When I bought my 2010 GT, it had a nice Passport 9500 system integrated in it. I've never had a radar detector before, and after 3 weeks I now feel very vulnerable driving without one. The Passport is awesome, even 'shifts' lasers.

So now I want to add one to my other car. Anyone have one they like? How did you mount it? Any recommendations? Prices are all over the board with radar systems, from $39 to $2000. I'm probably looking to budget at $300 or less.

I don't recall seeing any discussions about radar detectors here before, but I know some of you have mentioned that you have one.

Any input + or - would be appreciated.
Thanks
Bill

 

I have an 01 i30 and I run an Escort 9500ix. Great detector. Here are some pics to show you how I mounted it:

http://imgur.com/jBzC1
http://imgur.com/bAuqZ

And here is a post where I described my mounting...

http://escortradarforum.com/forums/s...ead.php?t=4193

Edit: Also, price does matter... and you get what you pay for. Pay $39 at walmart and you get $39 worth of radar detection: it alarms to let you know the cop has his lights on behind you
The Escort Redline has multiple radar antennas in it, but no GPS filtering. However, it is immune to RDDs such as Spectre IV (currently the best). So, if you're in Virginia then the Redline is the way to go. Otherwise, the 9500ix is great because of the GPS filtering.

 

I have been without one for a year now. I don't really miss it since I don't seem to have that heavy of a foot anymore. Detectors are a "you get what you pay for" device for sure.

There are forums specifically for radar detectors, but I forget what that is now.

 

I do like that 9500ix. It also guards you against red light and speed camera's as well. It's worth it's weight in gold. I had the older 8500, and it worked great.

 

Passport 8500
Mikes Mount on the mirror

 

i have a 6+ year old passport 8500 and it works great. Like others said you get what you pay for and I personally wouldn't buy anything that wasn't either a passport, valentine ($$) or Beltronics.

 

I have this one, only got it because of the LCD screen. But I've had it for a while and I like it. It's pretty accurate and can detect red light cams.

http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-9965-Rad...0627057&sr=8-1

 

Yeah passport 8500 x50 is an awesome detector, to this day. You can usually find them on craigslist for about $100-$150. If you're on a budget but want a good detector, there you go.

 

Good advice, I've been thinking about the 8500, thanks

 

Whatever you do, don't get a Cobra.

 

^^ What he said. (ChrisMan). Escort, Beltronics (becuase they are the same company now), or Valentine.

 

I am using the escort 8500x and i love it.

 

I went with valentine one, imo its the best, saved me countless of times and has paid for itself manh times over... I have mine mounted up right under the passenger visor with the comcealed diaplay on top of the steering column, awesome piece of equipment. And i love the arrows that tell you where the threat is and how many, that sets it aside from other radars, Like the ads say, "v1 tells you where and how many, other radars just go beep"
Im not too keen on other radars since i didnt own any other one aside an old beltronics but its v1 for me! (i havent heard of other radars having the arrows and count lately so v1 is unique, but i could be wrong)

Ohh and def +1 for getting what you pay for...

 

I had the the 8500i in my last 03 max it worked great not to many false alarms and was never picked up while driving thru pa,md,de and nj.i had gutted my clock display and mounted the display in there.it had alot of options that i never learned about but its basic functions were easy to operate and understand once it was setup the first time.the range of detection was also very good over 2 miles i would say because i always got a warning at one place while in on rt13 and the trooper was in the same place a good 2 miles from the toll booth.i had mounted the front sensor on the hood latch support between the horns this was not a good place for it so if you get one and mount it there just seal it up from the elements with some silicone.they do warranty that part for weather damage which is a good thing.overall it saved me alot of money on the amount of driving i did and its ease of use was great.

 

Hmmm I've always entertained the idea of having a radar detector installed on my car but don't know too much about them. The info above helps alot although their just opinions.

 

Is $142 a good price for a used Passport X50 8500?

 

Yeah, that's about average.

 

I have never really used one. I thought about getting but I don't think I drive enough to warrant spending 300 on one. Maybe Once I get one I'll be like "Wow how did I live without it".

 

valentine. got it used for a crackhead price. best detector ever.

