Anyone know what would be a good radar detector to buy? I know absolutely nothing about them, and i've heard that some really don't work at all and only the really expensive ones are accurate. anyone know which brands/models are good and where the best place is to get a good price? Thanks.

 

I'd go with the Valentine V1.. But it's $399 though

 

Valentine 1

 

Valentine 1. Best there is.

 

Escort 8500 $300
Bel 985 $250
Escort Solo (cordless) $200
V1 $400

Those are my choices. Probably going with the Escort 8500 because of price to performance ratio.

 

Personally, I don't think any of them are worth it anymore (esp. at $350-400 a pop). Here in MA cops are starting to use mostly instant-on laser, and unless you happen to be travelling with a group of cars, and he targets someone else, you'll get the warning from the radar. However, if the cop already tagged someone, he's not going to look around for someone else.

If you were the only car on the road or there weren't many cars at all, he'll hit you with the laser and you'll get the warning from the radar, but it'll be too late. I just don't think that radars are as effective nowadays as they were, say, 3 yrs ago.

Also, there was a thread posted in the NE forum by a Mass state trooper, and he was saying the same thing regarding radar detectors--they're outdated at this point. Plus, he said there's some new technology in the works for detecting speeds!

If you still want to get one, the best are Valentine 1, Escort 8500, and Bel 985.

 

without a doubt Valentine 1 is the best- www.valentineone.com. In my opinion, the Escort is next. I have an Escort 7500 and it works great. The only reason I didn't go for a V1 is price. My friend has a V1, and I used it for a week - it's awesome.

 

Whatever you decide to get, read tips for speeders I personally have a Passport 8500, setup to show the signal counter. But if you are going to spend $300, might as well spend the extra $100 and get the V1.

 

It should also be noted that the V1 is as big as a brick and looks like it was cranked out of 1942 **** Germany. It is very hard to read the different bands (K, X, KA) through the series of tiny red dots that are on it. However, people swear it is worth the extra money.

I've currently got a Bel 885 and rather enjoy the voice & text warnings as well as the very readable display. My only complaint is that the display is always red. It should be green normally, then turn to red when there is a warning.

 

I've heard that Valentines are really good, but my Passport 8500 has been great (for $100+ less cost).

For what it's worth, here's my take on a (good) radar detector:

Handles: Police stopped or driving with their radar constantly on
Handles: Police stopped or driving using instant-on, as long as other cars are in front of you to get hit before you

Doesn't Handle: Police using instant-on, if you're the only car around (i.e. they hit you, your radar detector goes off, hello ticket )
Doesn't Handle: Laser (LIDAR). Sorry, but I have trouble believing that the laser beam is reflected off other cars or refracted by dust in the air so that your detector can see it. From what I've seen, the detector goes off when you get hit (see above).

So...drive with a good radar detector, with other cars in front of you to catch the hit

 

Well I used my friends bel 885 or 895 (cant remember which one). And it saved my butt from a ticket. I was on the Western Kentucky Parkway heading home (this is a boring hilly drive) and I was doing about 75-90 (speed limit 65 ugh!). Well I was at 85 and got a warning. So I slowed her down to 70 and cruised for about a mile wondering where this warning came from. Well then the thing started going off like crazy. about a minute later, lo and behold there was a cop under a bridge behind a concrete pillar. Save me! I guess here in KY were still usin old Technology so come here and speed Just kiddin.