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BajaMike
10-08-2003, 08:32 PM
Does anyone have a recomendation for a good radar detector?
I got a ticket in Havasu City a few weeks ago, and I come close every time I drive Rice Road.
Help!!
:confused:
Mike

25 Eagle
10-08-2003, 08:35 PM
Valentine is a good one for around $400. There are more expensive ones.

Rod-64
10-08-2003, 08:39 PM
I have an $85 Cobra from Circuit City and it's been great for me......I used to have a Bel that lasted 9 months until it didn't pick up anything anymore. I called Bel to get it fixed and they said 75 just to look at it and I said FU!!!! I payed 90 for it. So, needles to say, I will never buy a Bel again. :mad:

BajaMike
10-08-2003, 08:54 PM
Thanks, Eagel and Rod!
I wonder what's the difference between the Cobra for $114.....
Cobra (http://www.cobra.com/index.php?page=shop/flypage&product_id=237&id=1)

Kilrtoy
10-08-2003, 08:54 PM
Best radar detector
DRIVE THE SPEED LIMIT.
Oh yeah they dont work. Think about how they work. A cop shoots you, your radar detector goes off, you slam on the brakes, but , ooops, its to late, he already got you........
Also radar is 80's
Laser is what the majority use now, and there is nothing on the market or even in the works that can detect it.....

BajaMike
10-08-2003, 08:57 PM
The Cobra (above) and the Valentine both say they detect radar and laser.....
Valentine Radar/Laser Detector (http://www.valentine1.com/home.asp)
The Valentine is $400......
In the city, I try to drive the speed limit...but on Rice Road, with no traffic, in BMW 540....65 seems like you're standing still.
idea
Mike

Dusty Times
10-08-2003, 09:08 PM
I wouldn't trust anything but the Valentine. No question of what type, how many, and exactly where every type of radar is. In front of you behind you or from the side. It is also reprogramable if updates are needed.

Kilrtoy
10-08-2003, 09:12 PM
WHOLLY SHIT HOSS, where can I buy one of those snake oil thinga ma giggys from....
They touch on a fact ever so slighly and then expand into the world of snake oil. I'll give you a fact, at 1/2 a mile the laser(the only thing they stated correctly) is 6 inches. they stated it is several feet at 500 feet. I love the reference to boggys, the enemy, the AWACS plane was the best. I have some beautiful beach front property at the south and north pole ill let you chose which one, GREAT PRICE.

BajaMike
10-08-2003, 09:17 PM
Doesn't the CHP use radar, not laser?
:confused:
Mike

Racing Ray
10-08-2003, 09:22 PM
I have owned quite a few over the years. Right now I use a Valentine in my SS camaro, in my Duallie I use an Escort Passport 8500. Both are high end detectors, Annual tests usually have these two rated as the top models. Very few false signals from either one.
The Escort can be had for around $299.00. The disadvantage here is as Escort upgrades technology you have to replace it with a new one. It is a very good unit and is one of the top detecting laser units.
Valentine on the other hand will upgrade your unit by simply shipping it back to them. Valentine is also the only detector that has both forward and rear facing antennas with directional arrows to show which direction the signal is coming from. As well very good in detecting laser signals as well as X, K, and Ka bands of radar. Another advantage of the Valentine is it will display how many signals are present. An example of it was this morning, driving to work a section of road where radar is in use for another purpose so everyday I get a signal there, well this morning it displayed 2 signals and sure enough the second signal was a state trooper doing his job. As stated before about $400.00
I much prefer the Valentine but I permanatly mounted it in my Camaro. One more thing Cops also have detectors to tell them when an approaching car has a detector in it. The Escort can be detected under certain conditions the Valentine never!
Consumer tests (http://www.consumersearch.com/www/automotive/radar_detectors/)
Valentine 1 (http://www.valentine1.com/)
Escort (http://www.escortradar.com/)

Kilrtoy
10-08-2003, 09:24 PM
BOTH,
If you look at the companies own design diagram it is flawed. There whole campain is flawed. If you dont know any better, it does sound good.
It's like the guy at the swap meet trying to sell my wife a Louis Vuitton purse for 40 bucks. Yeah it looks good, but once you have seen the real thing, you know why you paid 400 for a purse.....
I hear you with the 540, 125 feels like 50, just pay attention and it will save you alot of grief.

