swttsx007

Hey all,

Is anyone on this forum using a radar detector? If so, which model? I am seriously considering getting one, but I don't know a lot about them. I've heard good things about the Escort's, but they're rather pricy. However, I'm guessing you get what you pay for.

For those of you that do have a radar detector, do you find it worth the investment? Are they very accurate?

I have never had one, so any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Acure4RDX

They do an effective job at detecting police radar just do your "due dillegence". Cost?, Depends upon what advantage it is for you.. If you 'speed' a lot - maybe. Just keep in mind that police radar is not the only way to determine if one is speeding. Think of Weather Radar- weather projecting is not always right, whether you like it or not.

GhostTL09

iTrader: (1)

Burn baby Burn 🔥. No need for a detection device.

Ascension

I find a radar detector to be extra information, just as my ScanGauge3. They're not necessary, however, I appreciate the extra information, which is why I have both. The detector that I have is a Passport Escort 9500ix. I don't value the current models on the market, especially for the asking prices. I don't speed, however, I do like to hoon around on occasion. Taking hard turns, tires squealing, and going WOT also draw attention, just as much as speeding does. A radar detector will make you more aware of your surrounding that's not instantly available to your other senses.

Is it worth it to me, for what I paid for my detector? The answer is yes. It needs to save you just one time from a potential ticket to prove its value.

thoiboi

Valentine V2

22TypeS

I have a Valentine 1, Gen 2, probably the V2 referenced by thoiboi. Once I had to weekly commute to work over 120 miles one way, I got a V1, it was great until it died. Now have V1G2. I consider Valentines the state of the art. Their patent for directionality (situational awareness) ran out a couple of years ago, so now everyone has that. Due to that they have introduced a lot filtering technology which curtails false hits. I have gotten warnings at over 2 mile range. I wouldn't drive without it.

Legend2TL

Also try to determine if LEO in your area use laser which laser detectors are in general useless at spotting until they're looking at you. I would never get a laser detector, however potentially get a radar detector if that's what's being used.

loki

I used to think they're a waste of money until I tried Valentine One Gen 2. It's almost absurd how far they reach. I've been in situations where it will go off and I have half a mile to go straight and then from a side road comes a cop (radar detector was telling me ahead + side direction). Absolutely crazy how far it reaches and how accurately it picks the direction. It is not a gimmick. If you want to go further, pair it with a free app (Android and iOS) called JBV1 (not to be confused with V1connection from Valentine company). You pair them together and you'll have warnings from the radar detector, GPS, weather satellites and it even uses flight data routes filled with FAA to notify you of overhead flying planes that measure speed on the highways. No joke, you'll feel like you're in a electrical urban warfare vehicle.

Millcreekdr

I have an Escort Max II.
if it helped me ease off the gas 1,000 times and saved me from 1 to let ... it paid for itself.

slats

I also run a Valentine One gen 2 and wouldn’t leave home without it. In fact, last time I did I got a ticket which was my first in 5 years. Highly recommend V1 even the first gen is great.

wizardjjr

I have owned 2 Escort Passport models over the years. They are very durable and are both working great even after 20 years of ownership. I highly recommend getting one as it's saved my ass from getting tickets multiple times. And the newest Escort models offer one year guaranteed no speeding ticket or they pay for your 1st ticket!

jhb31

If you generally don't go 5 over the PSL on lower limit roads and more the 10 over the PSL on highways you really should just save your money as you will most likely never be stopped. I run the uniden R8, sometimes the R4 as they both have critical features built in and top of the line range. The V1 gen 2 has similar range on Ka band but you really need to run an phone app with it to get gps lockouts and band display which are pretty standard in any unit around 300 bucks or more. The escort redline is also up there in range. If you face K band or don't want to run a phone app to get missing features then the valentine probably isn't your best choice. Bang for buck the R4 is probably the sweet spot if money is an issues, you lose the directional arrows the others have but get a small form factor and top end range. If laser is a threat then get jammers. No RD will detect laser well enough to be more than a ticket notifier.

dcrandon

I've owned radar detectors for 40 yrs. If you speed over 6-10mph, then they are worth it. If not, then they are not worth it. However, if you live in an area with masses of cars, like in SoCal, I find my Valentine 2 to be almost worthless because of the constant falsing from other cars blind spot and other radar sensors. I don't use it anymore.

thoiboi

Turn off X and K-band. You really only need Ka and Laser

dcrandon

I'll give it a try. I know that there are still some K band radar being used by CHP, but not much. The last time I used it though (about a year ago), I do remember a few Ka false, but I'll give it another try. Honda and Acura BSM systems were, unfortunately, the worst.

jhb31

The V1G2 does have Ka falsing for some people which is unfortunate. Uniden R3,R4,R7 and R8 in general never false to Ka. Valentine is aware of the Ka falsing problem and has been attempting to correct it with recent firmware updates. I have owned all of the mentioned units and primarly run the R8. With proper settings K falsing can be minimized and Ka falses anecdotally just do not happen. Have owned a fair number of escort products but Uniden or Valentine would be the only units I would consider today. Detection range on Ka with both Valentine G2 and Undien R4/R8 is pretty crazy compared to other units and blows away anything from years back.

John from PA

Worth a read…Best Radar Detectors (Car & Driver)