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Radar Detector Recommendation


OlGeezer

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I'm looking for recommendations for a radar detector. It's not for me. I stopped using my V1 when I got into long distance riding. Speed and endurance don't get along. My sister is looking to replace her 30 year old unit. It's powered by a 6 volt battery and is illuminated by candles, so she definitely needs an upgrade. Thanks in advance.

 

Thank you,

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I'm sure they all have LIDAR detection now. But nothing can detect VASCAR, so it may be worth knowing what speed measuring technology is in use where your sister typically drives.

 

If the lawman sees that detector there is no way she talks her self out of a ticket. What is the cost of the ticket? How many fines would she expect to get w/o a detector over the next few years? ROI may be terrible on buying the detector. These days you can get a deal from the munipality of no points and just pay the fine cuz in the end they just want the $$$ and have little real interest in road safety.

 

I recently got clipped for 16 over while commuting during a publicized crack down on speeding to improve public safety on the roads. Mailed in my not guilty pleas was given a pre trial date sat down with the assistant DA and had it reduced to an illegal parking zero point ticked and cut a check for $124. The real laugh was the DA noted that my driving record was very clean and the reason she offered a no points deal, but I had done the same deal about 3 years ago! What a racket!

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I'm sure they all have LIDAR detection now. But nothing can detect VASCAR, so it may be worth knowing what speed measuring technology is in use where your sister typically drives.

 

If the lawman sees that detector there is no way she talks her self out of a ticket. What is the cost of the ticket? How many fines would she expect to get w/o a detector over the next few years? ROI may be terrible on buying the detector. These days you can get a deal from the munipality of no points and just pay the fine cuz in the end they just want the $$$ and have little real interest in road safety.

 

I recently got clipped for 16 over while commuting during a publicized crack down on speeding to improve public safety on the roads. Mailed in my not guilty pleas was given a pre trial date sat down with the assistant DA and had it reduced to an illegal parking zero point ticked and cut a check for $124. The real laugh was the DA noted that my driving record was very clean and the reason she offered a no points deal, but I had done the same deal about 3 years ago! What a racket!

 

For me, it's not worth it. That's why I parked my V1 more than 10 years ago. I'm not really into offering unsolicited advice, particularly to my older sister. She asked me for recommendations on a radar detector, not whether she should use a radar detector.

 

Thank you,

 

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If you're not using it why not pass along your V1 to your sister?

 

She is certainly welcome to it, but that is not what she asked me.

 

Thank you,

 

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For me, it's not worth it. That's why I parked my V1 more than 10 years ago. I'm not really into offering unsolicited advice, particularly to my older sister. She asked me for recommendations on a radar detector, not whether she should use a radar detector.

 

Thank you,

 

Right,

 

When I did use a detector I had an Escort that had a graphical display. It would show the legal frequency as a single bar in the center of the display with the signal as a distribution mound relative to that center freaquency. A tall narrow mound near the center freepaquency was always real. A wide distribution, way off center signal, or a noisy jumble of mounds across the display could be ignored. I loved how the info was displayed as it allowed for deciding real or false signal in a glance. Had great range which was good for instant on pulse guns and would pick up the stray signal spray up to a mile away. If memory serves it w as around $200 to $250.

 

The downside is some folks may not understand how to read the display, like my wife, who would slow for any beep. She hated that detector and had no interest understanding center freaquencies and signal distribution mounds.

 

So what ever your sister gets, if she is good with reading a graphic display and understanding the info being displayed, I highly recommend getting one with that feature, if it is still available anyway.

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V1 is still at or near top of heap as far as performance.

It does require some form of protection if riding in weather.

They offer a trade in program,so she could get some $ off by trading in your unit.

 

JR356

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I have been using an 8500 X50 for a long time. Last year bought a second (different brand - Beltronics PRO300, but same guts apparently). It's dated, doesn't have GPS and there are plenty of annoying K-band falses from newer cars with lane assist systems, but it picks up KA band really well and that's what they use in my area if they're not using laser. For tooling around our backroads it's a valuable source of information.

 

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I have had a V1 for years, but never wired up my GS for it, and recently removed the wiring from the K1600. The reason -- too many false alarms. With all the store doors and vehicles with lane assist technology, it was going off all the time and distracting me. This even after an upgrade to bring its insides up to date, and running it on its least sensitive setting. Also, even without the distractions, it was no help with instant on radar. Don't ask me how I know.

 

One of my riding friends uses an older Escort 8500 and his does not seem to give as many false alarms. It can also be programmed to ignore signals from specific locations where it gets false alarms. I see that Escort now has a line of even smarter detectors.