RJ Nordic
10-08-2003, 09:31 PM
I faced the same situation a year ago. Had a black vette, did triple digets often between OC and Havasu, never a ticket. :D Got the surburban and 1st time going into Havasu @ 1:30 in the morning and hello Mr. policeman. burningm
30 days later made the purchase. I have the Escort Solo S2 cordless. It has saved my bacon twice going south out of Havasu and 3 times going north.
Go online and do your research it will pay off.

Racing Ray
10-08-2003, 09:36 PM
Cops will tell you the detector is only as good as the man behind it. Find a "rabbit" like whatshisname and follow him, in the last 20 years or so of using detectors I have watched the fellow in front of me get pulled over more times than I can count. I drive from 70-80,000 miles every year in my work.

BajaMike
10-08-2003, 10:20 PM
Thanks, you guys!
boxed
Mike

MagicMtnDan
10-08-2003, 10:50 PM
Kilrtoy:
Best radar detector
DRIVE THE SPEED LIMIT.
Oh yeah they dont work. Think about how they work. A cop shoots you, your radar detector goes off, you slam on the brakes, but , ooops, its to late, he already got you........
Also radar is 80's
Laser is what the majority use now, and there is nothing on the market or even in the works that can detect it..... Gotta call BS on this one Kilrtoy.
Valentine One is THE way to go. Best damn detector made.
If you're smart and you use a radar detector you can make some time on the freeways. Of course you try not to be the first in line (out in front of other cars) on a freeway. Sure, if the cop shoots YOU with his laser you're written up but that's not usually what happens. Cops shoot someone else and your laser/radar detector picks it up and you slow down and smile as you go by.
And lots of CHP drive around (especially on open freeways like the 5 freeway to/from SF, the 10 freeway, the 40, the 15, etc.) with their Ka band radar on all the time so your radar detector acts like a CHP-detector and tells you well in advance where they are.
As soon as your radar detector saves you from ONE ticket it's paid for itself (even the Valentine 1 at $400). I never drive without my V1 and my wife's car has one too.
[ October 09, 2003, 06:29 AM: Message edited by: MagicMtnDan ]

Havasu Hangin'
10-09-2003, 04:02 AM
Kilrtoy:
There whole campain is flawed.Sounds like Kilrtoy is back to spewing his non-fact based voo-doo police brainwashing.
I guess you have to expect it- if the police say that detectors work (and tell the public), then they will quickly lose the "stealth edge" they think that they enjoy (and pay for). However, if you hang aroud the car-enthusiasts forums, they all tell a different tale than Kilrtoy. Maybe everyone is wrong, and Kilrtoy is right!
I have (and use daily) a Valentine One. The fact is that my detector went off, I slowed down, and the cars around me got ticketed- on several occasions (both radar and laser), would mean that Kilrtoy must be wrong- shocking, I know.
Now, the V-1 is significantly more than the cheaper "Best Buy" detectors. However, it has a few more functions and greater sensitivity- it paid for itself the first ticket it saved me. It continually rates near the top in Car & Driver's detector tests, with great ka sensitivity.
It also saved me a ticket just off Hwy 40 into Havasu. It was midnight or so, and there was someone using a K band radar (off in the desert) in the 35MPH zone (which is a joke- ever try to do 35MPH through there?).
So please understand Kilrtoy's misguided attitude. He still thinks the world is flat.

hot_diggity_dog
10-09-2003, 05:30 AM
Also radar is 80's
Laser is what the majority use now, and there is nothing on the market or even in the works that can detect it.....
Come on KILRTOY get a grip. :rolleyes:
If it saves you one ticket it has paid for it's self!! wink :D
I run a Bell 985 and Yes it picks up Laser.
It's saved me about 2-3 tickest every trip to the lake. :D
No matter what you say I'll keep using mine. eek! :p
The VECTOR 985 Radar/ Laser detector outperforms the competition where it counts: industry leading X, K and Ka Radar sensitivity. And outsmarts every detector in its class with more meaningful features and functions to truly customize your drive.
The Facts Revealed! BELTRONICS commissioned a nationally ranked technical research institute to conduct an unbiased, scientifically accurate radar sensitivity test of BEL radar detectors and against their major competitor's models. The results demonstrate conclusively, BEL detectors outperforms in X, Km and Superwide radar sensitivity.
http://www.radarbusters.com/resources/images/products/beltronics/bel_985_large2.gif
HDD :cool:
[ October 09, 2003, 06:48 AM: Message edited by: hot_diggity_dog ]

