wtb radar detector

[drhntr1]

Cant by in VA. any1 have 1 forsale

[OneEightSeven]

Re: wtb radar detector

I don't have one for sale, but you know that you can order online, right?

Do some research. You will want a RD from Valentine Research, Escort or Beltronics. These three brands are basically the only high quality radar detector brands out there. Escort and Beltronics are the same company now, but their products vary a bit. Do NOT buy a Cobra, Whistler, Uniden or any other brands. To be fair Cobra is getting a bit better on their $200+ models, but this is mainly because of expired patents from the real radar detector companies. Cobra also used to make a good detector in the 80's and their CB radio stuff is pretty good. But their current radar detectors are sub par.

Being that you are in VA you are susceptible to Spectre radar detector detectors. There are two strategies to combat Spectre that work.

1. Buy a Escort Redline radar detector. Due to its physical characteristics it's protected against Spectre detection. You can also buy a Beltronics STi. It's a bit older than the Redline and it's not quite as good at detection, but it's cheaper and just as good against Spectre. Just make sure that the detector is mounted by your mirror where it's harder to spot visually and put it away if getting pulled over.

2. This option can be combined with option 1 for a double safety. Buy any high quality Valentine Research, Escort or Beltronics detector and then also go on ebay and buy a used Cobra or Whistler for like $20. If you get caught with Spectre, put away your expensive detector while pulling over. If the cop tells you he knows you have a detector (caught you with spectre) give him the $20 decoy detector instead.

If you want the absolute best in radar detection here is my short list:

#1. Valentine Research: Valentine 1 Version 3.872
#2. Escort: Redline
#3. Escort: Passport 9500IX
#4. Escort: Passport 8500 Refurbished from Escort sold on ebay, with warranty.
#5. Beltronics: STi
#6. Beltronics: Vector 955

The #4 option and #6 are the best for entry level. The reason I mention the #4 above #5 and #6 even though its a refurb, is because it uses a slightly older antenna platform which is actually better than the newer platform used in #5 and #6. Though #5 may be better for you since you're in VA. With a warranty from Escort you can't go wrong with the #4 option, the Passport 8500 refurb if you're looking to save some money. It's literally the best $ to performance ratio in the whole radar detector game.

I know the detectors seem expensive. But radar detectors are a "you get what you pay for" game. It really DOES make a BIG difference. There are a few exceptions, such as Escort's cordless detector (Solo 2 aka S2), it's expensive and is total crap in terms of detection.

If you let me know about your particular needs and driving habits (highway, city, big city and such). I can probably help you make the right choice. I'm always happy to get someone else interested in the fun world of RD ownership.

Also if you're thinking about a laser jammer setup, there are only two brand's worth talking about, Blinder and Laser Interceptor (aka LI).

[gatormike69]

Re: wtb radar detector

Thanks for all the info. I am looking to replace an old Whistler 680 I've had for many years now and know that there are more technologically advanced models available. I do mostly around town driving but on the 3000+ mile trips I take a couple times a year it would be nice to have that technology available to me. I would not be adverse to dropping a couple bills if it kept me from getting tickets.
Thanks
:banana:

[OneEightSeven]

Re: wtb radar detector

@gatormike69,

For road trips and general highway driving I recommend the Valentine 1 (3.872 latest) or Escort Redline. The Redline is better at 35.5GHz Ka than the V1. However the V1 has directional arrows and shows a counter of the radar sources. That can be very useful on the highway to help make sense of alerts quickly. The V1 is also the best against quick trigger and instant on radar tactics. I've tested the V1 many times against several radar units and it doesn't matter how fast you flick the trigger or RF hold button, the V1 always alerts instantly. On the other hand I've seen low end detectors require 3+ seconds of constant radar exposure before they alert. A cop running instant on can acquire a target's speed in under a second without interference (ie. other traffic, shadowing, etc..) While a lot of cops are sloppy, some are very good at the instant on tactics and will shoot very quickly. This means low end radar detectors won't know what hit them until the cop switches to constant on radar to verify his initial reading was correct.

