Good deal on a radar detector
 

Anyone got anywhere you can get a good deal on a decent radar detector.

I had like 3 near misses and 1 oh shit he is coming after me, but got lucky another faster speeder went by and got him instead moments coming home from work today. This is an increasing trend because the cops are hurting for money around here. I been meaning to get one for awhile, but haven't bothered to look.

Valentine 1 or Bust!

yeah I am not looking to spend $400, just want something somewhat decent.

I didn't know people still used radar detectors.

James

are they useless?

Kinda. I've been around a bunch and even illegal ones and they are hit and miss. Don't speed. Its not that hard to do.

Pretty much. They're more like "you're about to get a ticket" detectors these days.

But they're still great for detecting automatic doors and other technologies that make them go off at all the wrong times.

Building security systems are always a head scratcher when your detector starts going ape shit.

The reason why I thought they would help me is I don't drive in the city to work. I take very rural roads that don't have many homes on them and there is plenty of trees to help that shit bounce off of and it's pretty flat for the most part.

It's not usually just driving that gets me caught. It's a small two lane rural road that has a lot of logger trucks. They go 10-15 below the speed limit and the passing lanes are few and far between. It's in these passing lanes that you have to watch out for cops. It's really f'in annoying.

A radar detector might prove helpful there, but not if the cops in that area are running "instant on" radar. I don't know how often they sit stationary and run constant radar these days.

If you decide to get one, let us know how it works. Maybe it's one of those things that people only post about them when they burn them? Probably goes without saying, but don't become too dependent on it either... still gotta keep your eyes scanning for them. Seems easy enough but always seemed to get me in more trouble than I'd be in if I didn't have one.

The ones on the interstate park regularly. The local guys who probably can't afford newer radar also park regularly. The state troopers just ride the rode up and down. Since they are regularly pinging people since 1000s of people are headed down that rode at the same time, I figured it might help some.

We are in the process of building another Unit, so we have contractors out the ass that are here. The cops are having a field day with them.

How much you want to spend?

Probably a max of $100

Not sure if you can get a "good" one for that much.


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001RHMN9Q/...SIN=B001RHMN9Q


http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-Detector.../dp/B001RHTVDC

ECM pod ftw... :lol:
http://www.raytheon.com/newsroom/pho...alq184v9_l.jpg

that price isn't gonna land you much and you'll end up with more false hits than anything. The Valentine I is a very good one as stated earlier... if you'll raise the price bar a bit, you can split the difference and get a Beltronics V995 which can be had for under $200 in the right places... I've had very good luck with it (this is the one I use when I travel in rental cars while the Valentine I has a permenant home in my car)

http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CDwQ8gIwBg#

Either way, you'll be effed if the cops are using Laser or Instant On.

yeah I been looking through shit and reading some, seems like they are mostly a waste if you don't spend the money.

May see if I can find a beltronics for a decent price.

Trip, I don't know where these guys are coming from but a good radar detector is like money in the bank!!! I have a Valentine 1 and it has saved my ass many, many times! This is obviously another "I can't afford something, so it must be worthless" type items!

I got my GF a rebuilt Escort 8500 on Ebay from the actual Escort store. It comes with a warranty. In fact she got caught in the rain and they repaired it for free. It cost $200 but I swear to you that it is worth it. The 8500 is a very good radar detector that filters out most false alarms. It also has an ear phone jack, so if you get a comm system for your bike, it will hook right up or you can get an ear bud from Radio Shack for $4. You can get a direct wire cord for $10 to wire it to your bike. Anyway, check it out. If it saves you just 1 ticket, it has payed for itself, right?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Escort-PASSPORT-...item4cecd65ff1

Another site that sells radar detectors,

http://www.radarbusters.com/

Here's a series of tests done by Radar Roy who is an ex-cop and an independent tester.

http://www.radarroysbuyersguide.com/...08/default.htm

I just find it useless for his situation. What is he going to do if he's passing someone and it goes off? Slow down and get back behind the vehicle. Ya that's not noticeable to the cop. I've never found use for them myself and I speed all the time. Hell when the cops are going faster than you, they are useless.

