Radar detectors(hehe)
January-6th-2002, 12:03 AM
#1
Mazda 323 Guy
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Puyallup, Washington
Posts: 143
Radar detectors(hehe)
I want to get a radar detector for myself, so it will lessen my chance of getting tickets. I was looking at two different brands of them...the uniden and the cobra. Which one makes better detectors?
January-6th-2002, 01:08 AM
#3
Boss of you
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 171
The Feb issue of Car and Driver has their latest test of the newest detectors.
Cobra/Whistler/Uniden have very consistently finished at the bottom in most tests for the past several years. Undisputed no1 is the Valentine 1. If you can't swallow the price tag, Escort and Bel were 2nd and 3rd.
Don't get a piece of crap low price tag detector...they inspire confidence then let you down.
Cobra/Whistler/Uniden have very consistently finished at the bottom in most tests for the past several years. Undisputed no1 is the Valentine 1. If you can't swallow the price tag, Escort and Bel were 2nd and 3rd.
Don't get a piece of crap low price tag detector...they inspire confidence then let you down.
January-6th-2002, 01:51 AM
#4
Mazda 323 Guy
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Puyallup, Washington
Posts: 143
Thanks for saving me some money guys...I thought that uniden and cobra were top of the line. After looking at that radar test site, I see how really bad they are. Im bidding on a BEL 980 on ebay, because those got really good scores, and the Essort (I wish I could afford it) got better scores but the BEL was just couple points away.
January-6th-2002, 03:18 AM
#5
Protege Enthusiast
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Coquitlam, BC
Posts: 129
I had a radar detector a while ago (don't remember what it was)... Didn't help me when I ran through a laser trap... and not only that, but not long after that, it stopped detecting ANYTHING.
Since then, I decided that I'll just stay within the speed limit. It's much less costly.
Since then, I decided that I'll just stay within the speed limit. It's much less costly.
January-6th-2002, 03:24 AM
#6
Mazda 323 Guy
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Puyallup, Washington
Posts: 143
Yea well a WHILE AGO they had **** not radar detectors. I have my dad's old detector that he got for $120 in 1995...top of the line detector back then. You know what its able to do???almost jack ****.. its only laser/superWideband and detects freaken 82 degrees in front.....TOP OF THE LINE!!
The reason you didn't get yours working good is because you got it a while back...its a new world with new technology. Just look at how much faster computers are now.
The reason you didn't get yours working good is because you got it a while back...its a new world with new technology. Just look at how much faster computers are now.
January-6th-2002, 09:10 AM
#8
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 1,016
Re: Radar detectors(hehe)
Originally posted by Net Seven
I want to get a radar detector for myself, so it will lessen my chance of getting tickets. I was looking at two different brands of them...the uniden and the cobra. Which one makes better detectors?
I want to get a radar detector for myself, so it will lessen my chance of getting tickets. I was looking at two different brands of them...the uniden and the cobra. Which one makes better detectors?
No more stupid questions!
January-6th-2002, 08:23 PM
#9
Make it bounce!! (BOING!)
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 348
They Work
I read that some of you guys claim that radar datectors don't work. They do work and generally pay for themselves when they save your *** the first time. It seems you are under the illusion that a radar detector will end your "earning" a ticket. A radar detector should only be used to alert you that there is radar/laser/ka and other bandwidths possibly being used in your vicinity. You still need to pay attention to your surroundings for two reasons:
1)Radar detectors won't save your *** if the cop is using the instant on technique. This is where they turn the radar on at the moment a car is determined to be speeding by visual inspection.
Don't sell these guys short...they do this for a living and can tell even driving the opposite direction on the interstate, whether or not a car is exceeding the speed limit.
2)Troopers and cops don't always have speed detection devices on and can easily pace you from behind, in front, and from above.
The bottom line is you have to be smart. Some of you clown asses talk about driving 100mph+ like it's cool to do that **** on public roads etc. I admit I am good for 10-15 over occassionally, so I to break the law. But if you want to drive 100mph plus guys, take that **** to a track. Not only will it save you from donating money to your local Government in the form of fines, but it keeps the roads safer for everyone else, me included.
1)Radar detectors won't save your *** if the cop is using the instant on technique. This is where they turn the radar on at the moment a car is determined to be speeding by visual inspection.
