Radar/Laser Detectors? Suggestions? Anything hidden?

M

matty

Member
Mar 23, 2001
101
0
16
Edmonton, Canada
#1
Hey everyone,
It's been a little while since I managed to get omn here last. Although I haven't gotten a speeding ticket in a while (now that I say that I'm sure to get one as Murphy's Law suggests) I am interested getting a detector. I've read some reviews online and for every positive review I see for a particular model I seem to find a negative one. Does anyone have any suggestions? I've looked at some of the Valentine One, Escort 9500i, Bell STi and even the Cobra XRS R9G and keep getting more confused (which is why I've put it off for so long).

If at all possible I'd love something that doesn't take up too much space, nor scream "look at the radar detector I have" but they seem really expensive and I don't know how well they work (I've looked at the Bel Pro Remote Plus - RX75 Plus).

Thanks again,
Matt
 
#2
I have the Bell 8500 and hardwired it in to get rid of the curly pigtail hanging down to the powerpoint. It comes with a small remote mute button that I fabbed into the overhead console. As radar detectors go, it works well but I find with the tunes on, it can be hard to hear. It also false alarms quite often. I believe the 9500 comes with some new features to reduce annoying false alarms (GPS "learning" of false alarm locations and alarm elimination at low speeds such as parking lots). I think I'll upgrade to the 9500.

I have it located just below my rear view mirror as it needs an unobstructed view front and back for the laser detectors. Since this photo, I've centered it for esthetics.

Scoop.webp
 
#5
BlackRod said:
Has anyone even been saved by one of these? My suggestion is don't get one and buy something else with your money.
Click to expand...

I've been alerted to the presence of radar traps on numerous occasions and if you consider the cost of a ticket and the impact on insurance premiums, I think that detectors are good value. I don't speed often and use mine as more of a reminder not to speed than a tool to try to get away with speeding. We have a city administration that is addicted to "voluntary" taxation so we have alot of weird speed zone changes etc. and it seems like every tree has a police officer/tax collector hiding behind it with a radar gun. We also have drug dealers on every corner but arresting those guys only costs money and doesn't raise any so traffic enforcement seems to be the priority. Detectors are legal here so they're just part of the taxation arms race in my mind. I have one in all five of my vehicles.
 
#7
Just got an Escort Solo battery powered unit, so as to make it easily portable.

Not cheap, but so far well worth it, and much less false alarming than my hidden other brand unit that came in my truck.
 
#8
i just got a passport 8500 not only a week after i got it i received my second speeding violation in a month :-( Pissing me off considering i haven't received any for 2 years. Not bad one's 65 in 55 both time, but enough to F@# up a good driving record.

Anyways i met this state tropper on a 2 lane road I'll be honest i wasn't even pay attention to my speed and had the windows down and the radio cranked so i probably didn't' notice the radar detector. However it wasn't even a 1/4 mile after i turned on the highway and i looked at it just before that. My question is can the law turn on their radars that fast and get a lock, and if so is a detector worth anything in those situations? Or are the only worth a darn in a speed trap?

thanks
 
#9
I am/was a beltronice dealer at circuti city i can tell you everything you want to know about them in extensive detail. But i won't...I will try to keep it simple.

Bells are awesome and work very well., (Everyone will have a favorite though)
rule #1 Never buy a radar detector that is cheaper than a speeding ticket.
rule #2 look at the differences of model numbers, Most will have all the same protection but the extras is what your paying for.
rule #3 Know your state laws (are they legal?)

Now as far as the difference between the different models that Bel offers.

Vector series: very good compared to cobra equal to most escorts.
buy a model 955 for $249ish it has all the protection as the 965 and 995 but without the stupid color face plates and euro bands ect.

STI series: These are vector seiries units in full magnesium alloy cases for complete undetectability (for use in places where they are illegal)

Pro Series RX55,65:The step up versions to the vector series suposibly "better electronics" than the vector series. And have a more specific connection cord, usually used in expandable units (i.e. laser scramblers, motorcycle units ect.) you can do a little more with these and adapt them to different pieces of equipment. I believe the Rx55 startrs around $250-300 again all the same protection as the RX65.


Usually the difference in Price (..55,..65 will be the VG2 detection. this mode allows the unit to go invisible if an officer has a VG2 (radar detector, detector)

THE RX75 plus: this is the caddy of the radar detector world about $400ish but it is a front and rear mount sensor unit with small light bar that can be mounted just about anywhere. Stearing column ect.

