Radar Detector Recs/Thoughts/Experiences

[bostonchef]

Hey All- Had another great morning tweaking VAG with Zulu jams and a buddy, who had a detector installed. I've been seeing them on most S models and most sportier vehicles. I guess my questions are how accurate, how reliable, and how effective are they? Do you have one and if so what brand do you like... Cheers!

[Evlengr]

I have the top of the line BEL radar detector courtesy of my lovely wife (Xmas present). It is a must in MD/DC metro area. I typically drive about 20 mph above the speed limit and it has given me ample warning to avoid trouble. I like the fact that it drops down 20 db after the first 2-3 seconds and tells you what type of radar is in use. Good to know since State Troopers are more Ka and local and Cameras K band. Also can download new camera locations weekly.

I have not suffered a laser hit yet above speed so I have been lucky as they only true solution to that is a jammer.

[Pyro451]

I opted for the Laser Interceptor Dual and Bel STiR+ combo. I LOVE it!

The LI has saved me from laser twice now (one hit would have been more than the cost of the system). And the STiR+ has alerted me to radar speed traps and traffic cameras (in NY).

I would have opted for the RL360, but with the side assist, the K-band would have been constantly going off for the rear sensor.

[jgiachino]

Passport 9500ix.....top rated in consumer reports (this year) + has GPS and after 3 false alarms in same spot/frequency or if you manually mark a spot it wont alert you again (same gps coordinate + same freq)....you can also manually unmark + usb connectivity for updates of the database (other's data).....

Let's put it this way...doesnt make a peep on the commute, either direction...unless it's the popo.....

also, the gps lets you knwo when comming up to a fixed speed camera (hence the database update)....

all in all, flippen awesome!

[Ynnekdude]

Valentine 1.

Have a 9500ix but I rarely use it. It's now in the Q5.

I also have a Laser Interceptor to deal with LIDAR. Radar detectors are useless against that.

[goti]

Valentine 1 here. It is awesome and once you get used to the arrows you will wonder how you ever got by without them.

It is very sensitive which comes in very handy for instant on type radar encounters. The flip side is it can be a little chatty in in certain areas.

I used (and actually still have) a 9500ix but the lack of sensitivity against instant on radar pushed me towards the V1.

Both are very nice detectors though.

[billyg]

Laser Interceptor dual heads in front, and a V1 that's over 10 years old (been updated once) and still works great. The arrow locators add a whole dimension to using it.
The LI saves me at least a couple of times a month, as they've really stepped up laser usage in my area in the past year or so. The LI is user update-able, and Cliff (the US LI rep) is awesome, super responsive to questions and gives great tech and customer support.

[helix139]

It depends on your budget and needs. If you don't mind spending the cash, the Bel STI-R Plus is the best by far in terms of response, sensitivity, and false alert filtering. If you don't want to spend the money or are opposed to a permanently installed detector, go for one of the 3 below:

Escort Redline: Best range, good response, invisible to radar detector detectors (important if you ever travel through VA), and compatible with Escort Live if you want to add GPS filtering to eliminate falses.

Escort 9500ix: Virtually zero falses thanks to GPS auto filtering, Good range, decent response. Also compatible with Escort Live. Does not pick up instant on radar as well though.

Valentine 1: Best response means it is best (outside of the STI-R Plus) against instant on. Good range, and has arrows, but lots of falses.

IMO, if you drive a lot of open highway and don't see a ton of instant on, go with the redline. Add Escort live if you feel like you are getting a lot of falses. If you drive in a lot of urban areas, get the 9500ix. If you see a lot of instant on, get the V1.

Whatever you get, you're still going to be unprotected unless you add a laser jammer also. Laser Interceptor is by far the best. Get the dual model at a minimum, but the quad is recommended.

[B8_s4]

Originally Posted by bostonchef

Hey All-

Had another great morning tweaking VAG with Zulu jams and a buddy, who had a detector installed. I've been seeing them on most S models and most sportier vehicles. I guess my questions are how accurate, how reliable, and how effective are they?

Do you have one and if so what brand do you like...

Cheers!

Zulujams hooked up my car with VAG mods yesterday as well!

I use a 9500ix mainly because of the city driving and its ability to train itself via GPS. Valentine 1 was just way to chirpy around metro areas.

I have it hardwired to the fusebox for a clean install..

[uberwgn]

Originally Posted by bostonchef

Do you have one and if so what brand do you like...

Howdy, neighbor! I think the setup you need will be determined by how much of a "speeder" you are. At some point in time you will be confronted by laser and will require a defense against it. While laser is not the dominant speed measuring techinque in our immediate area, you may encounter it while traveling in NY/CT/NH and beyond. If you're not such a hard core speeder, and just wish to be alerted to Ka- and K-band, something like the new Escort X50 Black or the Valentine 1 are fine choices, speaking from personal experience. In fact, the new X50 Black is likely the best value out there at $300, and is great for local driving in terms of false rejection. The V1 at $400 is better on the road and offers superior laser scatter detection, FWIW.

• Figure out your long-term needs
• How much of a speeder are you?
• Invest in the appropriate "system"