Don't sell these guys short...they do this for a living and can tell even driving the opposite direction on the interstate, whether or not a car is exceeding the speed limit.
2)Troopers and cops don't always have speed detection devices on and can easily pace you from behind, in front, and from above.
The bottom line is you have to be smart. Some of you clown asses talk about driving 100mph+ like it's cool to do that **** on public roads etc. I admit I am good for 10-15 over occassionally, so I to break the law. But if you want to drive 100mph plus guys, take that **** to a track. Not only will it save you from donating money to your local Government in the form of fines, but it keeps the roads safer for everyone else, me included.
January-6th-2002, 08:29 PM
#10
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 1,016
Re: They Work
Originally posted by MikeD
I read that some of you guys claim that radar datectors don't work. They do work and generally pay for themselves when they save your *** the first time. It seems you are under the illusion that a radar detector will end your "earning" a ticket. A radar detector should only be used to alert you that there is radar/laser/ka and other bandwidths possibly being used in your vicinity. You still need to pay attention to your surroundings for two reasons:
1)Radar detectors won't save your *** if the cop is using the instant on technique. This is where they turn the radar on at the moment a car is determined to be speeding by visual inspection.
Don't sell these guys short...they do this for a living and can tell even driving the opposite direction on the interstate, whether or not a car is exceeding the speed limit.
2)Troopers and cops don't always have speed detection devices on and can easily pace you from behind, in front, and from above.
The bottom line is you have to be smart. Some of you clown asses talk about driving 100mph+ like it's cool to do that **** on public roads etc. I admit I am good for 10-15 over occassionally, so I to break the law. But if you want to drive 100mph plus guys, take that **** to a track. Not only will it save you from donating money to your local Government in the form of fines, but it keeps the roads safer for everyone else, me included.
I read that some of you guys claim that radar datectors don't work. They do work and generally pay for themselves when they save your *** the first time. It seems you are under the illusion that a radar detector will end your "earning" a ticket. A radar detector should only be used to alert you that there is radar/laser/ka and other bandwidths possibly being used in your vicinity. You still need to pay attention to your surroundings for two reasons:
1)Radar detectors won't save your *** if the cop is using the instant on technique. This is where they turn the radar on at the moment a car is determined to be speeding by visual inspection.
Don't sell these guys short...they do this for a living and can tell even driving the opposite direction on the interstate, whether or not a car is exceeding the speed limit.
2)Troopers and cops don't always have speed detection devices on and can easily pace you from behind, in front, and from above.
The bottom line is you have to be smart. Some of you clown asses talk about driving 100mph+ like it's cool to do that **** on public roads etc. I admit I am good for 10-15 over occassionally, so I to break the law. But if you want to drive 100mph plus guys, take that **** to a track. Not only will it save you from donating money to your local Government in the form of fines, but it keeps the roads safer for everyone else, me included.
January-6th-2002, 08:33 PM
#11
Protege Owner
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 731
I agree with some of the points that Mike just made...
A. a radar detector is not going to save your *** if you're on the front of the line... instant on radar is just that , instant on. What you can hope for is that it gives you a blip if the car in front gets nailed.
B. when dealing with laser, you're pretty much screwed. If you have a laser detector then you might on a very off chance get a reading if the car in front of you is hit with it (chances are also better at night as the signal to noise ratio on the photodiode is better)... but for the most part when it goes off you better hope you were under the limit the cop had set for the day
So, do I used one? Yup. I have for over 10 years... Has it saved my butt?... Yes, a few times, when I was not paying as much attention as I should have been and going with the flow. When I was driving stupid fast, that's when I got caught... no radar/laser detector was going to save my butt on those days.
Now... is one unit better than the others? I have not definitive proof either way... but I run a Valentine One on the glass... why? from what I know about it, my opinion is that its design has a much more sensitive RF receiver than the others. I have no idea about the laser aspects of it. And before I get flammed for my opinions, please take into account that I work with and design microwave communications equipment for a living.
A. a radar detector is not going to save your *** if you're on the front of the line... instant on radar is just that , instant on. What you can hope for is that it gives you a blip if the car in front gets nailed.
