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Re: radar detectors

Having been busted in Toronto for having a detector, I know the
feeling about having one concealed.  I played "stupid tourist that
came across in Quebec and didn't understand all those French
signs" in order to get off with just a $100 ticket and being told
to put it in the trunk until I leave the country.  FYI..  The
Cop said they drive along until they get a hit on the detector-detector.
If there are a bunch of cars together, they turn around and follow
the pack and blast them with radar to see whose brake lights
come on.  Neat trick, eh?

Detectors..  I have a Bel 645sti, the "undetectable" version.  I works
ok, I think.  Not a lot of radar or lasers in California, at least not
like Ohio.  It does false.  In fact, I'd say it sometimes looses it's
mind.  I called Bel and they sent a new power cord that is filtered.  It
still gets some false alarms, both laser and radar.  They are worse
in the 325i than in the Jeep Cherokee.  I think they may be partially
caused by the cell phone.  I recently purchased another phone for
the Jeep and the alarms seem to have increased.  

Before the Bel, I was a loyal Cincinnati Microwave customer, having
purchased the original Escort and Passports probably during Valentine's
days there.  Then I bought a 4500..  Mistake.  Lasted a day and died
without letting you know it was dead.  Passed the power up tests but
refused to recognize the local supermarket doors.  I send it back at my
expense, wait a week or two and get one back.  This one is D.O.A.  with
a volume level that is too low too hear.  Called them up and asked them
what the hell is going on with their quality.  I also asked for a new
detector.  No problem IF they could charge it to my card, to be refunded
if I returned the bad one.  As I told them, if there is to be a second
unit charged to my card, it won't be one of theirs.  I returned it for a
refund and bought the Bel.  So beware.  It is not the same customer
oriented company with high quality products it once was, at least in my
experience.
  
If I lived in a area where lasers and radar are a big problem (OHIO), I would
definitely buy the Valentine.  In Canada, the risk of loosing such an
expensive unit is too great.  Maybe it would be a good idea to carry
a decoy unit to hand over if you get caught?


Gary W. Cook			Director of Technical Services
Minicomputer Exchange, Inc.	610 North Pastoria Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA  94086		Email: [email protected]
Tel: 408-733-4400		Fax: 408-733-8009