Radar Detectors

[ToeJam]

I used to own a Bel radar detector (about 15 years ago) and it worked great.  Now Laser is a big option in the units.  I've read up on all the units out on the market and their features.  I'm also pretty familiar with how radar and laser detectors work (and their limitations).  

 

What I don't have is any real world feedback on what people use.  The Valentine did great in the "Car and Driver" test, so that is the direction I'm leaning right now.

 

Any input?

[BellevueSilvy]

I have a cobra that is about 5 years old and hasn't let me down yet works good I believe, for most highway drivin' always give me enough warning to slow it up before he has got a lock on. It has laser 360 degree and that has never gone off once and I have pretty much covered every interstate from Virginia to Nebraska so I dont' know what the deal is with laser.  But anyways that is my 2 cents.

[tmf6902]

Go with a Valentine one.  I regularly get my warnings 3-5 seconds before others...(watch for the brake lights).....I drove across utah this summer, I picked up the signal 2 MILES before I passed the cop, behind an underpass...it was really flat.  Their kinda expensive, but well worth it.  Maxim magazine recently did a test of 5 detectors, they also found it to be the best.

 

ps-don't worry about laser...it's instatanious(sp) back to the cop so once you get the warning he's got you...it doesn't bounce off things like radar does so you rarely get a warning.

[99silveradoz71]

ps-don't worry about laser...it's instatanious(sp) back to the cop so once you get the warning he's got you...it doesn't bounce off things like radar does so you rarely get a warning.

Being on the other side of the gun, I'd agree, the laser doesn't put out a signal unless you pull the trigger to target a vehicle...thus as mentioned, by the time you get a signal, you're gone.  The same would apply for radar units which have a "hold" button/feature.  Some places have/use them, others don't.

[tmf6902]

Yeah that instant on radar is a B*tch....you can only detect it if there is someone really close to you, and they get it first, but even by then your toast....I guess really detectors are just fun toys, although I have to say that my valentine has really saved my a$$ atleast 5-7 times in the past year...that's the good thing about getting a lift on my truck,,,for some reason when i drive a lifted truck i don't go as fast, but here in florida 80 is slow on the turnpike so......

[Black02Silverado]

From everyone I have talked to the Valentine is the way to go. I have a cheap Uniden and it works but you also have to know how to read the detector as well as the traffic around you. The four times in my life that I got nailed they all happened when I was in deep thought and not paying attention. Reading the traffic around you makes a wold of difference. Oh and a CB helps to.

 

I-95 is just that 95mph it seems. When I travel on it if your going 75 your being passed like you were doing 55. It is amazing.

[95whtZR2]

If you got the money go with the V-1, but I ain't got $400 to throw down so I went with a whistler. It has the 360* radar, and it has laser, the VG-2 cloaking, and all of the cheap bells and whistles It cost me $62 in October of 2001, and it has saved my @$$ more times than I can count, and out of the times I have been pulled over, only once was I in my vehicle and had the radar detector up, the cop nailed me with laser at the last second I was pissed to say the least   When the cop pulled me over I took the detector off of the dash, I have it velcroed(sp?) to the dash, and hid it under a towel, because I figured he was giving me a ticket, and they right that you had a radar detector on the ticket, and my parents don't know I have it      

 

But I will say that $62 is one of the best invetsment I have ever made. Considering the ticket that I just took care of, I took defensive driving= $28, and court fee= $65, so if I would have gotten a ticket each time then I would be stuck down a perverbial river with no means of propulsion  

 

 

Got to go back to class now, May 8th and I am outta here and back to work....

 

Tom

[z71ff]

I took the detector off of the dash, I have it velcroed(sp?) to the dash, and hid it under a towel,

You're lucky you didn't meet Mr. Glock.

 

I haven't had a radar detector since I was 17, and I've never gotten a ticket (knocking on wood right now). Watch your surroundings (brake lights! ) and stay behind the pack.

Oh yeah, stop driving sooooo fast  

[cowboy02]

The best radar detector that you can buy is follow the speed limit.  I guarantee that you will never get a ticket........... :thumb:  :thumb:

 

Now then if you do have a led foot you could also look into a jammer, I do believe that they are not legal in some states or probably all of them for that matter.  I will see if I can find a link.....

 

Personaly I have a cobra.......

[IDGBZ71]

V-1 ($400) is a good one for sure but take a look at the Uniden passport 8500 ($300) I opted for the passport after reading many reviews also. Which direction the radar is coming from isn't worth $100 to me. Might want to look into a jammer if its legal in your state..

[MarkD]

I have the V-1 myself.  I just upgraded my origional I bought 4 years ago.  I love it.

 

BTW, my first "speeding ticket" was for 51 mph in a 40 mph zone when I was 15 years old.  I know that I was going 35 mph, but that didn't, nor will it ever matter.  When the HP saw me hit my brakes, he turned around and pulled me.

 

Shortly after that, I bought my first radar detector and NEVER hit my brakes when a cop can see my tail lights.

[rtbrick]

I just got slammed for 80 in a 65 last week. I was actually driving slower, but sped up to go around someone and low and behold one of Virginia's finest was waiting on me! $124! Radar detectors are illegal in VA, so I've always been leary of having one. Other than visually seeing the detector on my dash, how else can the officer tell I have one? What exactly are these radar detector detectors? How often are they used (are they widespread)?

[tmf6902]

When you use a radar detector it not only looks for a signal(the cops radar), but it puts one out.  It's just the electronics inside of it working.  So the cops have a device in their car that tries to detect that signal...some radar detectors have VG-2 technology, that basically tries to mute or scramble the signal that your radar detector puts out, and the Valentine one does it a little differently.  If uses a series of capacitors and filters so it doesn't produce a signal coming out of it(one of the reasons it's more expensive)....Anyway I am from VA, and if you get pulled over with a radar detector they can no longer take them from you, but if you have a VA license the fine is more, i think it pops up like 50-75 dollars.  If you aren't a va resident I think you get one freebie, then after that you start to get fined extra for the detector.  If your really fast you can take it down and throw it under your seat, and remember by golder rulle.

 

"Admit Nothing, Deny Everything, Make counter accusations"

 

TMF

[Gilbert]

Valentine One is the only detector to get. I've had the original Bell, then Escort, Pasport and Whistler. I placed the the Passport and Valentine side by side in my truck. Nothing compares to the Valentine.

 

Valentine One is the best by far.

[elboberino]

Save yourself $100 and get the Escort Passport 8500 ($300).  I use it mostly for driving from Colorado to Arizona and it's awesome.  I've had readings way before even seeing the cop.  Also, be sure to check out Radar Test.  They've rated most of the brands out there incluing Bel, Escort, and Valentine.