Hey everybody, just got my Z about three weeks ago and was wondering about radar detection options. I have what some would call a heavy foot and well, already have one ticket in the Z. I would like a little assistance in this department and was thinking that a radar detector might be the way to go but I have questions concerning their precision. A friend told me that theirs was utterly useless; this might of been a result of a crappy unit, and have thus been hesitant to drop some cash on one. Any thoughts? Has anyone had success with any particular unit? Recomendations would be great.

 

Do a forum search for radar detectors. There are tons of topics with all the info you'll need. By the way, I have a Passport 8500 that I'm really happy with. I got it off ebay brand new unopened for 260. They're $300 plus tax at Best Buy. I think you'll find in that most people here prefer either Passport 8500 or the Valentine 1 which is about $100 dollars more.
One more thing, plan on getting your radar detector hardwired, otherwise you"ll have a clothesline between you and your passenger.

 

thanks thackattk. ill get on that tonight

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by thackattk
[B] They're $300 plus tax at Best Buy.

Not if you are related to a Best Buy executive

Anyway, shouldn't this be moved to audio/video/radar.

 

I highly recommend the Valentine 1. I've been running one for over three years and have been very pleased with it's consistent performance.

 

Ditto on the V1. It has saved my butt more than a few times, and I think the directional readout is essential. It never hurts to have more information.

 

Any of the Beltronics Vector models work really well too.

 

both valentine and passport users are happy with their products. they seem to be the best units available. there are advantages in both units, they basically have the same detection range (which are really far and accurate detections in both units) the valentine will cost about $100 more than the passport. the valentine has directional arrows which will let you know where the detection is coming from. i heard that they are really helpful, but i dont know since i have a passport. it only works if you are not a moron.... i got a ticket with the passport because the cop was following me (at night, couldnt tell what type of vehicle it was) just be careful not to go too fast, and know where it's "safe" to speed, good luck, both choices are good ones!

 

I've got a BEL 985 which is rated very highly, and it works well on the highway or interstate.

You still can't get stupid around town though - at least here. The cops roll with their radar off and when they spot someone that looks like they're speeding - they zap you. The detector goes off big time but by then it's too late.

Just thought I'd pass that along so you don't do like I did after I got the radar detector - drive around town at 30 over the speed limit. I'm an idiot.

 

I just find other drivers that are driving fast and follow them. Using them as "canary birds" and slow down when their tail lights go off.

 

I've got the Bel 985 works great no complaints.

 

Hey, that's the same tactic I use . Except I use the term "rabbit." But I can't rely on that tecnique often so I'm hoping my gf will get my V1 as soon as she reads the V1 URL I sent her.

 

I have both the Valentine 1 and Escort 8500. I did my own side by side test going on a 1,000 mile trip and found the Valentine to do the best for me. They are close in performance on the X band and the K band the Valentine would go off first. I have had several other radar units that I sold in garage sales. One unit was so bad that you would go past a police radar before it would go off. I found that using a police scanner helps when the police are using planes or are out in force in certain areas.

 

I like my "canary birds" better. I get to victimize them when cops pull them over instead of me. And I don't feel the need to catch the "rabbits"

 

Yeah, this is why I have had second thoughts on getting a radar detector. Really, if you drive smart, you don't really need one, and most of the time, the cops are smart enough to not have their radar on all the time. I do like them for trips to unfamiliar places, cause there are never enough "rabbits" or whatever, and you end up going slow a bunch.

Decisions, decisions............I will probably go without for a while and see what happens. Got pulled over the other day for going 40 in a 30, and when the cop pulled me over, I was thinking, you are lucky I wasn't going 60 cause I always speed on that road. I figure I can drop the $400 on the tickets I get, I guess.......

 

i bought a cobra esd-9210 and have to say i am unhappy with it. when it does sound off its to late your already on top of the officer. luckily i wasn't going over the speed limit at the time.

 

Get a detector to improve your awareness of your environment, but, if you use it with the idea of speeding without being caught, you are setting yourself up for trouble. I have had a V1 for about a month and can confirm that it is quite effective. Even the laser detector seems to work better than they claim it does.

If you are driving home after a 4 martini dinner with clients, it will give you nice security.

 

I drove 120miles today in my moms car, it has a built in K2 radar detector, its front and rear sensors, a 1000$ option from mercedes.

went of 8 times, saw a cop 7 of those times. it didnt "save me" because I wasnt really speeding, but none the less, it worked, one time it went off had to be a mile away, I thought, what crap, then a cop rolled by, Cool.

Ill definitly be looking into a V1 now that I see these things actually work.

 

ares, ive had my v1 for about a week now. i just got around to hardwiring it 2 nights ago.

its killer, and when you do a stealth install/hard wiring it only makes it better. now noone knows i have a detector, and its a very clean, aesthetically pleasing setup.

i have 0 experience with other detectors, but the v1 kicks *** if you ask me. it already paid for itself over memorial day weekend when i road tripped to alabama

indulf