Good, cheap radar detector?

[Stelth]

I got a speeding ticket today. I haven't had a ticket in at least 30 years. Anyway, a radar detector would be handy, but I don't want to invest my life savings in it.

I know there are good radar detectors, and cheap radar detectors, but I would really like one that kind of splits the difference.

(I know someone will say, "Hey, you could just slow down," but now you don't have to, 'cause I already said it for you.)

 

[mikered30]

A new Beltronics Vector 955, a used Passport 8500 X50, or a used V1. If you get anything used, factor in the cost for a tune up. The other problem with buying used is that the item could be stolen and when you send it in for a tune up, they keep it and return it to the owner. Better to call with the serial number to find out if it is hot before buying.

 

[barlowc]

Buy a refurbished Escort Passport 8500 X50 for $199.95 direct from the manufacturer. Here's a link to their eBay Store:

http://shop.ebay.com/escortradar/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25

Alternatively you can call them at 800.964.3138 and order over the phone.

I've been running X50's in my vehicle for years. Just recently I upgraded to the 9500ix and ordered a refurbished X50 for my wife's vehicle.

Note: Be careful if buying used. It could very well be out of calibration. While you could find one a little cheaper than $199.95, I'd go for one from the manufacturer which is calibrated and comes with a warranty.

 

[dparm]

^ That. Or get a refurb'd RX65. Same detector.

 

[NHHEMI]

You can get one really cheap = free. Use cruise control if equipped and set it no more than 5 MPH over the posted speed limit or just drive slower and pay attention more if you don't have/use CC.

 

[dparm]

Yep, your eyes are the best radar detector!

 

[kkreit01]

I've been doing a lot of reading, as I want to upgrade as well. The reburb'd Bel RX65s seem to be the best deal going. They have a "USA" mode which the Escort (X50) does not. This mode filters out unnecessary frequencies being monitored, and in turn makes it better/quicker for the real coppers.

 

[Spazdog]

I quit using mine.

All the local law enforcement agencies are using LIDAR now. Occasionally I would get a lucky bounce of the laser and get a little chirp and brief blink of the LASER indicator. But 99 times out of 100 (probably more...I can count the times I actually got an early warning on one hand and still have fingers left over) it would just scream like R2-D2 as my speed was being checked. Too late then.

Using other cars works way better. Even if other drivers aren't speeding they still tend to hit their brakes when they see a patrol car with an officer hunched down over his LIDAR gun. So if I see several cars brake lights as they crest a hill or enter a corner, I'm fairly certain someone's checking speed there.

 

[surfstar]

I'll second a Bell - I have a 940 and found a 965 for even less for my mom a couple years ago. Definitely have paid for themselves. I only use them on long trips now when I want to do 75-80 to save a measurable amount of time and stay around 72 in a 65 when not using one.
When purchased these were ~$120-140 and had nearly the same range as $300-400 units. Not sure if anything has changed since.

edit: since you're in CA: 90% of the CHP [emphasize my own experience only] I've seen have used KA. Sometimes I'll get laser hits and those are the scary ones. I think a compact 2dr coupe helps my chances of early warning, though.

 

[GMBoy]

I haven't used a Radar Detector in years. With the use of Laser and such, my eyes are always scanning the road and you usually see the cop before he can get a "fix" on you. He has to keep the gun steady and aim to get your speed and since I don't run front tags, it's even harder for them. Also - when you see them aiming, change lanes - it throws their aim off.

But - in my past experience I have had all Escort (used to be called Cincinati Microwave) products and they all were quality and top rated products. I first had the original Escort, then went to the Passport and the last I had was the battery powered Solo. I hear the Valetine 1 is good and I think that guy was originally with CM/Escort and left to create Valentine.

 

[SteveSRT8]

A properly trained LEO with LIDAR is not defeatable without jamming. All your detector will tell you is when to pull over! With a tripod they are accurate at astonishing distances.

The newer ultra low powered Ka guns are also extremely difficult to detect until it is too late.

There are still some dingbats driving around with older high powered radar that will set off every detector for miles.

 

[Quest]

I was saved by my Cobra XRS9645 once (big time) when driving through that underpass via I-5 in WA, just before the DannyWay exit: My cobra picked up (and screamed with a very distinctive "screeching alert sound") a laser beam (front) once, even though I was only approx. 5kms/hr over.

I luv Valentine-1 but been a big fan of Cobra since the early 90s (my first Cobra 3-band(X,K, Ka) is still with me. Although when comparing with many other top notch radars such as Bell or Valentine, Cobra maybe lacking some advantages, but nevertheless: to a guy who seldom speed, Cobra provides enough coverage and sensitivity for me to travel safely up and down I-5.


Q.

 

[Jimmy9190]

Radar detectors work, they will alert you but I think by the time they do alert you it is already too late. LEO's have some very sophisticated radar, lidar, instant on, laser and anything else they might use to clock your speed. Plus they have all of their hiding places and tricks to clock speeders. I think it's best to just set your cruise control at the speed limit and stay out of the way of faster drivers the best you can. Watching other drivers' brake lights and scanning the road ahead is a good defense too. Plus you can save more gas by driving at or below the speed limit.

