I'm looking to get a radar detector, and I dont know which ones are good. Can some1 give me some input on a couple of the models and prices.

Thanks

 

some of the top dectectors are the bel rx65 (retail $329), escort passport 8500 (about 300) and the valentine one ($400). they are pricey but well worth imo.

 

valentine V1, while it is a nice radar detector and is better than any cobras or whislers, is outated. it has not been updated since the mid-90s. also the k-40 RD850 which is $279.99 retail.
spending $ on a radar detector that is like a hundred bucks is like flushing $100 down the toilet

 

just add jammers front and back of vehicle beltronics got one works best ( not sure if legal though)

 

radar detectors suck, i bought a escort passport and i still didnt pick up in time and I almost got as ticket. no radar detectors work all the time. i better off with out when then i dont drive fast.

 

If u get one spend the money becuase otherwise you are paying for a heart attack. My friend had a really cheap one and when we drove by some garage doors it would set hers off and she'd slam on her breaks. I personally thought it was hilarious but she didnt. You get what you pay for.

 

i have beltronics..good imo
id say keep the 100..youlll get sick of it in a month

 

I just brought the Cobra XRS-9700 for $100.

Its pretty cool.

 

I use a escort passportX50. According to radardetectors.com it is the best. As for a jammer they are LEGAL as long as they are a passive jammer not a active version. In otherwords a active is constently jamming while a passive will detect a radar signal then jam it, but these units only work up until a certain distance then the radar signal will over power the jammer. Hope this helps

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by incubus &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">valentine V1, while it is a nice radar detector and is better than any cobras or whislers, is outated. it has not been updated since the mid-90s.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Why does the V1 version number every so often...? I thought they were making upgrades to the unit? Why do they say they'll upgrade it to the latest version if you send an old one in? Are they just taking our money and not giving us anything new?

Also, how do you know this about V1?

 

does it pick up real good or no? I was thinking of getting a dectector too. but just don't know which brand to get.

 

That's a very decent detector for the money. I got a similar deal on one for my girlfriend and it has served her well for the last six months. I've been using a V1 for about the last year with great results but they aren't for everyone. (A little false-happy, a little pricey.)

Now that you have a decent detector, it's important that you understand its capabilities. The most important thing is that they only pick up signals when a cop is transmitting, and cops don't always transmit. A lot of the time an officer will sit in his hiding spot with the radar turned off and only trigger it when he visually identifies a vehicle that he thinks is over the limit. That guy has no chance of being warned because his RD won't go off until he's already cooked. However, a detector user travelling behind that car (up to about a mile depending on terrain) can be warned because he will pick up the signal from the other guy being clocked. So rule #1 is don't go way over the limit unless you have blockers in front of you to take the first hit.

Laser is a growing threat in some areas. It's even worse than radar because there is absolutely no warning before you are clocked yourself. This is because it's just a narrow beam of light and your radar detector usually can't see it. You might get lucky once in a while, but all you can really do is keep your eyes peeled and keep a blocker in front of you. There are countermeasures that can prevent a laser reading but the average person probably doesn't want to get into that kind of thing.

A lot of people drive around thinking that their radar detector is a license to speed, which is just plain untrue. It's a great tool if used properly and a detriment if abused. Those who drive at wreckless speeds will be caught no matter what! Keep your eyes open, stay safe, and good luck!

(For more info on RDs than anybody probably wants, browse to radardetector.net. It's by far the best source of information I've found. I have been on that board for about six months but that's my only affiliation with it.)

 

My cheap fry's $45 special unit as paid for it's self many times over. Even with laser.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by yuedarklord &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm looking to get a radar detector, and I dont know which ones are good. Can some1 give me some input on a couple of the models and prices.

Thanks</TD></TR></TABLE> Here is the best advice so far.............
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by exbrick &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">That's a very decent detector for the money. I got a similar deal on one for my girlfriend and it has served her well for the last six months. I've been using a V1 for about the last year with great results but they aren't for everyone. (A little false-happy, a little pricey.)

Now that you have a decent detector, it's important that you understand its capabilities. The most important thing is that they only pick up signals when a cop is transmitting, and cops don't always transmit. A lot of the time an officer will sit in his hiding spot with the radar turned off and only trigger it when he visually identifies a vehicle that he thinks is over the limit. That guy has no chance of being warned because his RD won't go off until he's already cooked. However, a detector user travelling behind that car (up to about a mile depending on terrain) can be warned because he will pick up the signal from the other guy being clocked. So rule #1 is don't go way over the limit unless you have blockers in front of you to take the first hit.

Laser is a growing threat in some areas. It's even worse than radar because there is absolutely no warning before you are clocked yourself. This is because it's just a narrow beam of light and your radar detector usually can't see it. You might get lucky once in a while, but all you can really do is keep your eyes peeled and keep a blocker in front of you. There are countermeasures that can prevent a laser reading but the average person probably doesn't want to get into that kind of thing.

A lot of people drive around thinking that their radar detector is a license to speed, which is just plain untrue. It's a great tool if used properly and a detriment if abused. Those who drive at wreckless speeds will be caught no matter what! Keep your eyes open, stay safe, and good luck!

(For more info on RDs than anybody probably wants, browse to radardetector.net. It's by far the best source of information I've found. I have been on that board for about six months but that's my only affiliation with it.) </TD></TR></TABLE>Ditto all the above

exbrick is correct, you need to FPSP [follow proper speading procedure] and if you are a reckless speeder, [speeding through residentual areas, school zones, or any place where there are pedestriens] you deserve a ticket, wreck your car, have it stripped and vandalized, have your drivers license revoked, have your GF dump you for another woman, have your kid sister kick you in the nuts and to burn in hell, get the picture 94

 

No radar detector, no tickets for a while.
Always be the second fastest car on the road.

