I was thinking about getting a good radar detector. Are they worth the money and do they work well on radar that isn't done by hand? What are the best ones?

 

oo can i tell him? Before a million ppl tell you i will....try searching man....but from what ive read, im thinkn the Bel950 is pretty good and prolly what im gonna get
holla

 

Well I have read a million things of different radar detectors. They all say they are "this and that" but I wanted to see what everyone here thought first. How much is that one you're referring to and is widely known to work well?

 

I did check http://www.speedzones.com/ which has a lot of info and test records from each detector but they all range in different prices.

 

did you try searching on the org? try searching in the general forum cuz i remember reading some stuff....a lot of ppl were saying Valentine 1 is the best, but it was also like double the price of bel985...from the org's arguments alone i would take the bel 95

holla

 

The "SEARCH" function is your friend. Don't be discouraged by the "SEARCH" function. Like MaxedOut2g said alot of people said the Valentine 1 was rated the one of the best. But thats them. To each is own. Hope you find out what radar-detector suits your needs.

 

btw clipse you have a PM

 

If I do. I sure didn't get it.

 

I have the BEL 980. It has saved my @ss SEVERAL times. I got it not long after I got the Max. It works fine. Only time I've ever been pulled over was from a cop taking laser when I was in the front of traffic. I don't care what anybody says. If you get shot with laser, you're gonna get stopped. By the time the detector picks it up, it's already on your bumper. But yeah, I have loved my BEL 980. The new version is the BEL 985. Look on eBay. There are lots of people selling them for a lot less than you will pay at retail or even a lot of online places. Brand new too. That's where I got mine. If you ask me, I would say they are worth it.

 

Yes they are worth the money, but that also means that you will pay $$$ for a good one.

1. Bel 985
2. Valentine 1
3. Passport 8500

These are the industries best 3.

 

Thats the same detector I have had for a couple of years now. Its older now, but it still works perfectly, and cost about half of the Valentine, and performs as well, (in my opinion-having owned both).

 

Did any of you guys (esp. the MA people) hear the ad on the radio regarding some new laser/radar detector (or jammer, not sure). Basically, they're saying the manufacturer will pay for your ticket if you get pulled over while using it. That's a pretty big claim on their part, I don't know if it's some new tech. that they're using or what. Anyway, perhaps some of you heard it on the radio here, and can fill in the blanks.

Also, I did a search a while back as well on the org here, and found PLENTY of results. Seems like the Valentine 1 was highly recommended, although at $400 (no way to get a better price for NEW one), it's rather expensive. Plus, they have new software coming out for it every couple of years or so, and the upgrade costs another $150 or so. The Passport 8500 and Bel 980/985 were the other recommended ones. I believe the Bel 980/985 is the best value out of all of these (cheapest as well).

One more thing...Did any of you see the thread a while back posted by a MASS State Trooper??? Someone ended up asking him whether radar detectors are worth it or not at this point, and he said that not as much as they used to be. More and more cops are using instant-on laser, and there's really no protection against that if you're in his sight. Also, he said that they're developing some new speed detection technology, but he wasn't able to disclose what it is. If anyone is interested in that thread, do a search on member BearTrap.

If any of you want to set up a group deal on a detector (one of the good 3), I may be interested.

 

I love my V1, the stealth installs I've done of them just kick-*****.

I think the technology in the Passport 8500 has proven itself to be just as good as V1. But you can't do a stealth install with a Passport 8500.. so, for me, the V1 wins out for that ...

 

I had the Bel 980.

Got three tickets while I had it on (got nabbed with laser once .. there's nothing you can do about that).

I think you can conclude on how I feel about the value of radar detectors. There's no substitute for common sense.

 

Try this thread from a search - it explains when a detector will work and when it won't. I have a Passport 8500 that's the best I've owned. Valentines are supposed to be great, but they're expensive and from what I can tell are about the size of a tank...

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....=Passport+8500

 

How much did you pay for it?

 

Only a fool thinks a radar detector will keep you from tickets!!! It WILL save you from the STUPID traps that are common. It may save you from instant on traps if you get a warning from someone being clocked in front of you. If the officer points the gun at you and pulls the trigger....your nailed. Period. I HIGHLY reccommend a V1. I have a Bell 980 and a V1 and the V1 is much better. It has saved me alot but there will come my day......I see more and more instant on and laser traps. Just don't play if your not willing to pay. Just my 2 cents.

 

I agree fully. But if a detector saves me from just one, yes one ticket, then I am happy that I got it. Of course there are times that they may use instant radar but a lot of it boils down to common sense. By knowing hot spots, and just looking ahead of you, you can save a lot of tickets as well. It's when you don't pay attention and speed when you will find the most trouble. I don't trust the new "jammers" that mess up the radar with a wrong speed unless I see it for myself. I wouldn't pay $500 for one and wait to get nailed for me to change my mind.

