Which Radar Detector?

**Deanski** · 08-27-2007, 10:04 PM

For surface mount detector, you can beat the V1. Most Porsche owners will choose between a V1 or the K-40 system which I have.

K-40 system is big bucks, but it`s blue tooth (no wires), front and back coverage, only have LED`s by the dials and it has a wireless remote. Very nice product, but still too high in cost I think. They also make a laser jammer which is legal (not RF jammer which IS ILLEGAL).

So.... for dash/surface mount, get a V1, you`ll be very happy with the arrows!!:2thumbs:

Save your cash, get the V1 as anything $200 and under will just not perform. Hey, it`s your license! And... Your insurance too!

For more stealth look, K-40.

Regards,

Deanski

**Vintage** · 08-27-2007, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by BlackElantraGT

I no longer have a radar detector, but if you live in a major metropolitan area, it`s kind of pointless to have one.

The only time I found the radar to be useful were for all the trips from SoCal to Vegas and vice versa because it gave me that piece of mind.

But if you drive like you`re supposed to, or even go 5-10 mph above speed limit, you shouldn`t have a need for a radar detector. Plus on long road trips, you just have to know how to drive. You`ll know the idiots from the good drivers so just find one that sets a good pace. If there are none, then you set the pace and people will follow you.

If you`re weaving in and out of lanes and going 20 mph or more faster than everyone, you deserve to get a ticket.

Thanks BlackElantraGT! I really agree with this post. I used to have a K40 Micro, Micro II, and Undetectable with Laser diffuser, and Escort. Great products but they kinda handicap you because you`re relying on them too much. Best thing to do is learn the tricks of the good driving trade and use the radar detector as an ASSISTANT if you must. Basics: watch the curves and going over hills, go with the flow, don`t weave crazily, use high beam at night when nobody`s around, know your local speedtraps, and my favorite . . . slamming on the brakes if nobody`s behind is way underrated - radar has trouble locking onto swiftly accelerating or decelerating objects. Above all, if you`re going against laser and don`t have a diffuser, you`re pretty much screwed.

What`s my point? When I had these detectors (still have the Micro II) I got 1 speeding ticket and K40 paid it. For some reason I stopped using detectors and have not gotten a speeding ticket for over 18 years. Just pay attention when driving and if you`re really going TOO fast, you probably deserve the ticket anyway. Sorry for the PSA :grinno:

**velobard** · 08-28-2007, 01:47 PM

In the <$200 price range I`d be looking at a Bel or a Whistler. I`ve been hearing some good stuff lately about the Whistler over at radardetector.net. I run an Escort X50, but that`s a little more money. After everything I`ve read about the Cobras I`d stay away from them. Here`s a decent test of a number of RDs:

Guys of LIDAR - Radar Detector Test - March 2007

**Accumulator** · 08-28-2007, 01:50 PM

As I post in most of these detector thread, I run V1 in all our vehicles (have most of `em hardwired) and they serve me and my wife well, at least within the limits of detectors (sometimes you`re toast, simple as that).

**astrocreep96** · 08-28-2007, 03:32 PM

3 years and 35,000 miles in a Lightning Yellow Mitsubishi Evolution with an 8500 x50 and not a single ticket. Great detector if you know the limitations of any detector. A friend of mine has a V1 - kind of ugly and I wasn`t swayed into picking one up after watching it perform on a road trip.

**jesselyons2002** · 08-28-2007, 03:49 PM

Yeah I have a V1 and just now got a ticket for speeding. DAM LASER and just got this unit in march

**astrocreep96** · 08-28-2007, 04:40 PM

No radar is going to help with a laser. Honestly, you can do almost as well by keeping a vigilant eye out on the road, being aware of your surroundings, and speeding only when you can be certain it`s safe (in a relative sense). A little bit of luck helps too.

I`ve not once received a ticket or been in an accident, and I can own up to rediculous speeds on some open stretches of road in the past. Having a radar detector isn`t the only reason for my clean driving record.

**tquill** · 08-30-2007, 08:58 AM

As someone mentioned before, go to the Radar Detector Tests and Reviews by Guys of LIDAR website. It has a lot of useful unbiased information that is very informative.

