Radar Detectors, do you own one? What could $200 buy?

[Smartazz]

Who makes the best radar detectors? What could around $200 buy as far as these units cost? Do you own one?

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Planning on getting one soon, someone answer the OP!

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Bel or Escort make the best detectors. There's also Valentine, but definitely out of your price range.

You should be able to get a pretty decent one for $200. Not sure which model though.

 

[Pepsi90919]

What could $200 buy?

in ontario, a fine

 

[Sukhoi]

The one little weakness with radar detectors is that instant-on radar still kicks your ass in anything other than moderate-heavy traffic.

 

[spidey07]

just save up and get an Escort 8500.

that thing rocks. sniffs them out a mile away. If mine were to die I would immediately go out and get another.

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: spidey07
just save up and get an Escort 8500.

that thing rocks. sniffs them out a mile away. If mine were to die I would immediately go out and get another.

I saw that in a magazine I was reading a while back, that was my first choice, I might still consider it. The valentine can tell you which direction it's coming from which is really nice.
edit: Are the blue and red models the same thing, just diffrent colors?

 

[Toastedlightly]

damn cops and their LIDAR.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Smartazz

Originally posted by: spidey07
just save up and get an Escort 8500.

that thing rocks. sniffs them out a mile away. If mine were to die I would immediately go out and get another.

I saw that in a magazine I was reading a while back, that was my first choice, I might still consider it. The valentine can tell you which direction it's coming from which is really nice.
edit: Are the blue and red models the same thing, just diffrent colors?

different colors only AFAIK. I have the blue one to match the interior.

I use mine everyday. It's especially good with instant on and pop radar. It picks up minute reflections pretty well and also from behind. I can pretty much tell when he's behind me just by how the signal acts.

 

[waggy]

hmm thought they were not useful with the new equipment the police have now?

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: waggy
hmm thought they were not useful with the new equipment the police have now?

meh, I pick up laser even if it isn't directed at me.

 

[Shawn]

I loved my $80 Whistler radar detector. Worked great for about 5 years until it finally melted in the sun. I am using one I got for $35 from woot.com for the time being. It kinda sucks but at least it works a little bit. Lots of false alarms tho.

 

[spidey07]

woah!

Amazon has the 8500 for 257 bucks.

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: Shawn
I loved my $80 Whistler radar detector. Worked great for about 5 years until it finally melted in the sun. I am using one I got for $35 from woot.com for the time being. It kinda sucks but at least it works a little bit. Lots of false alarms tho.

How often would the 8500 get false alarms? A few of my friends have some cheap ones and they go off at almost every traffic light around here.

 

[chuckywang]

Escort Passport 8500 x50 or the Valentine One.

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: spidey07
woah!

Amazon has the 8500 for 257 bucks.

That might be a hot deal.

 

[spidey07]

http://www.amazon.com/Escort-Passport-Radar-Detector-Display/dp/B00028D778

 

[slsmnaz]

I live in Virginia so I cant have one.

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: slsmnaz
I live in Virginia so I cant have one.

That and the District of Columbia is not allowed to have one. Any reason those two areas are diffrent?
edit: Thanks for the link spidey07.

 

[James Bond]

What sort of difference does a $250 radar detector make? over something like a $50

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: Tizyler
What sort of difference does a $250 radar detector make? over something like a $50

Longer range, more reliable, triggered by less false alarms, they pick up more wavelenghths and new technology that cops use and they probobly last longer as well. I don't think a radar detector is something you want to skimp on considering what insurance is like after getting a ticket. I was just reading the other thread about what people pay for insurance, it goes way up after one ticket.

 

[mrrman]

think these are a waste of $$ nowadays...the technology is always changing

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: mrrman
think these are a waste of $$ nowadays...the technology is always changing

I heard some high end devices get software updates to keep up with the changing technology.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: mrrman
think these are a waste of $$ nowadays...the technology is always changing

In all honesty, it isn't. Plus updates to the dectector keep up with it.

It costs police a TON of money to upgrade for very little gain.

To put it simply it saves me from getting a ticket multiple times per day, every day.

Also agree on the 8500 "false positives" - if that thing goes off you can bet your arse it is a cop and you slow down immediately.

 

[The Stigenator]

i have the 8500x50 and i will tell you i swear by it!

i used to have an old cobra (still have it) but it was really dated.. lasted me about 5 years.. the Cobra 97xx series isnt too bad but dont turn on POP mode, it falses often.