 

Just searched Craigslist and found a few valentine one for $300 is that good?
Also found escort 8500 for $150-$225 and escort 9500i for $350-$370

I think I'm gonna buy one now lol

 

The Valentine is comparable to the older Escort 8500. Escort still sells the 8500 for $299, whereas the Valentine is $399. Both were top of the line windshield mounted radar/laser detectors of their time when they were new, and I used to own an 8500. If you want to take it to the next level and get the latest technology, and get red light camera and speed camera warnings, have GPS enabled auto-learn to eliminate false signals, and a bunch of other features, get the 9500ix. It sells for $499, but no ohter windshield mounted radar detector can perform like it can with it's features for the money. Here's a link to their website so you can read up more on it. I would recommend reading up and studying what each detector does in it's price range, and get the best one you can afford. Check out Radar Test's link below and the 9500 link as well.

http://radartest.com/

http://www.escortradar.com/store/passport-9500ix.html

 

Curious as to the reason for your comment.

I have used several models of Cobra - granted they are nothing special, really. Basic radar detector but fairly inexpensive. On a couple of occasions I didn't get a warning until I was almost on top of the patrol car but most of the time, pretty reliable. They do give a lot of false warnings while traveling near shopping centers, etc.

I have been too lazy to mount it on my Maxima, but I'll probably wait until I get a high-end detector

 

Yea I actually just did that but I already know what I'm going to get now based on what I just researched and compared

 

Is there a way to wire these detectors from behind the dash or something? one of my biggest issues with these gadgets is having a ton of wires visible all over my car

 

You can get a hardwire for the Escorts. I believe they have them on their website in the detector accessories drop down menu.

 

passport 8500 x50 hardwired and mounted under the rearview mirror....... i love this radar have had it for going on 5 years and it never fails..

 

I had one in my Denali from best buy that was wired under the hood and had a visor clip remote that flashed a k or ka laser worked great paid 300 can't remember where the actual radar was... Researching...

 

Crap you guys got me thinking already. I am always down for my gadgets! I'm headed to Best Buy!

 

If you don't mind waiting on shipping, look online - you'll find much better bargains (amazon, etc).

 

It's simple, they are at best junk detectors and it's has been extensively researched and proven time and time again for years.

http://www.guysoflidar.com/

Unless you can get a BEL or Escort there (not going to mention Valentine because you just can't get it in a retail shop) don't waste your time or money.

 

Seriously, expect to pay $200+ for one. Like the other guys said, I would only look at Bel, Escort or Valentine.

One major downfall, if you get hit with Lidar (laser gun), you're pretty much hosed unless you have a laser "shifter" or jammer.

 

Hehe, yeah, I got tagged by a cop with LIDAR the other day. I was doing 79 in a 65 zone. My Passport went off like a machine gun, looked at the readout and it said "Laser...shifting"

He pulled over a car that was behind me and I went on my way..

 

I've been happy with my Valentine for a few years now. Mine is mounted to the left of the rearview mirror. It's under the windshield tint strip just slightly so it isn't visible from outside.
Not worried about the visor being in the way when down...if the sun is in my eyes it's stupid to speed anyway.

 

Sounds like you have an Escort ZR4 shifter in addition to the 9500. With the shifter, it scrambles the laser beam for a few seconds which allows you to slow down enough before the ZR4 turns off and allows the cop to get a reading. Think of it as a temporary jammer.

http://www.radarbusters.com/laser-ja...sershifter.cfm

EDIT - I just read that the 9500ci has laser shifting included. Nice!

 

Anyone know anything on the legality of this ("laser shifter")? I don't know about where you all are from, but here in California, jamming devices are illegal and carry some very stiff penalties.

 

Best Buy carries the 9500IX and the 8500 X50. Also the Beltronics V8 and V6. I think Escort makes those also. Gotta do some research.

 

Laser jammers are regulated differently than radar jammers. Radar jammers are under the FCC jurisdiction and have a nationwide ban on them.

Laser's are under the FDA administration and they do not have a nationwide ban. However, a few states took it upon themselves to initiate bans so the law varies from state to state.

Some laser shifters have timers in them to shut off after a few seconds so the cop will get a reading and not raise suspicion that you have a shifter/jammer.

 

At the dealership I used to work at, we did alot of installs of the integrated 9500ci's. We never had any complaints from them.

 

I really wish these were legal in ontario

 

Grab the 9500ci, the Redline, or the STi Driver. All immune to RDD (Spectre IV). As long as you keep it hidden they'll never know you have it.