Radar detectors?

[jjg43]

Any one have any recommendations for a good radar detector? Price isn't really an issue, I want to make sure I get a really good one!

Thanks,

Phil

[Phil M]

If price isnt an issue, then I recommend the Passport 8500. Many others will recommend the Valentine 1, but with its lack of features and etc, the Passport 8500 beats it hands down. The Valentine 1 was the best barnone..say 3-4 years ago. Times have changed and the Valentine 1 hasnt. I hope they come out with a newly refined Valentine 2 or something of the like.

read this article: http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=1064

you can get them on ebay for a bit over 200$, they just came out with a new passport 8500 w/ a blue display and the other one has a red display. the blue one is like 40 bucks more and the only difference is the display. the red would match the interior colors much better than the blue.. just a thought..

hope this helps

edit: you can also purchace the Laser Shifter ZR3 for 300$ and this is supposed to jam police lasers that cannot be pre-detected by the radar detector. radar detectors can alert you when you are being lasered, but gives you no time to slow down. from what ive read on forums and people testing them out with their cousins-whos-a-cop laser gun, it actually works. the ZR3 and the Passport 8500 work in unison

[DallasBill]

I'll vote for the Valentine 1, which has an upgrade program and it's now generation 2... :D

That test link above is 2 years old. Here's the best new one I know of, which also gives good marks to the Passport. But, the Passport does not have an upgrade program for owners that I am aware of. I have upgraded mine once already w/ them.
http://www.consumersearch.com/www/automotive/radar_detectors/index.html

[Jon K]

I'll vote for the Valentine 1, which has an upgrade program and it's now generation 2... :D

That test link above is 2 years old. Here's the best new one I know of, which also gives good marks to the Passport. But, the Passport does not have an upgrade program for owners that I am aware of. I have upgraded mine once already w/ them.
http://www.consumersearch.com/www/automotive/radar_detectors/index.html

V1 hands down

[TC535i]

V1, no question. You don't need "options"... just set it and forget it. The arrows are invaluable.

[632 Regal]

ummm...


"did show some capacity for radar and laser detection—but no jamming ability whatsoever."

am I missing something here? (probably)

[Phil M]

bah the V1 is weak, the bogey counter doesnt work.. the arrows can go haywire.. its sooo annoying driving thru town..! my father has one and when i drive thru town with it, ive seen it count up to 7, 8, 9 bogeys. hmm..? a 400$ product shouldnt do this. why spend 400 when you can have the same detection in a 300$ product and not be so damn annoyed by it that you dont pay attention to it when its actually detecting something?

[jjg43]

Any one have any recommendations for a good radar detector? Price isn't really an issue, I want to make sure I get a really good one!

Thanks,

Phil

[TC535i]

bah the V1 is weak, the bogey counter doesnt work.. the arrows can go haywire.. its sooo annoying driving thru town..! my father has one and when i drive thru town with it, ive seen it count up to 7, 8, 9 bogeys. hmm..? a 400$ product shouldnt do this. why spend 400 when you can have the same detection in a 300$ product and not be so damn annoyed by it that you dont pay attention to it when its actually detecting something?

That's because he set it to show EVERY warning. Use the capital L or lowercase L, and it'll cut the x-band falses by 95% (I run "L")

[Unregistered]

That's because he set it to show EVERY warning. Use the capital L or lowercase L, and it'll cut the x-band falses by 95% (I run "L")

Tim is right, I have mine on ALL bogey mode and in addition I went an programmed it for higher gain also. I'd rather get a grocery store beeping at me than a cop in my window.

[TC535i]

Tim is right, I have mine on ALL bogey mode and in addition I went an programmed it for higher gain also. I'd rather get a grocery store beeping at me than a cop in my window.

Around here, there isn't a single cop that shoots X-band radar, and if there is, I'll take the ticket and shake his hand for being creative (or not giving his gun up in the 60's...) Highway Patrol all shoots Ka-band, so if I pick that up, it's definitely real. Sherrifs shoot K-band, so do red-light cameras and speed signs, so those I like to hear. All that I get X-band from are automatic doors at grocery stores, so I can do without that. I run full L, so I pick up the strong stuff, on the streets/highways it does great.

[632 Regal]

X band is still used at state parks and places like that where short range is better than long range.

[Phil M]

just got fcking xbanded today!@# 35 in a 25. youve GOT to be kidding me!

[TC535i]

X band is still used at state parks and places like that where short range is better than long range.

Here they just use laser for the short range crap... gotta keep your eyes peeled!

[rickm]

just got fcking xbanded today!@# 35 in a 25. youve GOT to be kidding me!

You have to remember that you do live in KY. :D

I was pulled this morning....3:45am, 56 in a 50. Sherrif's goon was behind me pacing. Took my license, asked me a bunch of questions. Sat in the car with it for a while, I guess the Secret Police had nothing on me. He came out asked MORE friggin questions so I handed him my State ID along with my FBE credentials and asked him either to find something to ticket me for or let me go because I had work to do. He let me go with a "warning"...I took off from a light a bit too fast for his tastes. :P I think today I'll exit closer to work and avoid the "bad roads".

[winfred]

no smokeys in front of the cops, they tend to frown on that


I took off from a light a bit too fast for his tastes. :P I.

[Derek A.]

I use an older Escort DSP or Passport. They can be found on ebay for $25. Most of the cops arround Metro Detroit use X or K band, the state boys use K band or Laser. I drive I-75 enough that I know where they sit. So many of the new fangled radars have ignored x/k band perforance for reception of the other signals. Good eyesight and paying attentio n is the only real defense for laser. By the time your detecting it your being nailed.

[632 Regal]

I have an old Cobra trapshooter 3 with a metal case, things the whip! I bought the same for my first wife and it was all plasticy and crap, didnt work worth a **** but I was spoiled with mine that goes off on automatic doors and alarms and stuff. Hers seemed to never go off til last minute which I hated. I guess you would get used to it but I like sensitivity and am used to it. The thing must be as old as my car but I wouldnt get rid of it until it breaks, the first ex's broke within 2 years so I let her have it as part of the divorce.

[Tiger]

Research has shown that you can buy a pretty good one for $110... Whistler 1783...