I noticed after our first weekend outing in our MCS that the far side of 70 mph comes faster than my old trusty 914 or our Explorer. Its time for a radar detector.
Can anyone recommend one that is reasonable?
Are you guys really sure this thing needs more power?
Thanks
Spring in the Sierra is great!

 

Here is a pretty good site to start looking. A friend contacted this guy and he was very helpful.

http://www.radar-detectors.com

 

Personally I wouldn't trust anything short of a Valentine One. The added range is supposed to be really important.

 

I got nailed for 44 in a 30 a couple weekends ago. I heard the radar go off but I didn't pay any attention to it. $115 mistakes suck!

 

Thanks for the link!! This guy is gonna see alot of military overseas orders! Gotta love the red light licence plate photo things! It's about the only way you get a ticket here!

 

If you get a cheap radar detector, you will be sorry. I would only consider three--the Valentine One, Passport 8500, and Bel 950. All cover the types of radar that's out there and are very good, but I went with the Valentine because those little arrows really do work!

Be careful,

Craig

 

I researched the Valetine One and the Passport 8500. After lots of reading I went with the Passport 8500 and hard wired it into the clock. It sits high on the dash and works great.

 

My vote goes to the Valentine 1....saved my butt many of times!!

 

These post always turn into fights between the V1 and the Passport. They have proven themselves as worth the cash, and performance is top notch. I went Passport, as I like how it works and looks.

 

I was going to get one, but now that I live in VA and they are illegal here, I can't.

 

Getting a ticket is supposed to make you say, "Gee, maybe I ought to slow down". At least that's the theory. It is so hard to keep from driving "spiritedly", though, isn't it? Here's my version of "defensive driving":

* 0n the highway, let somebody else be the pack leader and stay behind them.
* Be extra careful on the first sunny day after a rainy or snowy spell. Cops know that people get frisky on days like this and set speed traps
* Pay attention to places on your usual routes where a police cruiser could hide. This has to be public land so the options are fewer. Slow down when approaching such places.

This is how the old Jack Rabbit got to his ripe age -- he knows what the hunter is thinking.

Happy motoring!

Mark
_________________

Frau Blüecar -- MC IB/W. Motoring since 3-10-2003

 

Another vote for the Passport 8500. I purchased mine about one week after taking delivery of my MCS. It has been a good investment

 

I'm late to this tread but wanted to chime in ..... purchased escort's cordless solo s-2 and have been very pleased. Got it mainly because it is being shared between daily driver and "S". Also liked the fact that I would not have extra wires dangling. So far so good (knock on wood). 4000 miles later and it seems to wrk as well as my 8500.

Peace Out

 

http://radartest.com/

Best objective site on the net...all these guys do is test radar....the majority of radar detectors are a waste of money and the so called laser jammers are a joke, none of them work...the only radar detectors worth the money are the 1. Escort 8500 and 2. Valentine....the rest are pretty much false sense of security, laugh!
If smokey is using laser and doing a point and shoot, you are toast, nothing works against that, but fortunately lasers are pretty small in number compared to K Band radar..vascar is making somewhat of a comeback as well....

 

I'm late to this tread but wanted to chime in ..... purchased escort's cordless solo s-2 and have been very pleased.

problem with the cordless detectors is the batteries don't give you enough power to give you the same warning range as the corded models....I had the cordless solo and upgraded to the Escort 8500...huge difference, especially in regard to photo radar which is huge here in Arizona..the cordless solo wouldn't start beeping till it was too late and I was on top of the radar, whereas the corded 8500 beeped well in advance...primarily due to the photo radar is more of a sideways radar and lower strength.........but http://www.radartest.com shows the tests of the cordless models which is why I upgraded....the cordless models are very convenient, just not as powerful because of the AA batteries have to stretch the power at lower strengths....cheers

 

bonz......just read the review of the new cordless S2 escort...sounds like a big improvement...I had the old cordless solo which sucked....stay safe....don't think I will upgrade to the $500 Escort laser jammer though, if they point & shoot you are still toast, many of the biker cops are using laser now since they point and shoot with whatever they have, while the patrol cars just turn on the radar while sipping coffee and munching on krispy cremes, laugh....stay safe out there....