 

Good luck to your sister with her decision.

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I have had a V1 for years, but never wired up my GS for it, and recently removed the wiring from the K1600. The reason -- too many false alarms. With all the store doors and vehicles with lane assist technology, it was going off all the time and distracting me. This even after an upgrade to bring its insides up to date, and running it on its least sensitive setting. Also, even without the distractions, it was no help with instant on radar. Don't ask me how I know.

 

One of my riding friends uses an older Escort 8500 and his does not seem to give as many false alarms. It can also be programmed to ignore signals from specific locations where it gets false alarms. I see that Escort now has a line of even smarter detectors.

 

Good luck to your sister with her decision.

 

I recall that the issue with false alarms was a big reason I stopped using it. Thanks for the info. I'll point her towards the Escort.

 

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I have a K40. It works well enough. Has saved me at least 3 times in the last 10/12 years. You have to know any radar detector's limitations. For instance as been mentioned above, vascar is or nearly so evasion proof. They use it in Nevada. So when in Nevada, I do not depend on my detector. With all the proximity devises in cars, there's no point in using it on a freeway that has very much traffic. In town, unless you have capability to mute electric door openers, might as well turn it off in town. So, that limits it uses to touring in areas with moderate to light traffic in areas without vascar. I'm OK with that. My detector is also easily and quickly removable and stashable in my tank bag in the event of an officer-rider contact. Been there done that no problems.

Check out this site. https://www.speedzones.com/

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Well I was wrong about my unit being an Escort, sort of anyway. I was in my closet of stored stuff for an HDMI cable and saw the unit I described above and it is a Cobra Model RDL-712SW From what I can tell it was manufactured in 2003 Wow, ancient for sure! Looking at their website I can't even get a hit searching for a manual. Now that I'm thinking about this unit, I bought it because it had the same guts as one of the Escort Passport units which was highly rated at the time, but was priced lower.

 

The new models sure don't have that type of display anymore and maybe with all the improvements for smart electronics it is not needed. However, from reading the last few posts with even more sources for false signals it seems that the graphic display on my obsolete unit would still be useful as false signals were dismissed with a glance and then it was back to pedal to the metal which is the real purpose of these safety devices. My guess is that this unit was not too popular as it required a little time to understand how to interpret what the display was informing you of. Maybe I'll break it out of time capsule storage and see how it does. I still have the power cord! amazing!

 

Ebay has one for $5! Hurry, only 3 days left on the auction haha.

 

If you want to believe anything on the interent...

https://www.stealthveil.com/best-radar-detector-reviews-2018-top-rated-radar-detectors

 

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I was strongly considering a detector, I was shopping and asking questions. Then I realized that I don't need another device making noise, and trying to get my attention. I don't receive phone calls in my helmet either for the same reason, just music. I've been pretty good the last 3 years with no tickets, but if I do get one I'll just add it to the list.

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For me, it's not worth it. That's why I parked my V1 more than 10 years ago. I'm not really into offering unsolicited advice, particularly to my older sister. She asked me for recommendations on a radar detector, not whether she should use a radar detector.

 

Thank you,

 

Right,

 

When I did use a detector I had an Escort that had a graphical display. It would show the legal frequency as a single bar in the center of the display with the signal as a distribution mound relative to that center freaquency. A tall narrow mound near the center freepaquency was always real. A wide distribution, way off center signal, or a noisy jumble of mounds across the display could be ignored. I loved how the info was displayed as it allowed for deciding real or false signal in a glance. Had great range which was good for instant on pulse guns and would pick up the stray signal spray up to a mile away. If memory serves it w as around $200 to $250.

 

The downside is some folks may not understand how to read the display, like my wife, who would slow for any beep. She hated that detector and had no interest understanding center freaquencies and signal distribution mounds.

 

So what ever your sister gets, if she is good with reading a graphic display and understanding the info being displayed, I highly recommend getting one with that feature, if it is still available anyway.

 

Hey, Paul,

 

What is the model number of this unit with the graphical display?? I see several on the Escort website but none quite like your description.

 

Regards,

 

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Hi Lowndes

 

The unit I had was actually a Corbra RDL-712SW but was likely a re-branded Escort Passport 5000. These units are ancient now and this type of display has been abandon the best I can tell. I saw on line that fans of these units buy parts machines for about $5 to replace displays that go dead over time (maybe the weakness that killed these models). I always pulled mine off the dash when not in use to keep it from cooking so my display still works (I think).

