[Official] What's the Best Radar Detector?

Hambone1 · 04-24-2011, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpolak

Get an Escort or Beltronics model that has integrated GPS. It will learn the false signals based on location, signal frequency and signal strength, and mute warnings for them.

EDIT: As a bonus, many of these GPS-enabled RDs have a programmed-in database of speed and red light cameras.

That's what mine is. That's the double edged sword with those. The "Your Speed" signs are so prevalent in this area, it's learned where they are and turns a blind eye to them. However the signs operate on Ka and thats what the city cops use as well, so I've literally driven past a visible speed trap, radar gun up and in use, and not gotten a peep from it.

theDreamer · 04-24-2011, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hambone1

That's what mine is. That's the double edged sword with those. The "Your Speed" signs are so prevalent in this area, it's learned where they are and turns a blind eye to them. However the signs operate on Ka and thats what the city cops use as well, so I've literally driven past a visible speed trap, radar gun up and in use, and not gotten a peep from it.

Sounds like the cops are doing instant on or laser.

Hambone1 · 04-24-2011, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theDreamer

Sounds like the cops are doing instant on or laser.

I think instant on. The Beltronics has been very reliable picking up laser. They just passed a huge statewide spending thing on patrols, trying to boost ticketing revenue so I'm guessing better training came alone with that. Luckily they are predictable enough I just take it nice and slow in the known areas.

Z1NONLY · 04-24-2011, 04:25 PM

I'm a gadget geek, so I own at least one example of almost every platform offered by Belscort. (S7,M4,M3) I also run a V1 3.864. And LIDAR jammers on all 4 vehicles I drive. (although my work vehicle is so big that the LED jammer on that thing probably provides almost no protection)

M3's are the most sensitive units on the market. (Escort Redline, 9500CI, Bel STi, Sti-R, STi-R+) I almost forgot; the M3's are stealth and undetectable to radar detector detectors.

V1 is the next most sensitive unit on the market and uses arrows to help you locate the source of radar. (Helps you know when you are "done" with a given alert sooner) V1 is also the most "responsive" RD on the market. Although a "segmented" M3 is right there with the V1. (STi-R and STi-R+)

S7's (older belscort platform that's no longer sold) are next with good all around performance.

M4's (Almost every thing else offered by Belscort at the moment) have good sensitivity for radar that's in front of you, even over a hill, but falls off once the source is off at an angle. (around a curve) M4's are as good as a V1 on one particular Ka frequency. (35.5 Ghz) Still slower to respond on all bands though. (takes a bit to "process" and then alert.)

Belscort's use of GPS on some M4 and M3 units has almost perfected false-alarm rejection and also can alert to cameras.

Red__Zed · 04-24-2011, 04:26 PM

They are illegal here, though I may get one whenever I move from VA.

Z1NONLY · 04-24-2011, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

They are illegal here, though I may get one whenever I move from VA.

I just added the fact that M3's are undetectable. Forgot to mention that originally.

ImportConvert · 04-24-2011, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hambone1

Another thing cops in WA like to do is hide in the "blind spots" where they know there are constant false alarms, like the "Your Speed" signs. They just started doing this in the past few months, clever bastards

The V1 tells you how many radar sources it it is picking up. If it's more than the usual for that area...

That is why I like the V1, direction and number.

Astrosfan · 04-25-2011, 03:27 PM

I have a bel rx65. Overall a great detector, it has saved my butt many times already.. 2 days after getting it i was going to return it and get the V1 but my dog ate the box it came in.

I'd prefer the v1 due to the arrows. I realized that one day too late. That being said, i am still satisfied with my purchase. Just a tiny bit of buyers remorse. Plus the rx65 is way cheaper.

Hambone1 · 04-25-2011, 03:32 PM

Yeah I had a V1 previously and loved it, made the mistake of selling it to a buddy. The Beltronics is a pretty solid one, minus the multiple threats and whatnot, fortunately my typical routes don't change much so I know when to slow down around the usual hiding spots. Like Astros said though, V1's are significantly more expensive, and with a wedding coming up, she who must be obeyed is largely in control of the checkbook

jaedub · 04-25-2011, 07:10 PM

Im considering to buy a V1 but few questions...