For city driving you can consider the V1 and the Redline, but you may also want to consider something with a GPS lockout feature. Cities typically have lots of annoying sources of radar that are false. Every automatic door will cause the V1 and the Redline to alert even when driving on the highway, because those detectors are extremely sensitive. In the city it can be overbearing and too annoying for some people to handle. Personally I don't care and use my V1 in the city. The Escort Passport 9500ix has a GPS lockout feature. It can automatically remember false radar frequency sources via their GPS location and stop alerting you to those sources. It doesn't have the raw sensitivity of the V1 and the Redline, but it's performance is excellent and it's the best detector for a non-enthusiast as it's not overbearingly annoying.

If you're looking to spend under $200 I would recommend the Escort Passport 8500 refurbished original model. You can get em on ebay for $150, they're sold by Escort directly with warranty. It uses the older S7 platform and outperforms the newer M4 platform of the 8500 X50 in some aspects. They do sell the Escort Passport 8500 X50 on ebay for $200 if you want the newer model.

Whatever you do don't go with a cheap radar detector. I know that Cobras look pretty cool, they boast tons of features and it's an old brand. Their CB radios are pretty good. Unfortunately the only part of the radar detector business Cobra figured out is the marketing. Their marketing is very good, which is why people buy Cobras. Unfortunately the performance sucks, some low and mid range cobra models can't even pick up 35.5GHz Ka from several feet away regardless of what the manual says.

[OneEightSeven]

Re: wtb radar detector

Oh also I wanted to point out that radar detectors work to help save you from radar tickets. Don't expect any radar detector to save you from a LIDAR (aka laser) ticket. Basically at 1,000ft the diameter of the laser is about 3ft so you would have to be super lucky to get hit by a reflected laser of some other car that was targeted. Generally a genuine laser alert from a radar detector happens only when you've been targeted. In testing I've seen laser bounce off the side of an 18 wheeler and give me an alert, but the odds of something like that happening in real life suck.

If you want laser protection you have to go with a laser jammer. Jammer is kind of a misnomer since no jamming is actually done. It's really a transponder. It detects a pulse sequence from a LIDAR gun and sends a confusing pulse sequence back throwing off the guns readings. Blinder M27/M47 and Laser Interceptor (LI) are the go-to brands. LI is best for those with extra money and/or cars with a large footprint that are harder to protect (SUVs with lots of chrome, big trucks, etc..) Laser jammers are legal in most states unlike radar jammers which are illegal on a federal level.

[drhntr1]

Re: wtb radar detector

online company is prohibited to sell to va. i drive street 75 percent the time. i need laser and radar

[OneEightSeven]

Re: wtb radar detector

@drhntr1,

Which online companies did you try? Radar detectors are illegal to possess and operate while in a motor vehicle in VA. It's NOT illegal to just own or receive a radar detector in your home. You can't get in trouble for having a radar detector in your home or receiving one. Brick & mortar stores in VA don't sell radar detectors, but you can still order online. I know that http://www.radarbusters.com/ will ship to VA. I actually highly recommend that site, their prices are good and their ship quickly. NOTICE: Their product reviews are all overly generous and they claim every single radar detector they sell is amazing. But that's just standard sales practices.

For 75% street use check out my prior post that I made for gatormike69. If your city has tons of false radar sources and you're easily irritated get a Escort brand radar detector that has GPS lockout functionality, such as the Escort Passport 9500ix. If you want all out raw performance and don't mind false alerts get either the Valentine 1 or the Escort Redline.

The best place to buy the Valentine 1 is Valentine Research directly. They will ship to VA. The reason I recommend buying directly from them is because of the way they do maintenance and upgrade discounts. The other reason is that someone else (ie eBay) could sell you a very old V1, they all look the same but the guts are different, hence the version numbers (1.8 hardware and 3.872 software).