I`ve owned the Escort 8500 X50, Bel RX-65, Bel STi Driver, and currently use the V1. All have been good detectors that can handle most radar encounters with ease.

The thing is, you need to know how to use a detector. You can`t speed if you`re the only car on the road. Cops can use something called "instant on" which is essentially just turning on their radar when they can see you. This effectively gets your speed near instantly and no detector will save you.

You need to speed with other cars ahead of you, or preferably another speeder ahead of you, which is known as a rabbit. If a cop uses instant on, he`ll bust the guy who is driving ahead of you, and your detector will alert when he is getting his reading, not yours. Don`t stay right on the guys bumper though, stay a couple hundred feet back.

As for laser, the V1 can detect it better than most, but by then it`s too late. You`ll need to invest in a good laser jammer. Make sure to check Radar Detector Tests and Reviews by Guys of LIDAR for a good jammer and to see whether or not they are legal in your state (they are legal in most).

I personally use the blinder m20 laser jammer on a silver 350Z. I actually had my first save with it last night. Going 85 in a 60, I had enough time to slow down and turn off the jammer so he could get a speed reading which was below 60.

Anyway if you`re still interested in getting a detector, I`d be glad to help you out. It`s a bit of a hobby of mine and I`d like to help you pick out some good choices for your particular needs (depends on your car/color, and obviously your budget and the state you`re in).

**tquill** · 08-30-2007, 09:04 AM

As someone mentioned before, go to the Radar Detector Tests and Reviews by Guys of LIDAR website. It has a lot of useful unbiased information that is very informative.

I`ve owned the Escort 8500 X50, Bel RX-65, Bel STi Driver, and currently use the V1. All have been good detectors that can handle most radar encounters with ease.

The thing is, you need to know how to use a detector. You can`t speed if you`re the only car on the road. Cops can use something called "instant on" which is essentially just turning on their radar when they can see you. This effectively gets your speed near instantly and no detector will save you.

You need to speed with other cars ahead of you, or preferably another speeder ahead of you, which is known as a rabbit. If a cop uses instant on, he`ll bust the guy who is driving ahead of you, and your detector will alert when he is getting his reading, not yours. Don`t stay right on the guys bumper though, stay a couple hundred feet back.

As for laser, the V1 can detect it better than most, but by then it`s too late. You would need to get a good laser jammer. Check Radar Detector Tests and Reviews by Guys of LIDAR for a good jammer. I personally use the blinder m20 on my car and I actually had my first save last night. I was going 85 in a 60 and I had plenty of time to slow down and switch the jammer off. That way the cop got a speed reading below the speed limit.

Anyway if you`re still interested in getting some counter measures, PM me, I`d be more than happy to help.

**tquill** · 09-05-2007, 09:58 AM

Yeah if you`re going to get a radar detector, might as well pony up the cash for one that will work consistently:

Valentine One, Bel STi, Escort 8500 X50, Bel RX-65.

($299-$450)

As for laser... you would need to get a laser jammer. (not k-40...)

Blinder m-25/m-45, Laser Pro Park, Anti-laser G8, Laser interceptor.

($399-$800)

**hXc drummer23** · 09-05-2007, 05:21 PM

Ok. I just realized my cousin has a V1 on his Porsche 911. He said he likes it and hasn`t gotten a speeding a ticket yet with it. I think I`m going to save and get the V1.

**beat** · 09-06-2007, 11:15 AM

The v1 will save your *** many times over its a great radar detector, but its not an end all be all solution because sometimes cops wont turn their radars on so you still have to keep your eyes open

**ruttrow** · 09-06-2007, 11:45 AM

V1. The newest model also features POP. POP is the latest form LE. Nice thing with Valentine they can be factory upgraded if desired. I have had V1`s for many years.

**tquill** · 09-11-2007, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by Ruttrow

V1. The newest model also features POP. POP is the latest form LE. Nice thing with Valentine they can be factory upgraded if desired. I have had V1`s for many years.

Cops are not allowed to give you a ticket off a POP reading. Having the feature enabled on your radar detector can inhibit it`s performance somewhat. I have a V1 and my first order of business was to turn POP off.