Best radar detector for the money

[greenydsm]

I was looking into buying a radar detector because i spend alot of time on the highway, and i'm not to comfortable with the 65mph speedlimit,(usually cruise around 80mph) and i was wondering if any of you guys had a radar detector? Which brand do you use?

how effective is your radar detector?


thanks,

ben

 

[99gst_racer]

Most cops have a special feature on their radars that make them "undetecable" for almost all "radar detectors". It's called "Hold" feature (Kustom signals radar, not sure on the others...)

There is only 2 known radar detectors that can detect a radar on hold...
Valentine (MSRP $400)
Passport (MSRP $350)

You're SOL with the $50 Wal-Mart special.... And, from what I've read, nothing will beat the LIDAR units that some cops are using. Radar/lidar units these days are instant-on. This means they line up on you, pull the trigger / press the button and have your speed. So about the time your radar detector chirps you already have a ticket inbound.

 

[greenydsm]

ha your right about the walmart special, i had a 60 dollar cobra from walmart and it would detect everything BUT cops..


i was also looking into the beltronics gx65

the lidar is the lazer correct?

 

[Hubbard 0]

Valentine 1.

It's expensive and worth every penny. Once you have the arrows, you'll wonder how you lived without them.

 

[i_nick_2005_i]

I have the Escort Passport 8500 X50 Blue. Works like a charm. The only way "instant on" will get you is if there is no one in front of you getting radar'd first. But if there is a cop radaring a mile or more in front of you, you'll know. I love mine.

Edit: Cops here don't have laser, so I don't have to worry on that.

 

[Fabian]

totally agree with 99gstracer on this one VALENTINE or PASSPORT FTMFW! I've had both the valentine LUV and a Passport. Both those companies offer program upgrades every year that you own the device for a small fee. They're really awesome radar detectors. But like he said as well, if the cops dont want you to know they're there, you're not gonna know...

 

[projecteclipse2]

Hands down speeding was the dumbest thing i did so just don't do it.
lost my license cause of it.

SO just go the speedlimit unless on tpike or highways

 

[->PrOjEcTGS<-]

SO just go the speedlimit unless on tpike or highways

Not very good advice...

The Kansas turnpike hands you out a timestamped ticket when you enter the freeway and when you turn that ticket in at the other end the system will calculate how fast you made the distance in. If it was considerably over the speedlimit the camera at the booth will snap a photo of your license plate and you'll be getting a ticket in the mail.

Ever wonder what those evenly spaced white lines are on the highways? It's so the chopper flying above you can calculate your speed based on how fast you make it from line to line. They then radio to an officer that pulls you over and hands you a ticket. No use of radar/lidar there.

Be smart... Don't speed.

 

[matthewdesigns]

Valentine 1 all the way.

I've had one for a decade, only gotten 2 tickets in that amount of time, and I'm a chronic speeder . Plus, Valentine offers upgrades on existing units whenever they come out with new features, so you don't have to shell out for a completely new detector to keep up with the technology.

 

[Red Alert]

Another one for the V1, I've had mine for quite some time and can't imagine using any other brand. But even the best detector out there is worthless unless you know how to use it properly, you can't be doing 90mph with no one else on the road and expect it to save you.

 

[i_nick_2005_i]

I'll add something......I rarely ever speed, but do catch myself speeding on occasion when in a hurry and stuff on my mind, maybe like 13-15mph over on accident. In that case it's nice to have a radar detector. I also warn other drivers behind me who may be speeding that there is a cop ahead, or a radar trap. Also, I like having it in town because most the cops leave there radars on in busy areas, or sometimes even when they are parked and watching a certain intercection/stop sign. It's just nice to actually know there is a cop nearby, before you even see it...........they also pick up radar very well from a cop behind you, so if you are wondering if it's a cop behind you alittle ways back, soon enough he will radar someone on the opposite lane and then you'll know......They aren't 100% trustworthy, but once you get used to having one, you kind of feel naked without it..........My 2¢.

Edit: Like Red Alert said, you have to know how to use your radar detector and other people on the road......It's nice to have a "rabbit" in front of you. When they fly by you then you can increase your speed, let them get alittle ahead then match their speed. Valentine and Escort are the best.

http://www.radardetector.net/forums/ <<<Nice Link

 

[blcknspo0ln]

I loved my old school passport X50. As I've gotten older, I don't speed as much and I sold my radar detector last year.

