Radar Detectors
#1
Real Racing 3 fan
Thread Starter
Radar Detectors
I'm thinking about buying one but have little experience with them. I had one friend that had one but it seemed complicated and gave a lot of false positives when driving around town. I'm just wondering if you guys could give me some tips on what is good and what is bad.
#2
Administrator
iTrader: (7)
Never fear, Jedi is here!
question 1: what is your budget for an RD. I ask because they do vary quite a bit, anywhere from $100 - $500+
what are you looking for?
blazing detection?
ability to lock out false signals?
wireless?
I have used an Escort Radar detector for the past few years and LOVE IT. I originally started with a 9500i (you can do a search and find my thread on it) and then upgraded to the 9500ix as soon as it became available.
The beauty of that model is that it uses GPS technology to remember 'false' signals and after you've driven past the same spot 3 times and gotten the exact same signal, the RD will store that data and the next time you drive past there, you won't get any kind of alert!![Cool](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/cool.gif)
as for them being complicated, you'll find that most of the new ones are VERY user friendly. Mine was literally plug & play. It has an 'advanced' setting but I have never used it, I just plugged it in and it does it's job. Every few weeks, I update it with the newest software (this is only for gps enabled RD's) and I'm good to go.
The Valentine V1 is also a VERY VERY good detector that typically has some of the best range out there. A friend of mine 'FastRX8' has the V1 and I'm constantly impressed with how far out he can pick up Ka bands (most typical band used by police around here). We were out in Vegas a few months ago and he picked up a Ka band a good 2 seconds before I did which is pretty good considering we were going approximately 85 mph.
My only gripe with the V1 (and the reason I opted for the Escort) is that it somtimes can be TOO sensitive while driving around town and you're likely to get a lot of 'false' alerts. This isn't really a defect, just more of a side effect of how good it's detection capabilities are.
As with most things, it boils down to what you're looking for and how much you're willing to spend.
you also might want to consider spending some time on radardetector.net
question 1: what is your budget for an RD. I ask because they do vary quite a bit, anywhere from $100 - $500+
what are you looking for?
blazing detection?
ability to lock out false signals?
wireless?
I have used an Escort Radar detector for the past few years and LOVE IT. I originally started with a 9500i (you can do a search and find my thread on it) and then upgraded to the 9500ix as soon as it became available.
The beauty of that model is that it uses GPS technology to remember 'false' signals and after you've driven past the same spot 3 times and gotten the exact same signal, the RD will store that data and the next time you drive past there, you won't get any kind of alert!
![Cool](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/cool.gif)
as for them being complicated, you'll find that most of the new ones are VERY user friendly. Mine was literally plug & play. It has an 'advanced' setting but I have never used it, I just plugged it in and it does it's job. Every few weeks, I update it with the newest software (this is only for gps enabled RD's) and I'm good to go.
The Valentine V1 is also a VERY VERY good detector that typically has some of the best range out there. A friend of mine 'FastRX8' has the V1 and I'm constantly impressed with how far out he can pick up Ka bands (most typical band used by police around here). We were out in Vegas a few months ago and he picked up a Ka band a good 2 seconds before I did which is pretty good considering we were going approximately 85 mph.
My only gripe with the V1 (and the reason I opted for the Escort) is that it somtimes can be TOO sensitive while driving around town and you're likely to get a lot of 'false' alerts. This isn't really a defect, just more of a side effect of how good it's detection capabilities are.
As with most things, it boils down to what you're looking for and how much you're willing to spend.
you also might want to consider spending some time on radardetector.net
Last edited by Jedi54; 08-25-2010 at 01:17 PM.
#3
Registered
iTrader: (4)
All of them will give you false positives. The new gps (Escort/Bel) ones will eliminate that some what for your routine routes. They are however expensive. I have an older Escort 8500 x50 that has virtually the same sensitivity as the new units that have been tested. I sometimes get false alerts, but you can mostly distinguish between whats real and whats false.
