[30V6200HP]

I just got a speeding ticket the other night and I admit it was my damn fault. It was raining hard and there was this car tail gating me. I was already in a bad mood because it was already so late and I haven't had dinner yet so I decided to leave this "fool" behind me. I did leave him behind but he got right back at my tail in a few seconds. Damn him...so I decided to leave this person one more time, but before I had a chance to step on it, HE FLASHED HIS LIGHTS ON ME! Damn, I didn't know that was a freaking COP behind me. I pulled over and he eventually gave me a speeding ticket. After that, I was totally laughing my ass off at myself for being so stupid. Even my wife can't stop laughing after I told her that story. Anyway, I have to go to court next month to find out what will happen.

So now, I'm thinking about investing in a radar detector and I would like to get your opinions on what is a good one. Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[munkeysoup]

Valentine One.

 

[RiceEatinAzn]

its supposed to be really good but its $500

 

[munkeysoup]

...but its the best. and thats what he asked for.

 

[30V6200HP]

...but its the best. and thats what he asked for.

Yikes! $500! I didn't know that radar detectors can be that expensive. Okay, let me re-phrase that,

What is the best radar detector for under $200.00?

 

[CychoNinja]

Uhmmm for $300 you can get Escort 8500. I have it and itz pretty good. Itz saved me a coupla times cept for those timez when the cop doesn't have it on until hez right behind you, but you should be lookin out anywayz. For under $200, I doubt you can get a good one.

 

[speedracer9728]

People don't like whistlers....

but, the one I have saved me from probably 4 tickets already...and it didn't cost me over 100 bucks....the 1675 model.....it has a compass and text.

 

[parks]

I recommend the Passport 8500... its often compared (and ends up winning) against the Valentine One. The advantage of the V1 is that you can come up with some really cool stealth setups with the remote display.

 

[RiceEatinAzn]

and go to mysimon.com cuz you can find stuff cheap
just know which one you want first

 

[91Integracer]

hands down valentine one.... unless u wanna spend 1500 and get a k40

 

[parks]

Check out http://www.motortrend.com/july01/radar/radar_f.html

They have some extensive info on all the diff. detectors out there.

 

[30V6200HP]

Check out http://www.motortrend.com/july01/radar/radar_f.html

They have some extensive info on all the diff. detectors out there.

Thanks for the link. That was some good information.

 

[SteVTEC]

Thanks for the link. That was some good information.

dude...WTH was that cop TAILGATING you in the rain? You might be able to get out of the ticket because of that. By taligating you the officer was creating an unsafe situation that you wanted to escape from.

Secondly, I doubt he was using radar. If he was right behind you then he was pacing you and using his own (calibrated) speedometer to get your speed. So a radar detector might not have even saved you.

But since this thread is about radar detectors...

My Bel 880 that I got for $170 at Circuit City has continued to serve me well, even after my wreck where my car was jolted forward after being rear-ended - the radar detector "stayed in one place", popped off of the windshield, and then I found it in the backseat covered in glass. Still works great today!

The Bel line has comparable performance to the Passport 8500 for about half the price. If you think you need to spend $300+ just to get a good radar detector you're crazy. The Valentine is nice, but overkill IMO.

Combine some situational awareness with your own pair of eyes continuously scanning the road (like they should be), with a half-decent detector like a Bel and you are golden, IMHO.

Bel 880: $170
Tickets saved: 3 at least, probably a 4th and a 5th.
Fines saved: $600
Points saved: many
Insurance rates: still cheap

 

[30V6200HP]

dude...WTH was that cop TAILGATING you in the rain? You might be able to get out of the ticket because of that. By taligating you the officer was creating an unsafe situation that you wanted to escape from.

Secondly, I doubt he was using radar. If he was right behind you then he was pacing you and using his own (calibrated) speedometer to get your speed. So a radar detector might not have even saved you.

But since this thread is about radar detectors...

My Bel 880 that I got for $170 at Circuit City has continued to serve me well, even after my wreck where my car was jolted forward after being rear-ended - the radar detector "stayed in one place", popped off of the windshield, and then I found it in the backseat covered in glass. Still works great today!

The Bel line has comparable performance to the Passport 8500 for about half the price. If you think you need to spend $300+ just to get a good radar detector you're crazy. The Valentine is nice, but overkill IMO.

