The Best Radar Detector?

[rishithen7]

ok guys i want a radar detector that will never fail me if theres a police...bottom line. i cant afford a ticket and although i dont speed there are times when it may be called for.

also, im willing to put up the cash...but nothing WAY TOO expensive. please give me all your suggestions. also, i'd like something where i dont have to run a chord all the way down to the cigarette lighter cause that just looks lame

thanks guys!

[dcfish]

http://www.valentine1.com/ I'm sure there are many others, This is a very good RD.

[bartkat]

ok guys i want a radar detector that will never fail me if theres a police...bottom line. i cant afford a ticket and although i dont speed there are times when it may be called for.

also, im willing to put up the cash...but nothing WAY TOO expensive. please give me all your suggestions. also, i'd like something where i dont have to run a chord all the way down to the cigarette lighter cause that just looks lame

thanks guys!

No offense Mr ri*BLEEP*hen7, but it's quite reasonable to believe that this topic has been discussed before. You might want to familiarize yourself with the search feature before starting another thread on a well discussed topic.

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...ite=%2Bdetector

Get a Valentine or if you don't want to spend that much get an Escort.

[rishithen7]

my bad

[Normandg]

I agree the person who recommended the Valentine1. I have had this unit for some time now. It is EXCELLENT! I live in Virginia where we are not allowed to have Radar Dectectors. I have mine in a pouch on the drivers side visor. I don't need to see it to use it. This thing has saved me many times. Now remember, you need to be smart when you use it. Laser is quick and can be detected. Normally once you have detected them they have you. However, I have received the signal from their laser when I am just pulling away from a light or other cars. That gives me time to react. In states when dectors are legal you need to know that the police turn their units on and off. If you listen for that you then know to slow down.

Sorry, I digress. Get the V1, you will not be disappointed.

Norman

[guynorib]

If you don't want to pop for the V1 an option would be one of Beltronics models, either an RX 65 from a specialty store or the general market 995 which are significantly less expensive but still should do the job, just without the arrows. Finally, if you're really on a budget a Bel 795 can be had for as little as around $50 and has had good reviews. In fact, I have one as a backup in case my primary fails.

[Lazar1389]

ok guys i want a radar detector that will never fail me if theres a police...bottom line. i cant afford a ticket and although i dont speed there are times when it may be called for.

I think you might be under a misconception about radar detectors in general. They can be useful in certain situations (I've been using one for about 5 years now), but there is no such thing as a radar detector that "will never fail" you. Here is why...

Most upper crust radar detectors (Valentine and Bel/Escort) do a pretty good job at detecting the three types of radar bands (X, K and KA), however NONE of them do a good job of detecting Laser.

I currently use a Escort Passport 8500 X50 and have used a standard 8500. I also used a Valentine 1 for about 3 months while my best friend was in Europe.

See, radar is relatively easy to detect because radar guns shoot a very wide band of "radar" which bounces off trees, wall, other car etc... As result, both the V1 or the 8500 does a good job. My tests proved the V1 to be better at detecting X, equal at detecting K and a bit worse at KA bands of radar, but NO detector gives you enough time to detect a cop with a laser gun.

At 1000 feet away, a laser band is only 18 inches wide, so if the cop aims at your license plate (like he is supposed to do), you might not even get the signal from your detector. If he aims at your hood or windshield you probably will get the warning, but usually by then it is too late. The most effective form of protection against Laser guns are "laser jammers". They are legal, but expensive.

Escort makes a laser jammer which works in conjunction with its detectors. V1 does not.

True story....

I was driving on I-81 South through Syracuse and the highway goes from 65 to 55 to 45. When I entered the 45 area, I was still traveling about 65mph. I come around a corner and my detector is silent.

As I go through the corner, I see a cop standing on the shoulder (outside his car) with a laser gun. Just then, my detector screams "LASER". I slam on the brakes and he gives me the "pull over wave". While I'm pulling over, I pull the detector off my dash and my wife (who was 7 months pregnant at the time hides it).

I talk my way out of a ticket (because he didn't see the detector), by telling him my wife really has to pee and I was trying to get to the next exit. My point is this...

