Radar Detector ~ $100
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 339
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From: Davenport IA
Radar Detector ~ $100
So my sister is looking to get my brother-in-law a radar detector for christmas but doesn't want to spend much more than $100... if it were me I'd for sure pop for the Escort or V1, but its not up to me 
Anybody have any suggestions? Also what things are a must?
The only one I've ever bought is a Cobra thats now about 10 years old, so I've been out of the game for quite a while...
Thanks!
Jay
Anybody have any suggestions? Also what things are a must?
The only one I've ever bought is a Cobra thats now about 10 years old, so I've been out of the game for quite a while...
Thanks!
Jay
Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
There is a guy on here (Dino?) Who was posting detectors for sale at good prices. However, for a good one with the appropriate bells and whistles your going to spend way north of $100.00 for a new one. Most popular seem to be the Escort X50 (blue read out) and the Valentine.
I don't see the point in getting one if its not going to give you the ample protection to rely on. I wouldn't spend the money unless you can get good. If used is acceptable, post over in the Parts for Sale Forum. You might get lucky and pick one up.
I don't see the point in getting one if its not going to give you the ample protection to rely on. I wouldn't spend the money unless you can get good. If used is acceptable, post over in the Parts for Sale Forum. You might get lucky and pick one up.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
$100 
maybe you can hire an illegal for $100 per year and he can scream out "policía" when he sees one
Honestly - not worth the money for something cheap. Best ones are going to cost a few more $$$.
maybe you can hire an illegal for $100 per year and he can scream out "policía" when he sees one
Honestly - not worth the money for something cheap. Best ones are going to cost a few more $$$.
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Might want to still try and convince her that a cheap detector in all probability will not give much protection. Better to spend extra and get something that will work.
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Drifting
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From: Los Angeles California
St. Jude Donor '06-'08
Originally Posted by kimble
All a cheap radar detector is going to get you is an expensive speeding ticket.
and with the new radar in Cali comes problems magnified as the other states will be watching its effectiveness and implementing it as well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Southern New Jersey, The wet part at the bottom
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
with all posters above.To buy a "tee shirt" because it is inexpensive(however nice the tee shirt is), when a more expensive "sweater" would do the job much better when staying warm is the task is not an appropriate gift. Tell your Sister it's a great gift idea but that to buy an inexpensive one is worse than not having one at all (false security). Have her go through some mail order catalogs (or websites) for gift ideas where She can pick something more in the $ ballpark. Detectors worth considering are more in the $400-$500 range. Might not sound right, but that's the truth of it. 
In today's world there is a time to be "thrifty" and a time when it's not the "best" thing to do. This is one of those purchases.
Last edited by Ol'55; Dec 4, 2006 at 01:50 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Arroyo Grande CA
Originally Posted by jashearer
So my sister is looking to get my brother-in-law a radar detector for christmas but doesn't want to spend much more than $100... if it were me I'd for sure pop for the Escort or V1, but its not up to me
Anybody have any suggestions? Also what things are a must?
The only one I've ever bought is a Cobra thats now about 10 years old, so I've been out of the game for quite a while...
Thanks!
Jay
Anybody have any suggestions? Also what things are a must?
The only one I've ever bought is a Cobra thats now about 10 years old, so I've been out of the game for quite a while...
Thanks!
Jay
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
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From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
I spent about $90 or so for a detector at Costco. And no, I'm not ashamed or embarrassed to admit it. It's saved me a few times already. I like it. I bought it primarily just to know what's going on around me. I don't generally drive speeds that will get me into much trouble on the street. Very few false alarms, several bands, filtering and it lets me know when a LEO is nearby with radar on. I don't see much sense in spending big bucks on a detector. Lidar is going to render all these pricey gizmos obsolete very soon.
Last edited by JMc; Dec 4, 2006 at 08:05 PM.
I use the Whistler in my daily drivers---the Escort in the Vette!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,228
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From: Gainesville Georgia
Originally Posted by JeepTJ
Even with a $400 V1, instant on radar will still get ya. Ask me how I know.
All the V1 or any radar/lazer detector will do Is let you know Lazer Is In the area. Say a guy 100ft up gets hit with lazer from a cop you can't see...Well your detector will go off unless It's crap. But If a cop directs the lazer at you personally (Instant On) you might as well just pull over right there or pray It hit the guy next to you.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 339
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From: Davenport IA
Wow. I appreciate everyone's responses, this got quite a bit more attention then I would have figured.
While I can appreciate the common theme of most of the posts that you get what you pay for, there is no way my sister or brother-in-law is going to shell out $400-500 for a radar detector.
Does that mean that he won't appreciate the $100-150 one, or that it won't serve a function, I don't think so.
What I was looking for in the post was more up the alley of what types of band detection should they be looking for, and what other functions are ideal to have. The radar test website and a few other things I found on google were helpful.
Thanks again for all the responses. But try to remember just because some people can't afford corvettes doesn't mean they should have to walk around town...
Jay
While I can appreciate the common theme of most of the posts that you get what you pay for, there is no way my sister or brother-in-law is going to shell out $400-500 for a radar detector.
Does that mean that he won't appreciate the $100-150 one, or that it won't serve a function, I don't think so.
What I was looking for in the post was more up the alley of what types of band detection should they be looking for, and what other functions are ideal to have. The radar test website and a few other things I found on google were helpful.
Thanks again for all the responses. But try to remember just because some people can't afford corvettes doesn't mean they should have to walk around town...
Jay
