Are radar detectors worth it?

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: stev0
V1 > all

i've owned many, and the one that i've found to be the best is the valentine, if your going to get one, might as well spring and get your moneys worth. since i've gotten it (2+ yrs ago) i haven't received a single ticket. not only the quality but the fact that valentine will replace or upgrade your unit if new technology comes out makes it an even greater deal.

No. The high end Bel's are much more advanced units, are much more feature rich, and are software upgradeable. The V1 is dated, fugly (IMO), and way overpriced.

Bel985 > 8500 > V1

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: Insane3D

No. The high end Bel's are much more advanced units, are more sensitive, and are software upgradeable. The V1 is dated, fugly (IMO), and way overpriced.

Bel > V1 > Escort.

If you are gonna rate the bel first, you might as well rate the escort above the V1. They're both made by the same company.

 

[GeekDrew]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: Insane3D No. The high end Bel's are much more advanced units, are more sensitive, and are software upgradeable. The V1 is dated, fugly (IMO), and way overpriced. Bel > V1 > Escort.

If you are gonna rate the bel first, you might as well rate the escort above the V1. They're both made by the same company.

That makes sense. I can't remember where I read it, but I saw a review rating a Bel model the same as a V1 and Escort Passport 8500.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: GeekDrew

That makes sense. I can't remember where I read it, but I saw a review rating a Bel model the same as a V1 and Escort Passport 8500.

Yeah actually it's something I've heard offhand myself, but I made up my mind when I looked up the company addresses for both companies and they're like right next to each other, one number down on the same street.

 

[GeekDrew]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: GeekDrew That makes sense. I can't remember where I read it, but I saw a review rating a Bel model the same as a V1 and Escort Passport 8500.

Yeah actually it's something I've heard offhand myself, but I made up my mind when I looked up the company addresses for both companies and they're like right next to each other, one number down on the same street.

Yeah I just looked it up and Escort recently acquired Bel. I also learned that Valentine was started by one of the Escort founders (that is no longer with the company).

 

[Insane3D]

Well, in tests, the Bel 985, the 8500, and the V1 are all basically equally sensitive, with the V1 having a decent edge in X band sensitivity. Since the V1 has been relatively unchanged for years now, it's no wonder the X band is more sensitive than the newer 8500 and 985.

Since X is essentially not in use anymore for speed detection, it's really useless. One of the reasons I like the Bel is that I can disable the bands not in use in my area. I have had the Vector LR (970) for a couple years now, and it's my fourth Bel. I chose it over the 985 @ the time because it was actually more sensitive than the 985 on the K band, which is pretty much the only radar in use in my state. We are just starting to get KA in some of the troopers cars now, and Laser is not used at all.

I also base my rankings on my dealing with Bel as a company over the years. Several times when I have needed accesories like new suction cups, or a new windshield mount, they just sent them to me free instead of making me buy them. And when my 855STI fell and broke, they let me upgrade to the 970 for a mere $50.

I think the top two models right now are the 985 and the 8500, with the V1 being outdated, and light on features, but high on price simply for the same recognition.

Edit:

Just found a review of the current 2004 high end detectors, and it seems Motor Trend basically agrees with me.

2004 Radar Detector Test and Buyer's Guide@Motor Trend

In the core, high-performance dashtop category, we have a statistical dead heat among three exceptional products. The BEL 985 receives kudos for offering virtually all of the performance of the top two detectors at a substantial cost savings due to the fact that it is available in retail stores.

The BEL Vector 985 offers near-identical performance numbers to the more expensive Passport 8500, making it the value leader in the high-performance dashtop-detector category. The new AccuSweep feature pinpoints detection of specific Ka-band frequencies rather than scanning the entire Ka-band, resulting in lightning-quick reaction to Ka threats.

My only gripe about the review is they simply compare them on sensitivity alone, and not features, design and appearance for example. Another nice touch I got with my 970 was the certified performance specs. You get a test result card for your detector, hand written with what it rated in sesitivity tests, and whether or not it passed...nice touch IMO.

 

[hahher]

how do you guys know what method police in your state are using?

 

[Shawn]

yea, mine has saved me a few times.