Combine some situational awareness with your own pair of eyes continuously scanning the road (like they should be), with a half-decent detector like a Bel and you are golden, IMHO.

Bel 880: $170
Tickets saved: 3 at least, probably a 4th and a 5th.
Fines saved: $600
Points saved: many
Insurance rates: still cheap

Thanks Steve. I guess I'll just wait and see what happens in court. Hopefully the cop doesn't even show. Anyway, after reading the link that parks provided, they say that the Cobra 9000 is the best bang for the buck. I have to read more about before I purchase it but so far it sounds like a good deal.

 

[Accord_Yuppie]

Here in so cal most of the cops come up from behind, so I don't think a radar detector is going to be too useful because it will be too little too late. At other places where there are stationary speed traps they may be more useful.

read speedzones.com, also both MotorTrend and C&D have recent articles on radar detectors.

 

[Zero]

Valentine One no doubt. There are way too many stories that I have with this radar, but I can tell you that it has paid for itself a million times. The 400 bucks it costs is like 2 tickets. I cant even count how many times it has saved me from a vicious ticket.

Hehe... I love it when I watch other people with other radars fall into the speed traps... I try to warn them, but it seems like its already too late when their radars go off. Its like watching the cows go to the slaughterhouse..

 

[V6 i VTEC]

Whistler

I've got the Whistler model 1575 I think. I've had it for several years, and it's done pretty good with the exception of Instant on Radar(where the cop turns it on only when he sees you). I like it and it's saved my ass several times. I've been thinking about getting a newer one though. I tried the latest the BEL had to offer, and I didn't like it. The damn thing picks up other radar detectors, and was constantly sending out false Ka band warnings. I was coming up I-85 come from Atlanta, and the damn thing was going off at level 3 for 5 damn miles! I was traveling at 80 with traffic so I sped up to 115. I didn't pass a cop, and if one was behind me I was sure I'd be well out of range. I just took the damn thing back.

Uniden has a neat new Radar Detector out with GPS that has a ton of features unique to a radar detector. I'm thinking about getting one of these ... I just wish I knew how it performed with other radar detectors. Check it out. Uniden

 

[uciaccordv6]

detectors are worthless in socal..save your cash and be careful..thatz all

 

[Maestro]

We've had a million and one discussions on this thread. The verdict: Valentine one. I've had one for years, and my brother has been going though other cheaper ones (he's had about 8 tickets in just over two years).

Eventually, he drove my car long distance with the V1. He no longer drives with a radar det. He's going to spend the money proper. You can spend $200 for a detector not nearly as good, or you can spend $200 more for the V1. Why get a detector if it's not the best? You have FALSE security, which only gets you more tickets. For me, it's not the money that matters as much as the hassle of the ticket, the lost time at court, the court fees, and the hassle of getting off of the ticket.

The only two speeding tickets I got in the past three years were paced for over 100mph (doubling the speed limit don't look too good in front of the judge).

Plus, with the V1, when they come out with the new model, you can upgrade for a fee (you don't have to buy a whole new one).

 

[parks]

We've had a million and one discussions on this thread. The verdict: Valentine one. I've had one for years, and my brother has been going though other cheaper ones (he's had about 8 tickets in just over two years).

Eventually, he drove my car long distance with the V1. He no longer drives with a radar det. He's going to spend the money proper. You can spend $200 for a detector not nearly as good, or you can spend $200 more for the V1. Why get a detector if it's not the best? You have FALSE security, which only gets you more tickets. For me, it's not the money that matters as much as the hassle of the ticket, the lost time at court, the court fees, and the hassle of getting off of the ticket.

The only two speeding tickets I got in the past three years were paced for over 100mph (doubling the speed limit don't look too good in front of the judge).

Plus, with the V1, when they come out with the new model, you can upgrade for a fee (you don't have to buy a whole new one).

Passport 8500 can have its firmware upgraded as well. I find that the 8500 works better in city environments... I had a V1 in my RX-7 and it didn't get near the accuracy of the 8500 in the city (more false alarms). On the highway, I could barely tell a difference. The V1 is hands down better on VA/MD highways where its almost always laser radar (state cops).