Stay away from Cobra.
Stay away from Cobra.
#4
Administrator
iTrader: (7)
yeah, the Cobras are pretty bad.
oh, and make sure that RD's are legal where you live because I hear those penalties can get quite expensive.
I'm actually SHOCKED that CA hasn't tried to ban them yet.
***knocks on wood***
oh, and make sure that RD's are legal where you live because I hear those penalties can get quite expensive.
I'm actually SHOCKED that CA hasn't tried to ban them yet.
***knocks on wood***
#9
Rotor Spooner
Join Date: Aug 2010
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valentine 1 for sure. You can hide he actual unit in your glove box, cause it comes with a little warning box that you can hide in your gauge cluster, or in your ash tray or what not.
#13
Administrator
iTrader: (7)
New?
No.
You get what you pay for.
No.
You get what you pay for.
#15
Was thinking about getting one but the cops in VA are seriously **** and hate anything that isn't a Camry Hybrid ![Frown](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/frown.gif)
My uncle has a V1 for his C5 Z06 and he says it works great. My dad has one for his vette too and he likes his as well (Belltronics?). From what I've heard it really is a "you get what you pay for" market. Top brands are really the only way to go if you want solid protection. Not to say the cheaper ones don't work at all, but would you really want to risk a ticket over cheaping out on your detector?
![Frown](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/frown.gif)
My uncle has a V1 for his C5 Z06 and he says it works great. My dad has one for his vette too and he likes his as well (Belltronics?). From what I've heard it really is a "you get what you pay for" market. Top brands are really the only way to go if you want solid protection. Not to say the cheaper ones don't work at all, but would you really want to risk a ticket over cheaping out on your detector?
#16
Qucik Sliver
Join Date: May 2008
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I have ran on many fast road rallys and nothing but the V1 works for me. plus it tells you where the cops is via in front, behind or on the side, V1 deff the best. You can also send in your V1 to get updated too
#17
Formerly Polak Graphics
Join Date: Aug 2006
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#18
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Send it in for an update?! That's so 2005.
I plugged my laptop into my 9500ix on Saturday morning, updated my software, and loaded the newest speed traps, red light cameras, and speed cameras .
Nothing is illegal unless you get caught
I plugged my laptop into my 9500ix on Saturday morning, updated my software, and loaded the newest speed traps, red light cameras, and speed cameras .
Nothing is illegal unless you get caught
#20
Surf Hard, Drive Hard
Join Date: Feb 2007
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You get caught with that detector in Va., you in a world of hurt. They just take you out and put a bullet in your skull!
Seriously though. They will take it, you will not get it back, and you will pay a very heavy fine!
Seriously though. They will take it, you will not get it back, and you will pay a very heavy fine!
Last edited by Mazurfer; 09-07-2010 at 07:23 PM.
#21
Administrator
iTrader: (7)
All joking aside Mazurfer is right, getting caught with a Radar detector in Virginia is no joke, the penalties are very stuff, up to and including having your car impounded if the detector is hard wired.
If I lived in VA, the only way I would consider a detector is with a remote installation such as the Escort 9500 ci. Not an inexpensive install but worthwhile considering the consequences of being caught with a radar detector.
If I lived in VA, the only way I would consider a detector is with a remote installation such as the Escort 9500 ci. Not an inexpensive install but worthwhile considering the consequences of being caught with a radar detector.
#23
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there in lies the problem with some of these detectors; they're so obsessed with having the "BEST" detection capabilities out there that they become TOO sensitive and drive the users insane.
Beefy: are you using any RD now?
Beefy: are you using any RD now?
#24
^^Nope. The cops aren't stupid and nothing can save u from instant on. And I got tired of getting busted with a detector hanging on the glass. Very embarrassing. I just speed in NY and I'm fine. CT is draconian. They will throw u in a 4 hr class if u get 3 tickets.