mzal@pegasus.UUCP (Mike Zaleski) (02/24/85)
Having had my Passport now for about a month, I thought I would post a followup on my experiences with it in answer to queries I've seen in net.auto and in my own mail. In open terrain the range seems to be about a mile coming up on a radar setup (i.e. coming up on a fixed smokey). The unit also seems to see over hills (see below) to be of some use. Finally, in the following situation: YOU other traffic SMOKEY other traffic the unit seems to pick up reflected radar within about .25 miles. I have no experience with a smokey coming up from behind using radar. There are annoying false alarms, but mostly these occur in predictable areas every day. One should read the manual carefully as it discusses some of these problems. Otherwise, the unit has performed flawlessly and I have no quality complaints. Cincinatti Microwave seems to have a shortage of some of the accessories one might want to get more of (i.e. handy snap in power connector), but at least they have plenty of Velcro strips to send out. There is a test of the unit in this month's Car&Driver, for those who are interested. One closing note: My experience around here still indicates that if you are willing to spend $300 for a radar detector, you should think about spending $100 for a CB too. Smokey doesn't always use radar and can be sneaky in other ways. Remember too, you have to keep an eye out for them! -- Mike^Z Zaleski@Rutgers, [ al[egra!, ihnp4! ] pegasus!mzal Appendix: Mostly for central Jersey people. Most of my experience is derived from driving on I287 and the Garden State Parkway. In general the unit seems to give adequate warning whem coming up over a hill (such as the Durham Ave overpass on I287 or in front of the Garden State Arts Center/Police area around 116/115 on the Parkway. When the smokey is not over a hill, typically the warning will be about a mile away (say for Radar Alley on the Parkway or when the smokey in question is on the same side of the Durham Ave overpass as I am on I287.