Best Radar Detector?

[OnlyAnSE]

So im going to school in a month and its an 8 hour drive. By no means will I be driving slow as I will be anxious to get home so I need to know what the best radar detector brands are and how expensive are they?

[Evan0801]

The best radar out is the valentine one for $400. I use a cheap cobra one for $120 that works great.

[Wes]

Just try not to let the detector be your only litmus for the presence of a LEO. They don't need to use the radar to give you a ticket. I typically see them, or notice brake lights of other motorists long before I hear my radar detector go if. And its rare that it goes off from them. It's usually other sources of radar causing false alarms. From my personal experience, I would estimate 20%(that's being generous) of the cops I have seen on the road actually had their radar on.

[RJolly87]

Guess I will be the annoying one in this thread to suggest to not speed. The only times I really speed are working traffic.

Plus too, you are working equipment that much harder, burning more fuel, and radar detectors, even the best ones, aren't a guarantee you won't get caught. State police out here use Laser, and you are freaking lucky if you catch the scatter off of the car you are right on top of. Otherwise, they are a great tool to tell you that you have just been screwed.

Also be sure you are aware of the laws around radar detectors where you will be traveling through.

I myself own a Whistler XTR-550 which has now been out 10 years and was by no means a top of the line model when it came out. It picks up all the wrong signals and doesn't alert me on the legitimate concerns until I am right on top of the source. I don't even use it anymore.

[donky4444]

Escort Passport. I run the 9500ix and love it. The Valentine has a little better range and sensitivity but the GPS false signal lockout on the Escort overcomes that. Mine is always quite unless I need to check my speed for an actual cop. I agree with the above though, you need to back it up by paying attention to the road. Brake lights ahead, oncoming traffic flashing to let you know. All things to watch. I not ally set cruise at 8 over but there are times I do more. That's when paying attention to what is happening ahead of you and a good detector come in handy.

[ga93sle]

I had a Whistler for a long time and it only let me down once when the cop was on the other side of a big hill. Otherwise it always picked everything up, radar and laser.

[haro1225]

I have an Escort 8500, it saved me quite a few times. A couple people I know run the Valentine and they are all happy with them.

[00Beast]

^^^ Used to own that passport 8500, lol, been through like 4 Pontiac Bonneville Club members. Honestly, your only bet is to be attentive and stay within a reasonable speed. Very few cops are going to give you a ticket for less than 10 MPH over on an empty/flowing highway or country road, but in town you need to follow the speed limits and be attentive for many other reasons. If you're going that much faster than the limit, I do agree that you're putting yourself and others at potential risk. I know you didn't want a lecture, but you can save yourself a lot of headaches by using cruise control and paying attention, instead of trying to rely on a radar detector.

[gweg_b]

I have a very old Passport (don't know the model number) that used to be my dad's. The thing is beat up and worn out, but it always worked, and saved my butt a few times. Unfortunately, in my part of Ohio, the staties are using laser now, and they're allowed pulling you over if they believe you were speeding (they don't even have to use radar).

But, I've been traveling the same 25 miles back and forth from work for 5 years now. I know all the spots where they hide, but as others said, using your eyes and common sense is the best radar detector. I haven't had my plugged in for over 2 years, but I rarely go 5 over, and usually the Ohio State Patrol will leave you alone for that if you're an Ohio resident (different story if you're from out of state).

I may use it on a long trip, but I just don't go that fast anymore. If I'm going above the limit, it's more than likely because I'm just going with the flow of traffic (like Michigan's limits are around 75, but it seems everyone always goes 95).

[00Beast]

(like Michigan's limits are around 75, but it seems everyone always goes 95).

No, that was just our group to the 3800 meet...

[gweg_b]

Ha, yes, that is very true, Ed!

I do remember back in '09 when I was headed to Ryan's place, the traffic was moving close to 90, and I was still being passed, even by cops. It seems to have slowed down slightly since then.

[haro1225]

I usually average about 80-85. And I think I'll be the last member with that old Escort detector, once in a while it says "service required" on the screen, and I called them and they said $150 to fix it so I'll be in the market for another one next year.

[MattStrike]

There are many sections of interstate in MI where doing 95 in the left lane will get you rear ended still.

I find most speed limits a complete joke at this point anyway. And I've experienced first-hand how you can get stopped for no good reason (no center mount brake light on a '84 pickup truck...). Your best defense is to fully understand and exercise your rights as needed.

[Zeik75]

Radars have done nothing for me and are a waste of money

Source: 18 points obtained through tickets.


Also greg I believe there may have been a point where we became the flow of traffic lol.

[burger]

If you really want protection you should have a radar jammer as well. As long as your not the fastest car on the road you probably wont get a ticket.

I remember being in Wisconsin on the freeway going 85 in at 65, and for about 20 miles we got passed by most traffic, it seems nobody follows the speed limits.

Be careful when mounting a radar detector, in some states you can get a ticket if its mounted on the windshield or obstructing your view.

[bobgto65]

Around Maryland the police all use Laser. None of the radar detectors will work against this. By the time the alert goes off they already have your speed. Laser jammers are expensive $400 and up.