Radar detector

[Panther]

I am look for a good Radar detector but not to pricey. any ideas.


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[bradical]

I have been using a Bel RX65 for several years and it has never let me down. It has paid for itself several times over. Covers all current radar frequencies as well as laser, from both front and rear. Very few false alarms, and provides very good range. It lacks some of the features of newer detectors (such as GPS location to eliminate false alarms, or the new "network" features of some other models) but I find it to be a well priced, dependable unit. I think I paid around $200 to $250 for mine.

[Panther]

Great I will look in to that one. Not that I speed I just like to know when they are checking me out. I once got pulled over and had my Scanner on and heard him running my info. Just like to know.


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[ctrlraven]

I picked up an Escort Passport X50 Blue off ebay several years ago for somewhere between $200-250. It's been spot on every time.

[duhtroll]

Bel/Escort have several entry level detectors that are good. You don't need top dollar for good detection.

Whatever you do, avoid Cobra or Rocky Mountain Radar products (if they even still exist).

Check out (google) radar detector forums for lots of egghead info on testing just about every detector out there. Also the best test site used to be guysoflidar.com and I hope it is still out there.

[88LTDCV351]

I got mine at Costco several years ago. Barely used it. I think I might just sell it someday.

[fastblackmerc]

The best radar detector is the Valentine 1, IMHO..... My V1 will pickup a radar signal way before I can see the LEO if he's tracking someone up ahead, behind or to the side.

[Bigdogjim]

Not to rain on the parade here but in 2.75 million miles I have never use one, just run with the flow and watch traffic comming the other way. (other drivers will always slow down if they see a cop watching the other way) :)

[CWright]

The best radar detector is the Valentine 1, IMHO..... My V1 will pickup a radar signal way before I can see the LEO if he's tracking someone up ahead, behind or to the side.


+1^^^^^^ I've been using this one for 16 years and I have traded up twice.

[slickster]

the v1 is best but the best bang for your buck is a escort x50 red you can get one off of ebay for 150 or less. im a rd nut and i have this one in my dd and a v1 in my mm. do not ever go with anything other then bel escort or v1

[AConvertedChevy]

The best radar detector is the Valentine 1, IMHO..... My V1 will pickup a radar signal way before I can see the LEO if he's tracking someone up ahead, behind or to the side.


+1

I love that little black box more than I so some of my friends lol
Worth every penny

[JoeBoomz]

+1

I love that little black box more than I so some of my friends lol
Worth every penny

We have a V1 in both our vehicles, highly recommended. However it might not fit your requirement for lower cost.

My only complaint is that many new cars (BMW, Infiniti, Audi) are running fancy headlights that set the laser detection off, or adaptive cruise which throws out K-band that the V1 will pick up.

[marauder410]

im running a v1 too and it awesome the money you will save on tickets and those damn speed boxes everywhere now.

the v1 will pay for itself trust me

[duhtroll]

Not to mention all the other falses you will get with a V1 by comparison.

That, and the OP doesn't want expensive.


We have a V1 in both our vehicles, highly recommended. However it might not fit your requirement for lower cost.

My only complaint is that many new cars (BMW, Infiniti, Audi) are running fancy headlights that set the laser detection off, or adaptive cruise which throws out K-band that the V1 will pick up.

[slickster]

You can full tune all bands all kinds of ways with the v1. Ex if your lucky you might get a x band from a Leo in your life time so this option turn off. Most false alerts are k band you can tune the v1 to alert led only until 3bars then sound. Or one beep then led etc. Laser detection 90% of the time will tell you your getting a ticket. Is hard to pick up laser scatter even so turn off laser if you really hate vary few false laser alerts

[Bluerauder]

Not to rain on the parade here but in 2.75 million miles I have never use one, just run with the flow and watch traffic comming the other way. (other drivers will always slow down if they see a cop watching the other way) :)

Years ago oncoming drivers used to flash their high beams to give people in the other lanes a "heads up" that they were approaching a speed trap. Don't see that much anymore at all. Don't even see truckers do it. Nobody cares anymore .... or they are too busy with their cellphone, blackberry, or other electronic pacifier to even notice.

[duhtroll]

If he is going to spend the cash for that, the Escort Live app does a better job of handling false alerts.


You can full tune all bands all kinds of ways with the v1. Ex if your lucky you might get a x band from a Leo in your life time so this option turn off. Most false alerts are k band you can tune the v1 to alert led only until 3bars then sound. Or one beep then led etc. Laser detection 90% of the time will tell you your getting a ticket. Is hard to pick up laser scatter even so turn off laser if you really hate vary few false laser alerts

[slickster]

If he is going to spend the cash for that, the Escort Live app does a better job of handling false alerts.

