Best radar detector? Reviews and recommendations please

**Alpha Solo** · 27th September 2010, 15:06

I know this topic has been covered 1000 times but technology moves on by the hour.

Basically I want the most accurate unit possible.

Many thanks!

**rapid van cleef** · 27th September 2010, 15:10

well i was lucky enough to come accross an escort passport x 50 in an auction house earlier this year and paid 100 bucks for it. ive used it in the car and on the bike and it picks up cops and all manner of ' progress detectors' from afar.

happy days!

**Gremlin** · 27th September 2010, 15:22

Valentine V1
Bel STI
Escort Redline

Do a search, tons of posts debating which is best, but these are the top 3 I believe. I have a Bel.

**slofox** · 27th September 2010, 15:34

I have an Adaptiv TPX.

This is designed for bikes by bikers. So is very bike friendly as you would expect. I also use it in the cage.

Top end units like Bel etc have greater sensitivity - ie can detect from greater distances. But the TPX has kept me out of trouble quite successfully so far. Range is certainly better than the old Cobra I started out with.

It is pretty simple to use and comes with (optional I think?) audio alert (Wireless magic box and earphone to fit inside helmet) and visual alert (three LED thingy you can stick on your dash).

I got mine from Radar Direct. At the time the dollar was weakish against the greenback but at current levels, you might get it cheaper from USofA.

However, I had an issue with the audio doover eating up batteries in mere days. I got that dealt to very quickly and painlessly by RD. So I was glad I had bought from a local business.

**cs363** · 27th September 2010, 16:05

Originally Posted by Gremlin

Valentine V1
Bel STI
Escort Redline

Do a search, tons of posts debating which is best, but these are the top 3 I believe. I have a Bel.

X 2 Doesn't matter which forum you're on, these results are pretty consistent. Personally I have a Valentine and swear by it, also have a couple of mates with Bel's who are happiness filled. Don't have any personal experience with the Escort brand but every test you see or forum debate you read they're up there with the other two.
The Adaptiv is a new entry into the market with most users reporting favorable performance (as per slofox above), however whilst better than many they aren't in the same league as the top 3 brands.

One of the many advantages of the Valentine is the ability to upgrade software if technology changes, though this does involve sending it to the US.

You will hear arguments for and against these 3 brands (and throw in the Adaptiv for good luck) but they all perform very well, with some particular features appealing more to some than others.

**Maha** · 27th September 2010, 16:48

103 KPH.....

**Quasievil** · 27th September 2010, 17:10

If you come across a smart coppa, no radar detector will work...........until its to late

**Morcs** · 27th September 2010, 17:25

Originally Posted by Quasievil

If you come across a smart coppa, no radar detector will work...........until its to late

Yup instant-on is a bitch.

The only advantage of having a radar against instant-on is that you know they actually pinged you, and you can make the assessment whether to gap it or not

without radar you could find yourself gapping it and getting into a chase because you gapped it when they didnt actually ping you speeding.

All hypothetically speaking of course.

I use a Bel Vector 965. works well. cheap. cant turn off K bad which is annoying round town, but if K band goes off on the open road its good as it prompts you to check your speed and keeps you alert.

**onearmedbandit** · 27th September 2010, 17:31

Valentine V1 on my bike. Yes I know it won't save me every time, but it has saved me on a number of times. I'm happy with that.

**slofox** · 27th September 2010, 17:36

Originally Posted by Quasievil

If you come across a smart coppa, no radar detector will work...........until its to late

My radar detector has worked in a different way. In the cage anyway.

What has happened is that it made me monitor my speed more often. I leave all bands on and whenever it goes off I check the speedo. Top speed on SH1 between Tron and d'Aucks has dropped by about 5km/hr since I started using a detector.

I used to get a bit slack on it before and would find the speedo drifting up around 115. Now it never tops 110 - usually less in fact. The whole idea of getting a detector was to cover against those times when the speed just sorta snuck up without me thinking about it. It has covered that scenario nicely. And no, one of those chirpers that go off when you hit 106 would not work as well. The reinforcement of the detector is intermittant so produces a behavioural change that is much more resistant to extinction.

Now, if only I could get it to do the same on the bike...

**Morcs** · 27th September 2010, 20:41

Originally Posted by slofox

My radar detector has worked in a different way. In the cage anyway.

What has happened is that it made me monitor my speed more often. I leave all bands on and whenever it goes off I check the speedo. Top speed on SH1 between Tron and d'Aucks has dropped by about 5km/hr since I started using a detector.

I used to get a bit slack on it before and would find the speedo drifting up around 115. Now it never tops 110 - usually less in fact. The whole idea of getting a detector was to cover against those times when the speed just sorta snuck up without me thinking about it. It has covered that scenario nicely. And no, one of those chirpers that go off when you hit 106 would not work as well. The reinforcement of the detector is intermittant so produces a behavioural change that is much more resistant to extinction.

Now, if only I could get it to do the same on the bike...

Agreed.

I first started running radar to help prevent me getting tickets - as i used to get them en-masse. But ive found Ive ridden a lot slower ever since, though it has saved me on a few occaisions when being a bit generous with fuel usage...

Never had a ticket when running radar. No matter which way thats worked (literally saving, or helping reduce speed) Im happy.

**CHR1S** · 28th September 2010, 20:01

Valentine V1 on my bike. Yes I know it won't save me every time, but it has saved me on a number of times. I'm happy with that.

Same goes for my BEL STI...havent ever actually been caught while using it. (although it has paid for itself numerous times over) In saying that I don't open in up in really stoooopid places either.