[Official] What's the Best Radar Detector?

jaedub · 11-27-2013, 01:57 PM

man, reading about radar detectors is really pressuring me to get one. However, I don't use the highway often so maybe I should invest on it once I'm commuting over a highway

XwChriswX · 11-27-2013, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wonderbread

I own a V1 as well and I love it, I highly recommend it. It's an older model but works very well. I mounted it next to the gauges on the dash, I can send you pictures if you get interested.

The hardware probably hasn't changed much for the V1, but you might want to look into seeing if you need a firmware update if you haven't... They do update that every now and then.

Haboob · 11-27-2013, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theDreamer

Other cars, not your own.
If yours was being set off while completely alone, there might have been problems with it or was it a cheap unit?

It was a Passport 8500, not top of the line, but not cheap either.

Quote:

Originally Posted by XwChriswX

True, but with some traffic cameras, depending on where they are actually measuring at, I'll get a hit well before I come into that range to give time to slow down. If it's a cop with a trigger gun, yeah you're toast, but that's the risk you take.

I don't consider it a Laser Detector anymore than it is a Laser Informer.

Even with the shifter, it's tricky. You need to know if laser "jamming" is legal or not in your area. If it is, then you get lased, jam it the first time. That's your freebie, your azz better slow down before he tries again. And you need to have the shifters off so he thinks it was just a gun malfunction or errant reading.

If it's Not legal in your area, he could bust you for the jamming, and forego the speeding charge altogether.

Shifting/jamming is legal in AZ I read (or more like, not illegal).

I just don't want to shell out the $$ for that.

I've only ever encountered LASER once in Arizona, and that was a couple of months ago up near Jerome when the M3 got hit with LASER.

Wonderbread · 11-27-2013, 02:10 PM

This is how I currently have it routed. A co worker gave it to me and only had the tapping wires. We just popped off the dash, tapped into the stereo wires and routed it that way. We thought about trying to stuff it down behind the gauges, but with the vents it was to difficult. I'm sure there are better ways but that's how I decided to do it. I used 3M tape under it so it isn't going anywhere. It works amazingly well even for how low it sits.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

H2O_Doc · 11-27-2013, 02:26 PM

This is the one thing I hate about VA (ban on use). I'm stuck with having to drive around with a tinfoil hat on so I can know when the cops are running detectors.

XwChriswX · 11-27-2013, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H2O_Doc

This is the one thing I hate about VA (ban on use). I'm stuck with having to drive around with a tinfoil hat on so I can know when the cops are running detectors.

My 9500ci is not visible when passing by. And even if a cop were to pull me over based on that, I can simply turn it off and he can't say shite.

winnre · 11-27-2013, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H2O_Doc

This is the one thing I hate about VA (ban on use). I'm stuck with having to drive around with a tinfoil hat on so I can know when the cops are running detectors.

There was a company who picked up on the police repeater frequencies. many patrol cars will receive the radio signal and then repeat it to the patrolman's handheld radio, This signal is what gets picked up by the detector, and as long as there is radio traffic you have something to pick up.

Here in California it is a little known fact that it is illegal to have a police scanner in the car unless you have a HAM radio license. All you are doing is picking up the existence of this frequency anyway, not the traffic.

XwChriswX · 11-27-2013, 02:42 PM

Only critique I could think of is that placement would make Rear visibility hard for it... But that's a good clean spot for it.

Wonderbread · 11-27-2013, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XwChriswX

Only critique I could think of is that placement would make Rear visibility hard for it... But that's a good clean spot for it.

Yeah that's what I thought at first and it was my main concern since he didn't have the window mounts. I tested it out and it picks up the speed trap near my house pretty well and grabs radar from behind. I can't really compare it to anything els though. Subbed so I can see your setup.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

winnre · 11-27-2013, 03:03 PM

It looks like the wipers block it.

bigdog1250 · 11-27-2013, 03:21 PM

One of the best for the money is the Beltronix RX65. Doesn't have the arrows like the V1 but has better range. Range is slightly less than the 9500 but for $200 less you can't beat it. Plus at a certain point, more range doesn't benefit you.

I've picked up a cop 6+ miles away... plenty of time to slow down.

TerribleONE · 11-27-2013, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog1250

One of the best for the money is the Beltronix RX65. Doesn't have the arrows like the V1 but has better range. Range is slightly less than the 9500 but for $200 less you can't beat it. Plus at a certain point, more range doesn't benefit you.

