radar/laser detector recommendations
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 485
Likes: 168
From: Gainesville, Ga.
radar/laser detector recommendations
Gentlemen, I am considering purchasing a quality radar/laser detector... and am wondering what your recommendations would be...it's been quite some time since I have purchased one. Any available mirror mounts and plug in set ups out there for the C-8? Thanks in advance for your considerate information!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,812
Likes: 10,229
From: Garden Valley CA
There are some threads on this. Checkout rdforum.org and Vortex radar reviews. Generally, the Uniden R8 and Valentine 1 (Gen 2) are good choices (I prefer radar detectors with arrows for situational awareness) but it depends on whether or not you want to run a separate app on your phone (or a CarPlay AI box) when using the detector.
A lot of people use a Blendmount to mount their detector but I don't like it hanging below the mirror and mounted mine above the infotainment screen.
A lot of people use a Blendmount to mount their detector but I don't like it hanging below the mirror and mounted mine above the infotainment screen.
Speedy
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,110
Likes: 931
From: Tn
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I have good luck with the Valentine 1, have 3 total on diffrent vehicles oldest being from 2006, I appreciate the arrows giving you an idea where the signal is coming from.
I found a universal mirror mount and wire tap on Amazon
I also run wake on the phone/ android auto on the front screen and comes in handy.
I will say only gripe with valentine is it picks up a lot of false signals on the highway from trucks but i leave the sensitivity on max.
I found a universal mirror mount and wire tap on Amazon
I also run wake on the phone/ android auto on the front screen and comes in handy.
I will say only gripe with valentine is it picks up a lot of false signals on the highway from trucks but i leave the sensitivity on max.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,812
Likes: 10,229
From: Garden Valley CA
I run a Gen 1 V1 with the JBV1 app. The app does a great job of filtering out false alarms. You'd need to get a Bluetooth dongle and a Valentine 1 new enough to work with it.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 393
Likes: 297
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cannot beat the Escort Redline 360c. It is “invisible” to radar detector detectors which are great for States where they are illegal. Keep the software updated and adjust the settings to your driving area, and you will be fine.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 656
Likes: 474
Escort has the best radar and laser jammer setup right now. I'd go with that. They have both fully integrated systems (Redline CI360c), and ones which combine windshield mount radar (e.g. Max 360) with their ZR5 or ZW5 integrated laser jammers.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 705
Likes: 591
From: East Tennessee
If they have not straightened that out, I plan to go with the Uniden - either the R7 or R8.
Last edited by PaulCPO; Apr 2, 2023 at 08:15 PM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,834
Likes: 2,151
From: Kelso, Wa
The top line detectors from various makers are very close when I comes to sensitivity. It comes down to how much you want to be involved.
Most likely the greatest "protection" comes from a V1G2 running JBV1 on an Android phone, but if you have an apple phone that option is not available to you.
I prefer using a visor mount, hard wired (to the mirror) I don't like having the detector visible from outside the car. Since I also don't remove the detector when I park, this means not using a dash mount, windshield mount, or mirror mount. Mounted on the visor it's almost invisible from outside the car. It means I can't use the visor so I keep a baseball cap handy for those times when I need to shield.
As mentioned before, the VORTEX radar sight has all in information you should need to make an educated choice.
Most likely the greatest "protection" comes from a V1G2 running JBV1 on an Android phone, but if you have an apple phone that option is not available to you.
I prefer using a visor mount, hard wired (to the mirror) I don't like having the detector visible from outside the car. Since I also don't remove the detector when I park, this means not using a dash mount, windshield mount, or mirror mount. Mounted on the visor it's almost invisible from outside the car. It means I can't use the visor so I keep a baseball cap handy for those times when I need to shield.
As mentioned before, the VORTEX radar sight has all in information you should need to make an educated choice.
Speedy
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,110
Likes: 931
From: Tn
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I'm assuming you have a first generation Valentine 1. Everything I've heard about the Gen 2 V1 says they are very good about filtering out falsies and pretty quiet.
I run a Gen 1 V1 with the JBV1 app. The app does a great job of filtering out false alarms. You'd need to get a Bluetooth dongle and a Valentine 1 new enough to work with it.
I run a Gen 1 V1 with the JBV1 app. The app does a great job of filtering out false alarms. You'd need to get a Bluetooth dongle and a Valentine 1 new enough to work with it.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 91
Likes: 75
From: Houston
Uniden R7 is an absolutely massive value. Amazing range, as good as the R8 IMO, and latest firmware does lockouts directly on the device without having to run any bluetooth software on your phone like the V1 G2. I would highly recommend it as someone who's ran almost everything out there. The only downside is the K band filtering isn't as amazing as some other options such as the Max 360 others recommended. The C8 isn't my daily driver so range was more important than occasional K band nuisance alerts, still not anywhere near as bad as older V1s lol. You really can't go wrong with the R7, R8, V1 G2, 360, etc... they're all excellent, I own/owned them all. I just think the value and performance of the R7 is hard to beat. Uniden is absolutely crushing it as a brand that used to be a budget offering and has moved into being a leader in premium detectors.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 485
Likes: 168
From: Gainesville, Ga.
Do any of them have the capability of giving me an audible tone thru my stereo system.... maybe via Bluetooth? My hearing isn't what it used to be... and I have a retractable hard top...I have an Android phone if this matters...thanks again everyone!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,812
Likes: 10,229
From: Garden Valley CA
The Valentine 1 Gen 2 does if you run the JBV1 app on your phone and connect your phone to the car. You have to pair your phone with the V1 and the car. I don't know about the other ones. But the volume can be turned up pretty loud on my V1.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,350
Likes: 2,408
This here👍🏻. The reason I run the V1 Gen2 with V1 driver. I have a hard time hearing the detector with the top down and music up. The alert will interrupt the music and alert you through the speakers. The R8 is releasing BT as well. One will be able to run highway radar with it. However JBV1 is a proven app that has rave reviews.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,503
Likes: 1,819
From: Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '17,'22 thru '26
V1 G2 with Waze is hard to beat. Blendmounts are nice but as someone has said, I don't like my V1 sticking down and so visible. I use the suction cups or 3M Dual Lok.
I also use a mirror tap and have no problem with doing that.
I also use a mirror tap and have no problem with doing that.
Last edited by BearZ06; Apr 2, 2023 at 08:20 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,350
Likes: 2,408
I agree on the V1 and Waze. The blendmount on the C8 allows one to tuck the detector up behind the mirror though. Much better than on the C7. It was under the mirror too much blocking my view more than I liked. Only thing I didn’t like about the C8 mount was the cost.