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Radar detector recommendations?
- Thread starter rdr99
- Start date
Most of them are fairly useless because many LEO agencies now have "instant on" radar guns and by the time your detector goes off it's already too late.
It probably doesn't apply to you south of the border but here in canuckistan I have a cheap ass Cobra that was given to me. I threw it up on the dash and so far so good, it's saved me a few times. It does false alarm in parking lots quite a bit and once in a blue moon on the highway I think because of some of the new anti collision tech in whatever is coming at me.
If I were to actually buy one I would stick with Escort. I always ran those in my fast car days and they worked like a charm.
If I were to actually buy one I would stick with Escort. I always ran those in my fast car days and they worked like a charm.
Pics of wife and car..........In that order
Wife runs a Passport 9500 ix Platinum.
No app to mess with, stand alone. but GPS so you can block any known false alarms.
Works well, simple and effective.
my preference but I don't need it tied to my phone or any BS app.
https://www.escortradar.com/collecti...able-detectors
Wife runs a Passport 9500 ix Platinum.
No app to mess with, stand alone. but GPS so you can block any known false alarms.
Works well, simple and effective.
my preference but I don't need it tied to my phone or any BS app.
https://www.escortradar.com/collecti...able-detectors
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Don't speed 
Don't speed
I was going to say that but then I got to thinking. When I was traveling all over the state for lacrosse, I spent a lot of time on freeways. When I wasn’t in a traffic jam, I was cruising with the flow of traffic which was around 75 to 80+ mph. Technically all of us were speeding, but if you didn’t “go with the flow” you would get run over
Don't listen to our resident know-it-all. What you're doing with a radar detector is looking for one that is in use. A lot of cops leave their guns on all the time, so a good detector will pick that up, or if they are stationary running a trap it will pick that up as well. I like the Valentine One because it has the arrows that indicate the direction of the signal, an active signal strength meter, and a bogey counter so you know how many are out there. If you learn how to use those three indicators you can tell if it's tracking you, coming towards you, or stationary. They have the patent on the arrows.
I bought one in 98 or so and haven't had a ticket since...except for the photo radar I got in Scottsdale a while back
. The V1 has a laser detector as well , but it won't give you as much advance warning because the signal doesn't disperse like radar waves do. They're $400 but it's money well spent if you drive over the posted limit.
I bought one in 98 or so and haven't had a ticket since...except for the photo radar I got in Scottsdale a while back
. The V1 has a laser detector as well , but it won't give you as much advance warning because the signal doesn't disperse like radar waves do. They're $400 but it's money well spent if you drive over the posted limit.
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Google maps has the alerts now too. Google bought Waze didn't they?
I just set the cruise at 5-9 above the speed limit according to situation. 5 above on surface roads and 2 lanes, 9 above on interstates. Anything more than that just isn't worth the risk vs. time saved.
I would honestly just prefer the actual speed limit, but like has been mentioned you'll get your ass ran over.
X and K bands are not used much at all by the police anymore. The only band you need is the Ka band. 95% of cops are too lazy to turn their radar off and on these days.
Uniden R7 work great for me. I've picked up radar over a mile away with mine many times. Doesn't get as many false readings as the cheaper ones, but still has problems with some blind spot monitors (Hondas). Has GPS on it and you can save a way point to block false signals like radar speed signs along the road to work. Also has a database for red light cameras. Free updates.
I think it was about $450, but IIRC the last speeding ticket I got was almost $300...
And I use Waze also.
I think it was about $450, but IIRC the last speeding ticket I got was almost $300...
And I use Waze also.
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I have been using a Valentine 1 for a few years. It can be wired in through your obd2 port which hugely cuts down on false warnings. I am fairly happy with it. After I bought mine did some research and found a very active radar detector forum and wow those guys are really are into them. I recommend finding that site, they don't recommend a best detector but discuss where you live and the kinds of roads you drive as some detectors are better than others for specific conditions. FWIW Valentine 1 had stopped production for an extended time a year before the virus and there was much speculation as to if they were coming out with a new world beater or had just not announced that they were folding up shop. Owner is kind of a nutjob from what I read.
Yep. Saved my ass a number of times.
Tons of cops just chill in parking lots or on the side of the road with their radar on watching the traffic waiting for someone to be above a magic number. Any detector will pick this up before you're the car passing through the cop's radar. If they're actually running a speed trap with a proper gun a detector won't save you.
Honestly in the daytime I don't find the detector that useful. It's at night when there's a cop you can't see that it really shines.
Honestly in the daytime I don't find the detector that useful. It's at night when there's a cop you can't see that it really shines.
Have a few versions of the Escort Radar price range is 600 to 1k but worth the investment. Also run the Waze app as back up on my cell phone.
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Are there any detectors that can be hidden / hardwired / stealth installed, with the sensors installed in bumpers etc connected by wire? I'd prefer not to have to set up / hide the thing every time I park, plus I think LEO might frown on a person having such an item.
Pretty much this. Some are sensitive enough to pick up the signal when instant on triggers the car in front of you . . . assuming there is a car in front of you. Laser is another challenge.
