Technology What kind of radar detector is best?

[ChairmanMao]

Just saw one of those radar detectors on sale at Costco for around $70. In my neck of the woods, with the economy in the crapper, the cops give you ticket for every imaginable violation (including turning right on red, not wearing seat belts, etc.) I've heard that they've started ticketing people for going as little as 5 mph over the speed limit. Right now, a radar detector seems kind of like a good investment.

So I've been wondering: do these cheap radar detectors work? I've always thought of a $400-$500 detector as the real deal. However, those are somewhat beyond my budget (plus I don't plan on speeding). I just want to find a good deal on a cheap radar detector as insurance against being ticketed again. So does anyone have any suggestions?

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[TMP-SMX]

I use the Whistler XTR-140 and it does its job. It is the best selling on Amazon and $42.87 with free shipping.

Only problem is the cameras mounted above our freeways in Michigan that are used to monitor average speed on the road that make the thing go crazy. I know where they are so its no big deal.

 

[southerndoc]

Do you have speed and red light cameras in your state? If so, then I'd recommend the Escort 9500ix.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

All my radar ever gave me was a false sense of security and massive disappointment whenever the cops changed technology about 7 years ago or so. Tickets are teh suck.

Very few tickets since getting rid of that thing.

 

[deleted87716]

A radar detector won't keep you from being cited for turning right on red or not wearing your seatbelt. If you don't intend to speed, why do you need one?

 

[tinman831]

Valentine 1

 

[ChairmanMao]

A radar detector won't keep you from being cited for turning right on red or not wearing your seatbelt. If you don't intend to speed, why do you need one?

A radar detector is kind of like malpractice insurance: if you're going to operate on someone, are you going to kill them? Probably not, but still there are always going to be risks, even if you're the most careful and skillful doc out there. It's just another layer of protection (besides not speeding and careful driving) to keep your insurance preniums down.

Besides that, do you always drive 35 mph in a 35 zone? Everyone around here in Ohio drives at 45 although that's changing since the cops are cracking down on people who go just 5 mph over the speed limit. Given the cost of a ticket and the increasing insurance preniums, I think a radar detector is warranted.

 

[deleted87716]

do you always drive 35 mph in a 35 zone?

We're not talking about me. Anyway, I live in Virginia, where radar detectors are illegal.

Since you asked, I got more tickets back when I lived elsewhere and owned a radar detector. Go figure.

 

[southerndoc]

Radar detectors are not a surefire way to speed. People who don't speed shouldn't buy radar detectors thinking they can speed and be home free. For those that do speed, a radar detector is just an added measure (in addition to your eyes, rabbits, etc.) to attempt to avoid a ticket.

I speed 99% of the time. I drove fast before I got a radar detector, and still continue to drive fast. My Escort 9500ci (permanently mounted radar detector with laser shifters) has prevented a few tickets by giving me early warning of radar in use, or like tonight, by jamming a laser gun (LIDAR) on the interstate while I was traveling 85 in a 70.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Radar detectors are not a surefire way to speed. People who don't speed shouldn't buy radar detectors thinking they can speed and be home free. For those that do speed, a radar detector is just an added measure (in addition to your eyes, rabbits, etc.) to attempt to avoid a ticket.

I speed 99% of the time. I drove fast before I got a radar detector, and still continue to drive fast. My Escort 9500ci (permanently mounted radar detector with laser shifters) has prevented a few tickets by giving me early warning of radar in use, or like tonight, by jamming a laser gun (LIDAR) on the interstate while I was traveling 85 in a 70.

I picture you in a Porsche or, even better, a Ferrari. Please don't ruin this for me by saying you speed in your Accord.

 

[southerndoc]

I picture you in a Porsche or, even better, a Ferrari. Please don't ruin this for me by saying you speed in your Accord.

Not quite...

