Radar Detector Questions

[bibby 5,000+ posts]

Without going into too much detail, i got a new job that is 2hours each way to work. I would like to have a radar detector to get me there a little bit quicker, safely. I am not some punk kid trying to street race, but more-so a respectable adult on a 2hour all highway commute twice a day. I know nothing about radar detectors, and i want a good one. One that will take care of me. I know better than to buy some $20 crap on ebay. What are some good brands, and model numbers to look for. Reccommend me some good ones. My price range is $100-$200 shipped. Ebay, used, whatever. I jsut want one that will take care of me. Thanks Guys.

EDIT: It will be all highway driving, for work, but occasionally i do drive on the interstates. Mostly for Louisiana, Arkansas, & Texas.

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fro.gif.c695f1f814b01c4ad99fe7f8cccadd29.gif Bibbz.

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[Louisiana_CRX 5,000+ posts]

Get a BEL 995 Plus it is bad a$$......

 

[bibby 5,000+ posts]

Get a BEL 995 Plus it is bad a$$......

This?

http://www.goelectronic.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=BELTRONICS+V-995RP&Category_Code=5+RADAR+DETECTORS

 

[bigbirney420 10+ year member]

All of the Bel's are good, or a used passport 8500. I would stay away from Cobra or Whistler. I just bought new Passport, but it was 300. I saw many used on Ebay for close to 200. Well worth the money.

 

[InsaneKreationz]

Hmmmmmmm.... Im interested in this also

 

[brchd]

I would stay away from Cobra or Whistler.

whats wrong with those? i have a $200 Cobra that works excellent. In the April 07 issue of Car Audio & Electronics they tested Cobra, Whistler, they said"The Cobra 9730, while budget priced, offers an acceptable level of performance and includes a built in compass. Its laser detection capabilities are modest."

they went on to say about the Whistler..."with the best sensitivity in a low priced detector ($150), especially in the difficult over the hill test, the Whistler XTR 560 makes sense when cost is an issue"

So, he said cost WAS an issue. Hence his 100-200 dollar budget. If you are going to recommend a radar detector you should know that the Escort and Bel were BOTH BLOWN AWAY by the Valentine One Detector in both CAE mag and Radartest.com

Good luck in your quest for the Holy Grail.

 

[dvrmstrng 5,000+ posts]

escort 8500 x50 used on ebay for 200...cant go wrong

 

[mx519 10+ year member]

It might be out of your price range, but if you want the top of the line, I have the best radar detector made. I really like this radar, but I wrecked the Race truck, and getting a luxury car. I have a valentine1 for 290. shipped. This radar has the best laser detection on the highway and picks out the city cops like nothing. Honestly I couldnt count how many times it saved me on my last trip from Texas to Arkansas at about 2am in the morning. I got shot with a laser by DPS in texas right out side of Dallas, and it went off like crazy. Looked around spotted him forever a ways away on side of the road. I took the quickest exit and avoided his trap. He already had me going 15 over time I looked at my speed. Your making a good choice by staying away from the cheaper brands, because when it comes to radars, what you pay is what you get. Mine is top of the line, the escort 8500 isn't a bad choice. I've owned both, had both plugged up side by side. The Valentines range will pick up about a second quicker on the highway, and has a hell of allot less false alerts. But dont get me the wrong, the 8500 is a really nice setup.

http://www.myradardetector.com/valentine_one.htm

 

[bigbirney420 10+ year member]

I dont trust CA&E when it comes to radar detecters at all. There are few retired cops and HP that test them. The Cobra 9730 is ok, but for an extra 75 you can have a real good one. There was a Bel that was rated better than Valentine and Passport, but not by much, and it was close to 500.00. You get what you pay for.

 

[mx519 10+ year member]

Thats correct. You get what you pay for with radars. If your looking for top of the line give me a pm and I can hook you up.

 

[Louisiana_CRX 5,000+ posts]

I sent you a PM MX519

 

[brchd]

this must be the one you're talking about.....i didn't know about this one...it's a bad MOFO>>>

http://radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=100542

 

[profundus-sanus 10+ year member]

i've been using a bel rx65 since they came out...

http://www.radarbusters.com/belescortvalentinearticle.cfm

http://www.radarbusters.com/productrecommendationsarticle.cfm

rx65 is the way to go

mines been putting up with systems that do low 140's on the tl for a good year and half now and its still works great. But remember it can't detect a cop with his radar off... so don't expect it to save you when there is no traffic.

 

[azimuth 5,000+ posts]

a cop here in denver tested a bunch of them. the over expensive valentine 1 did no better than the escorts and bels. rocky mountain radar actually did the worst, which is expensive. the only way a person should spend more than 200 bucks is if you have it custom installed to integrate into the dash or gauge cluster. my 80 dollar cobra has done as well as the valentine 1 i bought while stoned and drunk. escort was at the top on the test in terms of cost, effectiveness and looks.

 

[Louisiana_CRX 5,000+ posts]

I also run top of the line Cobras and Whistlers...but the BEL is by far the best...//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif