autoweek radar detector test

[oldzoomer]

autoweek is doing a radar detector test over the next few months.

http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=100602

I'll try to remember to post their results.

I haven't had a detector in 20 years but am a bit concerned about the new push for revenue collection through speeding tickets by some departments. What used to be a minor fine is now a financial risk, especially when you drive a yellow car with flames.

Hmmm, how about a poll so ya'll can chime in...

 

[1sty]

The SRX but it will probley loose to do its high cost and need for install.

 

[oldzoomer]

I am surprised the Solo2 was their top pick.

http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=101216

 

[Khoga]

from what i understood that escort passport srx is best for city
and valentine one for highway, so id probly get both
if i had that kind a money
but untill then, Id go for that escort

 

[pedrump]

I use a PNI Silver Bullet RX7500. The only difference between RX7600 and RX7500 is the inclusion of a digital compass in the RX7600. My auto-dimming mirror has one built in, so I don't really need it. I sell PNI radar detectors so I have access to all of them, and the Silver Bullet is the smallest and best performing, not to mention best looking, of the bunch I've used. Traveller I/II isn't half bad either...but Silver Bullet clips onto my visor. The higher you are able to mount the radar detector in your car, I find, the better it is able to perform.

BTW, the biggest speed trap I know of is King City on the 101 south of Salinas, California. I always had to drive through there on my way back to school in Santa Cruz from LA, and there was always somebody pulled over. My own pa would refuse to visit me in school because 3 out of the 5 times he came, he got a ticket there. When the family came up for graduation I lent them a radar detector and told my brother to drive.

 

[novAKs47]

Are there ANY detectors actually worth it? Here in San Jose, I would have to say no. All the cops use laser now, which makes all detectors that I've seen useless. By the time the detector bleeps, the cop has got your speed on that little display of his. The things are OFF, until they aim at your vehicle, pull the trigger, then release, and view your speed. Then they can lock that speed in the display, so that they can jam it in your face with lots of attitude after flagging you down. I love it when motorcycle traffic cops hide behind bushes and parked cars. :mad:

 

[kriemer]

Passport makes a Laser Shifter and K40 makes a LaserDefuser which are active laser systems. The theory is that these units disturb the signal returning to the officer's laser gun so that he gets a constantly changing speed readout. I do not have any personal experience with these units, but I worked at a custom installation shop that installed these expensive systems in many high end vehicles and we never had any complaints about their performance. Be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions to the letter for optimum performance.

 

[Khoga]

A lot of cops turn their radar on once you come by, clock you and already got u, so most the time your radar detecter goes off the second tha cops already got your speed, in that case, a radar detectors are useless.

 

[oldzoomer]

I think the hope of all people who buy radar detectors is that someone in front of them will get "shot" first which will trigger their radar detector and give them enough time to slow down. If the cop is aiming at you then you are screwed whether you have a detector or not.
Most of these sound like an awful lot of money to reduce the risk of a ticket on the chance that someone else will get one...

I haven't used a radar detector since the 80s and wonder if it is a worthwhile investment. It helped me on long trips but was not worthwhile in the city. I don't think I'm quite sold on a new one yet...

 

[Iamgoodyy]

The best radar dectector I've found is my head. Yes the 8500 I've had helped a lot for when I was driving home late at night, but you just have to be an educated driver. I find myself guessing that there will be a cop around the bend even before my radar picks it up. Watching traffic and knowing when and where to speed is the best thing I know to do.

 

[oldzoomer]

The best radar dectector I've found is my head. Yes the 8500 I've had helped a lot for when I was driving home late at night, but you just have to be an educated driver. I find myself guessing that there will be a cop around the bend even before my radar picks it up. Watching traffic and knowing when and where to speed is the best thing I know to do.

(mswerd)
The above is so totally true. The few times I have gotten a ticket have been mainly due to inattention.

 

[Khoga]

The best radar dectector I've found is my head. Yes the 8500 I've had helped a lot for when I was driving home late at night, but you just have to be an educated driver. I find myself guessing that there will be a cop around the bend even before my radar picks it up. Watching traffic and knowing when and where to speed is the best thing I know to do.

Definitly, i got my eyes open for cops like all the time, saves me all the time.
but if u pay around 200-300 for a radar, and it saves you twice, thats 2 tickets; plus, your insurance rate goes up, itll already be worth it.
If i had the money, id get me a good radar, but wont put my life on it, or a $75 ticket.

 

[CometVR4]

Radar dectectors only work if there is other traffic on the road and the cop either has his radar on constantly or trying to clock someone else. If you're on the road by yourself then theres nothing your dectector can help you with.

 

[Khoga]

Radar dectectors only work if there is other traffic on the road and the cop either has his radar on constantly or trying to clock someone else. If you're on the road by yourself then theres nothing your dectector can help you with.

word, unless you got a radar jammer