Is there any consensus on which radar detectors work best in general or with Crossfires in particular? Have only had the car since February but already some close calls. Any thoughts apprecciated. Thanks.

 

All the brands offer decent protection. BEL/Escort/Passport are under the same ownership and share technology. Valentine is very good. But, and I assume you already know this, radar detectors are not a magic defense. They may save you depending upon the situation but a well placed trap with instant on radar and a patient operator or a laser will always have the ability to defeat any detector. If a cop is parked and fingering the trigger every five seconds you may get a warning. Or if there's a rabbit up ahead who takes the beam for you, you may get lucky. But when confronted with a stealthy hunter and the right equipment, you're still screwed. Try slowing down on public roads.

 

Actually do a google search for tests and comparisons witch have been performed there is a site that has done wonderful comparisons but I am unable to remember the sites name.
do the search it is worth it.
Mike

 

Ahh I love these threads!!

The people Montana are referring too are Guys of Lidar (http://www.guysoflidar.com/).. they are independent radar/laser enthusiasts and are not sponsored by any radar makers, etc. Their tests are great and are accurate.

I'm waiting in for Doc to chime in saying how useless radar detectors are

As far as the best, there are a couple of choices. The Escort 9500IX is best for casual radar detector usage with the auto-lockout feature to quiet it during city driving.

The Escort Redline is by far the most sensitive, extreme radar detector. Since it's your first one I wouldn't recommend this, it's only for hardcore radar people who don't mind false alerts and can filter out bands, alerts, falses, true hits, etc. etc.

The Valentine 1 is a great detector with the arrows - one of the most popular ones. The arrow patent is set to expire very soon though I believe, and that is one of the main features of this detector. It's very sensitive and will false a lot in the city, I had one and it was quite annoying. An awesome detector none the less though.

Those are the big 3, unless you're trying to get into custom installed such as STI-R and 9500CI (9500CI is same as 9500IX but is custom installer [doesnt stick to your windshield] and includes [useless] laser jammers].

Keep in mind now that radar detectors themselves won't really save you much, since many police use LASER now. Laser has little/NO scatter and if your radar/"laser" detector picks it up, then the police was targetting YOU and has already got your speed. This is nothing more than a ticket notifier.

If you're serious about a radar detector, then you want laser protection as well. Laser jammers are legal in many, many states. Check them out, they really work. The two brands to look at are the Blinder (M47 model #) and Laser Interceptor. LI is deemed to be the best, but they are $$. Blinder is more budget friendly, and still a very good jammer.

 

lot of good stuff in the RD world
this had me all excited, thinking I was about to off the V1

PASSPORT iQ - Escort Inc.

which brought me to this
Overview | Radaractive

Veil Guy: RadarActive Review: Are Conventional Radar Detectors Obsolete?

I have the concealed display,
but this is better, its not obvious what its doing, shows traffic, map & plays music once trapster becomes less annoying, it will be a nice package

anyone saying RD's are worthless are speaking out of ignorance
even the laser detector, when paired w/ a good jammer, works well
Mine:
Laser Interceptor USA -Laser Jammer - Exclusive Factory Authorized Distributor to The USA and Canada - Product Info.

none if this is a ticket to floor it mindlessly
their just tool

 

You might want to check with BigKid. I don't know what brand he has but I like how concealed it is. Truth is I like just about everything he has done to his SRT. LED warning lights built into the dash, front and rear concealed detectors, and an audible warning as well. Not that any of this will do him any good with the cut-outs open

 

They aren't totally useless but they aren't guaranteed protection either. Not by a long shot. Anyone saying they are is just speaking out of ignorance.

 

If they save you from just 1 (or 2 depending on what you spent) ticket, they paid for themselves. I have the BEL RX65 which was not the top rated but it serves me very well. Just about all of them will give you enough distance if the radar is on and none of them will give you enough distance if you are popped.

 

I got four tickets in six months so I bought a Beltronics Vector 955 based on a recomendation on here and love it. It has the performance of much more expensive units and finds the cops way before they find me.

 

Spoken like someone who doesn't use one.
Wouldn't drive w/out one

 

The problem is that I believe most people who have one will be a little more gutsy in driving faster, which is a big no no. Cops can use instant-on or quick trigger radar and still get your speed and your detector might not even go off..

They can also pace you, etc. They will indeed help but in no way guarantee to alert you to every police radar signal.

They are indeed great tools, but they also instill a greater confidence which might not always pan out.

 

With my unit I have been driving enough to know what the local cops are using. I have seen mostly K and Ka band in my area. In some towns I have exerienced instant on but that has always been directed at someone else which gives me warning. If you are feeling gutsy it is best to not be the only car on the road. I have gotten so used to driving with it that I am very unfortable when driving my wife's or my son's car. They are getting detectors for Christmas! I, like others who have them, would not drive without one. The Beltroncs V955 that I have costs less than one ticket and the best money I spent on my car. Cops will say they are useless but I get a dirty look from the same cop who sits outside of my housing development every time I cruise past him at the speed limit just after I got the warning and slowed down.

 

Well, you're half right. I own one but I seldom use it any longer. It's pretty much relegated to highway duty on long trips outside metro areas where I'm not familiar with the landscape. Good luck with that sense of invulnerability superman.

 

And let's not forget the speed camera. You'll never even know you were targeted until some clerk mails you an invoice.

 

Spud, that is not always true... I got hit by a camera in Germany and saw the flash of the light when it took my picture...(good full front view) .... all the cameras I see out here have those nice lights that go off so they make sure to get a good pic.... kind of hard to miss..

The best insurance is to pay attention to your surroundings and drive sensibly... and yes, I use a V1. But mostly just on the highway. In town I dont need it.

 

I have had the Escort 9500ix for about 18 months now. It has a built-in GPS with a database of red light cameras and known speed traps. I spent the extra $30 and got a database subscription which allows me to update the rl/st database by simply plugging the detector directly into my computer via USB cable.

 

While I agree they are great and have owned some, you said it yourself.. the instant on you did encounter was directed towards someone else - think if it had been directed towards you... ticket for sure if you were speeding!

Most cops use Ka band and K band is not uncommon, but if they use laser in your area, be careful with no jammers - a radar detector is going to be useless.

 

My Bel Vector 940 is on all the time. Has saved me almost every day. Mainly KA band on Gov't installation. They're there coming and going to and from work. That 940 has payed for itself a 100 times over and not a single ticket yet (Knock on wood)!!

 

That is why I pointed out that if you are cruising a little over the limit, it is best to not be the only car on the road. But I can tell you mine also saves my butt almost every single day. I have found hiding places for cops that I didn't even know existed before getting the detector. I will never own a car again without one

 

Exactly TX, I seldom nail it but when I do ove 15mph, in a 55, I like to get gehind something that sends out a bigger signature...van or suv. I just like to know when/where the cops are for future reference and to setup the tailgater behind me without a detector.

Situational awareness