I had a K40 RD850 and a Bel 955. Both worked well, they would alert me to radar and they both had "laser detection" but neither one ever "saved me from a ticket". They were really more of a nuisance than anything else. And like the OP I bought the Bel unit because I was upset after I got a speeding ticket and I thought it would work better than the K40. I got that ticket from a bogus speed trap set up just outside of a town here in Florida that is so well known for speed traps, AAA has put up billboards to warn you about the speed traps when you approach its city limits. There are two towns like that here that I know of. Both real little towns and they will write you a huge ticket for going even 1 or 2 MPH over the limit. The speed limits are set up to catch you too. They go from 55 to 45 to 35 all in about a 1/8th mile span for each, and that is where they nail you.

I got tired of my radar detectors making noise but not doing much else. I sold both of them on ebay.

 

[bigmike]

You're talking about Lawtey and probably Waldo, FL. Those are major speed traps.

My Bell detectors have saved me from numerous potential tickets. I say potential because I don't know if an officer is going to ticket me or not.

Most enforcement here in my area still use Ka bands. The Bell I have right now gives me a pretty good warning. The last several years, as I've gotten older and mellower, I don't drive fast so it might be a moot point in having one now.

 

[javacontour]

If you period between tickets is 30 years, I'm thinking what you were doing works well enough. One ticket in 30 years seems hardly worth getting a radar detector.

Originally Posted By: Stelth
I got a speeding ticket today. I haven't had a ticket in at least 30 years. Anyway, a radar detector would be handy, but I don't want to invest my life savings in it.

I know there are good radar detectors, and cheap radar detectors, but I would really like one that kind of splits the difference.

(I know someone will say, "Hey, you could just slow down," but now you don't have to, 'cause I already said it for you.)

 

[surfstar]

I've had from little to miles of warning even with instant-on KA - all depending on the road and traffic.
The other thing to remember with radar detectors, is that I basically know if I'm pulled over its gonna be a ticket. Can't talk your way out with it hanging there or the suction cup circles. I also wouldn't feel safe trying to remove and hide it, remove the suction cups and then wipe the circles away - all that fidgeting and you're likely to have a gun pointed at you before anything is said.

 

[Jimmy9190]

Originally Posted By: bigmike
You're talking about Lawtey and probably Waldo, FL. Those are major speed traps.

My Bell detectors have saved me from numerous potential tickets. I say potential because I don't know if an officer is going to ticket me or not.

Most enforcement here in my area still use Ka bands. The Bell I have right now gives me a pretty good warning. The last several years, as I've gotten older and mellower, I don't drive fast so it might be a moot point in having one now.


Yep, Lawtey and Waldo. Every time I go through those towns on Highway 301 they always have people pulled over, or you can see the LEO pulling back into his hiding place to set up for his next victim. When I go through those towns I drive 5 MPH under the speed limit until I am well out of their city limits.

I am older now too and I don't see the need to drive fast either. I will still get where I am going, and am more likely to get there alive and in one piece by driving safely and within the speed limits.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: Jimmy9190

Both real little towns and they will write you a huge ticket for going even 1 or 2 MPH over the limit. The speed limits are set up to catch you too. They go from 55 to 45 to 35 all in about a 1/8th mile span for each, and that is where they nail you.


In over 25 years I have received one ticket for 2mph over. Just one. 57 mph in a 55.

Stupid Chevette's speedometer would bounce back and forth over a 10mph range. I just split the difference. When I went past the policeman I was indicating between 50mph and 60 mph so I figured I was doing 55mph. I was wrong.

The judge looked down at the policeman on the stand and stated, "2mph? You will never see my Cadillac on that highway...." and then found me guilty.

I have run through the tiniest of [poop]stain small town speed traps with the cruise control set at 2 mph over the speed limit since then. They ignore me. I guess they figure that if they wait another minute they will get a "bigger fish". But I know in the back of my mind that they can and might pull me over for that.

I don't drive much faster unless I have a "rabbit". Fortunately, I usually don't have to wait long for a "rabbit". There's always someone who wants to go 15-20 over. I wonder how long until cops start using unmarked cars to set people up that are following their speeding car at that speed?

Guess I'll know when it happens

 

[fdcg27]

Originally Posted By: javacontour
If you period between tickets is 30 years, I'm thinking what you were doing works well enough. One ticket in 30 years seems hardly worth getting a radar detector.

Originally Posted By: Stelth
I got a speeding ticket today. I haven't had a ticket in at least 30 years. Anyway, a radar detector would be handy, but I don't want to invest my life savings in it.

I know there are good radar detectors, and cheap radar detectors, but I would really like one that kind of splits the difference.

(I know someone will say, "Hey, you could just slow down," but now you don't have to, 'cause I already said it for you.)

This was my thought.
I got a ticket a few years ago for twenty over on I-71 north of Mansfield.
I was timed by an OSP Cessna, and pulled over by an OSP ground unit.
No detector would have helped.
It was my first in twenty two years of speeding.
I wasn't too concerned.
The po are easy to spot on the ground.
In the air, they aren't so easy to detect.

 

[Popinski]

Originally Posted By: NHHEMI
You can get one really cheap = free. Use cruise control if equipped and set it no more than 5 MPH over the posted speed limit or just drive slower and pay attention more if you don't have/use CC.

Agreed. The ticket was your fault. OBEY THE LAW.