Which Radar Detector?

I no longer have a radar detector, but if you live in a major metropolitan area, it's kind of pointless to have one.



The only time I found the radar to be useful were for all the trips from SoCal to Vegas and vice versa because it gave me that piece of mind.



But if you drive like you're supposed to, or even go 5-10 mph above speed limit, you shouldn't have a need for a radar detector. Plus on long road trips, you just have to know how to drive. You'll know the idiots from the good drivers so just find one that sets a good pace. If there are none, then you set the pace and people will follow you.



If you're weaving in and out of lanes and going 20 mph or more faster than everyone, you deserve to get a ticket.
 
AL-53 said:
I have a Escrort 8500 x50s and was wondering if you can send them in to get re calibrated....I use to pick radar up at a good distance..now it seems like it has a shorter warnng..it may just be the radar itself..but just wanted to get it checked out....



Any one ever send thiers in to get checked



Al
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Al, that was exactly the problem we had with our Escort 8500 x50. Unfortunately, ours was stuck on that "needs to be recalibrated" message screen. This was a unit purchased brand new and less than a year old. It's now paper weight. They never bothered sending it in because it was out of warranty and they're busy people. A lot of people experienced the same exact issue with the 8500 x50.
 
BlackElantraGT said:
Al, that was exactly the problem we had with our Escort 8500 x50. Unfortunately, ours was stuck on that "needs to be recalibrated" message screen. This was a unit purchased brand new and less than a year old. It's now paper weight. They never bothered sending it in because it was out of warranty and they're busy people. A lot of people experienced the same exact issue with the 8500 x50.
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mine has no message....its just seems it does not pick them up like before...mine is a few years old....its been dropped a few times also....wonder what it cost to have it done



Al
 
Mines under warranty ...



If I remember right it's a flat rate as long as it's not been tampered with/modified and it includes return shipping
 
I know you said under $200, but the Passport 8500 is the best I have ever used. I did have the valentine and it worked just as good, but it was (is) ugly in my opinion...even though it is just a radar detector. I know there are fans on both sides of the fence with the top dogs, but they do perform equally in my opinion.
 
For surface mount detector, you can beat the V1. Most Porsche owners will choose between a V1 or the K-40 system which I have.



K-40 system is big bucks, but it's blue tooth (no wires), front and back coverage, only have LED's by the dials and it has a wireless remote. Very nice product, but still too high in cost I think. They also make a laser jammer which is legal (not RF jammer which IS ILLEGAL).



So.... for dash/surface mount, get a V1, you'll be very happy with the arrows!!:2thumbs:



Save your cash, get the V1 as anything $200 and under will just not perform. Hey, it's your license! And... Your insurance too!



For more stealth look, K-40.



Regards,

Deanski
 
BlackElantraGT said:
I no longer have a radar detector, but if you live in a major metropolitan area, it's kind of pointless to have one.



The only time I found the radar to be useful were for all the trips from SoCal to Vegas and vice versa because it gave me that piece of mind.



But if you drive like you're supposed to, or even go 5-10 mph above speed limit, you shouldn't have a need for a radar detector. Plus on long road trips, you just have to know how to drive. You'll know the idiots from the good drivers so just find one that sets a good pace. If there are none, then you set the pace and people will follow you.



If you're weaving in and out of lanes and going 20 mph or more faster than everyone, you deserve to get a ticket.
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Thanks BlackElantraGT! I really agree with this post. I used to have a K40 Micro, Micro II, and Undetectable with Laser diffuser, and Escort. Great products but they kinda handicap you because you're relying on them too much. Best thing to do is learn the tricks of the good driving trade and use the radar detector as an ASSISTANT if you must. Basics: watch the curves and going over hills, go with the flow, don't weave crazily, use high beam at night when nobody's around, know your local speedtraps, and my favorite . . . slamming on the brakes if nobody's behind is way underrated - radar has trouble locking onto swiftly accelerating or decelerating objects. Above all, if you're going against laser and don't have a diffuser, you're pretty much screwed.