Terrible Buddhist
10-09-2003, 05:41 AM
I got a Valentine 1 for Christmas a couple years ago...my wife uses it every day for her hour long commute into boston...it has saved us a LOT of money! The best part has to be the upgradability of it though.

JetBoatRich
10-09-2003, 05:55 AM
I am convinced and running right down to get a detector eek!
Had one in the 80's and 90's gave up with worrying about speeding and listening for noises try to stay within 5 miles of the posted speed or use the "Rabbit" as mentioned above. I like to listen to the music and not sirens :D
I do tend to exceed the maximum speed now and them, CB helps on the road to
[ October 09, 2003, 07:01 AM: Message edited by: JetBoatRich ]

hot_diggity_dog
10-09-2003, 06:18 AM
This Focker tried to pull me over so I just speed away and out ran him.
http://fun.from.hell.pl/2003-02-12/ciecia-budzetowe.jpg
HDD :cool:

Essex502
10-09-2003, 06:25 AM
We ran back from Havasu this past weekend in triple digits most of the way on I40 between Needles and Barstow. Passport 8500, my friends, has never let me down! Have owned 2 Cincinatti Microwave detectors since they starting selling them...the first still works after 14 years however it doesn't detect Ka band so it's relegated to backup in the truck that never leaves Havasu and is used for towing the boat the 4 miles from home to ramp.
The Valentine 1 seems to be a great detector from the reviews but I would question would appears to be a novelty in detecting from the sides...can't quite understand the physics involved in detecting a vehicle's speed in a 90° opposed position. ??? From the rear -yes. From the side - no. The other issue is the rear facing detector worth the extra $$? You to you. Both are great detectors according to the reviews here and in the mags. Buy either the Passport 8500 or the Valetine 1 and you can't go wrong. Stay away from the sub-premium detectors. The first ticket you get won't be offset by your savings.

River Lynchmob
10-09-2003, 06:32 AM
25 Eagle:
Valentine is a good one for around $400. There are more expensive ones. I agree that the valentine is by far the best it has saved my ass countless times on the way to the river and other places. $399 online or from any of about a half dozen magazines.

XTRM22
10-09-2003, 06:34 AM
hot_diggity_dog:
This Focker tried to pull me over so I just speed away and out ran him.
http://fun.from.hell.pl/2003-02-12/ciecia-budzetowe.jpg
HDD :cool: Yeah yeah, but Daddy always told me the fastest things the cops have is the Motorola!
It sucks getting arrested by these bicycle cops, nothing more embarassing then being taken in riding on the handle bars! :D
I got busted three times while running with my Cobra Trapshooter II, both times it never even squacked, frigging instant on radars with cops going the opposite direction. Now I concentrate on driving within 5mph of posted limits.
Chuck

River Lynchmob
10-09-2003, 07:17 AM
Essex502:
The Valentine 1 seems to be a great detector from the reviews but I would question would appears to be a novelty in detecting from the sides...can't quite understand the physics involved in detecting a vehicle's speed in a 90° opposed position. ??? From the rear -yes. From the side - no. The other issue is the rear facing detector worth the extra $$? You to you. Both are great detectors according to the reviews here and in the mags. Buy either the Passport 8500 or the Valetine 1 and you can't go wrong. Stay away from the sub-premium detectors. The first ticket you get won't be offset by your savings. you are right the valentine only pics up radar from banks grocery stores etc. as you pass a cop it shows it moving from front to rear or rear to front and says its picking up from the side but it does not. knock on wood i have not received a ticket since ive ownerd it.

