GPS, Uniden to unveil new MapTrax GPS with integrated radar detector at CES
By Nilay Patel 
posted December 27th 2007 11:37PM
posted December 27th 2007 11:37PM
Uniden's released a couple different low-key MapTrax GPS units, like the GPS-352 pictured here, but the company's been cranking out popular radar detectors for years now -- so it makes sense that we'll be seeing updated MapTrax units at CES with built-in fuzzbusters. The new MapTrax line will feature six different 3.5- and 4.3-inch units with NAVTEQ maps and 2GB of internal memory, and Uniden says four models will include integrated Bluetooth. Sadly, there aren't any official pictures yet, but you know we'll be all over these things at CES.
Sounds perfect for us drivers in Virginia (where radar detectors are illegal).
exactly what I was thinking (as a VA driver)
Oh nice, I've been looking around for a fuzzbuster and a GPS, if this looks good, I think I'll take one please. Now who wants to race?
Um, I dont think I get the point of radar detectors and jammers. What exactly are they useful for? I don't think they are legal in california, are they?
Radar guns are what the majority of cops use to get in their ticket quota for the month. So if you live in a suburb with little to no crime and too many cops, you get speeding tickets for going 5 over. The device helps remedy this by telling you when radar guns are near so you can slow down that minuscule bit to not get cited.
Ah, thanks.
First Radar jammers are illegal in all states with a minimun 1 year felony. (FCC)
radar detections is legal in all states Except VA, and Maryland (I think it has to do with national security or something)
Laser jammers are legal since they are governed by the FDA (yes the FDA. go research)
Although, UNIDEN. This product must be bad since uniden has little or no expericance with radar.
I for one will not give up my Valentine V1 for other crap.
All I can say is Big Whoop. Cheap radar detectors going in GPS. I dont see a big sales in long run.
-erhan28
What!? Uniden has "little to no" experience with radar?!
My first radar detector in *1989* was a Uniden. I'd say they have plenty of experience.
Their units aren't as *good* as some of the higher end brands, but then they don't cost $500 either. But experience is not an issue.
Of course, Jammers at best, don't work, and at worst, make your radar signature even more noticeable.
As a Maryland resident, I know that radar detectors are LEGAL in Maryland. You are correct that they are illegal in Virginia. And I am fairly certain Va. isn't the only US state they are illegal in.
Radar dectors are legal in Cali - jammers are not. Unfortunately Uniden makes second rate dectors - what we need is for Valentine (Probably the best radar detector) to get into this action.
Lets hope they allow for GPS based false alarm lockout like the Escort 9500i. GPS + RD has been done already by escort, but without the mapping interface. It will be cool to see how uniden integrate the two!
Most of the time radar detectors don't work. Most cops, at least the ones I know, don't drive around with their radars on. They flip them on and off quickly. This quick flash will alert you of their radars, but they already have you clocked and are just waiting for you to get closer. One of my friends would clock them up to a mile away and the guy never knew what hit them.
And no, I don't agree with most speed laws.
Not true 100%, For instance, My V1 gives me more than enough time. Since Some radar go to a sleep mode so that they can turn on faster, This make it detectable. ie Pop3.. etc...
Although like the city that i live in where crime is low and we have wayyy tooo many cops that need there paychecks, our officers have lasers where those things will get you.
PS I hate escort. :p V1 all the way
I agree with erhan. Where I live, they can't be bothered to look for a fairly expensive mountain bike stolen from my house (I called one day, and got a postcard the next day reading "we have exhausted all leads") yet the local cops run their detectors most of the time. I have had an Escort 8500 (which was also stolen, and the same cops did nothing then, too) and Passport SR7 in one car with a V1 in the other. These make getting around a lot easier, particularly when the law enforcement officers setup improper/illegal speedtraps and let the radar gun do all the work.
I have seen combo GPS(Gatso)/Radar Detector gizmos for a while in UK magazines, and I've waited for more of these ticket cameras to show up here in the US. The upshot with cameras is that, at least where I live, the letter in the mail isn't binding in its delivery, so you can get a process server to bring it to you. Of course, if they can't find you or you live too far away, well...
GPS is a very crowded market as it is. Cobra couldn't hack it and exited the GPS business already ( http://www.gpslodge.com/archives/015500.php ). What could Uniden do that Cobra couldn't? Well nothing actually, so I must ask "why bother?"
Hm. So they don't use laser guns mostly for speed ticketing in USA? It's only laser guns where I live ... and cameras on the motorway. I doubt they can be detected just like that.
While this idea is nice, I don't think it will be carried out well enough.
Where will the antenna(s) be? It seems like the way many people have their GPS mounted and the tilt some people use may hurt the performance of the unit to a very noticeable degree.
To whoever said Uniden doesn't have experience, you are indeed wrong, they backed out of the RD market years ago but they used to be one of the main competitors in that market.
However, Uniden coming back into this market now is a bit interesting as the competition has years of advantage in the newest radar/laser features and such. I'm not saying Uniden can't do it but I do place a little doubt on how much this will compete with a standalone radar detector such as the Escort, Valentine, and Bel ones.
Escort also has their 9500i which has GPS built in but no visible screen for navigation, it simply is used to lock out certain signals at certain places to avoid false alerts. I owned one of these and while the performance wasn't bad and the false-filtering wasn't bad either, I did return it for the V1 since I wanted raw performance and the locater arrows.
Now, I own a V1 and have programmed it for optimal settings in false-abundant environments like strolls through towns and still have the all-bogey mode for those highway/interstate trips. From my experiences with the V1, the performance is absolutely amazing and for those who say that radar detectors are useless since by the time you get the warning it is too late -- WRONG.
For radar, I'll give you a quick example. I live in NC and I travel down (or up) I-485 going to home and back from my apartment on campus. I live off exit 49 and before I even get to the "exit 49 in 1/2 mile" sign, I already start to get an alert from a X-band traffic monitor at the light after the offramp. That kind of range is from a fairly weak signal too. I've gotten real alerts from police running constant on (LOL) radar from over a mile away at times given the right terrain. As for laser, yes, once you get the alert you better hope it was him shooting at the car near you instead of you so you can slowdown otherwise it's over and that's if you get the alert at all. Honestly, if you need laser protection, get the laser jammer kits and be done with it.
ABOUT TIME!!
Ive been waiting for this combo for years.
now all we need is to combine gps/radar with sirius and i can reclaim my dashboard again.