O/T - Best Radar Detector?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: No link, No dupe
O/T - Best Radar Detector?
It never fails. I got another speeding ticket, as I went thru this little speed trap. The road was a 45 zone, except for one small section that is 35. This 35 section is so small, if you blink you will miss it. Guess where I got busted doing 50mph? :rolleyes:
I try to stay at a safe speed. The bad thing is, if you try to do the speed limit in places where it says 35mph, you honestly will get run over by these other drivers. But, these Highway Patrol officers(No offense to anyone) seem engaged in a competition to see who can pull the most people over, and get their jollies from doing so. Meanwhile, truckloads of dope roll on past where I am pulled over.
So, I need to fight back. I've had cheap radar detectors before, some that didn't even go off after passing the radar gun. These same detectors were only good for finding grocery stores. :lol:
So, what is a good radar detector? I'm willing to spend the bucks on it, if it really works. Also, what about the laser guns? Will the newer model detectors give any protection from the laser guns. Thanks for any advice or comments!
I try to stay at a safe speed. The bad thing is, if you try to do the speed limit in places where it says 35mph, you honestly will get run over by these other drivers. But, these Highway Patrol officers(No offense to anyone) seem engaged in a competition to see who can pull the most people over, and get their jollies from doing so. Meanwhile, truckloads of dope roll on past where I am pulled over.
So, I need to fight back. I've had cheap radar detectors before, some that didn't even go off after passing the radar gun. These same detectors were only good for finding grocery stores. :lol:
So, what is a good radar detector? I'm willing to spend the bucks on it, if it really works. Also, what about the laser guns? Will the newer model detectors give any protection from the laser guns. Thanks for any advice or comments!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,147
Likes: 477
From: NM
Re: O/T - Best Radar Detector? (shotgun_000)
Valentine 1, best on the market. Escort Passport 8500, very good, second to only the V1. All the rest - forget them.
Get a V1. But it is expensive. If you cannot afford the V1 get the Escort. Don't even consider any of the others.
Valentine 1 at http://www.valentineone.com/home.asp
Escort at http://www.escortstore.com/
Both have a 30 day no questions money back guarantee, so order both, try them for a couple of weeks and keep the one that works best for you and return the other.
tom...
[Modified by Tom73, 6:58 AM 7/31/2002]
Get a V1. But it is expensive. If you cannot afford the V1 get the Escort. Don't even consider any of the others.
Valentine 1 at http://www.valentineone.com/home.asp
Escort at http://www.escortstore.com/
Both have a 30 day no questions money back guarantee, so order both, try them for a couple of weeks and keep the one that works best for you and return the other.
tom...
[Modified by Tom73, 6:58 AM 7/31/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Republic of Texas
Senior Member since 1492
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: O/T - Best Radar Detector? (Tom73)
I bought an Escort Passport years ago and still use it. At the time it was rated to be the best. Don't remember what model. It usually gives me plenty of warning against radar. If they're using laser, I'm dead in the water. :(
[Modified by 1970 Stingray, 9:17 AM 7/31/2002]
[Modified by 1970 Stingray, 9:17 AM 7/31/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 9,662
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From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: O/T - Best Radar Detector? (shotgun_000)
I've been hearing ads on the radio for a unit I think is called the "Phaser"??? The ad says that they will pay your speeding ticket if you get one while using the thing, which is probably :bs They also claim they are sooooo good that they are illegal in several states! Hmmm, I think ALL detectors are illegal in these same states.
With the new laser guns the only way to avoid a speeding ticket is not to speed (excessively.)
With the new laser guns the only way to avoid a speeding ticket is not to speed (excessively.)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Brazos TX
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Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: O/T - Best Radar Detector? (shotgun_000)
Valentine One, hands down the best detector you can buy. Many times I will get warnings 2 miles ahead, usually I at least get a 1/4 mile warning. It will warn you of laser but usually you are toast if it goes off. Although it may give you a little warning. I've never been hit with laser.
Life's Short. Drive Hard.
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Chicagoland
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'09
Re: O/T - Best Radar Detector? (shotgun_000)
In Illinois, and most states, speed traps are illegal. Check your states law. In most states a speed reduction warning must be posted prior to the actual new lower speed limit sign. In Illinois the reduction sign must be 500 feet prior to the new lower speed limit sign. They generally say "SPEED LIMIT REDUCED AHEAD" or "SPEED LIMIT 35 AHEAD" etc. If there is no reduction sign and you get busted within 500 feet of the new lower speed sign you win in court! Of course if you passed the 35 sign and 500 feet later still hadn't slowed down then shame on you. I'd check your law and fight it.
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Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Re: O/T - Best Radar Detector? (shotgun_000)
Up till this Uniden I always used Bell. If you really read up on the top of the line models they are all pretty close. I get warnings in Ka so far away that you start wondering where they are. Mine was going off for nearly 20 minutes and I was starting to think that it was broken. But then I finally caught up to him driving down the freeway at 85 turning it on and off at oncoming cars. I was miles behind him at first and his gun was pointed away. That's sensitive enough for me
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Re: O/T - Best Radar Detector? (gkull)
I was going to add that my last Bell 985 was near $400 and it died while under the 2 year warranty. So I exchanged it for a nearly $300 Uniden. but now out on the web I can't find my same model.
I'd get on cunsumer reports and get the best bang for the buck.
[Modified by gkull, 11:34 AM 7/31/2002]
I'd get on cunsumer reports and get the best bang for the buck.
[Modified by gkull, 11:34 AM 7/31/2002]
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,147
Likes: 477
From: NM
Re: O/T - Best Radar Detector? (shotgun_000)
Here is the Car and Driver radar detector test:
http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caran...dar%20detector
tom...
http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caran...dar%20detector
tom...
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
Re: O/T - Best Radar Detector? (shotgun_000)
Just got a new V1 (for my 60th B-day), and hardwired it today. Don't know if its the best, but after just two days of trolling, I'm a believer. Two features I especially like are the dual volume controls, and the directional arrows. The ergonomics are great, and the mounting system seems very solid. It's been said many times by others on the forum, but I'll add one more...those arrows are GREAT! My only gripe (so far) is that the "advanced logic" mode doesn't totally eliminate the "noise" from door openers and alarm systems in urban/suburban areas. On the open road, however, there is little or no noise.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 13
From: Hollywood, Florida
Re: O/T - Best Radar Detector? (shotgun_000)
I got a Passport 8500 about 3 months ago, and so far so good. The area I live in is swarming with city motorcycle units with radar. They usually stalk the same 2 or 3 places and I always get at least a 1 1/2 mile warning when the are ahead of me on a straight road, and about 1/2 to 3/4 mile warning when they are around a curve.
The ONLY time I feel that I could have been nailed (I wasn't speeding though) was in Georgia on I-95. 1 officer was using a concrete post to steady his laser gun, and 10 GA. Highway Patrol officers were in there cars waiting to pounce.
When the Escort goes off for a laser alert, it is LOUD, OBNOXIOUS, URGENT ETC.
The good folks at Escort owe me a new pair of underwear and an upholstry cleaning :lol:
[Modified by shoptek, 8:02 PM 8/1/2002]
The ONLY time I feel that I could have been nailed (I wasn't speeding though) was in Georgia on I-95. 1 officer was using a concrete post to steady his laser gun, and 10 GA. Highway Patrol officers were in there cars waiting to pounce.
When the Escort goes off for a laser alert, it is LOUD, OBNOXIOUS, URGENT ETC.
The good folks at Escort owe me a new pair of underwear and an upholstry cleaning :lol:
[Modified by shoptek, 8:02 PM 8/1/2002]