 

All of the cops in my area either use instant-on radar (defenseless), or even worse, LASER (also defenseless) so if my detector (Bel 880) died tomorrow, I probably wouldn't even bother replacing it.


A few months ago I was hauling serious butt (85-100+) up I-95N in Maryland and I saw what looked like a cop on the median up ahead (was going around 80-85 at this point). I literally STOOD ON THE BRAKES, and I just crossed beneath 65 when my laser warning went off


No ticket, but it just goes to show that YOUR EYES are the best form of defense against cops, and at least with instant-on/laser, getting a warning in advance and being saved from a ticket is PURELY dumb luck.


The only thing that radar detectors give you a reasonable amount of protection against is the old-school always-on radars. You can pick those things up in plenty of time. But hardly any cops uses those things these days, at least in the greater DC area where I am.


Here's some tips...

1) Constantly scan the roadways, and the sides.
2) Take it easy around blind hills and turns where cops could be lurking.
3) Watch for brake lights ahead from other motorists (could be a cop)
4) Only get on it when a) traffic is clear, and b) you can see there are no cops ahead
5) Beware of unmarked cruisers that may be pacing traffic.


My Bel 880, although it has served me well, is mainly just a second set of eyes that really aren't all that helpful these days.

The worst thing is, for the tiny bit of foolproof insurance that a detector gives you (completely fails in other areas), if you do get pulled over for speeding, the cop will KNOW you have a detector, and then there is no chance in hell he'd let you off with a warning.

If you get a detector, just realize that it is not in any way foolproof, and is not a free pass to drive at whatever speed you want.

 

The worse is when they sit in the median at night. It is near impossible to see them in time!

 

That's why I drive very conservatively at night. Another tip is to ALWAYS be following somebody that's going fast in front of you. That way if there's a cop, they're gonna get THEM and not you.

If it's night, I only go fast if...

a) there's some other idiot in front that I can shadow
b) I KNOW for a fact that cops can't sit in a certain area (no median/shoulder)

 

Bingo ... nothing .... absolutely nothing you can do. I got nabbed with laser & instant-on in every single instance.

 

If you follow someone and they nail them and you're right behind them, isn't there a chance they pull you over because you're the first car they reach when they come to nail that guy.

 

Man, it really depends on where you live, and what the cops use. Most of the cops around here (Atlanta) are using either K or Ka Band. My BEL 980 has saved me soooo many times. Of course they aren't always gonna work (I got pulled over 2 weeks ago cause i was in the front of traffic and the cop used laser. I was having an argument with my GF who was sitting next to me, which took my attention off of the road), but I have it hard wired right below my visor. I can see it perfectly, but the cop outside my car has no idea it's there. For me, it has saved me from SEVERAL tickets, which has in effect paid for the detector several times over. I think I paid like $250 for it about 6-8 months ago on eBay. I HIGHLY recommend getting one, but not the Valentine. It's just too damn expensive.

 

Most of the cops in my area use K band. Radar detectors are very usefull here. And even if the cops in your area are using instant-on or Laser, there's a chance you could detect it while its being used on the traffic ahead of you, then you can slow down.

There's a new radar detector out called the Uniden GPSRD. It uses GPS satellites to record the frequency and location of all signals detected, and then remembers them when you pass by that location again. This virtually eliminates false alarms from automatic doors and motion sensors. You can get one online for $200. Will be ordering mine as soon as tax returns gets deposited.

Jesse

 

Yeah, thats true. At least here where I live. They just leave K and KA on all the time. They are lazy I s'pose, but I guess thats makes us lucky here

 

That is true with me but I am pretty sure everywhere state troopers use the most advanced systems. City or County police don't use laser much I am sure. But the Troopers use some advanced stuff.

 

Not a good generalization. If you travel through a large and economically active city/county, they will most likely have state of the art stuff as well (the old budget/acquisition dynamic of 'if you do buy it this year, then you must not need it next year' etc, etc, etc, theory).

 

No, because that's dumb. I'm not right on his butt!


I follow about 1/8th to 1/4 mile behind depending on traffic. That way by the time they get painted and the lights turn on I still have time to react and look innocent and remove myself from the situation. As far as the cop knows at that point, he had just passed me and I was going the speed limit the whole time


EXAMPLE

 

Haha you think the same way I do. Sneaky lil devil, haha.

 

My take on radars is that they do help and they save you the money that you would throw away on tickets and higher insurance rates. Mine has saved me about $2000.

