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Radar/laser detector

Steve-B

Full Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2008
Messages
9
I'm looking for advice on buying a radar/laser detector because I am so far behind the times on these things (haven't owned one in over 30 years).  Looking for first-hand knowledge.  Thanks!
 
You can buy one from Walmart. They are pretty inexpensive. They work just fine. Probably around 40.00. You can spend much more, but they work the same.
 
I have to disagree with your statement that "they all work the same". This is not true, I've gone from real cheap radar detectors all the way to the best, and they do vary quite a bit. My first one (cant remember the name) did a ok job, for most things infront, however it couldn't tell the difference between true radar signatures and false ones. Also couldn't pickup signals from behind, and minimal laser detection, but 15 years ago, laser was non existent. The second one I got I believe it was a cobra for $130 I think, and it had better 360* protection, but didn't have that great of range. I looked at bell and escort, I believe escort is the second best now or it was when I bought the best: "Valentine 1". And IMO and many others, it is just that, the best. I've picked up signals almost a mile away and around bends and down in valleys. Its also nice to know how many are waiting for you. The only downside I've found with it is having to send it in for upgrading the software, it would be nice just to have a micro USB port and be able to upgrade it at home.
 
Valentine VR1 will save you money in the long run.
http://www.valentine1.com/

Had mine for a long dayum time like 12 years and have done their upgrades.... no tickets since... while seeing many others getting pulled over who passed me.
 
I bought a 39 dollar cobra one from Walmart and it picks up every radar out there, and around bends and hills too. Works great.
 
Interesting - a LEO giving radar warning advice.  :cool:

I'd have thought that a LEO wouldn't need such a thing.  ???
 
enoniam said:
Interesting - a LEO giving radar warning advice.   :cool:

I'd have thought that a LEO wouldn't need such a thing.   ???

True.... But sometimes we day dream too.  :D
 
vanthony said:
True.... But sometimes we day dream too.  :D

Hmmm.  I always assumed a casual display of your badge or other indication of being in the LEO brotherhood would go along way towards some leniency...
 
Yea, usually, but I still don't like to be speeding accidentally. I'm usually the slow one on the interstate. People always going around me, but in those 35 mph zones, they will sneak up on you.
Better safe than sorry.
 
So far it's looking like the Valentine is regarded as the "best."  However, I'm not ready to spend $400+.
Which one is "second best" and affordable?
 
vanthony said:
Yea, usually, but I still don't like to be speeding accidentally. I'm usually the slow one on the interstate. People always going around me, but in those 35 mph zones, they will sneak up on you.
Better safe than sorry.

I'm usually getting passed on the interstate in the slower speed limit zones, but doing the passing where it's 65 or 70.  I usually try to do about 8 or 9 mph above the limit but in urban areas with 55 mph limits and construction zones it seems like most people like to push it well beyond that level, which is as the base CO here says, a "routine violation".

I haven't used a radar detector in over 30 years.  I had one back in college and I got more tickets driving with it than without it.  Maybe they are better now, or maybe I was too aggressive with it back then.  :rolleyes:
 
I may have shared this previously but way back in my engineering school days in the early 80s I had a co-op job working for at the time a fairly small defense contractor in Cincinnati (which was later bought by a somewhat larger defense contractor).  Was working with one of the masters-degreed electrical engineers who told me one day a co-worker asked him if he were to design a radar detector how would he do it.  The engineer telling me this said he did a back-of-the-napkin block diagram design and gave it to the other engineer.  That other engineer quit the company and founded Cincinnati Microwave and started making the Escort radar detectors, presumably using the other engineer's top-level design.
 
enoniam said:
I may have shared this previously but way back in my engineering school days in the early 80s I had a co-op job working for at the time a fairly small defense contractor in Cincinnati (which was later bought by a somewhat larger defense contractor).  Was working with one of the masters-degreed electrical engineers who told me one day a co-worker asked him if he were to design a radar detector how would he do it.  The engineer telling me this said he did a back-of-the-napkin block diagram design and gave it to the other engineer.  That other engineer quit the company and founded Cincinnati Microwave and started making the Escort radar detectors, presumably using the other engineer's top-level design.
Maybe Mike Valentine himself?

Founder and President Mike Valentine has been engineering technically advanced products since the original Escort Radar Warning Receiver in 1976

I had one of those back in the day and their passport... good stuff but then things changed and well I made switch to VR1.

 
ygmn said:
Maybe Mike Valentine himself?

I had one of those back in the day and their passport... good stuff but then things changed and well I made switch to VR1.

I presume that's who it was that solicited my co-worker's advice but I'm not sure - he didn't drop a name as I recall and it was a long time ago.  I worked at that company (Cincinnati Electronics) in 82-83 working on a digital satellite radio for special forces team of engineers, technicians, etc.  As an engineering student I was basically doing technician work.  Company was competing for the Army SINCGARS radio contract at the time and even as a co-op student employee I had to take a pay cut when the company didn't win that contract.  Everyone not in the union had to take a pay cut and a VP was let go.

Around that time I was getting tickets while using my Fuzzbuster brand radar detector...    :E:
 
My dad had a fuzzbuster... with the big Green light...
 
Shhhhh so did I, but don't tell anyone..
 
enoniam said:
Interesting - a LEO giving radar warning advice.   :cool:

I'd have thought that a LEO wouldn't need such a thing.   ???

Maybe that's why he recommended the $39 dollar one.  :D

"Trust me, it will work... wink, wink... nod, nod."

:kidding:

Back to Topic.
 
Bigtrucklover said:
Maybe that's why he recommended the $39 dollar one.   :D

"Trust me, it will work... wink, wink... nod, nod."

:kidding:

Back to Topic.

:D  That was good!!
 
Bell Vector 995 Has worked awesome for me with close to 1 million safe and cautious miles.
Customer Service rocks they sent me 2nd viewable power cord free, and charged only shipping and handling for software updates.

 
Valentine One. Expensive, but worth it. And they are never obsolete. They only sell direct, and will upgrade them forever.
 
Costco is selling a Cobra model for $129.95, connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth to get crowd sourced information in realtime (kind of like Waze but with no human interaction). When connected to your phone the small screen on the display shows a digital speedometer and compass. I hard wired mine to go on/off automatically and mounted to my mirror.

I'm happy and feel it is solid for the money. It's not Escort/Passport/Valentine but it isn't a piece of junk either.
 
I had a detector back in 1908 well really 1988. Cruzing at night trying to get from AZ to TX, pacing the car quite a bit ahead of me my detector when off then louder as I beleive as he tagged me. Stupid me I hit the brakes signaling I had a detector, first and only one I have had that went out the windows few yards down the road after first and only speeding ticket. I have cruzed passed the troopers at 5 or maybe a little more over at least 20 times in the last eight years and none have pulled me over. The GPS does indicate 1-2 mph less but in my AV I even corrected the tire size and it agreed with the GPS. Seems they are looking for the 10+ over any more. I know in some areas cruzing 80+ is easy but most times I am on someone's tail end so fast that my average speed is probably 75. I will just save my money.

Edit to add that I will probably be getting a new camaro with the 6.2 down the road, might need the detector then.
 
naylor99 said:
Valentine One. Expensive, but worth it. And they are never obsolete. They only sell direct, and will upgrade them forever.

(y) Valentine One
 
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