Don't let anybody lie to you about the effectiveness of detectors. I primarily use mine for local street driving with local cops who DON'T use laser guns (because they are too expensive). I'm also not a HUGE speeder, but do speed just enough that the detector is useful on local streets.

There is still more to say about detectors (like the use of "instant on" radar guns), but suffice it to say, if you think dropping 400 bucks on a detector is a guarantee of no tickets, you're fooling yourself. The only guarantee is to drive the speed limit.

[Manolo1]

More links to radar detector reviews:

www.radartest.com

www.radarbusters.com

www.guysoflidar.com

[myculito]

Escort 9500i for the win!

[Lazar1389]

Escort 9500i for the win!

I love the GPS false canceling on the 9500i, but from what I've seen, the V1 probably out performs it (although the V1 is a false alert magnet) - probably the most annoying detector I've ever used.

[sktn77a]

I love the GPS false canceling on the 9500i, but from what I've seen, the V1 probably out performs it (although the V1 is a false alert magnet) - probably the most annoying detector I've ever used.

I have the Valentine 1 but I have no more problem with false alerts with this than my previous BEL (which was also very highly rated).

Either way, you're scr_wed if the local Gendarmes have laser!

:(

[Lazar1389]

Either way, you're scr_wed if the local Gendarmes have laser!

:(

Exactly!

[myculito]

Either way, you're scr_wed if the local Gendarmes have laser!

:(

Exactly!

That's why they make laser jammers.

[Lazar1389]

That's why they make laser jammers.

Although I've never used one, from most of what I read, they're not all that successful, although much better than any detector.

[Lexusfreak]

On the V1 website, it states that it has front & rearward radar antenna's & front & rear laser sensors.

This might be a stupid question (I'm trying to educate myself with these things...but they are illegal in Ontario) but can a cop tell with his/her equipment that you actually have a radar detector or jammer in your vehicle?

[Tango]

On the V1 website, it states that it has front & rearward radar antenna's & front & rear laser sensors.

This might be a stupid question (I'm trying to educate myself with these things...but they are illegal in Ontario) but can a cop tell with his/her equipment that you actually have a radar detector or jammer in your vehicle?

When you lock up all four wheels for no apparent reason it tends to give them a clue you may have a detector, as does their inability to get a reading off the laser gun indicate you probably have a jammer

[Lexusfreak]

When you lock up all four wheels for no apparent reason it tends to give them a clue you may have a detector, as does their inability to get a reading off the laser gun indicate you probably have a jammer

Perhaps for some....I wouldn't lock up all four wheels however. ;) I was referring to the actual police officer's electronic equipment......not an inexperienced driver who might panic if his/her detector beeps.

[GDixon]

On the V1 website, it states that it has front & rearward radar antenna's & front & rear laser sensors.

This might be a stupid question (I'm trying to educate myself with these things...but they are illegal in Ontario) but can a cop tell with his/her equipment that you actually have a radar detector or jammer in your vehicle?

Read this post for more information:

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...mp;#entry265116

Some state police have "radar detector detectors". Washington state is one of them. Recently manufactured radar detectors are invisible to such devices. In case you don't want to go to the link, here is some of the information.

A Radar Detector Detector uses the same characteristics as a radar detector. Both search for a certain frequency to warn the operator that a device is being used. In this case, a radar detector detector searches for a radar detector in operation. Since all electronic devices emits some type of an electronic signature, this is what a detector detector is tuned for, a detector's Local Oscillator.

There are different kinds of Radar Detector Detectors. There are either a specially made unit or a modified radar detector to search for radar detectors. Two that are in operations are the VG-2 Interceptor and the Stalcar. Others are actual radar detectors that are tuned to look for radar detectors. If you have run a detector before and had it go off as you pass another vehicle, this is called cross talk. This is what a tuned detector searches for.

[Lazar1389]

Perhaps for some....I wouldn't lock up all four wheels however. ;) I was referring to the actual police officer's electronic equipment......not an inexperienced driver who might panic if his/her detector beeps.