 

Do you have any clue how unlikely that is! LOL !!

This dude got lasered RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME once and my detector didn't even go off. Instant-on is easier to pickup, but cops don't use it when there's a whole ton of traffic going by. They wait for a loaner to come flying around a hill and that's when they get you.


Going around a blind turn or hill, if there's nobody in front of you, you are a sitting duck no matter how good your detector is if the cops have laser or instant-on.


I just always watch traffic ahead. When I see lots of brake lights all of a sudden it's either two things.

a) some knucklehead cut somebody off and possibly caused an accident.
b) there's a cop


Cops know where there are lots of false alarms. They intentionally sit there sometimes just so they can get you and you'll think your detector is picking up a grocery store. So now this new cool detector will filter the cop radar out completely and you will STILL get a ticket.




The best defenses against cops while speeding are...

a) drive smart (don't go flying around blind curves, hills, etc)
b) look for clues in traffic (brake lights, etc)
c) slow down

 

Unless you can afford tickets all the time until you lose your license.

 

Re: V1.

Is the V1 a good detector?... Well, I haven't been pulled over since late 1992! Honestly!

I've driven 3 Mustangs and one Max and YES, I speed. I also, never back down from a friendly race.

If you're gonna get a "quality" detector like many of the one's mentioned in this thread, then you won't regret it.

If you're gonna go cheap though, then all it's gonna do is pi$$ you off...

 

Today, I was flying through traffic on the way home from school, like always, and my V1 goes crazy -- stong KA hit with instant-on radar. I knew there were no cops behind me so I start look around to see who got popped. Sure enough, a second later I saw CHP pulling some poor guy in a truck over. The V1 has saved me more times than I can count and I wont drive fast without it.

Also, it costs more than the bell and the passport for a reason, take it from Car and Driver:
http://caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddri...dar%20detector
http://caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddri...rs.xml?&page=3

For C&Ds overall ratings, the v1 got 97 out of 100 points. Bell got 61 and passport got 73.


btw, if you get a v1, turn the x-band off. Its the K, Ka, and Laser that are important. X is just annoying to have on. Im not sure that you even can turn the x off with other detectors.

 

had mine for 2 years.... comes in handy sometimes. i dont speed really, but its nice to know when there is a cop comin just so i can check the speedo and all. i have a cobra... not sure which model. works fine

 

MN uses Airplane during the good weather months. Radar detectors are useless in this case

 

I own a V1, and it works great, lots of range, good alerts, etc etc. . . but wait - how do you turn X band off? I just put it on and go. . . I dont know how to adjust anything but the two volume things and the modes.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by SteVTEC
Do you have any clue how unlikely that is! LOL !!

It would only take once for it to be worth it for me. Laser reflection detection is definitely a possibility on two way streets even though it does have the narrowest reflection area of all radar.

Cops know where there are lots of false alarms. They intentionally sit there sometimes just so they can get you and you'll think your detector is picking up a grocery store. So now this new cool detector will filter the cop radar out completely and you will STILL get a ticket.

As a matter of fact, only about %20 of law enforcement uses X-band now. The frequency range of X-band (commonly used in motion detectors) and by law enforcement is 10.475 to 10.575 ghz. That is 101 possible frequencies. I'm guessing my local grocery isn't going to be the same as my local law enforcement. If it is, signal strength is also recorded and used to make a distinction. If you are on the highway passing a automatic door opener, generally its not strong enough to pick up unles you are on the frontage road or actually in the parking lot. Anti-falsing circuitry has come a LONG way in the last 10 years. Do you really think Uniden would produce a radar detector that would systematically block out all X-band?


Here's a clip from a radar detector vendor:


In highly populated areas, you may encounter many devices that use the same frequencies as radar signals, such as motion detectors, automatic doors, and intrusion alarms. These devices may trigger an effect called "falsing". To reduce false alarms, the GPSRD is equipped with a newly developed Anti-Falsing database (Common Falsing Area). While driving in the city, the detector stores encountered interference signal information automatically. When you drive in the same area at a later time, the detector's alert tone feature won't be activated by those signals unless their strength exceeds the predefined level. Up to 5,000 areas can be stored.


But you're right SteVtec, slowing down and using common sense is the best protection. However, I'm not naive enough to think the tempations of the road will never win me over in certain circumstances. And for those moments I'll always have my radar detector.

Jesse

 

As i recall, you just hold down the button until only the K, Ka, and L bands blink (you have to hold it for a while, like 10 sec or something). You can program it a bunch of different ways. It's all in the manual or on their site.

I can't stand having the x-band on. It gives too many false alerts, especially in the LA area.