ok, let's start up an informative post so anyone that is interested in buying a radar detector can make decisions based on our input. please do not list down what you think or heard is good.. put down your OWN personal experiences with your own radar. please list the following:

- brand and model of radar
- place and price where you got it
- experiences with it
- personal rating from 1-10
- pictures or links to websites for pictures and specs

- I use the Beltronics Vector 995
http://img.photobucket.com/alb...r.jpg

- It retails for $300, but I got it for $150 in eBay about a year ago.

- This radar has got to be one of the best out there right now. I've used it for almost a year, and it has saved me from 20+ times that I was speeding. It alerts you with so much time so you have the chance to slow down and avoid a ticket. There was this time when I was racing an STI and we were both going 90+ on a 55 highway. The Ku band started going crazy on mine, so I knew it was serious. (FYI The Ku band is new. It was only used in Europe before, but now, some US cops started using it to fight most people with radars. Most radars out there do NOT have the Ku band in their specs. This one does, which is one of the reasons why I got it.) I slammed the brakes to lower my speed down to 65 while the STI kept going. Sure enough, I got burned, but around 100 yards in front, i saw the cop get off the shoulder, get his lights on, and pull the STI over.

- a definite 10. She hasn't let me down.

- http://www.beltronics.com/vector995.html

 

I have an old version of the Bell 997-R.
Bought off ebay for around $500 + $200 for install

I would rate it as a 8.5. It has saved me TONS of times in the 4 years I've had it. It could have better range, but thats partly do to it being mounted 10'' off the ground.

I would recommend it for anyone wanting a steath unit.

 

I have a Passport 8500 that's 2 years old. Bought it for about $200 used. Absolutely love it.

Other experiences are a Valentine one. THose are badass even though they are huge

 

passport 8500. i had it for two years. i like the programmablity and it's saved me many tickets. eventually i'll get the zr3 shifter to go with it since laser is becoming more commonplace.

the 8500x50 is out with better range and pop mode, but i heard you get more falses. anyway, i'm kinda pissed that the 8500 is not upgradeable to 8500x50 specs, even though the box said it ready to be upgraded for any future threats. that is bull$hit.

9/10.

i'm very happy with it. i don't care about directional arrows (v1-) you basically still need to be a cautious driver and realize it will only protect you if you speed "smart".

 

passport 8500 x50

bought it for $260 shipped off ebay, i believe cartoys was having a sale with them a couple months ago, for like $230.

i give it at 7/10. It alerts well, but most of time it alerts me just right before i see the cop. Maybe it's the trees? I live in a area with lots of hills and trees. It has saved me several times though. It does a lot of false alarms though, mostly grocery store doors, it gets annoying sometimes.. but u get use to it. I like it how the passport automatically dims down the sound of a alert. i'd recommend it.. but i think if i could do it all over again i would try valentine 1, but who knows it could be worst.

 

Ya know this is a stupid question, but I still want to ask it since this is supposed to be "an informative post" about radar detectors. I was trying to read CA vehicular codes to determine legality of these things. All I saw was that radar jammers were illegal which makes sense. Then, I see people talking about stealthing their detectors in their cars and all that. So does this mean that radar detectors are also illegal? If so, what happens if you get pulled over and the cop sees it. Thanks.

 

i also use the passport 8500. I got it for 250, new. at some stupid little car customizing shop in houston, called executive motors or something like that.. Its saved me from a lot of tickets, i like it a lot, 9/10. You get a lot for what you pay for.

 

No one can answer my question?

 

my traffic school tech told me that they are perfectly legal

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Onikage &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">No one can answer my question?</TD></TR></TABLE>
You would need to check with the laws in your state regaurding detectors.

Not all jammers are illegal in all states Laser jamers wich aren't regulated by the FCC are not illegal but this also depends on the state you live in.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Onikage &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ya know this is a stupid question, but I still want to ask it since this is supposed to be "an informative post" about radar detectors. I was trying to read CA vehicular codes to determine legality of these things. All I saw was that radar jammers were illegal which makes sense. Then, I see people talking about stealthing their detectors in their cars and all that. So does this mean that radar detectors are also illegal? If so, what happens if you get pulled over and the cop sees it. Thanks.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I believe its only illegal in VA? correct me if i'm wrong.

 

Passport 8500 x50 It is very sensitive though, seems like brake lights set it off sometimes.

 

Valentine 1. I got it from their website (the only place you can get them, I think) Worth every penny. Wouldn't drive a car without it. Absolutely the best IMHO. http://www.valentine1.com They kick serious ***. Huge amounts of warning time. (I've had over 2 min of warning on a good day traveling at 80 mph, and the cop coming toward me probally around 70.) It tells you what direction they are at, how many are gunning, what strength, and which band, being all 4.

I was driving from school (university of Illinois) to chicago, up the infamous I-57 stretch, and in a bit of a hurry, I was toppin a little over 100. Some guy in a turbodesil dullay was followin me close. I noticed a little blip of Ka on my radar, and ignored it. A few seconds later, a second blip a little larger. At this point, I am slowing down to about 80. The dually goes racing by, and about a half mile down the road, over a little crest, I see the teltale gumballs light up and nail the truck, and I am off free, enjoying the security of knowing where the police are and how many are watching me.