drbones
10-09-2003, 07:23 AM
Ohio patrol is a hard to beat the radar with the instant on...sure my birddog goes off...but it is to late..when birddog goes off..they already have me..
Best device I have found is the speedometer..LOL
keep it at a legal speed and I dont get pulled over... :D
although WVa troopers..seem to have a easy radar to beat :D

ROZ
10-09-2003, 08:25 AM
Racing Ray:
I have owned quite a few over the years. Right now I use a Valentine in my SS camaro, in my Duallie I use an Escort Passport 8500. Both are high end detectors, Annual tests usually have these two rated as the top models. Very few false signals from either one.
The Escort can be had for around $299.00. The disadvantage here is as Escort upgrades technology you have to replace it with a new one. It is a very good unit and is one of the top detecting laser units.
Valentine on the other hand will upgrade your unit by simply shipping it back to them. Valentine is also the only detector that has both forward and rear facing antennas with directional arrows to show which direction the signal is coming from. As well very good in detecting laser signals as well as X, K, and Ka bands of radar. Another advantage of the Valentine is it will display how many signals are present. An example of it was this morning, driving to work a section of road where radar is in use for another purpose so everyday I get a signal there, well this morning it displayed 2 signals and sure enough the second signal was a state trooper doing his job. As stated before about $400.00
I much prefer the Valentine but I permanatly mounted it in my Camaro. One more thing Cops also have detectors to tell them when an approaching car has a detector in it. The Escort can be detected under certain conditions the Valentine never!
Consumer tests (http://www.consumersearch.com/www/automotive/radar_detectors/)
Valentine 1 (http://www.valentine1.com/)
Escort (http://www.escortradar.com/) Now here's a name I haven't seen in a while...Nice to see you still pop in from time to time!Take care...
HH, You mean the world isn't flat? :D
8500 has saved some peeps I know a lot of dough...It works. I on the other hand I never speed...

Havasu Hangin'
10-09-2003, 08:37 AM
Essex502:
The Valentine 1 seems to be a great detector from the reviews but I would question would appears to be a novelty in detecting from the sides...can't quite understand the physics involved in detecting a vehicle's speed in a 90° opposed position....The V1 has forward and rearward facing notification. When it picks up both, it assumes the signal is beside you.
For me, it usually means the CHP just passed me traveling the opposite direction- it just lets me know where he's at.
Instant on usually isn't a problem- they never turn it off.
If the world were flat, I bet my V1 would have even better range!

FingerTight
10-09-2003, 09:20 AM
Car and Driver does tests on all the top detectors.
The V1 has been head and shoulders above the rest for years...
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=4&article_id=1993&page_number=1
[ October 09, 2003, 10:22 AM: Message edited by: FingerTight ]

riverbound
10-09-2003, 01:38 PM
The best radra detector is the k-40 system, it is a permanent mount system that is hidden in the vehicle you can also get the optional radar diffuser that jams up the radar gun and reads an error givimg you time to slow down.

Kilrtoy
10-09-2003, 01:42 PM
You guys keep bursting my Bubble
The world is not flat, What next there is no tooth fairy, dont tell me there is no Santa Claus.
Can anyone explain how these things work.
What is all this stuff about X, K, KA and laser stuff.

BajaMike
10-09-2003, 04:08 PM
Thanks, you guys for all the input.....
I'm going to get one for sure, don't know which brand yet.
Mike

Cheap Thrills
10-09-2003, 04:25 PM
http://www.radar-laser-jammers.com/
enough said.......

Havasu Hangin'
10-09-2003, 05:53 PM
Kilrtoy:
Can anyone explain how these things work.Sure.
Turn it on. It works.
In your case, I'd recommend you first wipe the Krispy Kreme grease off your fingers.

