it found a few random squawks from retail stores, etc., so I think it may work. Did they change the windshield?

 

[chillaban]

First post... I got my S three days ago. I have a new, upgraded V1 and love it in my boxtster. I tried to find the hole in the rfid cage on the windscreen (mentioned on previous posts as obvious in the sunlight) and couldn't find it. Tried the V1 on the dash and it found a few random squawks from retail stores, etc., so I think it may work. Did they change the windshield?

If you have a S and AP2 you are lucky — these windshields are not coated.

 

[Notso Fast]

Agree. No coating with S and AP2.

 

[David99]

Waze gives a false sense of security. I see many cops that are not reported on Waze. If Waze doesn't show a cop is not a guarantee that there are none.

Cops are very well aware of Waze and randomly report police in spots where they want people to drive slower. People see it reported and slow down. 40% of the time I see a cop reported on Waze there is none.

In some areas with no cell phone service, Waze is useless. There is a section between California and Arizona that I used to drive a lot. No data service and a cop was there many many times. You can't report them as waze won't be able to send it.

So please don't rely on Waze. It helps but it has many limitations.

 

[gmikew421]

If you have a S and AP2 you are lucky — these windshields are not coated.

Thanks, all! I'll go from here and let you know if I get burned. What is AP2?

 

[whitex]

Thanks, all! I'll go from here and let you know if I get burned. What is AP2?

AutoPilot2 hardware. Basically, if you got a brand new Model S, you got it. It also means you got uncoated windshield, so your V1 should work (easy to verify, park facing a K-band door opener, note signal strength, take the detector and stick it out the window pointing it at the door opener, note signal strength - if same, then windshield is not cutting it). If you bought a CPO (used) car, then you got some figuring out to do, possibly cannot use V1 (like me).

 

[Fab-fours]

As a UK resident we don't have to 'Shushh,' as (unlike France & maybe parts of the US) the ownership & use of speed detectors is quite legal.

I'm unable to advise on all the systems that may be used in the States, but in July I bought an 'Aguri Skyway Pro.'
//aguriworld.co.uk/index.php/aguri-skyway.html?gclid=CPvgyLmxytYCFcu17QodOw8Kgw add http at the front.

It cost a little more than the basic model as it's far more sensitive with no filtering problems caused by the windscreen (as we call it.) But I can say it's has three settings on sensitivity & believe me it misses nothing in my model S. It's already paid for itself!

It's comes boxed with a rubber suction mount, but using it on holiday in France I bought a small rubber mat on which it's still placed on the centre of my dashboard. In order to keep it tidy I did get a professional auto-electrician to run a wire from under the windscreen where I could cover it with my Tesla cap with just the lens peeking below the peek. Check out the above link I'm sure you'll be pleased.

 

[David99]

It cost a little more than the basic model as it's far more sensitive with no filtering problems caused by the windscreen (as we call it.) But I can say it's has three settings on sensitivity & believe me it misses nothing in my model S. It's already paid for itself!

Do you have a S or X? When was you car produced? I'm just asking because they changed the windscreen over time and newer ones don't have the coating any more.

 

[Buster1]

Why were previous windshields coated with metallics? And why are they no longer coated? Just curious, it's the first I've heard of this.

 

[David99]

Why were previous windshields coated with metallics? And why are they no longer coated? Just curious, it's the first I've heard of this.

I believe the metal coating is helping with filtering infrared better meaning it keeps heat out. Another possibility is that, and many car manufacturers have done this, the metal coating can act as a heating element. By applying electric current to the metal coating it heats up the windshield. Very effective to defrost it.

I'm not sure what the purpose is but there were many discussions here about it over the last three years. It also prevents most toll road transceivers to work. The consensus is at the very top next to the mirror is a small area that is not coated and that's where you have to install the transceiver. I can confirm that this is the only place where I got mine to work. Radar detectors are equally affected. Laser detection still works fine, though.