What's my point? When I had these detectors (still have the Micro II) I got 1 speeding ticket and K40 paid it. For some reason I stopped using detectors and have not gotten a speeding ticket for over 18 years. Just pay attention when driving and if you're really going TOO fast, you probably deserve the ticket anyway. Sorry for the PSA :grinno:
 
In the <$200 price range I'd be looking at a Bel or a Whistler. I've been hearing some good stuff lately about the Whistler over at radardetector.net. I run an Escort X50, but that's a little more money. After everything I've read about the Cobras I'd stay away from them. Here's a decent test of a number of RDs:

Guys of LIDAR - Radar Detector Test - March 2007
 
As I post in most of these detector thread, I run V1 in all our vehicles (have most of 'em hardwired) and they serve me and my wife well, at least within the limits of detectors (sometimes you're toast, simple as that).
 
3 years and 35,000 miles in a Lightning Yellow Mitsubishi Evolution with an 8500 x50 and not a single ticket. Great detector if you know the limitations of any detector. A friend of mine has a V1 - kind of ugly and I wasn't swayed into picking one up after watching it perform on a road trip.
 
No radar is going to help with a laser. Honestly, you can do almost as well by keeping a vigilant eye out on the road, being aware of your surroundings, and speeding only when you can be certain it's safe (in a relative sense). A little bit of luck helps too.



I've not once received a ticket or been in an accident, and I can own up to rediculous speeds on some open stretches of road in the past. Having a radar detector isn't the only reason for my clean driving record.
 
As someone mentioned before, go to the Radar Detector Tests and Reviews by Guys of LIDAR website. It has a lot of useful unbiased information that is very informative.



I've owned the Escort 8500 X50, Bel RX-65, Bel STi Driver, and currently use the V1. All have been good detectors that can handle most radar encounters with ease.



The thing is, you need to know how to use a detector. You can't speed if you're the only car on the road. Cops can use something called "instant on" which is essentially just turning on their radar when they can see you. This effectively gets your speed near instantly and no detector will save you.



You need to speed with other cars ahead of you, or preferably another speeder ahead of you, which is known as a rabbit. If a cop uses instant on, he'll bust the guy who is driving ahead of you, and your detector will alert when he is getting his reading, not yours. Don't stay right on the guys bumper though, stay a couple hundred feet back.



As for laser, the V1 can detect it better than most, but by then it's too late. You'll need to invest in a good laser jammer. Make sure to check Radar Detector Tests and Reviews by Guys of LIDAR for a good jammer and to see whether or not they are legal in your state (they are legal in most).



I personally use the blinder m20 laser jammer on a silver 350Z. I actually had my first save with it last night. Going 85 in a 60, I had enough time to slow down and turn off the jammer so he could get a speed reading which was below 60.



Anyway if you're still interested in getting a detector, I'd be glad to help you out. It's a bit of a hobby of mine and I'd like to help you pick out some good choices for your particular needs (depends on your car/color, and obviously your budget and the state you're in).
 
As someone mentioned before, go to the Radar Detector Tests and Reviews by Guys of LIDAR website. It has a lot of useful unbiased information that is very informative.



I've owned the Escort 8500 X50, Bel RX-65, Bel STi Driver, and currently use the V1. All have been good detectors that can handle most radar encounters with ease.



The thing is, you need to know how to use a detector. You can't speed if you're the only car on the road. Cops can use something called "instant on" which is essentially just turning on their radar when they can see you. This effectively gets your speed near instantly and no detector will save you.



You need to speed with other cars ahead of you, or preferably another speeder ahead of you, which is known as a rabbit. If a cop uses instant on, he'll bust the guy who is driving ahead of you, and your detector will alert when he is getting his reading, not yours. Don't stay right on the guys bumper though, stay a couple hundred feet back.



As for laser, the V1 can detect it better than most, but by then it's too late. You would need to get a good laser jammer. Check Radar Detector Tests and Reviews by Guys of LIDAR for a good jammer. I personally use the blinder m20 on my car and I actually had my first save last night. I was going 85 in a 60 and I had plenty of time to slow down and switch the jammer off. That way the cop got a speed reading below the speed limit.



Anyway if you're still interested in getting some counter measures, PM me, I'd be more than happy to help.
 
Yeah if you're going to get a radar detector, might as well pony up the cash for one that will work consistently:



Valentine One, Bel STi, Escort 8500 X50, Bel RX-65.

($299-$450)



As for laser... you would need to get a laser jammer. (not k-40...)



Blinder m-25/m-45, Laser Pro Park, Anti-laser G8, Laser interceptor.

($399-$800)
 
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