 

My dad and my brother both use Valentine 1. They are both very pleased with it, as it has saved them several times. What really sucks is when you have a cop behind you, waiting for you to speed. But they usually follow for a couple of minutes until some helpless soul flies past both of us. I will most likely get a V1 for my Mini.

 

I used to get a speeding ticket almost every year (20 tickets in 23 years - only 2 in the same year once). In 1999, I bought a Valentine 1 - and I have not gotten a ticket since. I figure its paid for itself multiple times.

Motor On

:smile: :smile: Phil :smile: :smile:

 

I would definately say if you are going to get a radar detector try to get it built in so the cop won't know you have one if you get nailed by a laser gun or cought off guard. If a cop sees you have a radar detector it's an instant ticket, trust me, I know a bunch of cops. ALWAYS be courteous and respectful of the officer and you have a good chance of getting off with a warning. Personally I think radar detectors are a waste of money, you just need to scan the road and be careful where you speed. Use your head.
-Chris

 

All you Escort and Valentine snobs who say "most other detectors are a waste of money" make me laugh.

I totally understand that your super-detectors have more range/features than my $39.99 Uniden. No argument there. But to say that any other detector is just a false sense of security is ridiculous.

If my low-life Uniden is so worthless, how has it saved me from getting a number of tickets? I use it's capabilities combined with smart driving habits and staying observant, and have avoided getting nabbed many times. So how is that not a good use of $39.99?

I just happen to have other things to spend $400 on. "Less effective" than yours?? Ok fine. But "a waste of money"? C'mon, get off your high horse...


Edit: This post wasn't directed at all Escort and Valentine owners - just the ones who think anything else is worthless.

_________________
Waiting til July for:
IB/Blk Cooper, Fogs, Xenons, Spoiler, Chrome Inserts, Blk/Blk/Anthracite Int, Sport Seats, Auto Wipers, Premium & Cold Weather pkgs. (Tapping foot impatiently in East Kingston, NH)

 

>>
>>If my low-life Uniden is so worthless, how has it saved me from getting a number of tickets?

Luck!!!

 

>>All you Escort and Valentine snobs who say "most other detectors are a waste of money" make me laugh.
>>
>>I totally understand that your super-detectors have more range/features than my $39.99 Uniden. No argument there. But to say that any other detector is just a false sense of security is ridiculous.
>>
>>If my low-life Uniden is so worthless, how has it saved me from getting a number of tickets? I use it's capabilities combined with smart driving habits and staying observant, and have avoided getting nabbed many times. So how is that not a good use of $39.99?
>>
>>I just happen to have other things to spend $400 on. "Less effective" than yours?? Ok fine. But "a waste of money"? C'mon, get off your high horse...
>>
>>
>>Edit: This post wasn't directed at all Escort and Valentine owners - just the ones who think anything else is worthless.
>>
>>_________________
>>Waiting til July for:
>>IB/Blk Cooper, Fogs, Xenons, Spoiler, Chrome Inserts, Blk/Blk/Anthracite Int, Sport Seats, Auto Wipers, Premium & Cold Weather pkgs. (Tapping foot impatiently in East Kingston, NH)

Anyone can avoid getting a ticket when all the damn radar detector does is beep all the time! I'll be looking out for some paranoid sucker driving a MINI the next time I'm in NH.

 

IMHO the V1 is the best, in use and tests. Tells you how many "threats" are out there, and if they are in front or behind you.

This does not mean the others are worthless. But when you have to shell out big insurance premiums for three years afer a speeding ticket, the cost of the best detector is not so expensive, especially when it is going to last 5-10 years.

Oh. by the way. Detectors help, but if you are going much faster than traffic, they are going to bag you anyway. Always find a "rabbit" and stay pretty far back from them. They will flush out the enforcers.

Happy Motring! :smile:

Red

 

I have a preference for the Passport 8500.

 

>>Anyone can avoid getting a ticket when all the damn radar detector does is beep all the time! I'll be looking out for some paranoid sucker driving a MINI the next time I'm in NH.

If the statement "I use it's capabilities combined with smart driving habits and staying observant, and have avoided getting nabbed many times" sounds like paranoia to you, then yeah, I guess I'm paranoid.

By your logic, I guess I can assume that you're not paranoid - which must mean that you don't have smart driving habits and you don't stay observant. And you'll be looking out for me???