Does it really work like a charm? Will it really detect every cops around me?

And I live in California, is it legal here??

Red__Zed · 04-25-2011, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaedub

Im considering to buy a V1 but few questions...

Does it really work like a charm? Will it really detect every cops around me?

And I live in California, is it legal here??

No, it does not detect police, it detects radar. It will let you know if there is a signal in certain radar bands being broadcast.

I believe Cali allows for radar detectors.

onzedge · 04-25-2011, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

No, it does not detect police, it detects radar. It will let you know if there is a signal in certain radar bands being broadcast.

I believe Cali allows for radar detectors.

Radar detectors are legal in CA. The last speeding ticket I got (the first in 10 years) was from a cop (CHP) who got me the old fashioned way -- with an airplane. The guy who wrote me up was cool and wrote it for 10 mph less than my actual speed. He also pointed to my radar detector (a Passport Solo S2 at the time) as he was handing me the ticket and asked how well it works.

jginnane · 04-25-2011, 10:28 PM

We have Beltronics 995s in the Z and the Acura TL, and a 965 in the Honda Element. All work well; all have paid for themselves many times over.

This year the NJ state police are using instant-on and lasers. The latter alerts on a Bel to tell you it's time to pull over; you've been already caught. The instant-ons are much more challenging; you now know to decelerate IMMEDIATELY at the first chirp. (I think police have to track/record you for a certain number of seconds or distance with conventional radar, which is not the case with lasers.)

So the greater variable you'll have is where and when you drive. A Sunday morning, with breaking clear weather? Plan on 3-6 traps per hundred miles, with some operated in wolf-pack fashion. Rush hour? No problem. Half an hour after morning rush hour, or evening happy hour? Always a problem.

And here on the central NJ coast, you can be returning from a 700 mile trip from anywhere, any time of the day or night, but you will always get at least one alert in the 3.5 miles from the Garden State Parkway to the local streets. Both Wall Twp. police and state troopers use this stretch to pay their department operating budgets. (Think of brown bears standing in the river catching spawning salmon in their mouths.)

Blue370tt · 04-25-2011, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drex

i love my passport 8500 x50 because it has saved me from many speed cameras that i did not know were there

I agree......I have one passport 8500 thats blue leds and one that is red. The 8500 has the same detection electronics as the 9500 but does not have the GPS built in.

chops · 04-25-2011, 11:10 PM

i have a 9500ix and its saved my butt many, many times. i used to drive 200 miles/day for work and was saved at least once a week. as said earlier in the thread, its only a tool though, and you have to learn how to use it as a driving aid.

i remember this one time i had a subie tailgating me (i was doing around 75-80mph in the fast lane, and the lanes to the right were all driving super slow). i get a Ka 34.7 hit and immediately brake down to 65. he probably thinks i was brake checking him, and he begins to tailgate me even further. i change to the right lane, and he flies by me. the good thing about getting a nice Ka hit is that you usually have a mile before you get to the source. well, half a mile up theres a suby on the right side of the road with a CHP behind it!

View Poll Results: Which Radar Detector
V1	68	40.48%
Escort Passport	76	45.24%
Bel	2	1.19%
Whistler	5	2.98%
PassPort Max	17	10.12%
Voters: 168. You may not vote on this poll

04-24-2011, 04:25 PM	#139 (permalink)
Z1NONLY Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: SW Florida Posts: 355 Drives: 16 FR-S Rep Power: 40	I'm a gadget geek, so I own at least one example of almost every platform offered by Belscort. (S7,M4,M3) I also run a V1 3.864. And LIDAR jammers on all 4 vehicles I drive. (although my work vehicle is so big that the LED jammer on that thing probably provides almost no protection) M3's are the most sensitive units on the market. (Escort Redline, 9500CI, Bel STi, Sti-R, STi-R+) I almost forgot; the M3's are stealth and undetectable to radar detector detectors. V1 is the next most sensitive unit on the market and uses arrows to help you locate the source of radar. (Helps you know when you are "done" with a given alert sooner) V1 is also the most "responsive" RD on the market. Although a "segmented" M3 is right there with the V1. (STi-R and STi-R+) S7's (older belscort platform that's no longer sold) are next with good all around performance. M4's (Almost every thing else offered by Belscort at the moment) have good sensitivity for radar that's in front of you, even over a hill, but falls off once the source is off at an angle. (around a curve) M4's are as good as a V1 on one particular Ka frequency. (35.5 Ghz) Still slower to respond on all bands though. (takes a bit to "process" and then alert.) Belscort's use of GPS on some M4 and M3 units has almost perfected false-alarm rejection and also can alert to cameras. Last edited by Z1NONLY; 04-24-2011 at 04:39 PM.