He should get a x50 red. I was talking about the other person who has two v1's that does not
Ike the false alerts and how to tune them. I bet vary few people use that escort app

[duhtroll]

It has only been out a few months. However, it has alerted me to at least 3 speedtraps just here in IA and I don't even use it all the time.


He should get a x50 red. I was talking about the other person who has two v1's that does not
Ike the false alerts and how to tune them. I bet vary few people use that escort app

[Panther]

Thanks much everyone for all the info. Now to make my decision.


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[slickster]

Thanks much everyone for all the info. Now to make my decision.


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Escort x50 red used from eBay 150 or less. No need to spend the extra 40 for the blue display. Trust me I've done my research and the x50 is the best for the money. Check cl

[slickster]

Found you a x50 for $85 pm sent

[Panther]

Found you a x50 for $85 pm sent

Thanks a lot. I am meeting the guy on Saturday thank you for the great deal.


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[Bigdogjim]

Years ago oncoming drivers used to flash their high beams to give people in the other lanes a "heads up" that they were approaching a speed trap. Don't see that much anymore at all. Don't even see truckers do it. Nobody cares anymore .... or they are too busy with their cellphone, blackberry, or other electronic pacifier to even notice.

Problem is Charlie the Police starting writting for flashing the lights.

Still if you keep your eye's on the traffic flow you will see a slowdown.

[WhatsUpDOHC]

Problem is Charlie the Police starting writting for flashing the lights.

Still if you keep your eye's on the traffic flow you will see a slowdown.

Agree - Look waaaaaaay ahead.

A friend suggested that flashing your lights to oncoming traffic should be covered under freedom of speech.



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[slickster]

Thanks a lot. I am meeting the guy on Saturday thank you for the great deal.


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Yea them things are 150 used that is a great deal.

[Panther]

Yea them things are 150 used that is a great deal.

Just got hm from picking up the passport 8500 radar. All parts and booklet were in the org box Works great. Thanks you for your help.


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[slickster]

Just got hm from picking up the passport 8500 radar. All parts and booklet were in the org box Works great. Thanks you for your help.


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good that was a great deal. if you ever wanna up grade you can allways sell this for 150 but the x50 is the best bang for your buck

[clintons4]

The best radar detector is the Valentine 1, IMHO..... My V1 will pickup a radar signal way before I can see the LEO if he's tracking someone up ahead, behind or to the side.


+1 on this! Go for the blendmount too if you can. I never leave without it :beer:

[Mr. Man]

I found radar detectors work well for local roads. I had an old original Escort that picked up X and K band radars. X band was popular with the local police in NJ. For the highway nothing beats a good CB radio. Truckers will help you out if you have the gumption to ask.

[slickster]

O btw hard wired visor mount ftw

[Panther]

O btw hard wired visor mount ftw

It's order from eBay.


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[slickster]

It's order from eBay.


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Yea visor mount from eBay is $5. And a hard wire kit is about $20 or less I'm sure there's rightups about it or ask your stereo shop if they do that stuff. With a visor mount it will sit right under the tint strip of a mm. You'll just have to tilt your visor down abit to level the rd. It also will Not bake in the sun. Hard to see from out side for theft and rabbit trailers

[Bigdogjim]

Just keep in mind that radar dectectors are not allowed in the following State.

Laser Jammers and Radar Jammers are illegal in the states of Nebraska, Minnesota, Utah, California, Oklahoma, Virginia, Colorado, Illinois and Washington DC.

[slickster]

Radar detectors are illegal only in va and Washington dc. if you are in these states the only radar thats non detectable is the bel sti just make sure you have a visor mount so its not visible. there are no actual radar jammers. laser jammers are illegal in most states but if you know how to use it you wont get caught with it.
Illegal in all vehicles: Virginia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia), Washington D.C. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_D.C.), U.S. military bases (http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/605504p.pdf)
Illegal in commercial vehicles under state law: Illinois (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois), New York (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York), New Jersey (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey)

[duhtroll]

Laser jammers are LEGAL in most states. There most certainly are radar jammers, just not ones you can walk into Wal Mart and buy.

And I run a Bel STI specifically because LEOs ticket around here just for having a RD, despite them being legal. They just make up some other reason for the ticket if they detect that you have a RD. I was stopped three times/ticketed once for bogus reasons before I got my Bel and since then nothing in the last 5+ years.