 

Cobra unit that needs a cord

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=MK106PC&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XRDL-712SW.TRS0&_nkw=RDL-712SW&_sacat=0

 

A couple of Passport 5000's here

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=RDL-712SW&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XEscort+Passport+5000.TRS0&_nkw=Escort+Passport+5000&_sacat=0

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Kind funny how things change. Back in the day of the 'double nickle', I had a Escort on my visor. Didn't think I could live without it. Got stolen. Replaced it with a Valentine One - the Escort was pre- V1 days. The national speed limit changed and I didn't find I needed the V1 much on the highway. It became way outdated, then got stolen out of a commercial vehicle. I didn't have plans to replace it.

 

At my first FART, I saw several riders had a radar detector and I mentioned to one of them that with the speed limit change, I didn't think I needed one. I'd only been thinking of interstate travel, which I try to avoid on the bike. The fact is, I spend the majority of my time on back roads with conservative speed limits. That along with the fact that traveling any distance via back roads increases travel time significantly, one often finds the need to move along at a quicker pace than posted. Not to mention when I'm on the SuperSlab, I try to move faster that the traffic flow . . . kinda paralax and so yea - I bought a V1 and use a app to modify what it looks for and to get audio alerts in my helmet.

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Paul,

 

+1 on the Motorola!!

 

I use WAZE a lot. For my travels, it works really well, much better than Garmin for detours, traffic conditions, LEO's, plus it has better maps. Nothing is 100% idiot proof, I prove that every day, but a detector will be another indicator.

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Still rockin' a V1 for 15 years now. I've sent it in twice for upgrades to keep it current so its an all new unit by now. It's expensive but as a friend of mine used to say, "Buy the best, cry once."

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I run a recently re-tuned Escort 8500 and STI (undetectable in VA and Canada). I have had excellent performance with them. Zero tickets, mega time make-up. I am trying the new Escort Redline Ex in cage for 30 days and then want to try the Uniden R3. Been seeing good press on this unit and the cost is a lot less than V1 and Escort. These last two units now get rid of almost all of the pesky K alerts the older ones got (What genius at Acura and Hyundai thought of that frequency use?). I use radar detectors as a tool and not stand alone protection. The alerts remind me to watch speed in municipalities and on highways to ensure I am not the front vehicle or all by myself when alerted. I always stay out of the left lane when driving creatively and exaggerating the speed limit. You never see a right laner get pulled over do you? Unless they are all alone. Cheers and be safe.

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Mr. Kubuki,

 

Thanks for the info on new detector "tools". 100% agree on strategies, with the addition that I don't want to be the tail end Charlie, or the fastest vehicle, either. Kinda the reverse Grizzly Bear hypothesis. Seems like there's ALWAYS someone who wants to oblige and go faster than me, too.

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I have a V1 in my car and in my truck. Both not in plain site ( the reason I love the V1 is the remote display) When I get my tank bag setup on the bike, it will get one too. I ran the same setup in my Hayabusa. Only the remote display visible on the dash. I mainly use it to keep me "alert" in situations where the speed limit changes from the normal. In traffic on the interstate, someone is always faster...a "Rabbit" I sometimes wander over the limit, especially on the bike because it's easy to do. I also like to know when I see a cop, if he is actually shooting radar or just making people slow up. Nothing is foolproof and I did get a ticket a few years back, still don't know how, but...I learned and yes, all they want is the revenue...unless you are really doing something stupid..

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  • 2 months later...
Newbie here. I recently just bought a 2013 BMW HP4 (freaking love it) and wanted to get a good radar but not sure where to start. I looked on Google and found this article https://10bestranked.com/best-radar-detector/ but I'm not sure if it pertains to cars only? Someone please recommend me a good model for my bike.

Personally, I like the Valentine One. Beside having good electronics, the big pluses are that it will tell you the directions of the radar sources as well as the number. It has antennae at front and rear, which is how id is able to differentiate radar signal direction. It is costly, but I think that it is worth the price.

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I have a V1 in my car and in my truck. Both not in plain site ( the reason I love the V1 is the remote display) When I get my tank bag setup on the bike, it will get one too. I ran the same setup in my Hayabusa. Only the remote display visible on the dash. I mainly use it to keep me "alert" in situations where the speed limit changes from the normal. In traffic on the interstate, someone is always faster...a "Rabbit" I sometimes wander over the limit, especially on the bike because it's easy to do. I also like to know when I see a cop, if he is actually shooting radar or just making people slow up. Nothing is foolproof and I did get a ticket a few years back, still don't know how, but...I learned and yes, all they want is the revenue...unless you are really doing something stupid..

 

Hey slime, I also use a V1 in the car and on my GS. You mentioned using the V1 remote display on the dash of your moto which begs the question, where do you mount the actual V1 detector on the moto that would require the remote display?

 

TIA!

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