 

[EyeMWing]

I have a CB and RD. I don't even turn the RD on. Truckers call out the position of the cops (Channel 19) and drive appropriately. On long range, I'll actually ask a trucker that's hauling some serious ass if I can draft them (It does wonders for fuel economy in my box-on-wheels). Usually the answer is yes. Shaved a whole half hour off a trip doing that.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: hahher
how do you guys know what method police in your state are using?

You pretty much buy one and look for a trend between what the radar detector is saying and when cops are around. Actually, first couple of months i had a radar detector i didn't know what was going on. Across the nation though, supposedly X is pretty much not used anymore, with K/Ka guns mostly used. Ka is supposedly the future of radar guns, so over the next couple of years there will be more and more of these across the US.

Seeing that CHP is always Ka, it's nice to know that my tax/ticket money is being used to buy the latest and greatest radar guns for the CHP. Seems like some sort of corrupt cycle to me, but what do I know.

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: Ynog
Curious on anyones experiences with detectors and laser?

I"ll sum it up in two words.

"You're Fvcked."

- M4H

Unless you have a jammer. Rader/Laser detector + laser jammer (or shifter) = no money for the city.

 

[Mattster]

Here's a link to the review of the best ones:

The Best Detectors

Good place for info on Speed Traps

I had Cobra's first ...... Bel's ever since and will not switch to any other brand. When I did sell electronics (back in college), Unidens & Cobra's came back all the time. I pushed the Bel models and those almost never came back (1 out of 20 at the time).

As usual, YMMV. I've just had the best luck with Bel's (considering they design laser & radar technologies for the military, how can you go wrong?) .......

My .02.....

Matt

 

[0roo0roo]

last time i saw a car review on em, effectiveness directly correlated to cost

 

[Jfrag Teh Foul]

Save yourself some cash and drive the speed limit.

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: minendo

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: minendo

Originally posted by: m0rbid
A device whose sole purpose is to PURPOSELY break the law should be outlawed in all states.

My radar detector also warns me of emergency vehicles on the highway as well as trains when coming to certain track crossings.

Yeah, but seriously people don't buy RDs for that in 99% of cases. They use them to break the law. They SHOULD be illegal. I would personally like to have the Valentine 1, but I'm not paying $400, and I know for a fact that it would encourage me to speed. By all accounts I've heard, people get more tickets when they buy an RD, because they end up driving so fast.

My main reason for picking it up was because I constantly travelled through Ohio. The troopers on Route 80 will hand out tickets for doing 4 over. It was a hassle I wanted to avoid. Plus I refuse to do ~65mph on the interstate and have truckers on my ass the whole ride.

yup, speed laws are for the lowest common denominator. getting dinged for 70-75 or even 80 when the freeway is clear is unreasonable. speeding and being reckless is one thing, but going with the flow of traffic when following distances are huge is quite another.

 

[Soybomb]

Don't forget though if a cop sees the detector at night/pulls you over and sees it you're much more likely to not get off with a warning

 

[JJWalker]

Here is an interesting article, rebutting the review by Radartest.

Text

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: Soybomb
Don't forget though if a cop sees the detector at night/pulls you over and sees it you're much more likely to not get off with a warning

That's pretty messed up if a cop is gonna pull you over just for having one regardless of if you're speeding or not, seeing as they aren't illegal in nearly all the states. I wouldn't put it above a dirty cop though.

 

[SaigonK]

I am no expert, but I can tell you my experience and what allot of my friends who are law officers have told me.

1. A radar detector on the highway is invaluable. - I have been saved allot of times, its a matter of common sense really, if you are on a stretch of highway
and you are nearing a turn around and there are cars way ahed in front of you and your detecto goes off, hit the brakes. You have a chance on the highways, no doubt about it.

2. On local roads and in town, I dont care what brand you buy, cobra, valentine, wal-mart...none of them wil lsave you from pulse at any time. They might lessen the speed if you hit the brakes fast enough, but it is VERY unlikely.

Every cop I know and have talked to agrees with me, on the highway because they are clocking people ahead of you and all the time, you can pick them up a great distance away...I have had mine go off for over a mile before I see the actual cruiser coming. But intown, they wait for you to come over that hill doing 50 in a 25 and THEN they hit you with the radr, they dont leave it on so you know they are there.....

 

[OS]

so I went out and bought a bel vector 985. I have just been reading though, that the 8500's sucessor is just around the corner, should I wait until the new models come out?? I have a semi suitable one to use in the meantime.