I have my fair share of speeding tickets. I cant get anymore or I will get my license suspended, I have calmed my driving down alot, but still need some kind of warning if police are around and or using radar. I am kinda broke I have about $200 to spend, Would really appreciate reviews are recommendations on radar detectors.
thanks
adam

 

I personally like Bel Radar's. I have the 975R built in radar for my 03 Max and love it. People seem to like the V1 and I only hear good things about them but, for me they are too bulky looking and cost too much. Also with mine I can upgrade software on it so I don't have to buy a new radar detector as the police upgrade their radar guns, which I know they have been in Jersey.

 

Escort Passport is what I have. A bit more than $200, but you should be able to find some new old stock of the original 8500 (red display) at big discounts. The BEL is very similar and usually costs a bit less. Very happy with my Passport.

 

I think you missed the "Lack of money" part if his post. both of those are alot of money. I got the 975R in my car too, I love it!! No crap stuck to the winsheild.

 

I said i liked Bel radar detectors in general....and that I happen to have the 975R....didn't say buy the 975 chief.....just giving some good points about Bel..

 

I see used V1s with the current software version (v1.8) on eBay for the $100-$200 range all along. They do not have the fancy features of the Escorts, but they have two big plusses: the case is magnesium, which resists interference and does not break easy if you drop it, an they also have a killer range! I've picked up patrol cars on Ka from over a MILE under proper conditions (reasonably flat roads.) The Escorts might do better overall and they DO have better false alarm resistance for sure, as well as VG-2 sense, but I have yet to see anything beat the overall range of my V1.

 

i have an escort 8500 too. i got mine for $289 at bestbuy over 2 years ago. i've had a few different detectors and i think the passport's the best. i'd recommend you save a little more $ and get one of them for yourself. if you get out of 3 "55's in a 40" it pays for itself.

 

i can highly recommend the passport 8500.
on that note, does anyone know how to make a direct wire kit for it?

 

I am thinking about getting the passport 8500 at best buy some time soon. I didn't know they even had rader detectors there until today. The one with the red display I saw was $300, or something very close. I have some gift cards so it should cost about $210ish or so. Probably pick one up within the next few weeks. I would recommend you looking up some online, printing them out, and going to best buy and seeing what they have.

 

^^^ http://2k2maxima.freewebspace.com/catalog.html
http://64.26.1.50/go/MR2/aw11/hardwiring.html
a brand new for 240 shipp ( Yes I bought blue one from him so you can trust him)
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=334532
Just $$ 40 more out of budget

 

How do you set it up without sticking to the windshield? Wireless and clipped on to the sun visor? I'm just curious because that's how I was thinking of setting mine up once I decide which one I'm getting.

 

You can use the visor clip that comes with it and bend it so it goes into the headliner. I won't do that though.

Wireless? hmm, doubt you will be changing batteries all the time. Hardwire the puppy and you should be all set

 

is there any protection against lasar radar (i think thats the one thats instant?)? once they hit you with it, you're caught...

 

Don't get a cordless,battery powered radar detector. From what I've read about them,
they do not continuously scan every second (designed to help preserve battery life). From the minute you start using them, the batteries begin losing power little by little, and slowly the effectiveness begins diminishing. Do you really want a detector that protects you less every time you use it? I hope the answer is no. Bel makes radar systems for the US military, and is a state of the art company. I've owned Bel,Escort, and Whistler radar detectors over the years, and I think Bel and Escort are the better choices. Do not waste your money on a cheap detector, you will get more false warnings than you will be able to stand, and a real alert will be harder to differentiate
from a false one.

 

because of your money situation, i can't offer any advice for radars in that price range. in many cases, i think "you get what you pay for." 2 years ago i got 3 tickets in the span of that year, and i had some pos radar detector. i bought a valentine1 and i've been ticket-free for a whole year. many people thought $400 was over-the-top, but like i said above... good luck in your search.

 

i have a V1 with a remote display mounted ontop of the steering column, works absolutely awesome, was driving behind a friend who had the escort and my v1 beeped 30 seconds before his even woke up, gave me enough time to honk and flash him to slow down

V1 is the best no doubt about it

 

My V1 saved me from whole bunch of speeding tickets

 

thanks for the hardwiring links. i used it as a guide and figured out an easier way to hardwire my 8500. that takes all of about 10 minutes now that i know what i'm doing. thanks for saving me $30 on the harwire kit. god knows i have enough old phone cords laying around here.

 

i have studied radar detectors ever since i got my license. of all the ones i have tried passport escort have been the most reliable and have the best alert response attentiveness. if that makes sense. if you really want to watch your budget buy a used one off ebay. preferably, the 4500, 5000 model. should get a nice one for $50 or so. then after buying that, send it in to the manufacture and tell them it needs to be service due to going off for no reasons. that will be an additional $40. you then have a brand new radar for less than $100. i recommed sending it in b/c, that model is at least 10 years old. electronics don't last forever unless you get it service. make sure to send in the cord and they will replace that too. radar bands have not changes in some time now. standard X, K, KA, LASER is all you need.

 

I agree with POW. I was studing radar detectors and always favored the Escort. My first was an Escort 5000 and I still have it, but didn't bother to put it in any of my cars now that I have upgraded. The Escort 5000 has saved me plenty of times. Till I got my Max, I purchased my Escort 8500. This was a very good radar detector and at the time, Escort was running a sale for $249.00 including s/h. I could never be happier...until I got my Valentine 1. Ok, its more for this unit, but let me tell you, I might be getting another one to replace my Escort. Although I'm happy with the Escort, the V1 does the job and better. Thats my personal opinion. I haven't had the time to put the both of them together in my car to run tests, but go with either the Escort 8500 or the V1.

Andy

 

My hardwired Passport 8500 works well...

 

For everyone involved. Check out this web site. Full of latest, greatest info on radar detectors.

http://www.radarbusters.com/default.asp

They have ranked the Passport 8500 as the best last time I checked. Own one myself. Works like a charm.

enjoy