Radar detectors worth it?/Recommendations?

Can anyone give input on radar detectors/ brands/models and if they are worthwhile? I've never owned one and there are mixed reviews on all of the ones I see advertised. Thanks!

Lot of folks go with the Valentine One. They're absolutely worth it, save you one speeding ticket and it basically pays for itself. In NY at least haha

I use my 9500ix daily, it has saved me multiple times. Totally worth it, especially since it is "smart" and learns where false alarms are and locks them out.

With the new lasers they just point n click, gotcha. Unless you spend a lot on it all the other cars on the road will set if off with collision detection and other wonderful sensors. Back in the day they where great. These new internet connected ones keep data bases on police locations and will give you probability of a possible cop up a head. but those are user input based. So imho it's 6 of one 1/2 dozen of the other. In NY keep the cruise at 76mph. I find fun on on ramps, I normally have to slow down to merge because i'm doing 100, lol.

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Ggradtech said:

Can anyone give input on radar detectors/ brands/models and if they are worthwhile? I've never owned one and there are mixed reviews on all of the ones I see advertised. Thanks!

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Beltronics Pro RX65

All decent radar detectors these days have several bands to alert you of a possible cop. I say possible cop because they also seem to pick up a lot of false positives. Under bridges(overpass) and any place that has an automatic door opener are two of the biggest annoyances with a radar detector.

Bands: X, K, KA, and Laser. It's possible for the radar detector to pick up all of these before you see the cop except the laser. It will only detect the laser when it's too late and it's pointed at you.

Legal in all states except Virginia I believe.

I use the Escort Max 360. It has definitely saved me a few times. At first there are a ton of false signals, but if you take the same path for a few days, it'll start blocking them out. The biggest annoyance to me is that if there is an Acura, the radar detector wills go HAM, but you can always mute that signal. Just remember that just because you have a radar detector, you can't just start going 100 everywhere. At least over here in Portland, OR, most cops drive with their radar off until they see you. It is great for detecting cops chilling on the side of the road.

Radar detectors? What is this, 1999?

Does anyone run a radar along side Waze on a regular basis? I have also been interested in getting a radar detector. It seems like Waze is usually just about as good and its free. I seem to have a tendency to get more false positives (showing cops where there are none) on Waze then it now showing a cop by the side of the road. It seems like with instant on Radar/Lazer, radar detectors are only going to go off when its two late or when there is a speed trap set up down the road which waze will most likely catch. Unless you're the unlucky SOB who is the first one to see the cops and mark them on waze. Although I have heard that Waze also pulls cop locations from the (I think) escort app which has the same functionality (and vice versa).

New ones with DSP help eliminate false alarms, also one with GPS databases can warn or red light & speed cameras. I use the Escort 9500xi, and it has MORE than paid for itself. It auto learns new automatic door (grocery stores & pharmacies) "radars" and stops the false alarms quickly.

One ticket practically pays for it, and if your insurance is raised b/c of that ticket, then it definitely already pays for itself.

So yes, I would recommend one.

BUT don't think though that they make you invincible and you can just go around speeding like a fool.

1. A cop with a gun sitting back waiting for only high speed speeders, might sit back and pop you unexpectedly. (though they're normally checking other people intermittently, so you'd get an alarm on the approach to them, even though intermittent)

2. If a cop sees you speeding they may come up from behind and "pop you" or even check your speed vs. their speed and in car camera system, so you would get no warning.

3. It doesn't protect you from drag racing or reckless operation tickets, which are expensive. Depending on your local laws, cops can give tickets for even revving engines, peeling out, or drag racing.

4. There are new traffic cameras and mobile speed camera systems popping up all of the time, and they don't seem to use radar or laser as they don't set off my radar detector. I assume its all video camera processing based. ie: how fast things move past the screen?

Point is, don't be an idiot or reckless just b/c you think you have some "protection".

For me, it's a night and day difference. I'd rather be an informed driver in these days of communities policing for profit. I got the Escort Max 360 last week and the range is unreal. A half mile warning in some cases and the directional arrows are a big help as well. Think about the other drivers ahead of you getting hit with the point n click radar and you having the time to adjust accordingly before its your turn. I just drove 2000 miles and never once came even close to being caught in a speed trap of which there were many. The false warnings and collision detection from other cars is an extremely minor issue for instance those signs that display what speed you're going, the radar picks that up. I just put it on mute if there's something blatantly dumb or unnecessary.

I will say a good radar is a luxury and not a necessity but the peace of mind was more than worth it for me. But then again Michigan has trained me to never underestimate the extensive lengths our cities will go to rob you of your money, time and sometimes freedom for trivial traffic offenses. They wanna play that game, I'm going to play it too. Quite well I might add.

Passport X70...no gps or blutooth, but an excellent detector, I usually only run Ka Band around town so no false signals to mute and with the frequencies displayed you can determine who is setting off the unit; motorcycle cops, cruisers, highway patrol or sheriff deputies. Also the Laser sensor will still protect you in traffic, they move it around like a flashlight so the warning will sound before you are close enough for a lock.

Don't waste your money on Escort radar detectors!! They false all day log due to collision warning on a lot of cars these days. A few years ago they were good-not anymore.

Billy1 said:

Don't waste your money on Escort radar detectors!! They false all day log due to collision warning on a lot of cars these days. A few years ago they were good-not anymore.

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I run a Max2 and I have no clue what issues you're referring to.

I'm currently using the Max 2. That things has saved me numerous times. Looking to upgrade to the 360 though.

Escort Redline XR mounted and wired to my rear view mirror. Paid for itself in the first month.

I am also close to a Hellcat (bright red Challenger) owner who has had the regular Escort Redline for 2+ years now and nearly 20k of haul a** driving. Saved him from deep XXX speeding/wreak less/exhibition of speed tickets at least a dozen times.

The key to radar detectors is how far out they can pickup the radar signal, giving you time to slow down before they have a visual on you. The Escort Redline detectors are fantastic at that, 99% of the time ill get an alert, slow down, cruz at speed limit for 1-2 miles before I see the cop. Now I live in the flatlands of Nor-Cal, hills/mountains will affect this (shorten it).