Radar Detectors

[BOOGIE MAN]

Finding myself back in the market for a radar detector. I've always had escort passports and I remember Valentines being quite good but that was like 10+ years ago.

What do you have now? Would you recommend?

 

[DaleM]

I just use the 10% rule these days. Never go faster than 10% posted speed.

Also watch the tail lights ahead.

I would be curious what people are doing these days. Seems the cops equipment grts more amd more advanced.

 

[98 svt]

Honestly, since Covid, I don't see anyone getting pulled over for speeding in MA or NH.

I have a cheaper Radar Detector but it rarely gets "used" these days.

 

[patc84]

i use waze now, that helps for the camping cops, but not ones driving.

I would still use a V1

 

[black4vcobra]

Seems like every guy I know used to have a radar detector mounted on their windshield but now almost nobody does.

I haven't been pulled over for speeding since 2010 and while I drive pretty fast (cruise 82/83 in 70 zones on highway) there is always some moron driving 90+ that will draw attention to the LEO's who are looking to pull people over. Obviously gotta take it easy in small towns as the cops there have nothing better to do. In the city, the cops could give 2 shits about traffic enforcement other than absolutely reckless driving.

Amusingly enough, my wife has gotten 2 speeding tickets since I met her in 2012 and she drives slower than I do. Her problem is missing the change in speed limits as she drives.

 

[DSG2003Mach1]

if I was gonna buy something new it would have to be one of the networked ones to be worth it imho. But then you have to run their app I guess. I have an old V1 that's been updated several times, run that and Waze. Waze is a much bigger help most of the time. Granted I usually just set the cruise control at 8-9 over and get there when I get there

 

[Double"O"]

Seems like every guy I know used to have a radar detector mounted on their windshield but now almost nobody does.

I haven't been pulled over for speeding since 2010 and while I drive pretty fast (cruise 82/83 in 70 zones on highway) there is always some moron driving 90+ that will draw attention to the LEO's who are looking to pull people over. Obviously gotta take it easy in small towns as the cops there have nothing better to do. In the city, the cops could give 2 shits about traffic enforcement other than absolutely reckless driving.

Amusingly enough, my wife has gotten 2 speeding tickets since I met her in 2012 and she drives slower than I do. Her problem is missing the change in speed limits as she drives.

Yeah man back in the 90s everyone had one it seemed...the car guys anyway

 

[bullitt2735]

waze/googlemaps + uniden radar detector and a laser jammer if you want to get fancy.

 

[BOOGIE MAN]

I always run waze and yes it's a big help. But, I live/commute/work in an area that isn't as densely populated as where I used to live, which means less waze users.

Don't need a jammer. Just want to get a detector and I am looking for detector recommendations.

 

[DSG2003Mach1]

I always run waze and yes it's a big help. But, I live/commute/work in an area that isn't as densely populated as where I used to live, which means less waze users.

Don't need a jammer. Just want to get a detector and I am looking for detector recommendations.

then the whole networked detector part probably doesnt mean much either.

I havent looked into the new stuff in quite a while, I saw Valentine came out with a V2 unit in the last year or two

 

[PhoenixM3]

I use a Uniden R8 and will install a laser jammer. Valentine V1 Gen II's are awesome detectors too.

There are applications similar to Waze which can show "heat maps" of police speed trap locations to include aircraft. Highway Radar is the name of that app.

Go here for a wealth of information. Radar Detectors, Dashcams, Reviews, & Tutorials | Vortex Radar

Your state will dictate whether or not a radar detector is legal for use (like any of us care, but some radar detectors are "invisible" to LEO's radar detector detectors.

Things to consider:

X band is almost extinct for speed monitoring.
K band is in use, but rare in comparion to Ka band.
Ka Band is most prevalent,
Laser is gaining popularity and only higher end radar detectors can detect it. You need a laser jamming system to counter laser.

 

[bullitt2735]

+ one for using vortex radar, like PhoenixM3 said its a wealth of information. They also have a youtube channel that that constantly do test withs

 

[IA Shelby]

I have a Uniden R8 and an older Uniden R3. They are fantastic and well worth the money IMO. The R3 is a great value. The R8 is the latest and greatest and includes directional signals now that the Valentine patent has expired.

 

[Roots-type]

Funny, haven't used one in 10yrs since my passport died but I picked up another last week. My city is filling up fast with out-of-staters and they're cracking down fn hard.

Uniden R3 is what I got this time since the passports 8500s are disco'd. Haven't plugged it in yet, but reviews are excellent. Has all the usual, but also has red light camera warnings too.

 

[PhoenixM3]

Funny, haven't used one in 10yrs since my passport died but I picked up another last week. My city is filling up fast with out-of-staters and they're cracking down fn hard.

Uniden R3 is what I got this time since the passports 8500s are disco'd. Haven't plugged it in yet, but reviews are excellent. Has all the usual, but also has red light camera warnings too.

The R3 is pretty capable. Make sure you go to Uniden's website and update the RD with the lastest software.

 

[HudsonFalcon]

I use one of the Uniden models in my Cobra. I don’t have anything in my truck since I only go 5mph over the posted limit.

 

[Lambeau]

I have a Uniden R8 and an older Uniden R3. They are fantastic and well worth the money IMO. The R3 is a great value. The R8 is the latest and greatest and includes directional signals now that the Valentine patent has expired.

This.

 

[Pribilof]

V1G2
JBV1 (cellphone app that links to the V1)
Waze/Google Maps

zero tickets in 30 years.

 

[Roots-type]

The R3 is pretty capable. Make sure you go to Uniden's website and update the RD with the lastest software.

Yeah im hoping it's a good one. If it's on par or better than my passport, I'll be happy. Thanks for the heads up!

OP- I didn't have time earlier for a detailed post, but here's the highlights that made me choose the R3:

1) It has GPS so you can mark out locations that give false alerts
2) It displays the actual frequency, down to like .001 so you can tell the difference between a real Ka warning and new car's proximity sensors that apparently can trigger Ka also. The popo band for Ka is 34.708 I believe. Car proximity sensors are like 34.711 or something like that.
3) Range is said to be excellent
4) Red light camera warnings
5) Price

 

[_Snake_]

V1G2
JBV1 (cellphone app that links to the V1)
Waze/Google Maps

zero tickets in 30 years.

This is the way. Had this setup driving 100 miles round trip for two years and it was worth every penny. Highly recommend.