If you want both laser and radar protection, the best combination in my opinion is the Valentine 1 and Laser Interceptor Dual. You save a lot of money buying em in a combo here:

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

Laser Jammers are illegal in VA too, but most cops don't know what they are. They also have a parking aid mode, which you could demonstrate to a cop if he asks what it is. It will use the jammers as a distance meter and beep faster and faster the closer you get to an object. So that can be a good trick if a cop is suspicious.

[Jtels2593]

Re: wtb radar detector

I've had two Cobra models in the past 6 years and all them have worked great. They are both the $100+ models. Obviously brands such as Escort, Valentine etc... are going to be more costly, but it comes down to how much you are willing to spend.

[venom3300]

Re: wtb radar detector

i have #6 on that list.... saved my butt today...

[OneEightSeven]

Re: wtb radar detector

@Venom3300,

The 955 is a solid performer. I tried one of those out recently for a week. It's a good little detector and for the price I was very impressed with it. You can't go wrong with a 955 if you want a brand new, non refurbished detector for a reasonable price. It's pretty decent at instant on detection too as long as you are in highway mode. It will detect a radar signal after just a bit over 1 second of exposure to RF.

@Jtels2593,

My first radar detector was a Cobra, so I've been a Cobra owner like yourself. I bought into Cobras because I had $250 burning a hole in my pocket and they looked very impressive at Best Buy. Cobra has great marketing and their detectors are very pretty and stylish. Truth be told I've had plenty of saves with that Cobra. So don't get me wrong I'm NOT trying to claim Cobras are a scam like Rocky Mountain Radar. RMR is a total scam. They just take $10 no-name Chinese radar detectors, slap an RMR decal on em and make claims of "radar/laser jamming". Cobra will out perform an RMR any day!

The problem with Cobra is that their performance is sub par. You can get $100+ Beltronics that will OWN the $100+ Cobra. Cobra is outperformed in EVERY price class by it's competitors. Basically there is no reason to buy a cobra, for the same money you can always get something better from another brand. You could make the argument that cobras look really good, but typically radar detectors are purchased for their performance and not looks.

The reason Cobra has poor performance is because their R&D is failing to be competitive. As far as I can recall the only relevant (to RD) patent they own is for a modular plug on one of their new detectors. The big boys (Beltronics, Escort and Valentine Research) hold the important patents on the really cool stuff. Cobra basically winds up with the crumbs off the table when the big boys have a patent that expires. For instance V1's patent on the directional arrows is running out, so be on the lookout for a $200 cobra with directional arrows in the next few years. You can't be competitive when your technology is based on picking up other companies dead patents. Hence why Cobra is sub par in every price range.

[gatormike69]

Re: wtb radar detector

Thanks for all the great info OneEightSeven. I am trying to decide between the V1 and the Redline. I probably won't be using it except on road trips. Around town, I'm just not in any hurry. With all the tourists here at the beach, if you get in a hurry you will just get yourself frustrated.
Thanks again.

[OneEightSeven]

Re: wtb radar detector

Yea it's tough to decide between those two. They're both really good. Responsiveness wise the V1 is king, it's incredibly unlikely for the V1 to miss even the shortest of radar bursts. The V1 also has directional arrows which I really like, because in many circumstances you will be able to make a much better decision regarding the validity of the alert. The Redline has better range against 35.5GHz Ka-band radar than the V1, but the V1 is better at other frequencies of Ka like 34.7 & 33.8. The Redline is also very responsive, but it may miss extremely short bursts of radar that the V1 will pick up. The Redline does cost more money than the V1. So it's really a tough decision.

I like the V1 personally. The V1 is known for it's raw sensitivity and responsiveness and to me it felt like the Redline was Escorts attempt at recreating that kind of product. I expect extreme responsiveness from a product like that, because I'm sacrificing false alert protection in order to gain better protection against instant on. If I were going to sacrifice responsiveness I may as well get the 9500ix from Escort and gain GPS based false alert suppression instead.