Kilrtoy
10-09-2003, 06:01 PM
Hey Havasu you remembered KK
I'm proud of you.....

mbrown2
10-09-2003, 06:13 PM
HH, you're friggen kill'n me... :) :D

MagicMtnDan
10-09-2003, 06:37 PM
The Valentine 1 (V1) is the best radar/laser detector for a number of reasons:
1. Performance - it picks up signals from far away (won't get technical here)
2. The Arrows (front, back and sides) - other brands don't have the arrows - don't get one without them (trust me on this). It tells you the direction of the radar/laser and you definitely want this (see below). And when the arrow lights up to the sides all that means is that you're passing the source (they cannot get a speed reading when you're alongside the source).
3. Type of source - LEDs show:
* Laser
* Ka band - most popular with CHP
* K band - second most popular
* X band - hardly ever used by any PDs but there still may be some out there
4. Strength indicator - LEDs show how strong the signal is (tells you when you're/they're getting close!
5. Counter - tells you how many signals you're picking up (sources of radar/laser)!
6. Audio - sounds tell you which type of source (see #3 above) and how strong the signal(s) is (see #4 above)
Here's an example of why this is the best detector available (yes, it's better than the Passport and the K40 and any others for all of these reasons):
I was driving to/from the SF Bay Area on the 5 freeway. Suddenly my V1 got a hit - Arrow showed it was coming from ahead of me, it was Ka band and one location (counter showed a "1"). Strength was still weak (so it was still far off but slowly getting closer as we drove).
As we got closer to it, the counter went from "1" to "2" so there were suddenly two sources. The only arrow lit up was the one ahead so I knew there were two sources in front of us. I started to back off of 90MPH and got it down to 70MPH.
We passed an entrance ramp a ways back and all of a sudden the "2" on the display changed to "3" - meanwhile the strength got stronger as we approached the two sources in front of us.
Soon we passed one of the CHP patrol cars coming towards us on the opposite side of the freeway. The arrows tracked him from front to side (as we passed each other across the median) to the rear. We now had 1 still in front of us and two behind us (1 of which was going away from us).
Soon we came upon the 2nd one in front of us. This CHP cruiser was parked on the other side of the freeway giving some poor sap a ticket and of course he left his Ka band radar on the whole time (very common with the CHP). We watched the arrows track him from front to side to rear. So now we had three behind us and we knew two of them were fading.
The strength indicator never got weaker but it did get steadily stronger so we knew the one cop behind us was gaining on us (I was doing the 65MPH limit). Sure enough about 5 minutes later the CHP cruiser came into view in my rearview mirror and I played good boy and kept in the right lane at the posted limit.
He passed us and we watched the arrows track him from rear to side to front. Meanwhile the two behind us faded down to zero and were no longer reading on the detector so we only had one in front of us and the strength indicator let us know that he was pulling away from us.
Eventually he got off the freeway at an exit and as we approached the signal got stronger and as we saw and passed him at a gas station the arrows showed him to the side and rear and then the signal faded while I pressed the pedal to the metal and got it back up to 90+MPH.
This is, in all honesty, very typical of how the V1 works and how easy it is to use (once you get used to it). It is an excellent product and is worth every one of the $400.
http://valentine1.com/images/v1homephoto.gif
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Valentine One in any way. But we do own two of them and if I ever drive a car without one I am very nervous (unprotected driving is "dangerous").
Click here for Valentine One's Web site (http://valentine1.com/)

Kilrtoy
10-09-2003, 06:52 PM
I ever drive a car without one I am very nervous (unprotected driving is "dangerous").
Jesus Christ Dan
Are you having sex with that thing.....

JetBoatRich
10-09-2003, 06:58 PM
Kilrtoy:
I ever drive a car without one I am very nervous (unprotected driving is "dangerous").
Jesus Christ Dan
Are you having sex with that thing..... LMAO

Havasu Hangin'
10-09-2003, 08:05 PM
Kilrtoy:
Hey Havasu you remembered KK
I'm proud of you..... Yeah...at least one of us has some memory capability....I guess you don't want to strain both of your brain cells...
mbrown2:
HH, you're friggen kill'n me... :) :D Thank you...thank you. I'll be here all week...please, tip your waitresses.
[ October 09, 2003, 09:13 PM: Message edited by: Havasu Hangin' ]

Dusty Times
10-09-2003, 08:12 PM
Quick on radar is becoming very common. But yet is very inaccurate. The faster the vehicle is traveling the more inaccurate the reading is. If you have a good detector and know you were hit with quick on, fight it in court. There is a warning in the box of every new gun with quick on describing it's problems if the gun is not turned on and warmed up properly (and left on).
Just .02 more!