So...if it's "useless" for one specific situation, oh and a V1 will go off MILES before you actually see a cop so he'll know to stay behind the truck, then it's completely worthless...right. A radar detector is a tool just like any other. If used correctly it will virtually eliminate speeding tickets. I have not gotten a ticket while using a radar detector-ever. As I've said, this is like HDTV, BluRay, Etc, etc, etc...if you don't want it or can't afford it, it must be worthless or there isn't any point to owning it. Yeesh...

I can afford it, I am just a cheap bastard and rather spend my money elsewhere and change my driving habits before I spend 500 on a detector.

That beltronics 995 that was recommended above was on that radarbusters site as the best one under 300 I believe. I have found some good deals on that one.

No not you, silly. Other guys that the second you post about something they jump up with the "that piece of technology is worthless"... BTW I've owned a 995 and it's a good unit, I still like the Escort 8500 for $200...

didnt see your refurb link, I may get that one.

I haven't had a radar detector since I got pulled over and the cop was kind enough to give me a warning for 20 over. Told me that normally, he'd give a ticket to anyone that had a radar detector and was speeding. Got rid of the radar detector and never looked back.

Clearly. I hope one day I can be Tigger rich. :lol:

I've never gotten out of a ticket and I don't have a radar detector...

haha...I'm just saying that if "YOU" don't own it, it's worthless. It gets a bit tired is all.

I have had an x50 for several years now and it has paid for itself time and again. Radar waves go everywhere and if a cop is using one on the people ahead of you, a mile or more down the road, a good detector will let you know LONG before you get within distance of the LEO, in most situations. Plus, even when you are not speeding, it is always nice to know when there is a LEO in the area with a radar gun. A quality detector is definitely a potential ace up your sleeve.

You also need to understand what your detector is telling you when it beeps. It is pretty easy to tell what alerts are bogus, if you understand the types of radar, and how strong the signal is when it is detected. It won't work miracles for you, it just gives you intel on who is broadcasting around you.

I've been using radar detectors for many years and I've had several units. Cheaper units = more noise and are less useful. The higher end units = less noise and are very useful. It is just my opinion, and YMMV, but if you are serious about keeping tickets to a minimum, invest in a good detector and read about how cops use their radar guns.

Radar Roy was mentioned already in this thread, he knows his shit. His site is worth poking through and reading some of his articles.

I can honestly say that having a radar detector has saved me at least half a dozen tickets or more in the last 10 years, and I've never been ticketed for speeding while using one.

Around here you can't have them at all. I remember looking at them in mags and in stores before I could drive. I was looking to see what I was going to buy. They made the law against them around the time I starting driving. I remember using a friends for a bit. It worked fine but I think the ticket for one is more then the speeding ticket (can't remember) so for me they are no good.

James

That's not really it at all. I don't own one because I never got much benefit from it. They do little to nothing against instant-on or laser, and that was pretty much all they ran in Chicago. You'd go from no warning to max warning, then see the red and blue lights coming for you... not exactly worth the money in that scenario. :lol:

But I prefaced my posts with that and said I don't know how often they use those technoligies where he drives.

And for some reason that upset you. It gets a bit tired is all. :lol

I have always had one. Has saved my ass more times than I can remember.

Summed up their use perfectly.

I have been thinking of getting a V1 with pop. Going to cost some $$$. But may be well worth it.

Okay but what if they instant on the car a couple ahead of you? Obviously you don't understand how radar detectors work. Trip asked for advice on which radar to get, not opinions on if he should get one. You know what? I'm placing a voodoo hex on you! You will get a speeding ticket this Summer, I guarantee it!!!

You sure about that?

:lol: If you knew me at all, you'd know how ridiculous a statement that is.

If they instant on the car ahead of you, that's great, you get an advanced warning. If they laser the car ahead of you, you have no idea.

We're playing the voodoo hex game?! In that case, if I get a speeding ticket this summer, your next gf will be older than you!!