 

[Aladdin]

Do you have speed and red light cameras in your state? If so, then I'd recommend the Escort 9500ix.

the Escort (made by Passport) is an incredible one. I bought the lowest end one from Best Buy almost 7 years ago. It has worked great. The one I bought was about 350-400 when I bought it, but has definitely been worth every penny and more. When it comes to radar detectors, you really do get what you pay for. The Passport Escort and the Valentine are generally regarded as the top 2 brands/models.

 

[ChairmanMao]

Radar detectors are not a surefire way to speed. People who don't speed shouldn't buy radar detectors thinking they can speed and be home free. For those that do speed, a radar detector is just an added measure (in addition to your eyes, rabbits, etc.) to attempt to avoid a ticket.

I can debate the ethics of buying a radar detector, even if I don't plan on speeding or driving recklessly. I don't intend on speeding, I've never been in an accident, and I always obey the rule of law - safety is mes hombre uno. but the fact of the matter is that there are s*** municipalities around where I live that try to make an extra buck by arbitrarily enforcing some ordinances or speeding rules. In those cases, the tickets are more like hidden taxes and surcharges.

Sure we already pay property, income taxes, and sales tax - but what if city hall needs more money? How can they raise more money? Maybe they can do so by enforcing some arbitrary or obscure ordinances - like fining you if the grass is too tall or if you turn on your sprinklers before 6:00 am or after 5:00pm. Same thing with moving violations. Turn right on a red light, or neglect to wear your safety belts and you pay city hall $225. Go 5 mph over the speed limit, pay city hall $130. They don't serve to make you drive safer, nor do they decrease the number of accidents - these tickets are like taxes for speeding or not wearing your seat belts!

If we let these things continue, the government might start fining us in other ways. Wake up late and commute to work at 9:00 am? the government will fine you for traffic congestion. Take a longer than normal dump on the can? The government will fine you for clogging the sewers with your excrement. Have sex with your wife or girlfriend? The government will fine you to support their social welfare program for unwed mothers. Buy a Japanese or German car? The government will fine you to support GM and Chrysler. Where will it end? The government's becoming more and more like the cable companies where they raise your rates and justify it based on some hidden statement in the fine prints.

Anyway, that's my rant for today. I'm not happy about my ticket and I'm not happy about having to shell out hundreds of dollars to the local (corrupt) municipalities. But what can we do? That's why I'm buying a radar detector - it's a little piece of rebellion in this "1984" world that we live in.

 

[deleted87716]

Buy a Japanese or German car? The government will fine you to support GM and Chrysler.

Dude, we're all paying for that one. Even if you bought American.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Not quite...

 

[southerndoc]

Wake up late and commute to work at 9:00 am? the government will fine you for traffic congestion.

Isn't NYC already charging a congestion charge?

 

[ChairmanMao]

Isn't NYC already charging a congestion charge?

Yes, they've started charging us for that, along with bailing out GM and Chrysler. Trust me, it'll only be a matter of time before the government starts fining us for the other 2 things that I previously mentioned.

 

[Extirpator]

So I've been wondering: do these cheap radar detectors work? I've always thought of a $400-$500 detector as the real deal. However, those are somewhat beyond my budget (plus I don't plan on speeding). I just want to find a good deal on a cheap radar detector as insurance against being ticketed again. So does anyone have any suggestions?

You're right in thinking that 400-500 dollar ones are pretty much the only way to go. I've owned probably 12 in the last 2 years (I have a problem ha)... started with whistler's top of the line and moved on to valentine, beltronics and escort. If you're looking get something that works and isn't too pricey, I would just look on craigslist. Look for the following models and don't pay more than these prices:

Escort Passport 8500 - 120
Escort Passport 8500 x50 - 180
Beltronics RX65 - 180
Beltronics Vector 995 -160

You shouldn't have any trouble finding the escort models since best buy sells them... so other than cheap cobras (which you should avoid at all costs) these are what most people have.

If you get lucky, maybe you can score a "Escort 9500i" for something like 200-250 or 9500ix for 300. Although I'm thinking you don't want to spend that much and I doubt you'll even find them at those prices.