 

i live in VA and i believe that its illegal to have a radar detector in you car connected to a power source( cig. lighter jack, batteries) my grandfather who lives in NJ got a ticket in VA because the cop saw the radar detector on his visor. my grandfather didn't know it was illegal. there are many people including myself who have detectors you just have to dissconnect them when you see a cop.


Modified by steve00si at 2:40 PM 11/30/2004

 

Valentine 1 has got to be the best one out there.

 

It saved my *** tonight. I was flying down to school, doin a little over 110, being paced by a few people. I was getting errant hits on the Ka band, and decided to slow down. Lo and behold, about 2 miles down the road, the three other cars were pulled over on the side of the road, as I casually drove by. That's probally ticket number 30 I've gotten out of because of my V1.

 

V1 all the way...I use one, my bro uses one and my Uncle has one in his Viper. Come on if a guy driving a Viper has one you know there the ****!

 

V1

 

Cobra ESD 9570

http://www.cobra.com/index.php...&id=1

i got it from ebay, work well, i have safe a fiew ticket with this one, last year i was using a Uniden LRD 960, it's was good too! the cobra one work further then the uniden one!


i have change it for the band "spectre" that the uniden haven't!! and i think uniden doesn't make radar dectector anymore

8/10 for the cobra!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by steve00si &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i live in VA and i believe that its illegal to have a radar detector in you car connected to a power source( cig. lighter jack, batteries) my grandfather who lives in NJ got a ticket in VA because the cop saw the radar detector on his visor. my grandfather didn't know it was illegal. there are man people including myself who have detectors you just have to dissconnect them when you see a cop.</TD></TR></TABLE>

This is not entirely true. Both of my cousins are City cops and one of my close friends is a state cop for Virginia. That may work at getting you off with the local boys, but thats not how its supposed to work. If you have a radar detector within your reach, you can be ticketed for it. Technically in the State of VA if you even have it in your trunk, your screwed. lol. Just thought I might inform you of this.

Back on topic, I also use the Beltronics 995. I bought it because Consumer Reports rated all of the radar detectors and rated the 995 the best bang for the buck. It has a lot of the features of the higher priced ones, but none of the fancy lights and directional locators. The reason I like it personally is because it is upgradeable for new types of radar bands. This alone made the 300 dollars easy for me to spend.

 

i've been usinng my buddy's passport 8500 while his car is out of commission (few months). I've seen it at stores for $280, bu I think he said he got it for $180 somehow. Anyway I think it sucks nuts, I get 20 falses to every actual one going by stores with auto doors or broadcasting stations (even in city mode). I drive past cops while I'm speeding all the time and the thing doesn't go off, I think it's went off like twice where there actually was a cop ahead, and I wasn't even speeding those times. Not to mention all the times is says "service required" when its cold in the mornings. I give it a 2.

 

I was thinking of getting the beltronics express 925 has anyone ever had this one? or should i go with a cobra?

 

well i've got the cobra from target, it was like 100 bucks

six months now, saved my *** about 20 times probably, seriously. it rocks.

i got pulled over, once, cause i had the sound off and it was out of my way, so the cop and was like what the ****, looked over at the detector, Ka with a signal strength of 5

i was pissed, but it was campus safety 25 bucks and no points...good ****

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by marsbike &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Valentine 1. I got it from their website (the only place you can get them, I think) Worth every penny. Wouldn't drive a car without it. Absolutely the best IMHO. http://www.valentine1.com They kick serious ***. Huge amounts of warning time. (I've had over 2 min of warning on a good day traveling at 80 mph, and the cop coming toward me probally around 70.) It tells you what direction they are at, how many are gunning, what strength, and which band, being all 4.</TD></TR></TABLE>

- Valentine One
- Their website, $410
- Given my average cruising speed is at or above 80, its probably saved me from a suspended lisence dozens of times over and thousands of dollars in court cost and fines. The longest I've ever had it pick up a pig was going over the crest of a mountain which the cop was over the crest of another mountain, it was probably about a 5 mile pickup because I was going 70 or so and it took about 5 minutes for the cop to pass me. It was first a pretty high warning, then died down and gradually increased until it went off full blast as he approached.
- Since Ive never seen anything perfect, Ill give it a 9, but it deserves an 11.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by integra-modder &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">- Valentine One
- Their website, $410
- Given my average cruising speed is at or above 80, its probably saved me from a suspended lisence dozens of times over and thousands of dollars in court cost and fines. The longest I've ever had it pick up a pig was going over the crest of a mountain which the cop was over the crest of another mountain, it was probably about a 5 mile pickup because I was going 70 or so and it took about 5 minutes for the cop to pass me. It was first a pretty high warning, then died down and gradually increased until it went off full blast as he approached.
- Since Ive never seen anything perfect, Ill give it a 9, but it deserves an 11.</TD></TR></TABLE>

That is incredible. I can't wait to get out to the mountains to check the effectiveness of it. ROAD TRIP!