Rear Laser Diffusers?

[tsmitty]

Hi all,

After two speeding tickets too many, I'm purchasing a radar detector with laser diffusers. Does anyone know about highway patrol habits in Oregon and Washington? Specifically, I'm concerned about getting zapped from behind, say by an officer sitting up on an overpass. I could get the Passport Qi45, installed, for about half what other units might cost me. Problem is, it uses front diffusers only. I'm not convinced that's enough protection, but the cost savings is compelling. Anyone have any thoughts here? Thanks!

[AvantQuattro]

I have the Passport 9500ci system which does have a rear shifter. Gives me a LOT more piece of mind than the old Lidatek I had in my B5 with only a front unit - in which I did get a ticket in 2010 after getting caught from behind from a cop at the top of an onramp. IMO it would be worth the extra bucks to get the rear.

You state the cost savings is compelling for the Qi45 system....but if you have had two tickets already, did you account for not only the cost of the tickets but the increase in insurance and, if applicable, the cost of time, gas, and possibly lost wages if you had to take off work for court? If you're prone to getting tickets, you'll likely get more. It's probably worth it for you in the end to get the ci.


BTW - which of your cars would you be installing it in? If it's your S5 you're welcome to check out the custom install in mine - all hidden in the ashtray. There's also a guy in the A/S5 forum who did a ghost install in the rearview mirror, but he hasn't put up the details of it yet.

[tsmitty]

I have the Passport 9500ci system which does have a rear shifter. Gives me a LOT more piece of mind than the old Lidatek I had in my B5 with only a front unit - in which I did get a ticket in 2010 after getting caught from behind from a cop at the top of an onramp. IMO it would be worth the extra bucks to get the rear.

Thanks! That's precisely the kind of advice I was looking for. The 9500ci and 8500ci are the other systems I'm considering.

You state the cost savings is compelling for the Qi45 system....but if you have had two tickets already, did you account for not only the cost of the tickets but the increase in insurance and, if applicable, the cost of time, gas, and possibly lost wages if you had to take off work for court? If you're prone to getting tickets, you'll likely get more. It's probably worth it for you in the end to get the ci.

I have. Honestly, if was just the cost of the ticket (the last one I paid was "just" $146), I wouldn't even bother with a detector. I would only go for the Qi45 if I were to receive assurances that the highway patrol in our area tends not to zap drivers from overpasses or other areas where a rear diffuser would be useful. I hadn't gotten a speeding ticket in a decade, and never in my lowered arrest-me-blue S5 with Magnaflow exhaust. I picked up my stealthy gray 2012 S4 in September, and blam - I got two tickets in like two months. Granted, one of these was my lovely wife's doing - but a front-mounted lidar diffuser almost certainly would have prevented it.

BTW - which of your cars would you be installing it in? If it's your S5 you're welcome to check out the custom install in mine - all hidden in the ashtray. There's also a guy in the A/S5 forum who did a ghost install in the rearview mirror, but he hasn't put up the details of it yet.

I'm putting it in the S4 (sold the S5). The installer I met with also suggested the ashtray. I may take you up on your offer - the front portion of the S5 and S4 interiors are nearly identical. I'd read that these guys do a pretty nice mirror install. I'm kicking that around too.

Thanks again for your advice!

[AvantQuattro]

Unfortunately there are no guarantees as to where a cop will or will not sit, so it's a gamble to speed without protection.

Are you on west or east side? I may hit one of the cars & coffees tomorrow morning, if you'd want to see the car then.

Here's Brian's write-up on his install, with just a couple pics so far of the mirror display: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...mirror-display
That company you linked to, that seems like a lot extra for a mirror unit. Granted, I don't know how to balance it against a DIY, since Brian hasn't divulged the details yet so I don't know the difficulty level and if it's worth it to pay someone for one instead.

[tsmitty]

Agreed - but I was sure hoping! I'll likely take your advice and go with the 9500ci. I'm on the west side. Maybe next weekend? I agree w/you about the expense of the mirror install - but it sure is an elegant solution. The older I get, the less brave I am in modifying my home and car. I used to love DIY projects. Not so much any more. The installer I've been talking to has done a mirror install before - but never in an Audi, and he didn't seem excited to try. I might be able to nudge him down that particular road...

[AvantQuattro]

Sure...I'll be out again this Sat, it's the Sbux on Sequoia Pkwy (right off Carman Dr I-5 exit). Starts at 8, I'll be there at least a cpl hrs.

-Molly

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