Some of the higher end whistler models are alright and you can get them new for around 150, but your best option would be trying to a good used Escort x50, which will have at least twice the range and filtering.

Once (if) you purchase one of those, look up the instuction manual online and turn off "x-band". It's not really used anymore and all of the models I listed have the option to deactivate it. It'll cut down on false alerts by probably 75%+

Or if all of those still seem to pricey for you, send me a pm and I'll send you links to some cheaper models that are still pretty decent.

 

[slight365]

Valentine 1

That has traditionally been the best one.

One thing to consider is that every few years, one really does have to get a new one, or upgrade their old one to keep up with technology.

Another thing not being addressed is how radar detectors are completely useless against instant-on radar/lidar devices being used mostly today. A radar detector works pretty well against radar/lidar that is emitted all the time, but when you have a cop car or a roadside device that only turns on when it detects a car, it's too late when you get a warning, if you get a warning at all. If you're on a deserted road, use caution.

When you're in traffic, you stand to do better if you're in a pack, as the radar/lidar tends to stay on more (unless it's now a detector that can actually go on only for the speeding cars). However, one stands a better chance being in the pack. it's not a matter of eliminating the possibility, but reducing the probability of getting hit. Combination of simply using due caution, and having an assist device can help.

Knock on wood, I almost always kept it under 70 and never got pinched for speeding. On my cross country trips, I brought it up through Pa, aware of the possibility, and drove through Ohio very cautiously.

 

[Extirpator]

That has traditionally been the best one.

One thing to consider is that every few years, one really does have to get a new one, or upgrade their old one to keep up with technology.

While I don't disgree that the V1 is good (although I wouldn't say best), he won't find a relevant version for under 350. So that's out of the question.

 

[TMP-SMX]

Staying around 74 in a 70 zone is a pretty safe speed. (Though if you are following the flow of traffic obviously you can risk going faster as the people in front of you and behind you are going the same speed). It also helps when you know where the cops like to sit as they aren't exactly original in their spots on the freeway and actually there are limited spots. The problem exists when the cops are on motorcycles and it's a lot harder to see them and unmarked cars.

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

I had a Valentine One for four days. I got busted by an instant on (obviously the detector can't detect sometihng that isn't there). So, I sold it on ebay and told myself its just cheaper not to speed.

 

[southerndoc]

Another thing not being addressed is how radar detectors are completely useless against instant-on radar/lidar devices being used mostly today. A radar detector works pretty well against radar/lidar that is emitted all the time, but when you have a cop car or a roadside device that only turns on when it detects a car, it's too late when you get a warning, if you get a warning at all. If you're on a deserted road, use caution.

That's not been my experience. A good radar detector (the Escort 9500 series) picks up instant on pretty well. When cops are clocking cars ahead of you, your detector will go off and give you warning. However, if you're the only car on the road, then yes, the instant on will get you as soon as your detector goes off.

Where I live, police mainly use LIDAR.

As I mentioned before, a radar detector is not an excuse to speed. However, combined with a rabbit, great eyesight, etc., it does help to reduce your chances of getting a ticket.

 

[slight365]

That's not been my experience. A good radar detector (the Escort 9500 series) picks up instant on pretty well. When cops are clocking cars ahead of you, your detector will go off and give you warning. However, if you're the only car on the road, then yes, the instant on will get you as soon as your detector goes off.

Where I live, police mainly use LIDAR.

As I mentioned before, a radar detector is not an excuse to speed. However, combined with a rabbit, great eyesight, etc., it does help to reduce your chances of getting a ticket.

That's exactly what I said.

 

[southerndoc]

That's exactly what I said.

Sorry, I must have misread your post. I thought you said it was completely useless and by the time it goes off you've already been clocked. My experience has been that as cops clock cars in front of you, the detector goes off. It's only if you are on a deserted road that you don't get an advanced warning. Just misread your post as you saying it was completely useless, which isn't the case.