I have scheduled an appointment with a local shop to have my CarPlay Radio installed next week. During this time, I am contemplating the idea of also having a detector installed while they work on my radio.

I'm interested to know what kind of detector you use, and whether you believe it is beneficial to have one. I have no prior experience with detectors, so I am genuinely curious to hear your insights on the matter.

This is the one I am looking at: Uniden R8 Radar Detector Black R8 - Best Buy

 

I went with the Uniden R3 and I love it. So far it saved me twice, where the officer was checking/instant on people in front of me. So early in the morning when no other cars are around I don't push it more than 5-10 over. I got zapped this morning with instant on (the detector went FULL KA band instantly) lucky for me I was only 5 over and went my merry way to work. In short if you are the only car around and a cop is just waiting for someone they don't help.

 

i still use an older Valentine 1. reliable every time. There is probably some newer tech, but it does not go off for other cars lane assist or anything. Just tells me when i need to cool it, and from what direction.

 

Cobra radar detector/ dash cam all in one.

 

Just placed an order for this as I also like having a dash cam:

 

The R8 is great. I run it in my DD. You won’t be disappointed.

 

I just use the heads up display. Works like a charm!

 

 

I have used one since the 90's, I have 3, I shift them down in cars as I get a newer one.
Well worth it, when it saves you once or twice, it pays for itself. Also for safety.
Never had one of the installed systems with modules in the bumper etc., but I think you mean a standard box that attaches to windshield. You can do this yourself with a wire tap to the powered rearview mirror.
The older ones are Escort, and they always make good ones, but pricy, my latest is the Uniden R3. The R3 is great, small, lightweight, not many falses, but it has manual GPS lock out, not auto, which one of the Escort has, and I like the auto. Next one I get will be the R4 with auto GPS lockouts, it is newest, better than R3/7 in performance. It doesn't have the arrows, but I don't care where it is, I am slowing down. Mostly just Ka and laser are the ones to worry about here, and if laser is on you, they get an immediate read out.

The Radenso DS1 ($370)is also highly rated, and there is a new Whistler Titan Extreme ($350) that is good. Whistler has traditionally been a low cost, not so good brand, but this new one is rated highly. Amazon prices, I think they usually have equal or better prices that other places. The R8 is $625 today.

If you want to take a deep dive with recommendations, testing, etc. check out Vortex Radar on Youtube.

 

I have the Cobra Road Scout, detector and dash-cam combined. Very happy with it.

 

Valentine One V2 and it has paid for itself several times over, including last week.

Gives an incredible amount of time! The app is good too.

 

I use an escort 360 in both vehicles.

Whichever you decide to get, i highly recommend a blendmount. Everything else I've tried bounces horribly.

 

if you want to go super high end, the best laser detector/jammer on the market, hands down, is ALP. AL Priority USA - Official USA Site for the Best Laser Jammer from 2013-2020

It works independently of your radar detector, but can be integrated into many -- I have a radenso radar detector, and it integrates seamlessly with the ALP Radenso RC M AL Priority Laser Defense Kit

Both the ALP and the Radenso are integrated into the car-- sensors are mounted front and rear, and the controller is a tiny unit that can be shoved into the center console. Which is the best thing about these types of detectors/jammers--- you can't tell they're installed. I'm *really* not a fan of hanging a unit off the rearview -- I think it looks horrible. Also, with a laser detector/jammer, you REALLY need the receive/transmit units outside the car.

The ALP/Radenso is really the high water mark on radar/laser detectors, but obviously gets expensive.

 

What ever you choose make sure its easy to update the firmware / software.

NOTE:: I use a escort PASSPORT max and after several Oh to Fla trips I was ready to throw it in the trash. TON's of false alarms. Finally I researched how to do a firmware update and now its pretty close to perfect.
Shoot... on one trip to Tx that thing was giving me a 5 MILE warning. I thought it was a false alarm but as I got closer to where he wound up being.. stronger signals. Finally popped over a little rise and it was full strength when he popped it on and there he was right in the middle! And btw, I tried the escort app. Not so good.. I run my escort and my phone with WAZE. Between the two I've seen very very few LEO's that were not known.

 

The best radar detector is driving the speed limit.

 

Wrong forum. Check out Lincoln.com🤣

 

escort redline ex
/thread

 

Ok, I ended up going with the Uniden R8 and had it hardwired this week along with my Sony CarPlay radio, still need to play around with it, stay tuned...

 

Great choice. If you live in a hot climate you may want to go with a blendmount or a 3m semi permanent mount. The suction cup fails often in the heat.

 

So my mount with the V1 is two suction cups and I most days over 80º I come out to the unit on the floor.. and as it falls it pulls the wiring out. Oh boy.

If I wanted to mount it better, has anyone had any luck with any adhesive (off the glass or rear view mirror)?