B. when dealing with laser, you're pretty much screwed. If you have a laser detector then you might on a very off chance get a reading if the car in front of you is hit with it (chances are also better at night as the signal to noise ratio on the photodiode is better)... but for the most part when it goes off you better hope you were under the limit the cop had set for the day
So, do I used one? Yup. I have for over 10 years... Has it saved my butt?... Yes, a few times, when I was not paying as much attention as I should have been and going with the flow. When I was driving stupid fast, that's when I got caught... no radar/laser detector was going to save my butt on those days.
Now... is one unit better than the others? I have not definitive proof either way... but I run a Valentine One on the glass... why? from what I know about it, my opinion is that its design has a much more sensitive RF receiver than the others. I have no idea about the laser aspects of it. And before I get flammed for my opinions, please take into account that I work with and design microwave communications equipment for a living.
January-6th-2002, 09:01 PM
#12
Protege Enthusiast
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: San Diego
Posts: 57
Yes indeed the Valentine is one of the "better" radar detectors. I am personally running one myselft and it has saved my *** a couple of times. But like JJB said u still have to be carefull. All it's for is a precautionary measure, a warining if u will. I highly recommend the Valentine.. My buddies have tried other ones and they either go off every 2 minutes for no apparent reason or u never hear from them. Even when rolling by cops radaring .
January-6th-2002, 09:21 PM
#13
Protege Enthusiast
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 297
uhm, radars, I love the challenge...
I have used almost 12 different detectors including the Rocky Mountain Radar Jammer 
. I did use a Valentine 1 at one time, but the thing weighted almost 10 pounds it keep falling from the windshield every 2 days. And yes it was sensitive to every 7eleven microwave on a 9 mile radius I used its 30 day guarantee to get my money back 
Since then I have used the Escort 8500 with great results. I love all of its programability and all its features, plus it stays on the windshield This is what I have been trough, maybe you might want to try it yourself.
. I did use a Valentine 1 at one time, but the thing weighted almost 10 pounds it keep falling from the windshield every 2 days. And yes it was sensitive to every 7eleven microwave on a 9 mile radius I used its 30 day guarantee to get my money back Since then I have used the Escort 8500 with great results. I love all of its programability and all its features, plus it stays on the windshield This is what I have been trough, maybe you might want to try it yourself.
January-6th-2002, 11:31 PM
#14
Mazda 323 Guy
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Puyallup, Washington
Posts: 143
Yes, there is a point that a radar is just too sensitive. You don't need to know that there is a cop radaring 5 miles away from you. The more sensitive the more false alarms. I did some reading and like you said there are many different radars, are they all the same, hell no!! Each radar is very different, the cobra isn't good at all, and I used to think its top of the line. If they are all the same and just have different cases, then why do you suppose that the Valentine 1 weighs ten pounds?? Oh maybe they filled it up with some sand to make it look like its different....think what you want, but opinions are not always right.
How new the radars are do really matter, the newer the better. Even if its 2 months newer and its a newer model then it must be better in some way then their previous model.
I myself am getting the BEL 980 which is their best right now. I like the Esscort but its too $$, and the Valentine 1, lets just say I don't want my radar detector to show me where I find a 7 eleven. The BEL is even with Essort in how well it works, but they both are far supperior to all those cheap brands like cobra, windser, uniden, etc. I guess their look really matters how well they work, dont it?
How new the radars are do really matter, the newer the better. Even if its 2 months newer and its a newer model then it must be better in some way then their previous model.
I myself am getting the BEL 980 which is their best right now. I like the Esscort but its too $$, and the Valentine 1, lets just say I don't want my radar detector to show me where I find a 7 eleven. The BEL is even with Essort in how well it works, but they both are far supperior to all those cheap brands like cobra, windser, uniden, etc. I guess their look really matters how well they work, dont it?
January-6th-2002, 11:35 PM
#15
Mazda 323 Guy
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Puyallup, Washington
Posts: 143
Oh and no I dont think its cool to speed, I just enjoy it
I dont go over 100mph, and especially I dont go around switching lanes left and right just to gain 10 feet in traffic. I dont want to tell you how fast I drive, because I know there are some people that don't agree with me and I dont want flaming. Just keep in mind I don't do this to get people's attention, and that I do this as safe as possible.
I dont go over 100mph, and especially I dont go around switching lanes left and right just to gain 10 feet in traffic. I dont want to tell you how fast I drive, because I know there are some people that don't agree with me and I dont want flaming. Just keep in mind I don't do this to get people's attention, and that I do this as safe as possible.