J95runner

hey guys i have a 2002 tacoma. I just got a Early warning EW-3100 radar dector. I have read that it is a really good one. but it never seems to work for me. i have it on the city mode for driving around and set up right, but it neevr goes off when im around cops. It will go off by certain stores for the xband in their alarm systems, but it will rarely go off for cops. somtimes if im following them, i have to be stopped at a red light for it to go off, and sitting right behind them the signal from 1-9 will only be like a 2. then when they pull away and are about 30 ft. away it doesnt pick it up anymore. its supposed to have a 1 mile range. i cant apss a cop going the other direction and it usually wont even go off. Now i know the cops has to have his radar on for me to detect him, but im sure every cop doesnt have his off, ya know what i mean. now in the troublshooting it says some cars have this instaclear or electraclear type coating in the windsheild which can affect the radar signals, but im sure our toyotas dont have it. any suggestions? thanks guys.
Jon

rockota

never heard of a heated windshield coating, but given the fact that I've been enjoying the snow and freezing weather of the last few weeks, I can assure you there is nothing "heated" about the windshield..

Toy4Life

I think that coating you are referring to is a type of tint- some Benzes and Lexus have it, it has a purple/gold color to it when you look at it at an angle. So, I don't think any Toyota trucks from the factory have it...not 100% sure on that though. Where do you mount your detector? If you have up on the top of the windshield, try mounting it really low on the windshield, close to the top of the dashboard (that's where mine has it's home). I've heard that blue band at the top of the window screws with the signals.

Alin10123

Your radar detector will NOT go off unless the cop has his radar gun on. You can have cops all around your radar detector, but if none of them pulls the trigger on their radar gun, your detector will stay quiet! So... in a way, you are kind of screwed if you are speeding and the cop clocks you by tailing your bumper and pulls the trigger on the radar gun since he alreardy knows your speeding.

J95runner

yeah i know i just figured that it would go off somtimes when i see a cop, i have it mounted near the bottom of the windsheild. ok thanks guys.Jon