 

[projecteclipse2]

Not very good advice...

The Kansas turnpike hands you out a timestamped ticket when you enter the freeway and when you turn that ticket in at the other end the system will calculate how fast you made the distance in. If it was considerably over the speedlimit the camera at the booth will snap a photo of your license plate and you'll be getting a ticket in the mail.

Ever wonder what those evenly spaced white lines are on the highways? It's so the chopper flying above you can calculate your speed based on how fast you make it from line to line. They then radio to an officer that pulls you over and hands you a ticket. No use of radar/lidar there.

Be smart... Don't speed.

i agree with that hahha but ohio is too poor for that kind of stuff so as long as you dont personally get caught by a camera or a cop your good

 

[Lofty]

I do declare that I love the Escort Radar Detectors.

 

[BigBeans]

I use the Bell STi Driver, which is a hopped up passport 8500 in a magnesium case.

If you're looking to spend 400, it's the way to go.

That said, a used passport 8500 X50 is 90% as good for less than half the price on ebay. Best budget choice IMO, as V1s tend to cost more and offer little besides the arrows.

Arrows are cute, but when my radar detector goes off i slow down regardless of where it's coming from, so i spent my $ on the more sensitive bell.

 

[the_mork]

For $400 you could get two speeding tickets without the hassle and uncertainty of a radar detector. Also isn't it more likely that you're going to get the speed on your ticket knocked down if you don't have a radar detector? If I was a cop I wouldn't give a break to anyone who I thought was intentionally circumventing the law like that.

 

[Fotowntalon]

For $400 you could get two speeding tickets without the hassle and uncertainty of a radar detector. Also isn't it more likely that you're going to get the speed on your ticket knocked down if you don't have a radar detector? If I was a cop I wouldn't give a break to anyone who I thought was intentionally circumventing the law like that.

Technically, if you drive the same way as you did before the radar detector as you do prior, if you avoid 2-3 tickets from a radar detector, it has paid for itself. With that said, most people dont drive the same way, they tend to speed more.

Anyways Radar Detector Reviews was a website were i got a lot of good information before i bought mine. Sadly i didn't have the $400 budget to spend to get a top of the line escort/valentine like i wanted.

I went with a Whistler PRO-68 Radar / Laser Detector - Radar Detectors at Radar Busters and at the time i bought it, it was the best performing for the money. It outperformed any other $100 radar detector easily, but that was a year ago, and technology does change. Just make sure you do your research like you would with any product and get something that is good reliable, and in your price range.

i agree with that hahha but ohio is too poor for that kind of stuff so as long as you dont personally get caught by a camera or a cop your good

that is one good thing about living in ohio, that and emissions are lots of lawls.

Which reminds me, look up any laws to radar detectors in your state. In ohio, its legal only if you are not a commercial vehicle. Some states dont allow radar detectors, some states don't allow certain features on radar detectors, like undetectability and laser jammers. So once again do your homework, would hate for a ticket to be amplified because of your detector.

 

[xioca]

The Kansas turnpike hands you out a timestamped ticket when you enter the freeway and when you turn that ticket in at the other end the system will calculate how fast you made the distance in.

#### big brother.

 

[->PrOjEcTGS<-]

#### big brother.

Go vote!!

 

[BigBeans]

High end radar detectors are worth it IMO.

Mine has paid for itself more times than i can recall.

 

[MY1GDSM]

I'd have to say
The Escort Passport will more than pay for its self...
Whether you Speed or Not. I've owned two buy far the best for the money I've seen. The only reson I don't have the first one is Someone STOLED IT

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

For $400 you could get two speeding tickets without the hassle and uncertainty of a radar detector.

For me its not the money for the ticket. Thats a one time fee I can handle. The problem is the increase in insurance which is already high considering I'm under 25 and drive a dsm and a crotch rocket. I'm my case avoiding a ticket can save me a considerable amount of money, way more than $400 even just for one ticket.

I am looking into a nice radar detector. Plus they are legal here in Texas

 

[GsxEcutioner]

get a jammer

 

[bvass]

Valentine 1 saved my butt plenty of times.

 

[greenydsm]

i was looking to the beltronics STI, tons of good reviews


just a little expensive =/