For us Newbies. What type of equipment do you reccomend. Two way radio's? CB Radios Radar Phasers (Do they really work) GPS Etc. Help us out here. What other things do you suggest - Digital camera, Video Camera, Barf Bag Etc.

D

Do the phasers really work? I have a Val 1 Detector. any other recommendations form the Pros?

To avoid and deal with cops you need:
V1
CB Radio (or to drive with someone who does)
5 mile range 2 way radio

I don't think the phaser type jammers really work, jamming radar is very difficult. Look at radartest.com. The V1 will pick most up early enough to avoid most issues. As far as scanners, if you are particularly proficient at using one, you might hear some interesting stuff (who knows how helpful it will be). Last year there weren't enough cars in the rally to attract much police attention beyond a few speed traps and patrol cars. We got buzzed by a police helicopter once and heard about a road block but it never materialized. The route should be easy enough to find this year without GPS but it would not be a bad idea. You can bring any kind of camera you want, disposable to hi-def dv, you willl remember the good stuff without it.

We need to start a thread about what the police in each area use. For instance, in Georgia you will not find speed traps outside of holiday weekends like this one so you just have to watch out for cops patrolling. They don't drive around shooting radar constantly so it is very easy to run up behind one without knowing. It will be good to develop a database of what kind of radar guns local precincts use, what cars they drive, and their habbits. Someone should take the initiative here and start something like that.
-Ed

As you are travelling south on either the turnpike or 75 around Ft Lauderdale and Miami, be very caeflu about the cops sitting up on overpasses. Also, Lake City Florida area around Gainesville, they do have the plane in the air. I have been tagged there myself.

No they do not work! if you would like to see video evidence of them not working please check this site out here! Also on this site you will see testing of the top three detectors!

V1 is the best radar detector for rally racing in my opinion. Heck it can detect quick triggered K-band 100% of the time where escort can only do 60%

Also the Val 1 is the only detector to detect Laser Atlanta in stealth mode...which you will run into in FL.

There are working active radar jammers you can buy however, they set off everyones including yours radar detector and it is a felony offence to operate and they are expensive.

Active Laser jammers are legal to use in some states and the best laser jammer currently on the market would be the BLinder extreme m20, it is the only jammer to detect and jam Laser Atlanta in stealth mode.

Also i would recommend you get VEIL stealth coating and a laser sheid plate cover as a cheap alternative if you don't wish to buy an active laser jammer.

FL just put in a bunch of bids for laser guns so minimiumly I would recommend you get VEIL stealth coating and Laser sheild plate cover if your state requires front plate.

Also besides asking for help here, you can go to this forum radardetector.net/ and the members there will be willing to answer any questions as well as give you ideas to stealth out your ride
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I concur with Ed on the CB radio, 5 mile range 2way radio and V1(make sure you have the most recent version)...

To complete your stealthiness to avoid the cops definitely look into VEIL stealth coating and laser sheild plate cover as well as an active laser jammer if you have the budget
If you are worried that if these products work please go to this thread and watch this video in which VEIL Stealth coating, LaserSheild Plate cover, and the Blinder extreme M20 was tested

There are also many videos of detectors and laser jammers in action here.
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Good luck on the rally hopefully you can avoid police...If you have any questions feel free to ask or go to the other forum i suggested
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BTW i wasn't on the rally last year but one of my hobbies is how to evade police and stay ticket free so i know a little bit

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The Volvo

Ed on this forum(radardetector.net) we have listed all the bands and and type od speed detection that is done by police is it in the sub category 'Speed Trap Info' check that out also you can post question and the members will answer them on every topic dealing with radar and laser detection and protection.

This site has speedtraps listed for most every town in the USA
http://www.speedtrap.org/

Here is another site with speed traps on interstates
A truckers' guide to Speed Traps on Interstate Highways in the United States.

One other thing X-band radar seems to be popping up more and more so make sure X-band is enabled on your detectors

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The Volvo

K - looks like you guys covered the evasion topic. Other maybe not so obvious items that I found useful last year included things like....
1. cereal bars or other portable, easy food items and water/liquids - You don't want to have to stop for the munchies. Keep food in the car so your only pit stops are for gas. Stay hydrated. You know, hangovers.
2. sunscreen - there were a number of FRIED individuals on last year's rally. DOn't underestimate the value of 45 spf. Poorboy can vouch.
3. I found the short range two way radios to be far more helpful than any other communication device. We'll all decide on a channel before we leave
4. Key West == swim suit
5. any type and all the cameras you own. You cannot over document your experience. I still go back and look at our raw footage from time to time. It's always worth a good laugh.
6. According to Awais, lots of singles for the strippers
7. A good car cleaner to get the oil from got boost's car off of your front bumper.

Did I forget anything you 2004 vets?

With emphasis on lots

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My Racing Videos

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This should be obvious but make sure you changed your oil and your car is tuned up before you go on the rally

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The Volvo

at least now you realize I'll be in front of you the whole way

But no seriously, it really doesn't spew out oil like last year. You'll see.

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“A turbo: exhaust gasses go into the turbocharger and spin it, witchcraft happens and you go faster.”
-Jeremy Clarkson

I was giving HIM advice. I didn't say it applied to me

I concur with the Sunscreen!! There is nothing worse then having Blisters on your sunburn when your stuck in a car for 6-7 hours at a time.

Also in regards to the 2 ways, it really is best to buy a 5 mile or higher 2 way radio, its very easy to get 5 miles behind other rally cars (esp if your behind Mike and Nick) and not know what could be ahead of you. That seemed to happen alot last year because some people bought 2 mile range ones.

When everyone meets up in philly on that friday try and makes friends with alot of people, your going to have a better time with everyone once you establish friendships with other drivers, plus also get some cell phone numbers from other drivers that way if the 2 ways die or loose range you can always call someone.

Before the rally go to your local AAA and get some maps of the east coast, if you dont have GPS this will come in handy. Or make friends with someone that does have GPS and follow their ass.

make sure you have some of the following as well, it will come in handy.

Anti diarreha pills ( youll thank me once your in that car after a night of drinking)
Car Jack (some people will need forget one)
Extra batteries (2 way radios, camera, etc all use them)
Cell phone charger
Toilet paper (never know when your going to need it)
Duct Tape ( Cant go wrong with extra Duck tape)
Engery drink ( your going to have a couple of really long days so your going to need it)
Condoms ( thats just a givin, unless your like Tom and fall asleep)

If anyone is running Syntheic oil in your cars you might want to bring along some extra quarts. Some gas stations in the southern states last year didint have any.

Thats really all i can think of at this time. Just have fun and it will be a great trip.

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Joe

Excellent list Joe!!!!
now..did you work it out? Are you ocming?

Nah, its not going to work out for me.

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Joe

Additional:
Zip ties
TOOLS!!!!
CB radio with a good antenna. Man that saved us a few times last year.

Nick

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