True, no LIDAR detector is going to save you from a ticket, they are worthless. I have laser detection turned off on my x50. Contrary to RADAR jamming, LIDAR jamming is still legal in most states. If you invest in the gear, it is totally effective in most cases. Radar Roy has an excellent write up of an actual test he did with actual LEOs and their gear.

http://www.radarbusters.com/activela...ingarticle.cfm

Well if she is, I bet she'll be rich so WIN! If you understand how radar works, why the ridiculous statements? You must know that other than one or two very specific circumstances, radar detectors are very effective. Besides, again, if it saves you from even one ticket it has paid for itself, do you disagree with this statement?

I may be wrong it sounds like,

a. Trip is going to speed.

b. The police have increased their speed limit enforcement.

c. He's going to get a ticket unless he does something.

If the police in Tenn are anything like here, they ride around with their radar on for the most part. No bullshit, (here's where I curse myself) it's almost impossible to get a ticket around here if you own a detector.

I am now the owner of a refurbed X50

/thread

Cool! Congratulations!

I've found that even when not using it to keep myself out of, um, trouble, my radar detector has helped me multiple times. People do stupid shit when they see a cop, even if they aren't speeding.

I've been moving at the posted limit when my detector went off... and when the dumbass in front of me (also traveling at the posted limit) noticed the cop, he/she slammed on their freakin' brakes and I almost ate their bumper. From that point on, I cover the brake when I'm in traffic and my detector goes off... it's saved me more times than I can count from the exact same situation.

good deal man. That's another good unit.

thanks for the link and info

You're welcome...can I have a gif avatar now? Hahahahahaahahahahahaha!!!!!

no, but you can restore your current avatar and sig. :nee:

It's a server load issue, more people will want them and they slow it up because it's multiple avatars in one.

The V1 has saved my butt more times than I can count. $400 is basically one +20 MPH ticket and associated insurance rate adjustment. Even the equivalent Escort is $399. BTW-with the Valentine,any upgrade is $50 for life.

Why the arrows? False alarms? Most of the new luxury cars have active cruise controls now. Annoying? HELL YES. I find I can cause their cruise control to shut off by a hard brake check. Works well.:rockwoot: But I know what it is because of the arrows.

I understand, Broski! I still like my 10,000 requirement, mostly because I have almost 10,000 posts.... It's all good, it's definitely not important.

Yea, I had a V1 stolen from my truck and got cheap and bought a 955 Bel... well, it was back in the store and I had another V1 as fast as they could ship it. Every time the arrows go from front, to side, to back it makes me smile! BTW for those that are annoyed by the falses, you can program the V1 with lower sensitivity and eliminate certain un-used bands to minimize the problem.

Be careful with that. I know that West Virginia and Kentucky still run really old X band. I run A on the highways and little l in the city.

Yea, I mean that you can go in to the V1 and customize the sensitivity and bands at will.

http://www.valentine1.com/lab/MikesLabRpt3.asp

Same thing with the Escort. You can turn off any band that you want, obviously, I agree that you should be careful about this and be certain that the cops aren't using that band in your area or the area you are going to. I find that because of where I live, if I turn off "X" band, I reduce false alerts to almost nothing. That's just me, your experience may vary...

I have X band turned off in city mode, but enabled on highway mode. X-band has too much garbage in it when in the city and I can't ever recall a valid X alert.

No dude, the above is correct. I have had them all.

They are all worthless except the Valentine. It's not about price/quality, or price/features, and you can't get it in any another unit - it has to do with interpreting the signals these things make. The "User Interface", if you will.

Only the Valentine One is NOT "the boy who cried wolf" and therefore it is the ONLY one worth purchasing. If you're not gonna spend the money on the Valentine, save it to pay tickets with.

Nice buy. My X50 has been fantastic to me for a long time.

Escort x50 Day 1:

0 false signals, 0 signals of any kind

No cops sighted, first day with the radar detector is a bust due to no action. Made the complete trip to work and back, so that is good news that the detector isn't alerting me for stupid shit just yet.

I used highway easy mode.

Multiple days later:

This thing has already saved me some tickets. I got a Ka signal coming home from new orleans and backed off immediately and the guy behind me kept going and got pulled over a mile down the road. Roxxorz.

:lol: I love when that happens. I slow down and there's always someone that floors it to show me that they can go fast.... And BOOM :lol: