AdventurePoser

Been thinking of purchasing a cordless radar detector, and I'm looking for some opinions of them. What do you think, and why?

Cheers!

mdiiulio

I'd say find some comparison reviews. Most battery powered ones SIGNIFICANTLY underperform the hard wired powered units. This is a field where you truly get what you pay for. It also depends on how much you intend on using the device as well & cost/benefit etc... I've been using an Escort 9500ix for years now.

l2vette

My Solo 2 radar detector is battery operated and works great. The range is very good and has saved me MANY times from coming up on a LEO in hiding!

millpond

Have been using Escort Solo detectors for years. Works for me, and no cords to deal with.

AdventurePoser

Thanks, I'll look up some comparos. Currently I have a $130 detector I bought from Amazon. It works great, but has no "bells and whistles" like my old Valentine did. Loved the old V1, but not going to spend that much dinero ever again on a detector.

I'm thinking a cordless detector would be clutter-free, easy to switch between cars, and reasonably powerful. Enlighten me!

2K14C7

While I have an Escort Max 360 in the C7 we have an Escort Solo 3 in the Denali and it works very well. 2 AA batteries usually last around 2 months.

Rooster OG

I mirror tapped detector is a pretty easy install, really has no visible cords and will save you the battery hassle. I could understand how some cars don't lend themselves to a hard wired detector, the C7 isn't one of them. I dunno, food for thought.

sunsalem

The thing about cordless that always bothered me was how could I ALWAYS be sure the batteries were operating the unit at full power?
What if I get a ticket because the detector's batteries were low?
Is it worth the risk?

Flame Red

Max 360
+ Blendmount
+ Mirror Tap

Don't need no stink'in batteries!

PeteC7

If you go cordless the Escort SOLO's are probably the best. The downside is the range dropping as the batteries discharge but the people that have them seem to be happy with them. I would advise not getting the cheapest one on Amazon. Escort (I prefer Escort) and Valentine not only make the best but also the quietest from being able to filter out false signals. They are expensive but they have paid for themselves many many times over. Well worth the couple hundred bucks.

2K14C7

The Solo 3 shows the battery level at turn on and also lets you know when they are getting low. The computerized circuitry keeps the power level constant.

patentcad

My Solo 3 works fine and has saved me from tickets countless times. Very convenient, I can move it between cars easily.

LoganExplosion

I tried a friends battery powered escort and was NOT impressed. It was dim/hard to read and didn't really give me that much notice of an active radar. I have a 9500xi with a blendmount/mirror tap now. Couldn't be happier. It blows that battery powered one out of the water. Don't have to turn it on/off every time. I'd say just get a mount for each car (if you don't wanna get multiple detectors). You can make those mirror taps very easily. It's just an RJ-11 and a crimp-on tap. Made mine. NOT paying $30 for that, even though the rest of the setup was pretty steep..
I always thought the battery powered ones were for motorcycles.. <shrug>

2K14C7

Not sure which model Solo you used but the Solo 3 has a high resolution OLED display and is very easy to see.

dvilin

The Escort solo is a fine detector. They claim you do sacrifice some range over conventional detectors but not sure if this is really significant, although my present detector is hardwired into the rear view mirror I would not shy away from the solo model in the future.

Blvdbrawler

I personally owned the solo 2 and the solo 3 units and they worked pretty good for me but started getting a lot of false alarms from the blind spot mirrors so I upgraded to the Max 360 with Blend mount and direct power. Theres a HUGE difference in performance...But as a battery operated device, the Solo 3 would be the one I would recommend.

PaulB

I have had the big named brand battery operated radar detectors before. I will not have them again. I learned that as the battery goes down so does the radar protection. Anymore, my detectors run off the electrical system of the car. That way the strength is always a constant ...

coupeguyz51

Nay!
Go hard wired....no worries about low/dead batteries...if you get a quality install it is almost invisible, except on close inspection....Have a Passport 9500ci hardwired and love it!

AdventurePoser

I see many of you go with a hard wired unit. Who would do this type of install? A car stereo place?

Thanks for all the constructive comments above. I appreciate them!

mdiiulio

A couple of methods for that. I believe someone actually found a wire in the mirror area to tap. I tapped the cigarette lighter in the console just like in this thread -here-. If You have trim tools and a quarter-inch ratchet set then you can do the console job yourself. On a scale of 1-10 its a 2-3, 1 being checking your oil level.