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04-24-2011, 04:26 PM	#140 (permalink)
Red__Zed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: window seat Posts: 28,940 Drives: Mostly on two wheels Rep Power: 120	They are illegal here, though I may get one whenever I move from VA.

04-25-2011, 03:27 PM	#143 (permalink)
Astrosfan Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: houston, TX Posts: 427 Drives: 09 370z PG Sport Rep Power: 15	I have a bel rx65. Overall a great detector, it has saved my butt many times already.. 2 days after getting it i was going to return it and get the V1 but my dog ate the box it came in. I'd prefer the v1 due to the arrows. I realized that one day too late. That being said, i am still satisfied with my purchase. Just a tiny bit of buyers remorse. Plus the rx65 is way cheaper.

04-25-2011, 03:32 PM	#144 (permalink)
Hambone1 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 438 Drives: 370Z MB 7AT Sport Rep Power: 14	Yeah I had a V1 previously and loved it, made the mistake of selling it to a buddy. The Beltronics is a pretty solid one, minus the multiple threats and whatnot, fortunately my typical routes don't change much so I know when to slow down around the usual hiding spots. Like Astros said though, V1's are significantly more expensive, and with a wedding coming up, she who must be obeyed is largely in control of the checkbook

04-25-2011, 07:10 PM	#145 (permalink)
jaedub Track Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 906 Drives: 2010 Black 370Z MT Rep Power: 305	Im considering to buy a V1 but few questions... Does it really work like a charm? Will it really detect every cops around me? And I live in California, is it legal here??

04-25-2011, 10:28 PM	#148 (permalink)
jginnane Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: coastal NJ Posts: 163 Drives: 09Z Pearl 7AT, 09 TL Rep Power: 16	We have Beltronics 995s in the Z and the Acura TL, and a 965 in the Honda Element. All work well; all have paid for themselves many times over. This year the NJ state police are using instant-on and lasers. The latter alerts on a Bel to tell you it's time to pull over; you've been already caught. The instant-ons are much more challenging; you now know to decelerate IMMEDIATELY at the first chirp. (I think police have to track/record you for a certain number of seconds or distance with conventional radar, which is not the case with lasers.) So the greater variable you'll have is where and when you drive. A Sunday morning, with breaking clear weather? Plan on 3-6 traps per hundred miles, with some operated in wolf-pack fashion. Rush hour? No problem. Half an hour after morning rush hour, or evening happy hour? Always a problem. And here on the central NJ coast, you can be returning from a 700 mile trip from anywhere, any time of the day or night, but you will always get at least one alert in the 3.5 miles from the Garden State Parkway to the local streets. Both Wall Twp. police and state troopers use this stretch to pay their department operating budgets. (Think of brown bears standing in the river catching spawning salmon in their mouths.)

04-25-2011, 11:10 PM	#150 (permalink)
chops A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NA Posts: 1,732 Drives: NA Rep Power: 22	i have a 9500ix and its saved my butt many, many times. i used to drive 200 miles/day for work and was saved at least once a week. as said earlier in the thread, its only a tool though, and you have to learn how to use it as a driving aid. i remember this one time i had a subie tailgating me (i was doing around 75-80mph in the fast lane, and the lanes to the right were all driving super slow). i get a Ka 34.7 hit and immediately brake down to 65. he probably thinks i was brake checking him, and he begins to tailgate me even further. i change to the right lane, and he flies by me. the good thing about getting a nice Ka hit is that you usually have a mile before you get to the source. well, half a mile up theres a suby on the right side of the road with a CHP behind it!