LF,

Since I see that you are from St. Thomas, I can tell you that (as far as I know) all OPP cars are now equipped with detector detectors. You still have options though, although none are great. As far as I know, the Bel STI Driver is the ONLY detector that can avoid detection. The V1, although a great device is detectable by all major detectors. You'll end up with a big fat ticket and they'll take your V1.

Remember, in Ontario possession of the radar detector is illegal, not just use. I checked both the Metropolitan Toronto Police Department and the OPP. I live in the US, but spend a lot of time in Canada and NEVER use my detector (a passport 8500) while in Canada. Once I hit the border at Kingston, detector goes away, although in theory I'm breaking the law by having it in my glove box. Have a look at this, it might make you think twice... the OPP is vicious. LOL

[Lexusfreak]

LF,

Since I see that you are from St. Thomas, I can tell you that (as far as I know) all OPP cars are now equipped with detector detectors. You still have options though, although none are great. As far as I know, the Bel STI Driver is the ONLY detector that can avoid detection. The V1, although a great device is detectable by all major detectors. You'll end up with a big fat ticket and they'll take your V1.

Remember, in Ontario possession of the radar detector is illegal, not just use. I checked both the Metropolitan Toronto Police Department and the OPP. I live in the US, but spend a lot of time in Canada and NEVER use my detector (a passport 8500) while in Canada. Once I hit the border at Kingston, detector goes away, although in theory I'm breaking the law by having it in my glove box. Have a look at this, it might make you think twice... the OPP is vicious. LOL

Thanks for the info Lazar! You are correct about Ontario's OPP too. ;) The Bel STI Driver looks very interesting! Too bad it's about $500 (I like the fact that the RDD can pick it up though). :) Do these things ever go on sale & what stores in the U.S. should I check out?

And please tell me that was not you in the youtube video? lol Poor bugger.

http://www.beltronics.com/sti.html

[Lazar1389]

Thanks for the info Lazar! You are correct about Ontario's OPP too. ;) The Bel STI Driver looks very interesting! Too bad it's about $500 (I like the fact that the RDD can pick it up though). :) Do these things ever go on sale & what stores in the U.S. should I check out?

And please tell me that was not you in the youtube video? lol Poor bugger.

http://www.beltronics.com/sti.html

Ah!!! LOL ... No not me, just another poor *BLEEP*!

If it were me, I would've been driving much faster and I would have kept the camera running while I got the ticket in case the cop decided to beat the crap out of me! :D

The Bel Sti Driver is still pretty new, so finding one on sale might be tough, but I'd be willing to bet you could get it on ebay for less. If you are going to use on in Ontario, DEFINITELY use the Bel. It is close to the V1 in peformance (probably not quite as good for X and K band though) but it saves you because it is virtually non-detectable.

You should also find out what the OPP uses in terms of "band" along side the stiffs in London. My bet is the OPP uses KA band and the local London piggies use K band. You can find this out pretty easily. Just go to the local police station, walk through the parking lot and look at the radar guns. They usually have the band written right on them. You can probably see what type of "detector detectors" they use as well. A little research goes a long way.

The last problem I should alert you to is the fact that I also KNOW for a fact that both the OPP and the Toronto PD use Laser guns. If you get a "laser" warning from your Bel, hide it away quickly, because you just got a speeding ticket and hopefully they won't find your detector.

[Lexusfreak]

I appreciate all the info Lazar! Many thanks. :)

[Lexusfreak]

Valentine One vs. Beltronics STI Driver:

Found this excellent write up comparing two of the very best radar detectors available...

http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=100542

[Lazar1389]

A word of warning about Craig Peterson, the author of that article. I have no doubt he has an anti-V1 agenda. I have tried MULTIPLE tests of my own with VARIOUS detectors and I have NEVER been able to duplicate his results.

The reality is, even though I do NOT own a V1 it is BETTER than any detector I've ever tested on X and K band and close or equal to anything I've ever tested on KA band.

I think the V1's arrows are a gimmick and I think it is a terrible false alerter, but as a pure locater of radar devices, it is probably one of the top 2-3 radar detectors IMHO.

[Lexusfreak]

Understood Lazar....however, the Bel STI seems to be the only detector I can purchase for use in Ontario & not have it detected by the OPP & St. Thomas/London's finest. B)