Radar Detectors

[BMW2000z]

Hello good people of Anandtech,

I'm finally thinking of getting a radar detector since I've recently started driving a lot for work. I've read some reviews and buying guides that i've randomly found through google, but nothing beats personal experiences.

Anybody can suggest any other good car forums that may have some good suggestions? Or anybody here have any suggestions for what to look for when buying a detector, and which ones are more effective than others? Thanks for any help.

 

[r6ashih]

v1

/thread

 

[Drakkon]

http://www.radarbusters.com/default.asp - this is the man for radar detectors

 

[lagvoid]

what area are you from? does your local police normally have the latest equipment/technology? Local police in my area seem to rich and use laser (lidar sp?) instead of radar which somewhat makes radar detectors useless. I have the v1 and it has worked great while traveling long distances. I've gotten a ticket using my v1, because of a laser speed trap.

 

[spacejamz]

buy a good one (V1 or Escort) and always stay about 100 yards behind someone else who is speeding...

 

[dmw16]

Escort 8500 or 7500 or a Valentine1.

That said, I think that you may be better off not having one. If you are in an area where they use laser or have unmarked cars pacing other cars, than a radar detector isn't very effective. If they do catch you and you have a radar detector then chances are good they won't let you off w/ a warning. Where if you didn't have one and you were going fast (but not too fast) they may let you slide if you have a clean record.

 

[BMW2000z]

Yeh, radarbusters.com is the one of the first ones that i read. I have no idea what the police in my area use. I live in philly, and i drive through Jersey a lot and also up in the Reading/Allentown, PA areas. Is there any way to find out what's used around here?

Does anybody use the laser or radar jammers? Also, what's a good place to buy the radar detector from that has a good price but somewhere reliable so that you can still return it if something's wrong?

 

[BabaBooey]

I have a BEL 985 that has not done me wrong yet and does not cost $500 like the V1 ..

 

[TraumaRN]

Get a good quality one but like others said, it's not an excuse to suddenly speed. And if you are caught, you are usually toast. They won't be lenient.