htowncivicEX

Hey thanks for the suggestion, Dad. And please get to the right of the road while you're at it. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG]

djlunatic

i suggest bell 980 or bell vector . the passport is two sensitive. and gives off several more false alarms...

Xjet

Well, it looks like this is going to be a tough choice. Lots of V1 and Bel980 fans, as well as Passport users. Three good products to choose from. I did hear that the V1 and Bel980 were due for updates or redesign, so it might be worth waiting for a few months to see. In the meantime, thanks to all for the excellent feedback. It's appreciated

Xjet

Blk4blk2K1

iTrader: (4)

<< I have heard Valentine One makes one of the best radar detectors. Has anyone else heard the same?

Link >>



C&D compared the 10 best top end Detectors in the latest issue.. The V-1 was the best with a 97% (I think)...

VTEC808

Radar detectors only work when the cop leaves the radar turned on (most of the time they use the HOLD button in which case the detector would only alert when the cop has already gotten your speed). No detector will pick up the LIDAR (Laser) because the cop has to put a red target on your vehicle & he would have to put the red target exactly on the antenae of the detector for it to pick it up since the beam is only 1 inch wide. (They usually put the target on your headlight or taillight). RADAR detectors pick up automatic doors at grocery stores most of the time. I think all that makes it a little crazy to spend a lot of money on a RADAR detector.

htowncivicEX

VTEC808

This is incorrect. There are two methods of radar that are used by cops - instant-on and constant-on. If the cop has the radar running constantly, well then it is pretty darn easy to detect. If a cop is using instant-on radar, meaning he turns the gun instantly on and off to check speeds of specific targets, then any good radar detector will still be able to detect it PROVIDED that there are other targets that the cop will try to zap. In other words, when a cop who is sitting a few miles ahead of you tries to use instant-on radar on other vehicles ahead of you, your radar detector will be able to alert you of this. The exact same principle applies to lidar (laser), which only operates in instant-on mode.

If you are all by yourself on the road at night and there are absolutely no cars within a few miles of you, then your radar detector will only be able to detect cops that are using constant-on radar. Thus, it would be wise to keep the speed down.

VTEC808

Ok, You're "instant on" is a little device on the RADAR unit called the "hold" button which is what I stated in my previous statement. If cops are trying to actually stop people for speeding they will 99% of the time use the hold button. Now on the other hand if they are merely trying to slow traffic down & not write any tickets unless absolutely necessary then they will leave it on (similar to them sitting on the side of the road in plain sight, they're not actually trying to catch people speeding, they are in plain sight so you'll see them & slow down & therefore they have done their job). & now on to LIDAR, LIDAR utilizes a 1 inch wide beam & unless that 1 inch wide beam hits the antennae of the detector, that detector is useless. LIDAR (laser) does not put out a wide beam like the RADAR units emit. To make it simpler, look at LIDAR this way, think of those red beam targeting devices that you can install on a firearm....that red beam & the beam that LIDAR emits are approximately the same size, now if that beam is pointed at your license plate, headlight housing, or taillight it's not going to also hit the antennae of the RADAR detector. There are a couple of ways to help you avoid the LIDAR but your car will look like total crap in order to achieve that goal, Its not worth it. Just slow the hell down.

Bartkat

A good dectetor will pick up the Laser signal front and rear. It's short range so you have to react really fast. I think most times they are aimed at the license plate, since laser needs a flat surface to time from. Of course laser is expensive, has to be on a fixed position solid mount and it rarely used compared to radar and VASCAR. There's no warning for VASCAR as it is visual and can be on the ground or airborne. As for false alarms, you just don't get that many on a wide open interstate. Just have to mash the brakes ASAP whenever that detector dhirps. Of course if you have a CB and there are some big trucks on the road, you will get approximate location wanings for cops. CB and a good radar/laser detector will do a pretty good job if you stay on your toes. Most times you can tell if the cop is behind you, or ahead, or coming at you. Like the guy said, you will hear the instant on zapping the traffic ahead of you. Just don't run too hard if you are out away from other traffic.

VTEC808

I just noticed something in these responses.....do a lot of you get speeding tickets on wide open interstates? I have NEVER gotten a speding ticket or any ticket for that matter on an interstate, NEVER. All the tickets I got were on small densely populated streets where your line of sight did not extend beyond 5 feet off the side of the road (meaning you couldn't see what was waiting for you on any of the side streets). The biggest speeding ticket I have ever gotten was for 12 over. How can you possibly have ANY problem avoiding speeding tickets on an INTERSTATE for christs sake? Thats the easiest place in the world to avoid them & you don't need a RADAR detector to do it either.

htowncivicEX

Well you have evidently never driven on an interstate in Texas then. The stretch of I-10 that runs from Austin to Houston all the way across the East Texas border to Louisiana is crawling with cops. Ditto for I-45 from Huntsville to Dallas (the city of Palmer in particular).

htowncivicEX

And please stop the paternalism preaching about slowing down. This is a thread about which radar detector is the best, and I don't think anyone who reads this thread is interested in hearing the pros/cons of speeding. If you are such a stickler about driving the speed limit, then what's up with that quote from Lamborghini in your sig?

VTEC808

Well the whole reason for even buying a RADAR detector in the first place is because you feel an overwhelming urge to break the law. Interstate 4 that runs from Tampa to Daytona Beach is full of cops as well simply because its 1 of the deadliest interstates in the country (because of people who can't seem to drive the speed limit because it makes them feel cool). Some people will never learn until they either seriously injure themselves or actually kill someone else.

Bartkat

Well, you gotta have some sense as to when to drive fast, how fast to drive, and all that. You also have to stay very aware of what is going on around you. I' got my license in 1955 and I guess I've been a speeding desparado ever since. Still alive and not in jail. Been running with a radar detector and a CB for 30 years now. By gollies if I can keep up with the trucks at 85 to 90 MPH I figure I'm doing just fine.

sKwiD

iTrader: (11)

I bought the Escort Solo (cordless) less than a month ago. It works... I just need to see how others compare to it, but so far I'm ticket free. Overall out of 10, i give it an 8

NickDaMans02Civic

I bought a Radar Detector Back in 2001 and haven't had any problems, I got the Bell 980 all my buds have bought them they are 2nd best out versus the Valentine. $330 on http://crutchfield.com then search for radar detectors. I highly recommend them and if you have the money I would recommend not buying a cheapy one you will regret it.

Nick