The assumption that since you own a RD you MUST be doing something wrong really bothers me, but they get away with it.

EDIT: http://www.guysoflidar.com/usa-laser-jammer-laws.html


Radar detectors are illegal only in va and Washington dc. if you are in these states the only radar thats non detectable is the bel sti just make sure you have a visor mount so its not visible. there are no actual radar jammers. laser jammers are illegal in most states but if you know how to use it you wont get caught with it.
Illegal in all vehicles: Virginia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia), Washington D.C. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_D.C.), U.S. military bases (http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/605504p.pdf)
Illegal in commercial vehicles under state law: Illinois (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois), New York (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York), New Jersey (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey)

[beantown mm]

using the Blendmount, is there power at the mirror you tap into or do you have to run wires down,, thanks man.




+1 on this! Go for the blendmount too if you can. I never leave without it :beer:

[duhtroll]

The power to the mirror should be sufficient for tapping.


using the Blendmount, is there power at the mirror you tap into or do you have to run wires down,, thanks man.

[beantown mm]

thanks, I am going to try the Invisicord and Blendmount, hopefully that works, the Blendmount ain't cheap . . . .

[slickster]

thanks, I am going to try the Invisicord and Blendmount, hopefully that works, the Blendmount ain't cheap . . . .

Just make sure you take it down away from direct sun or it will cook your radar dead. One reason I like visor mount

[beantown mm]

nice call, thanks on that one, will do.

[Architect]

The best radar detector is the Valentine 1, IMHO..... My V1 will pickup a radar signal way before I can see the LEO if he's tracking someone up ahead, behind or to the side.

When Mike Valentine came out with his own unit...I bought one...back then he sometimes answered the phone too....I sent the original one back in when laser came out and Mike upgraded it... when I ordered some suction cups and some minor items...they came at no charge..!!!!
I bought another one and put the old one in my wife's car...
They are still working fine and they warn you way in advance...:cool:
You get what you pay for in product and service...;)
Architect

[beantown mm]

can someone tell me the diameter of the mirror stem for our car, I am going to order the Blendmount and want to make sure, I may not have the original mirror in my car, mine is 3/4, any help confirming this would be cool,, thanks...

[sailsmen]

How easy is it to remove to stow when not in use? Leaving it out is an invitation to smash and grab.

[beantown mm]

ya, that is an issue with these, no way you would take the bracket down all the time, but the detector you can remove easy, but if people see a bracket, they know something is there.

[capt512]

Maybe get this guy to make you one like this http://www.evoxforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44624

[slickster]

yea window mount and blend mount cons's. will bake in heat. theft. you become the rabbit. visor mount takes care of all that. when the sun hits your face you can still put the visor down but your rd will be vertical. with visor mount it also sits right under the tint strip ask how i know. save your $40 buck and keep your rd and get a visor mount for 5

[beantown mm]

no doubt the price on the blendmount is REEDICKYOULIS, I will check out the visor mount and see, I will be tapping the mirror for the power too for a clean look.

[duhtroll]

There is a quick release mechanism on the blendmount. It takes two hands vs. one for the regular radar detector, but is just as fast to take down and stow when you reach your destination.

[J-MAN]

yea window mount and blend mount cons's. will bake in heat. theft. you become the rabbit. visor mount takes care of all that. when the sun hits your face you can still put the visor down but your rd will be vertical. with visor mount it also sits right under the tint strip ask how i know. save your $40 buck and keep your rd and get a visor mount for 5

How do you know?

[duhtroll]

I have not seen a visor mount yet that doesn't reduce the RDs visibility. My RD has tint strip free views from all angles, including above. And yes, radar can come from above. The big rule is to stealth the car, not the install.

Also to mention, the visor mount doesn't allow you to use the visor. Ever. That vertical RD install means you might as well not be running one. When you drive to and from work at sunrise and sunset like many of us do, the sun visor has a very real purpose. Even the passenger side visor gets used from time to time. Why limit it?

Heat isn't an issue unless you leave the RD up all the time, and who does that, visor mount or no? That is just asking for it to be stolen or destroyed by heat.

The "being the rabbit" isn't an issue unless you are the fastest car on the road. And if you are the fastest car on the road at all times, you are the rabbit no matter what anyway.

EDIT: Also, the blendmount puts the RD directly below its power source if you are using the mirror.


How do you know?