If you are going to speed then 1.) Pay attention to the hiding spots in front of you. 2.) stay in the middle of a pack of speeding cars, 3.) Waze.
Don't listen to our resident know-it-all. What you're doing with a radar detector is looking for one that is in use. A lot of cops leave their guns on all the time, so a good detector will pick that up, or if they are stationary running a trap it will pick that up as well. I like the Valentine One because it has the arrows that indicate the direction of the signal, an active signal strength meter, and a bogey counter so you know how many are out there. If you learn how to use those three indicators you can tell if it's tracking you, coming towards you, or stationary. They have the patent on the arrows.
I bought one in 98 or so and haven't had a ticket since...except for the photo radar I got in Scottsdale a while back
Oh, the classic hypocrisy of your post.
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Valentine 1 has a remote sensor option, I have remote display on mine so my main unit in the visor is dark and the reading is on the dash. Better units pick up the instant on from long distances when someone else has triggered it. I am sure that other higher end brands have the same features. My V1 was driving me nuts from false triggers until I installed the obd2 adapter. Buy a cheap detector and you will get what you deserve.
That's pretty slick. I might have to send mine back to be updated. I already use the OBD port for a Scanguage so I guess I'll need a splitter.
We have a Valentine V1 too. It does pick up everything which is sometimes a bit annoying. Standard dash mount since we use it in several different cars.
BTW, in my area clocking from airplanes is common. Radar detector = false sense of security.
You can send it back and they'll send you a V2 at a discounted price...once they're able to open the business back up.
Yeah, it doesn't cover all attempts at getting money from you, airplanes, good old fashioned pacing, laser, but RADAR is still the most common method.
It works when the other guy gets popped but when it's you and it goes off it's already to late , but it does let you know you've been got.
It works when the other guy gets popped but when it's you and it goes off it's already to late , but it does let you know you've been got.
Very true. I gave up using them for those reasons.
my last ticket was from an aircraft, on a very overcast and shitty day that I did not think a cessna would be flying.
it was 91 in a 70. which was probably a conservative estimate.
New cars all have sensors all over them, most of those sensors are Radar, and they are not real concerned about radar detection. Thats why older or cheaper detectors go off constantly. newer or more expensive detectors account for that and can filter that out.
Having a detector slapped on the dash is not the answer, its a whole driving mentality, I drive from Ca. to Az. a lot, I pace other cars by 1/2 mile or so, I'm attentive to aircraft pacing ( lines or markers spaced 1 mile apart) they time you.
using a detector properly is like any other tool, reading up and learning how to be productive with it.
Some have mention forums, Good call, guys on there can teach you driving habits and tricks to your unit.
Also instant on can be seen and avoided by pacing other cars and learning how your unit reacts. I know on the desolate stretch of road i drive if I get a wild errant hit, he is out there.
and 9 out of 10 I will run into him.
Valentine makes great units, I've always had Escort another higher end unit, and they have come out with arrows now also. Part of sticking to a brand is familiarity with how they function.
what ever you do, don't expect to buy it stick it to the dash and avoid tickets, its more than that.
Also a unit with GPS and learning cal be much quieter, you can block out all the known door openers/ speed signs and such in your area.
Just my .02
Having a detector slapped on the dash is not the answer, its a whole driving mentality, I drive from Ca. to Az. a lot, I pace other cars by 1/2 mile or so, I'm attentive to aircraft pacing ( lines or markers spaced 1 mile apart) they time you.
using a detector properly is like any other tool, reading up and learning how to be productive with it.
Some have mention forums, Good call, guys on there can teach you driving habits and tricks to your unit.
Also instant on can be seen and avoided by pacing other cars and learning how your unit reacts. I know on the desolate stretch of road i drive if I get a wild errant hit, he is out there.
and 9 out of 10 I will run into him.
Valentine makes great units, I've always had Escort another higher end unit, and they have come out with arrows now also. Part of sticking to a brand is familiarity with how they function.
what ever you do, don't expect to buy it stick it to the dash and avoid tickets, its more than that.
Also a unit with GPS and learning cal be much quieter, you can block out all the known door openers/ speed signs and such in your area.
Just my .02
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There are plans and kits available to jam lasers. These are illegal, but you can buy the plans, then you can buy the kits and assemble them yourself.
There are assembled devices available called 'parking sensors' and other things, which are laser jammers.
You need to only use them in an area where you can't be timed from the air, and when your car can't reasonably be identified as having one, i.e. driving slowly as the only car on the road.
If a Police pulls you over in the US, you still have the right to refuse a car search. Barely. But it's there.
The Government is insanely draconian on device which emits an electromagnetic signal or signature, of any type, for any reason.
There are assembled devices available called 'parking sensors' and other things, which are laser jammers.
You need to only use them in an area where you can't be timed from the air, and when your car can't reasonably be identified as having one, i.e. driving slowly as the only car on the road.
If a Police pulls you over in the US, you still have the right to refuse a car search. Barely. But it's there.
The Government is insanely draconian on device which emits an electromagnetic signal or signature, of any type, for any reason.