I've noticed a lot more cop cars and speed traps on the road in the past few weeks, so i was thinking about investing in a radar detector.

The only problem is that unlike the other stuff i buy, i have absolutely no knowledge about radar detectors and what model is the best, i googled it and there are just so many different brands and models.

So i was hoping that maybe some of you guys have personal experience with some of them, or know a lot and can help me out!

I'm looking at the models that are under $300 and so far the Passport 8500 seems to be the best one that i have seen.

Any input is awesome! :D

 

You definitely get what you pay for.

I've used both the Valentine V1 and the Escort Passport 9500ix. Both I really liked. I ended up buying the 9500ix. Good detection, GPS functionality keeps me from going insane, and has saved me A LOT of tickets with all the roadtrips I take every year. I've had mine since.. 2009.

If i were you, save up that extra bit of money and get the 9500ix or Valentine V1. It will be worth it.

 

you definitely get what you pay for, but all in all, they all do what they're supposed to do and that's detect radar signals. you can live without the GPS and all that other extra features. it's really what you want.

i have the beltronics rx65 and it's doing good. that's all i really need.

 

are these things illegal if a cop finds one in your car?

 

^^depends on the state, but rest assured that if you get caught speeding and s/he sees the radar detector, you're getting that ticket for sure

 

by the way op, i have the older passport 7500 i love it i might upgrade to the 9500 or maybe the 8500

 

thanks for the insight, my dad actually suggested valentine to me when i asked earlier today but it was a lot. But saving a little longer makes sense to get something better


And you guys with the older ones make this more difficult xD! Because if the older ones work great, that must mean some of the cheaper ones today work nice too

 

ive only ever heard great things about the V1

 

pretty much the only place they're illegal are virginia.

also, i used to have a radar detector. a passport 8500. but i still got caught with it speeding. now it just sits and collects dust, haven't used it in years, and i'm now over 3 years without a ticket.

save your money, don't waste your money on a radar detector, don't speed or drive like an idiot. you'll save yourself from tickets and gas in general.

 

With a radar, keep in mind, you only want to use it with a grain of salt. It wont ever be 100%. So its smart to still keep a look out.

 

im looking at the escort qi45 right now. its the 8500 but an installed version with radar that mounts in bumper and small display that mounts somewhere in car. im trying to figure out a location for it. what i want to do is have a mute button somewhere and mount display in factory clock location, but i havnt really dug into it enough to know if i can do it

 

The Valentine V1 works great in all states. Watch out for Virginia!!!

 

Listen to them i live in Virginia and the first sign across the border says "Radar detectors are illegal" no matter what road you come in on. LOL!

 

LOL^ yea everytime i go to VA from maryland i gotta take down my radar, stupid VA and their strict rules

 

yeah, the virginia state motto is a typo. it is supposed to say "Virginia is for Losers" instead of "lovers"

 

^ i lol'd

 

k40 is the only one that actually pays for any tickets you get!

I got mine refunded! because I was going overly overly overly fast! lets just say i was going down a hill full throttle and slowed down by at least 30mph b4 he clocked me.

radar - $350

ticket - $260 and I got a refund!

 

I will admit to having a cheap one. A 40 dollar Cobra 9 band radar and laser detector from Wal-Mart. It has not let me down yet. It caught every speed trap on my trip to and from Florida. 520 mile trip, hauling butt the whole time. My only complaint with this one is automatic doors set it off every time.

 

Unless you have a radar that blocks/jams the signal, you'll still probably get caught. This is assuming that the cop is using a LIDAR, which most departments are using nowadays. If you get tagged with a LIDAR, its 99.9% accurate. The cop has to aim it at your car in order to get a reading. Its not like the old radar equipment.

 

Save your money and get the V1.
My family has had V1's for the last 10 yrs and they are the best.
My first V1 was stolen along with my 00' Si, I went without one for 2 yrs and after 2-3 speeding tickets I decided to get another again.
It's hard to spend almost $500 on a radar but trust me you'll spend more on tickets and points if you get caught.

Just be careful with the airplane speed traps...
The radar won't detect those