decided to go ahead and do a complete integrated radar detection and laser jamming system and really this whole category is new to me so looking for some advice on what type of system to put together. From what I can gather so far, I am looking at one of the newer radar detectors (Passport Max/Max2, Beltronics STiR, Redline XR, Valentine1, etc.) and an ALP 2-sensor laser jamming system. I like the idea that the ALP system offers the remote mount Beltronics STiR receiver add on option and they offer a Bluetooth module that prevents you from having to run a display into the cabin and you can just use your phone for alerts instead. Have no idea how good any of these detectors or feature options work so before dropping $1200-$1500 bucks on a system I'd like to get some real world user opinions (Is a two sensor system enough for the V to protect the front? Am I better off using a stand alone radar detector beside the STiR add on unit ALP's offers? Is the GPS functionality offered in the Radar Detectors and ALP's units really add value (ie. knowing if you are on a highway or not)?) I want the system obviously to perform great but I want something that is not intrusive to the vehicle or looks like an add-on turd inside the cabin signal jammer.
it comes down to how much money you want to spend. I would go with the ALP system for laser. Two heads up front and if you can afford it, two heads in the rear. That will cover you for laser. For radar it domes down to a few things. If you want integrated permanently mounted (less likely for theft) go with the STIR. If you want a windshield mount go with either the Redline or Valentine. There are passionate advocates for both the Redline and the Valentine.
I have the Valentine and it is pretty obnoxious with all the noisy falses. The best way to address these is to use the Bluetooth add on and run an app on your phone called YAV1. The app lets you do a million things. You can segment the bands the detector scans, use the phone gps to lockout falses, log alerts, use it as a remote display, etc etc. The down side is you have yet another device you have to sync up to work with the detector. I live in a high theft area so leaving a detector visible along with a spare cell phone is asking for car damage and stolen items so I have not messed with the phone app and just run the Valentine on road trips.
If you want something which is tunable and you are kind of a techie I'd recommend the Valentine. I thought the arrows were a gimmick at first but they are actually pretty nice. If you want something that runs great out of the box then go with the redline. If you are worried about getting ripped off, install the STIR.
I never thought about the theft aspect so I agree, not something I want to entice a break in (I live in downtown Detroit). Seems like the integrated STiR is what I am looking for then. I really like the idea of the systems alerts/display all acting together from a single point. Am I losing any key features/performance benefits of the integrated STiR over the windshield mount Redline or V1? Also, wasn't planning to do the rear laser jammers as I don't know really where I'd mount them on my wagon and really the only scenario I can think of for laser from the rear is the cop on an overpass sending chase cars as he dings cars going under the bridge (pretty rare in my travel areas). Is there another reason/scenario for rear laser protection I am missing?
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