what's a good radar detector that i can get used for cheap, like sub $100
i've had too many close calls and got a warning over the weekend for running a red light

9/20/2007 12:55:00 AM

cheapest is probably slow it down. if a cop sees a radar detector theres no way you'll get out of a ticket.. aside from that just check google or pawn shops

9/20/2007 1:06:53 AM

don't bother with a cheap one. either spend the money for a good one, or just keep it within 10-over.

look on ebay or craigslist for a passport 8500. you won't get one for $100, but if you want a detector, it's worth the extra money.


of course, i'm partial to valentine one, but i know you aren't about to spend the money for one of them.

9/20/2007 1:12:30 AM

radar detector is not gonna help you with running the red light.

9/20/2007 2:22:08 AM

unless it alerts you to the fact that there's a cop around

but don't run red lights


and there is no such thing as a good detector that you can get for cheap.

9/20/2007 7:37:04 AM

Quote :

"radar detector is not gonna help you with running the red light."

9/20/2007 7:59:53 AM

whats the best option for a radar detector where the sensors are installed remotely...in/around the bumpers for example.

i want a detector, but I don't want that crap sitting on my dashboard or up near my rear view mirror.

I heard you can get the valentine and then buy the extra sensors...but that seems like a waste to have a unit with all the sensors on it, and then stick it under the dash or something where those sensors won't get used. do they make any thats just a display box you stash somewhere, and then sensor modules that you mount around the bumpers and then plug into the display? if not, whats the most efficient way to setup a remote sensor radar detector?

9/20/2007 8:26:10 AM

guess no one has a recommendation on a sub $100 radar detector

9/20/2007 1:56:57 PM

^^ i'm not aware of anything like that for the valentine 1. what they offer is a concealed display--it still utilizes the regular black box, but it has a remote display so the cars around and behind you can't just piggyback off of your detector display.

K40 offers a system like what you describe, but it's VERY expensive, and i've never seen any indication that it performs as well as a V1.

^ i've already explained--there's a reason for that.

[Edited on September 20, 2007 at 2:17 PM. Reason : you can prob find a used Passport 8500 for $150-200.]

9/20/2007 2:14:37 PM

i hear radio shack has some good ones.

9/20/2007 2:16:10 PM

you are setting yourself up for failure in big way if you get a shitty detector. either get a good one, or don't use one.

also, even a good detector is no substitute for common sense a good lookout.

9/20/2007 2:19:10 PM

well mostly in the night hard to be on the lookout....during the day i do just fine

what distinguishes a good detector from a bad one...distance? reception?

9/20/2007 2:24:19 PM

just listen to duke.. i've had cheap ones and they aren't worth it. i got an escort that came with a corvette i bought, it was stolen so i got a V1..and that thing has paid for itself 10x over

the cheap one was just worthless, don't bother

9/20/2007 2:26:10 PM

veering away from the topic....

I use the whole "pay close attention to my surroundings and let that dictate my speed and level of driving dumbassery"

keeping a close and tuned eye for police cruisers and unmarked cars usually pays off... and running 10ish over has never netted me a ticket.

9/20/2007 2:42:47 PM

dont speed. its like practicing abstenance(sp) radars dont work all the time. just like condoms are not 100%effective against knocking up.
ill live withthe fact that i dont use either. its an adrinaline ruch

9/20/2007 3:03:14 PM

ha, a radar detector isn't going to help you with running the light and 9 times out of 10 won't let you know there's a cop there either. The most common misconception is that just because you go by a cop, it should go off. Not all cops have radars and they aren't always on. And radar detectors do no good without a little common sense because he doesn't even have to use it to catch you speeding.

I don't drive enough or in a way to justify spending the money on an escort/valentine. I bought like an $80 Whistler from walmart and it works perfectly. Very few false alarms and has POP and laser detection. I followed a friend to Louisiana last year who had an 8500 x50. The only difference was that mine was a little slower to pick up the radar signal but I still had plenty of time. Going through Atlanta, his failed to pick up a cop with a Lidar and it was pointed right at him.

As I said earlier, with a little common sense, even cheap cobra/whistler radar can work. If you're all by yourself and driving 20mph+ over, then even the best radar detectors aren't going to help you. If you see a cop coming up from behind, he can still pace you and not even use his radar. And a cop on the side of the rode doesn't need one either because he can guesstimate your speed by the time it takes to travel a known distance between 2 objects.

[Edited on September 20, 2007 at 3:11 PM. Reason : ]

9/20/2007 3:07:52 PM

how fast do you usually drive? You can usually cruise on I40 at 80mph without getting a ticket.

9/20/2007 3:25:49 PM

Quote :

"he can guesstimate your speed by the time it takes to travel a known distance between 2 objects."

hell i had one tell me they taught him how to tell how fast cars were going in school without using a radar.. i just passed him, he was going the opposite direction not even looking for speeders and he gave me a ticket for about 10mph over what i was actually doing.. fucking bullshit. he only noticed me because i accelerated quick in a loud ass car and was way ahead of other traffic because they were still barely moving from the stop at the stop light 3 miles back..

lawyers took care of it but still sucks they can do that.

9/20/2007 3:31:58 PM

Quote :

"I don't drive enough or in a way to justify spending the money on an escort/valentine"

It isnt really that expensive.

I agree with all your other points though.

If youre the only guy on the road and youre speeding your radar detector will not save you. The only thing that would save you is if the cop being lazy.

9/20/2007 7:08:50 PM

^ it will save you every time, unless they're using instant on. cops in some places use instant on almost religiously, and in other places only rarely...gotta get familier with your local enemy.

9/20/2007 7:12:19 PM

well i have a V1 and I see plenty of cops without their radar on. almost all of them around raleigh.

9/20/2007 7:19:44 PM

i have a V1, too.

if they don't have their RADAR on, they aren't likely to give you a ticket.

9/20/2007 7:23:17 PM

9/20/2007 7:51:14 PM