Keep in mind no radar detector can really protect you from laser, than can detect laser but only when it is turned on, and if it is turned on it probably has your speed already, You can only hope the cop is pointing at someone else.

I say if you only drive 5-10mph over all the time you want a decent brand usually in the $250 range, if your tearing it up all teh time you will want to go bigger...and if they are illegal in your area you want the invisibility factor.

any questions?
 
#10
godfather55v said:
My question is can the law turn on their radars that fast and get a lock, and if so is a detector worth anything in those situations? Or are the only worth a darn in a speed trap?

thanks
Click to expand...

with radar it has to achieve a "lock" to send back t the unit, This is good and bad for us.

when a radar signal goes out it sprays out like a shotgun blast and bounces around off everythign in sight (uselessly), this allows radar detectors to pick up small signals way ahead of time.

However if he turns it on and you are in clear view about 1/3 away he has got you pretty good, there has been enough space for those signals to disapate out.

Laser is a different story, he pulls the trigger on and will instantly have your speed. But luckyily for us it won't be a moveing vehicle. it has to be stopped and aimed like a gun to work (usually they have unmarked vans/vehicles doing this and the cruisers parked around the corner out of sight). Giving us who pay attention plenty of time to see him parked waiting. and you have to be relativly close unless he has a real steady hand.
 
#11
#13
stanmckinney said:
Prices I saw for the RX75plus were in the plus $1,000 range. Where can you get it for $400?
Click to expand...

My mistake the Rx75plus is the laser scrambler system and radar detector, $1500 is about average plus usually install. Circuit city can order it an they give you $300 install voucher as well. I think Bell will even pay up $250 speeding ticket if you get busted. lol

But you can also purchase it laser scrambler only (different model number) and it hooks to the Vector 995, if you already had the radar detector. for about $1000

What i was thinking was V990 (i think that is the model number, can't remember) That is about $440 and it is front and rear sensor mount radar/laser detector only Circuit city can special order them. and install. I sold quite a few them, they work well... and hidden from sight.

I don't remeber if it is Valentine or Escort, one of these is made by the Company that makes the radar guns themselves, Interesting Tidbit?
 
#14
I have the Valentine One and it has saved me on a number occasions.

Before that I a $200 cobra one and ended costing me a $350 ticket. The problem with the cobra one was that didn't give you enough time to react.

So I when spend money on the Valentine One and haven't had any tickets sines. The great thing about it is that tell how radars are out there, witch direction it's coming from and it upgradable.
 
#17
Any good detectors will save you from a ticket...
Escort or Bel
I have a Bel 995 that cost me about $200 on ebay a few years ago.(new}
I don't think redar has changed much in the last 3 years
 
#18
i still love my valentine one. I have it hard wired, did it the other night. Getting one that comes with a hard wiring kit really is nice, now i can put in the push button start.
 
#19
thanks for the insight, i have another question, has anyone had much experience w/ the radar jammers out there, they are out of my price range, however I'm curious if anybody had used one and their thoughts?

08blueskunk said:
with radar it has to achieve a "lock" to send back t the unit, This is good and bad for us.

when a radar signal goes out it sprays out like a shotgun blast and bounces around off everythign in sight (uselessly), this allows radar detectors to pick up small signals way ahead of time.

However if he turns it on and you are in clear view about 1/3 away he has got you pretty good, there has been enough space for those signals to disapate out.

Laser is a different story, he pulls the trigger on and will instantly have your speed. But luckyily for us it won't be a moveing vehicle. it has to be stopped and aimed like a gun to work (usually they have unmarked vans/vehicles doing this and the cruisers parked around the corner out of sight). Giving us who pay attention plenty of time to see him parked waiting. and you have to be relativly close unless he has a real steady hand.
Click to expand...
 
#20
GOLDENPONY said:
I like Passport detectors. I have (2) 8500 x50's in my cars. Very good units. The best? The newest, 9500i. Will be my next.
Click to expand...

I have the 9500i. Love it. It has paid for itself plenty of times already. I rarely speed except on extended highway trips but I like to use it for when I do a nice open blast on a backroad or something. The one thing you need to remember is that even with a radar detector, it doesn't detect cops haha. If they don't have radar on, you don't know they are there unless you see them and if you blast past them at WOT I guarantee they will come after you pretty quickly :)
 
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