What's the best radar detector to install?
 

I'm looking for the top of the line radar detector and would like to make it a permanent one. Anyone have any ideas?

Escort 9500ci. The best one I've come across. It's expensive tho ($1600 plus installation costs).

See it here on a S550: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgaKx88VbZI

I like it.

you can search clublexus and there are tons of threads about this already. a lot of people (including me) will say valentine 1. zero regret, paid for itself tons of times already

There are actually dedicated "radar detector" forums out there that discuss this very issue night and day.

The general consensus of these forums are that the best radar detectors available are the beltronics sti-r, the valentine one, and the escort passport 9500 series -

http://www.laserveil.com/beltronics/sti-r/

The valentine one is sort of "old reliable" and is always a great buy, but the beltronics sti-r is considered the cream of the crop.

This guy tests radar and laser detectors religiously -

http://veilguy.blogspot.com/

He's also one of the premier "radar detector gurus" on radardetector.net forums -

http://www.radardetector.net/forums/


Of the three, the escort passport 9500 series is considered to be the (relatively) least effective of the three. If I recall correctly, it's generally much cheaper than both the valentine one and the beltronics sti-R, but as they say, you get what you pay for.

What's your experience on laser detection with the Valentine 1 (lidar in CA)?

+1


V1 with concealed display


here's one in a rear view mirror
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqJiS...eature=related

here's the mirror...only $299 (plus you need a V1)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Valen...Q5fAccessories

to be honest i have yet to run into laser hit, it's all been KA band

i can say laser for sure is working (from far away). coz' a few times triggered on mine on i5, and ended up it's those led taillights from cars in front (at least i hope it's not cops somewhere)

Laser detection in principle seems somewhat useless anyway. By the time your system has detected that you are being tagged by laser, the officer probably already has your speed.

But of course, it's easier than most people realize to defeat or at least settle (for a lesser consequence) in court even when the officer has laser proof of your alleged speed.

In principle that is correct and considered common knowledge. I agree that conventional radar is easy to pick-up, even when used in instant-on mode while other cars are being sprayed well ahead.

Specifically addressed to those with real experience and more that the usual internet common knowledge, are the latest detectors able to pick up glints of reflection from laser usage?

My feeling is that the V1 and 9500ci are the best options out there.

For laser, the only real protection you have is a jammer. Laser Star is one of the best manufacturers in that arena.

Make sure that whatever you buy is legal in either your state, or in states wherever you plan to drive regularly.

Here is a nationwide list that will help out in that area:


http://www.1stradardetectors.com/rad...ector-laws.php

Jammers are illegal in a number of states. Radar detectors are also illegal in VA and DC.

Back in the days of X-band and K-band traffic radar, a radar detector was a great investment. I was saved a number of times by a little squawk from my Escorts or V1 warning me of what lay ahead. But as the frequency bands became more crowded, door openers, motion sensors on burglar alarms, and assorted cheap emitters splattered the frequency spectrum with extraneous signals that even the best detectors reported often enough to make them less than useful. You wound up doing your own interpretation based on signal strength, position, and the local landscape. It worked OK, but you had to put up with a symphony of beeps, braps, and squeals from your detector that intruded on conversations, music, or your driving experience in general.

The last nail in the coffin was technology that has caught up with the radar detector. With the development of laser radar or "lidar", your detector will sound off a couple of milliseconds before the cop has you nailed. That insistent little beep means, "Reach for your wallet, this is going to be expensive!" You have ZERO time to react, and biting the pavement with your front bumper is a dead giveaway of an attempt to burn off excessive speed by a guilty speeder.

I found that there is peace in driving with some degree of intelligence. Exceeding the limit a bit only when you have sufficient cover, and always letting some other fool take a lead of two or three miles per hour on you. He will intercept the computer's logic that tracks the "fastest" car on RF frequencies, and traveling in his wake, you probably won't get a second look from the laser cops. I really don't need to be told I've just been caught in my guilty pursuit, I'd rather relax and drive with a modicum of responsibility. You get to your destination only a few moments later, and considerably more rested.

You have the added benefit of not having to deal with the fact that your pricey little piece of electronic countermeasures you failed to respond to properly just cost you a ticket. ;)

V1 or escort. There are other brands out there but after some research these two are top two brands. I'm poor so I bought used escort 8500 x50 for $150, and it works pretty well.

S, I have a Passport 8500 (great detector btw :thumbup: ) and don't believe I have ever experienced the laser detector "falsing" or picking up reads from another vehicle. The first time it went off...it was followed by an officer walking out into the road to pull me over...lol. The whole concept of laser detection doesn't allow for the necessary dispersion that conventional radar allows you to pick up.

The police up here are smart enough to not clock everyone anyways, and tend to pick out the vehicles that they can visually estimate are speeding (ie. passing other vehicles).

Thankfully, it really isn't used on the highway up here or I might not have a license anymore. :p