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Radar Detectors - Are they any good and what do you recommend

4K views 19 replies 14 participants last post by  drinkdontdrive 
#1 ·
I want to buy a radar detector because I do a lot of fast driving on the highway and I feel that I need one. So that I can decrease my chances of getting a speeding ticket.

Can you guys let me know if radar detectors are any good and if they work at all.

Also what brand/model do you recommend. I was told by a friend that Valentine One is suppose to be the best radar detector.

Also where is the best and cheapest place to buy one?

Thank you for your help with this.
 
#2 ·
I love my radar detector. Go with Bel, if you dont want to pay 300 for a new one go to ebay and pick one up, get ATLEAST the Bel 840i, thats the one my dad has, I have the Bel Express 920. They both offer 360* coverage and detect every kind of Police Radar and Laser guns.
 
#4 ·
Get either:

Valentine 1 or Escord 8500

these are prob the two top rates detectors on the market unless you have $$ then get:
Lidatek laser jamer and a K40
 
#6 ·
I have a Cobra, and it'll detect all of the same radar bands and laser as the more expensive brands for about half the price. They say that brands like Escort and Valentine1 have better filters and range, so you get less false alarms, but I don't get any out of the ordinary alerts with my Cobra. I got mine for about $150 and I love it. It's saved me on many occasions, especially driving back and forth from Home and School. I would definetly get a detector of some sort if you do alot of highway driving. Figure it saves you 1 time and it pays for itself.
 
#11 ·
I have to say it: You could always try SLOWING DOWN. Seriously. Sometime try driving sanely to where you're going and you'll see you don't save a lot of time, but arguably you put yourself at all sorts of risk by speeding.

Now, having said that, I drive the way I drive. I have gotten better about speeding (I'd tell you why, but it's a long story), and I don't necessarily get mad at those who do not speed. But I don't trust cops, I know for a fact that they have to make quotas in regards to citations issued. So I have a Bel (I think the 840i, I have to go look) in both of my cars. I have had such good luck with it, when I bought my Legend I bought one off of eBay even though it is no longer made.

(Within ten minutes of getting mine in 1997 it saved my butt--A cop in the bushes pegging traffic. I never would have seen him otherwise)

Valentine 1 is easily the best radar detector ever made, but even now they are beginning to suffer from all the electronic interference out there. Unlike most of you, I have gotten a ticket with my detector running, even though the detector did warn me, just not in time. Cops have a decent idea on how to overcome counter-measures, so don't use a detector as a blanket "I am invincible" shield, but as an extra layer of warning.

And seriously, slow down. :2cool:
 
#12 ·
Valentine One

I love my Valentine One!

Gotta have the bux though....but certainly cheaper than losing a license or paying higher insurance rates.
 
#17 ·
hands down best radar detector

the best radar detector out there is K-40. i have K-40 installed in my 92 KA8 and it is superb. i have a very very small display mounted over my steering wheel colum. the new K-40's have simply two LED lights that go in the area inbetween the speedo and tachometer. and hooks up to your audio system and speaks to you. i detect cops light years before they get me. all the cheaper radar detectors only work for the lower speeds like 80-90 mph. and i drive very fast so by the time they were alerting for me i was next to the cop smiling. hows this K-40 is so sure theres is the best if you ever get a ticket with there radar theyll pay for it!!!! thats the real deal. i also have a lic plate blocker so i cant be photographed by cameras. also for long trips i run my police scanner, an ICOM IC-R2. i listen to where there set up, etc. also when there on the look out i can pull off have a bite to eat or re-route my trip for a mile or two on a frontage road. to let danger pass. i wont run a jammer as they are illegal here in california.

daniel
 
#18 ·
daniel said:
i detect cops light years before they get me. all the cheaper radar detectors only work for the lower speeds like 80-90 mph. and i drive very fast so by the time they were alerting for me i was next to the cop smiling. daniel
How much is the k-40? and how much to have it installed?
Is it hidden or is it mounted on the dash?

When you say the cheaper radar detectors...are you talking about the valentine 1 and the 8500?
 
#20 ·
OCL-OrangeCountyLegends said:
Where is the best place to buy a Brand New radar detector like the valentine 1 or the 8500 x50 without having to pay retail price.

Is there a website or a store that anyone can recommend?

Does anyone have a hookup with radar detectors?
I bought my 8500 on ebay and it has been incredible. I think I paid $229 for it and it came with all the necessary warranty information.

I think the main difference between the 8500 and the Valentine is the val gives directional arrows as to where you are getting radar from. Personally, whenmine goes off I solw down - I really don't care where it is coming from.

Don't trust places like radartest.com and stuff as I am sure they receive some type of monetary award.

The one good thing about the val is that you can send it in to get the latest features installed on it when your software is outdated.

Good luck,
Jonny
 
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