Dan

 

Hey good information man. I need a radar detector. This should help out alot. Thanks.

 

No problem! I'll tell you that I was totally lost until I found that forum. There are plenty of sites that claim to test radar detectors but a surprising number of them are biased for one reason or another (usually $$.) This way you just get a lot of knowledge from individuals who report on their own experience. It's downright addictive for me even though I'm not a hard-core speeder. I just love electronic toys!

 

just be very cautious, i can spot a cop car marked or unmarked from what seems like miles away. and i can identify them by their headlights now. (impalas intrepids and crown vics) the only problem now is that i sometimes have to slam on my brakes only to find out its just granny

 

Here's a good example of why you have to be careful even with a radar detector.

I drove about 600 miles this weekend in CT, RI, MA, NH, and ME. I make it a point not to be the fastest car on the road but I like to flow with faster-moving traffic. This usually means roughly 75 in a 65 (on the fringe) but occasionally 80+ in a 65 (definitely ticket worthy.) I made it through the first 500 miles of my travelling with hardly any evidence of enforcement. Then, maybe 40 miles from the end and travelling around 75mph, I see brake lights ahead of me which makes me extremely suspicious. After I slowed to about 67-68 (right lane flow) I round the corner and see none other than one of CT's finest parked perpendicular to the road with a laser aimed carefully out the window. Not only was there no advanced warning, but the V1 didn't even alert to laser once I was in his sights! I would have been totally cooked had I not been paying attention the the road and traffic ahead of me.

 

ya i just find a car whos goin 90++ on the highway and use him as a buffer, so if someones goin fast hes the one getting caught. But keep your distance.

I did that for bout 30 miles on an open stretch highway and on the way back i bought my self the cobra 9700 whichc let me go 90+ on the way back.

 

A radar detector wont detect LASER unless he aimed it at your car, in which case you will be getting a ticket....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fcm &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
exbrick is correct, you need to FPSP [follow proper speading procedure] and if you are a reckless speeder, [speeding through residentual areas, school zones, or any place where there are pedestriens] you deserve a ticket, wreck your car, have it stripped and vandalized, have your drivers license revoked, have your GF dump you for another woman, have your kid sister kick you in the nuts and to burn in hell, get the picture 94</TD></TR></TABLE>

damn dude..........

 

There is NO such thing as a "Radar Jammer". The **** just doesn't exist. At least not at a consumer level for a car.

Your best protection is good radar detector. (Installed ones tend to work better due to the location of the radar pickup in the front and rear bumpers, like a K40) and at least one K40 Laser Diffuiser. As far as I know these are NOT illegal. At least in CT. And yea, they work.

 

Passive radar jammers exist, but they DO NOT WORK. A company called Rocky Mountan Radar makes little devices that claim to work but have been proven to do absolutely nothing. They barely even detect radar, much less jam it. Active jammers are theoretically possible and exist in small numbers but they are extremely finicky. They also carry a maximum $50,000 fine and jail time courtesy of the FCC if caught.

Also, installed radar detectors only work better than dash-mount radar detectors on photo radar, which is used all over Europe but hardly at all in the US. It is distinct from normal radar because the beam is always aimed low and are very weak. Not to mention that detectors are illegal in most European countries so a concealed mount is a must. Here in the US you are much better off mounting a regular detector high on the windshield. A higher mounting position gives you better detection because it can see over hills and traffic, whereas an antenna mounted in your bumper is looking directly into the car in front of you. Normal detectors are also far cheaper and generally get the most advanced technology first. So don't waste your money unless you absolutely need the concealment.

As for the K40 laser diffuser, it's extremely out-dated and over-priced. It uses a single LED tranceiver on a license plate frame. It's too weak to jam modern lasers, especially if aimed at the headlights. You are better off with more recent technology like the Blinder M20 Xtreme which is a dual-head unit. Another good one is the Lidatek LE30 which is a single, tiny head but it uses a laser diode which is extremely powerful. AntiLaser will bring a similar unit to the US in the near future. The Escort and Bel jammers are decent but probably not quite as effective since they haven't been updated appreciably in the last couple of years. And definitely don't buy the cheap Korean knock-offs of these units that are about to flood the market. Thing is, some states have outlawed jammer explicitly so you have to be careful. I think the illegal states are AT LEAST CA, MN, IL, VA, DC, and UT. There will probably be more soon, so don't hold me to those.

Personally, I use a product called Laser Veil which works by absorbing laser rather than jamming it. You coat your headlights and license plate cover with it, not the paint. It can reduce laser targeting distances to ~600 feet on a dark vehicle whereas officers are generally trained to start tracking you at 1000. You have to be quick, but if you aren't way above the limit and your radar detector goes off on laser it gives you just enough time to slow down. You will want to mount you radar detector lower at about mid-windshield or lower if you want any hope of knowing that you have been clocked (unless you see the officer).

Good equipment is extremely effective if used properly. But, again, if you drive wrecklessly you open yourself up to a world of pain. An officer doesn't need to use any device to check your speed if you blow by at 100+ with your wheels on fire. He can still haul you in, and the judge will believe him since they are trained in visual speed estimates. Assuming, of course, he catches you before you wreck.

Cliff notes: information on concealed radar detectors (don't bother), modern laser countermeasures (don't get the K40), and you still can't get away with driving like an idiot no matter what you have. Stay safe.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Eugenics &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">just be very cautious, i can spot a cop car marked or unmarked from what seems like miles away. and i can identify them by their headlights now. (impalas intrepids and crown vics) the only problem now is that i sometimes have to slam on my brakes only to find out its just granny</TD></TR></TABLE>
+1, im a lil paranoid sometimes looking to see if it is a cop, but it ends up being a slow granny/grandpa. the best is to just not go too far over