I've picked up a cop 6+ miles away... plenty of time to slow down.

For bang for your buck the Beltronix is hard to beat. I have a 9500XI in my truck and Z and love it

RoadsterST · 11-27-2013, 07:29 PM

I currently have a 9500-lX and am looking to add the V4 laser shifter. The radar detector has saved my butt many times and well deserves the high ratings it gets, but the last two times l did get pegged was with Iaser . That last officer said I should add a shifter, it probably would have saved you....

DR_ · 11-28-2013, 08:33 AM

Best Buy has the Escort Passport X50 on sale for $199.

Chuck33079 · 11-28-2013, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wonderbread

This is how I currently have it routed. A co worker gave it to me and only had the tapping wires. We just popped off the dash, tapped into the stereo wires and routed it that way. We thought about trying to stuff it down behind the gauges, but with the vents it was to difficult. I'm sure there are better ways but that's how I decided to do it. I used 3M tape under it so it isn't going anywhere. It works amazingly well even for how low it sits.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You're giving up a lot of range with it mounted there. The higher the better.

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

11-27-2013, 01:57 PM	#376 (permalink)
jaedub Track Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 906 Drives: 2010 Black 370Z MT Rep Power: 304	man, reading about radar detectors is really pressuring me to get one. However, I don't use the highway often so maybe I should invest on it once I'm commuting over a highway 2xtreme1 likes this.

11-27-2013, 02:42 PM	#383 (permalink)
XwChriswX WFLYIDNNE Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: In The Fastlane Posts: 50,648 Drives: 02 GDB WRX Rep Power: 451	Only critique I could think of is that placement would make Rear visibility hard for it... But that's a good clean spot for it. Chuck33079 likes this. __________________ Bonnie - Stage 2, Audio build coming this fall! R.I.P. Abby 3/29/10 - 3/30/14

11-27-2013, 03:03 PM	#385 (permalink)
winnre Track Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Close to Redlands, CA Posts: 534 Drives: '14 370Z Touring Spt Rep Power: 12	It looks like the wipers block it. Chuck33079 likes this.

11-27-2013, 03:21 PM	#386 (permalink)
bigdog1250 Track Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 846 Drives: 991.2 GT3 Rep Power: 17	One of the best for the money is the Beltronix RX65. Doesn't have the arrows like the V1 but has better range. Range is slightly less than the 9500 but for $200 less you can't beat it. Plus at a certain point, more range doesn't benefit you. I've picked up a cop 6+ miles away... plenty of time to slow down. __________________ 350z / 40th 370z / C6 Z06 / BMW M4 / V10 R8 / C7 Grand Spot / 997.1 GT3 / S2K / Camaro ZL1 / 718 GTS / 991.2 GT3

11-27-2013, 02:10 PM	#379 (permalink)
Wonderbread Base Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Baltimore Posts: 31 Drives: 2009 370 Rep Power: 11	This is how I currently have it routed. A co worker gave it to me and only had the tapping wires. We just popped off the dash, tapped into the stereo wires and routed it that way. We thought about trying to stuff it down behind the gauges, but with the vents it was to difficult. I'm sure there are better ways but that's how I decided to do it. I used 3M tape under it so it isn't going anywhere. It works amazingly well even for how low it sits. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

11-27-2013, 02:26 PM	#380 (permalink)
H2O_Doc A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Northern VA Posts: 1,083 Drives: '14 370Z, '12 4Runr Rep Power: 14	This is the one thing I hate about VA (ban on use). I'm stuck with having to drive around with a tinfoil hat on so I can know when the cops are running detectors.

11-27-2013, 07:29 PM	#388 (permalink)
RoadsterST Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 446 Drives: 2013 roadster ST Rep Power: 12	I currently have a 9500-lX and am looking to add the V4 laser shifter. The radar detector has saved my butt many times and well deserves the high ratings it gets, but the last two times l did get pegged was with Iaser . That last officer said I should add a shifter, it probably would have saved you.... Haboob likes this.

11-28-2013, 08:33 AM	#389 (permalink)
DR_ Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Dallas Posts: 981 Drives: Touring/Sport M6 PG Rep Power: 16	Best Buy has the Escort Passport X50 on sale for $199.

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