Radar Detectors (car)

[RSVDon]

What are you all using out there?

I've currently got some POS old ass detector and it's about time I jump into the new age.

From everything I've read so far:

Valentine One --> Open Road

Passport 9500x/xi --> Urban Environment

The problem is I do both, but I'm leaning towards the Valentine because I am rarely performing shenanigans in the urban areas. Usually backroads or open highways.

I can use a remote screen integrated into the dash like so. But, the detector still stays placed up by the rearview mirror. Still an easy theft.

This also peaked my interest though.

http://www.escortradar.com/qi45/

All installed, hidden, and could be seamlessly integrated into my dash around the column area just like the V1 remote screen. I could place the radar mount in the front grille along with laser jammers if I so desire. But, this system has no rear mount radar which kind of concerns me.

What's your guy's opinions on the detectors you've used, etc.

Fire away.

[redkow97]

how much do radar dectors run these days?

the ticket I got at the end of last month was 79 in a 60, and only cost me $107...

[RSVDon]

Standard ticket fines aren't the problem my friend. It's the moving violation points and subsequent insurance rate hikes that get ya.

And before anyone else says it, slowing down? Not on the agenda.

[kawi kid]

I have a solo s2. Its battery operated or by cord. I got it in hopes to run it on the bike someday but that didn't pan out lol

[Bad324]

i have a few friends that swear by the Passports and I have been passively keeping an eye for a used one but quite hard to come by. It is hard for me to justify spending that kind of $ on one when I've gotten speeding tickets in the last 10 years.

And by no means do I drive slow, I have a lead foot

[kawi kid]

If I had to do over again I would prob go with the valentine..

[ohdaho]

i have a few friends that swear by the Passports and I have been passively keeping an eye for a used one but quite hard to come by. It is hard for me to justify spending that kind of $ on one when I've gotten speeding tickets in the last 10 years.

And by no means do I drive slow, I have a lead foot

Passport X50s are all over craigslist for $150. Still a solid detector compared to the 9500. 9500s run about twice that on CL.

I like the 9500s since its more universal, urban and rural. Is it true that the V1s arent capable of POP detection?

[Bad324]

Passport X50s are all over craigslist for $150. Still a solid detector compared to the 9500. 9500s run about twice that on CL.

I like the 9500s since its more universal, urban and rural. Is it true that the V1s arent capable of POP detection?

I know it blows . I'm holding out for a 9500 for the same reason. I should just bite the bullet and invest in one, not even bringing the bike into the equation I probably am on the road ~25k miles a year

[RSVDon]

I put 25k a year on the GTO. Mostly highway.

[RSVDon]

Is it true that the V1s arent capable of POP detection?

From everything I've read any upgraded Valentine One with 1.8 or higher has POP protection including the Bee III gun's POP operation.

[vw151]

Up until recently I was using the passport x50 8500. They are about $300 new, you can get them on ebay for around $200. They generally do as well in the reviews as the V1 but don't have the capability to differentiate between side and rear threats. I thought it performed very well and generally picked up radar very early. I just didn't use it much so I sold it.

So, if you are on a budget I think that is a good choice, if you have the money to get the best then go with the V1 or the escort 9500. They are all basically Cincinnati microwave products and are generally regarded as the best.

[RSVDon]

I've got a budget capped at $500.

[vw151]

Well, I think that about covers the 9500 and V1. Guess you just have to decide what features are more important to you. I'd read all the reviews too. They are pretty interesting reading IMHO.

[SWing'R]

I think radar detectors are overrated, the best defense (besides obviously

not speeding) is a keen sense of your surroundings.

Unless you are the only car on the road you can usually tell by other cars reactions when/where a cop is.

But I guess being the lone car or lead car on a stretch of road is another story.

I have a very old POS radar/laser detector that still seems to work okay.

[Likwid]

piqued* your interest btw.

I have an Escort radar detector, and my dad has the built in one... they are expensive as hell but he's been very happy with it.

[RSVDon]

That game only works so long. I'll give you an example.

Last Sunday. I'm 45 miles from home, it's 2 am, speed is ~85-90, not a soul on the highway so I've justified that speed. Coming around a blind corner in the highway and I hear a faint Ka blip from my old detector. Brake hard and set cruise at 73 mph (in a 70). Detector starts going wild as I drop onto the downhill straight. Sitting there in the pitch black at the bottom of the hill with no lights (don't use them in MI) is a Sheriff.

Had I come blasting around that corner at 90 mph in the dark, regardless of situational awareness, I would've been toast.

[Scruit]

You need a radar as well.

Not a radar detector... A real actual honest-to-goodness radar that can see the OSHP getting all vascar on your ass.

[Scruit]

Had I come blasting around that corner at 90 mph in the dark, regardless of situational awareness, I would've been toast.

One time, driving around the M25 in England... I was doing well over 100mph (limit of 70) keeping pace about 15 carlengths behind another car. In my mirror I saw the sparkly blues of the Traffic Police.

Put on my left turn signal, pulled over to the slow lane, and he blasted right past me.

Figured he would get the car in front of me (and probably both of us). But he blasted right past that guy too.

Dunno where that cop was going, but he sure as sugar needed to get there pronto. Either that or he figured we'd get dinged by a speed camera so it wasn't worth pulling us over.

[Steve Butters]

i bought the passport 9500xi or whatever the fuck it was...teh $400 thing...kept it a week and returned it...what a pile of shit...ill never waste cash on a radar detector again

[RSVDon]

Sigh. Could you maybe elaborate on why said radar detector was a pile of shut instead of just wasting thread space? I don't care if you bash it, but at least give some reasons.

[RSVDon]

You need a radar as well.

Not a radar detector... A real actual honest-to-goodness radar that can see the OSHP getting all vascar on your ass.

Lol, no doubt. Sneaky bastards

[Steve Butters]

Sigh. Could you maybe elaborate on why said radar detector was a pile of shut instead of just wasting thread space? I don't care if you bash it, but at least give some reasons.

because it didnt fucking work

it went off whenever i passed any store, and yes, i realize you program the false positives blah blah....i spent the whole drive everwhere i went doing it

and when i DID pass cops sitting there with the radar guns out, it didnt go off...several times

the false sense of security alone would have been a negative to owning it, because its not like it would have saved me any of the times i DID pass cops on the freeway with their radars out

[Kosmo]

Escort 8500, seven years old still rocks....

[SWing'R]

Had I come blasting around that corner at 90 mph in the dark, regardless of situational awareness, I would've been toast.

Thats why I said this...

...But I guess being the lone car or lead car on a stretch of road is another story.

Basically in situations where you are alone on the road or the lead car its foolish to run that fast,

with or without a radar detector. Thats just inviting trouble.

You do realize that even the most expensive radar detector is only going to tell you that you

just got nailed in a "blind situation" when the cop is using "instant-on" rather then sitting with it running steady.

[Wicked1]

You need some laser protection as well- I sold my V1 to buy this.

http://www.bestradardetectors.net/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=EscortSRX&CartID=1

On sale- $499, free ship and no tax