Radar Detectors - Recommendations, Please.

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john_pifer

john_pifer

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What radar detector do you own? Do you like it? Why or why not?

Have you owned others in the past? Did you like them? Why or why not?

Looking at newer models that are GPS and Bluetooth-enabled, with phone apps allowing you to see speed traps, red light cameras, stationary radars, etc. I doubt I'd buy one that didn't have GPS & Bluetooth.
 
My first was a Passport made by Escort and that was a long time ago.. tried some other brands, they were ok, but the build quality was flimsy.
Bought my first Valentine 1 in 2000 or thereabouts and never looked back. Knowing where the threat is coming from really helps. Build quality is good, support is good. I'm happy.
On the highway, sometimes even the right lane is going 10 mph over. So it's nice to know where enforcement is present.
 
I have heard great things about the Valentine 1 but I always had the passport 8500 x50 and I really liked it. Got one ticket with it but we were lasered so while the detector went off, it was too late. You'll have to experiment with them as I ended up eventually turning off laser , k and x band since I got too many false alarms on those bands and local law enforcement pretty much used ka band only I think.
 
Thanks guys. I've always been curious about radar/laser detectors; not many people I know have had them. I do remember one of my dirt bike riding buddies having a Valentine One but still got a ticket once, which he made a big deal about.

When I'm on trips, I set the cruise control at about 8 mph over the limit and have never had a cop even look up.

A few months ago, I did get a ticket on a freeway here in the city. It was one of those places where the speed limit drops from 65 to 55. NOBODY does the speed limit on that stretch where it's 55. If you even do in the low 60s you'll get people tailgating, flying around you, etc. Anyway, I saw the cop but it was an unmarked car and I assumed he was going about other official police business other than trying to catch people speeding. He pulled me over, and gave me no opportunity to explain or anything. No problem; he caught me fair and square. You gamble, and sometimes you lose. I ended up taking the online defensive driving course that Nashville offers as an alternative to just paying the ticket. If you go, I think it's a year without another violation, it's expunged and will not be reported to insurance. The online course was a nightmare; it took hours of sitting through a lot of extremely basic driving info that I learned when I was 15 years old. Lots of it focused on impaired driving, and I don't drink or use drugs.

Anyway, I consider myself a good driver; nothing on my record and no accidents in years. I would like to avoid paying more taxes than I have to! We already pay quite enough.
 
Originally Posted By: Linctex
So many are laser now, I was thinking radar detectors are now obsolete.


Almost all the modern detectors detect laser as well.
 
A laser detector by itself is useless. Period. Laser works at the speed of light. By the time even the best radar detector alerts to a laser attack, the officer already has your speed.

There is no passive way to beat laser. You must have a jammer to defeat it.

In states where jammers are legal I recommend the Blinder X-Treme, which provides excellent protection. The Escort ZR-4 Shifter is another, but it's no longer made and didn't work so great....got rid of it.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Vern_in_IL
A laser detector by itself is useless. Period. Laser works at the speed of light. By the time even the best radar detector alerts to a laser attack, the officer already has your speed.

There is no passive way to beat laser. You must have a jammer to defeat it.

In states where jammers are legal I recommend the Blinder X-Treme, which provides excellent protection. The Escort ZR-4 Shifter is another, but it's no longer made and didn't work so great....got rid of it.


Radar is RF (radio frequency), which also travels at the speed of light. The difference is that laser is more focused than the RF of radar. So, there's less chance of detecting it. However, it still can be detected if the LEO's aim is off (accidentally sweeps your vehicle while targeting someone else ahead).

I agree that you're likely cooked if he's using Instant On radar or laser. That's why you still have to keep an eye out and can't just top a hill willy-nilly.

Jammers aren't legal in TN, for one.
 
Originally Posted By: john_pifer
Originally Posted By: Linctex
So many are laser now, I was thinking radar detectors are now obsolete.


Almost all the modern detectors detect laser as well.


Doesn't matter.

It just tells you that you've already been clocked! (past tense - TOO LATE)
 
I like my V1 plus Waze. That said, it is critical to remember that any devices/apps are merely tools to help avoid getting assessed a velocity tax. As a driver you still need to maintain situational awareness; anticipate locations where the revenue collectors are able-or not able-to hide. Observe the actions of vehicles in front of and behind you. In other words, THINK.
And always try to be the second fastest car on the road.
 
Originally Posted By: sprite1741
I have Uniden DFR7 GPS unit. I just ordered a Uniden R3. It is the hottest thing out right now. Phenomenal performance with gps, redlight cam database built in. testing against V1, and Escorts. It wins and not even close. Video, be prepared to be dazzled: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDpIjkEt7HU


Looks like it's the Uniden equivalent to the Escort Max 360 I'm looking at. The Uniden may have better range.
 
I actually think I'm going to go buy the Max 360 today, because I'm going on a trip to the Gulf next weekend, and the Best Buy that's like 1/4 mi. from here has it in stock.
 
Depends what type of road you drive the most. Multilane highways with lots of exits and traffic I still would get the V1.
Two lane country roads with little traffic could be driven without the directional arrows of the V1 confidently enough.
There were times my detector went off and then on repeatedly but I saw the signal was in front so I slowed down and someone passed me and then I saw the "blues" of the unmarked car ahead of me. Repeat story with the signal behind me.
Whatever dectecor you buy, if it's in your car, plug it in and turn it on. Plenty of drivers get tickets because it's a short trip to the store that they drive all the time and they figure it's not necessary.
 
I would get a V1 over a max 360. It's cheaper, the arrows work, and has better range and wont false as much. The 360 and all escorts have poor BSM filters and false to k band a lot. Uniden, Radenso, and Valentine have the best filters in the affordable units. V1 has the best arrows. RDfourm is the most popular RD user forum. Lots of info and RD testing just like this forum is to oil. https://www.rdforum.org/forum.php
 
A window unit , is useless against lazer, The beam is too narrowly concentrated and normally aimed at the licence plate. A window unit works better on a motorcycle, cause its small and the beam hits right where the radar detector is.

But beware , once the radar alerts for lazer, you've already been hit. So you really need a lidar system, that breaks up the lazer beam, and they cant get a read, assuming your radar detector alerts you, then you need to slow quickly and turn the lidar system off. So the cop can get a read on you.

(instant on KA) band and lazer are the two hardest threats.

The redline by escort, is the only one that actually works , well enough to be useful for general stuff, all the rest, are mostly [censored] or very limited
 
Originally Posted By: Mackelroy

The redline by escort, is the only one that actually works , well enough to be useful for general stuff, all the rest, are mostly [censored] or very limited


The Redline has been discontinued by escort. It's history. Can probably find some new ones still, but a lot of used ones will be on the market. The RL was tops but has been beat out by Uniden. Lots of real world videos to watch if anyone likes that stuff. https://www.rdforum.org/showthread.php?t=61547
 
Originally Posted By: FordBroncoVWJeta
Don't even get a Cobra. Next to pointless. I have a $400 ticket to prove it.


$400?! Where did you get that? How fast?

Only speeding tickets I've ever heard of that are that much are on a federal recreational road like the Blue Ridge Pkwy, Skyline Dr, Cherohala Skyway, Natchez Trace Pkwy, etc
 
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