Radar detectors. Which one?

[rapid van cleef]

Got some goof info off here so far. thanks guys

where can i see online radar detectors?

or am i better off getting a gps system with a detector built in

my brother had a road angel detector and had nothing but trouble with it

ive had no experience of any others

ta

[Naki Rat]

Get a Bel 65, or Bel STi if your budget allows, or you could do a search for all the other radar detector threads on KB.

[p.dath]

Check out these guys:
http://www.radardirect.co.nz/

Note they have actually had each detector tested by the Police and have reports you can read about how effective they are. I'd only buy it from these guys.

[rapid van cleef]

There are lots of radar detectors on trade me. dont really wanna spend $1k. thats a lot of cash!!!!!

anyone know of a good brand , that i may be able to get 2nd hand?

[xgnr]

There are lots of radar detectors on trade me. dont really wanna spend $1k. thats a lot of cash!!!!!

anyone know of a good brand , that i may be able to get 2nd hand?

Geez man

Sort out your manners... or you will get no help

[rapid van cleef]

manners?

oh my good, i start off the thread by saying thank you......

if u have nothing better to do with your time than to criticise, please dont bother answering anything ever.

thanks for reading

[MaxB]

+1 on the 'search the other threads on KB' quote. There is heaps of info on here on what riders prefer.

Trademe has a good selection of used models at any one time. The Valentine V1 and Bel Sti are considered top of the line. The best value for money is considered to be the bel rx65 at about $600.

I see that there is a Escort Passport 8500 on there for about $400. That would probably meet your needs for a first time user.

The question to ask is 'How much is your licence worth to you?'

[Ooky]

Valentine V1:first:

[p.dath]

I think you'll find it cheaper just going to Track Days.

[captain_andrey]

If you cant spend the money on the Bel Sti or V1 just dont bother. Save the money for the tickets.

[kiwifruit]

Methods for evading enforcement of speed limits have entered popular culture. Among the most familiar techniques is to purchase a radar detector to seek out police radar signals before one enters an enforcement zone. Observers have pointed out a small-scale arms race ensues, as speeders buy radar detectors of greater technology and police purchase equipment that is harder to detect. Such detectors are illegal in certain jurisdictions. Speeders can also alter their traffic behavior according to known police stakeout positions.

[jono035]

I have a Escort 8500, highly recommend it. There is a lot of testing of different brands around out there and the only thing that beat this unit in terms of sensitivity was the Valentine which also tossed shitloads of false alerts (which doesn't help at all)

Cost me about $500 just over 4 years ago. Don't buy a second hand one because they can and do go bad. One day they will just turn on, fail the self test and only show an error on the display. My first one did that about 10 months after I bought it and was replaced under warranty straight away. Second one is still going strong.

4 years of driving to either the Bay of Islands, Tauranga or Hamilton on long weekends as well as driving around the city, with almost all of that cruising at +20% above the speed limit and I've only ever got one speeding ticket (hidden cop with a laser).

They're good units. I'd steer clear of the Uniden end of the market, the electronics just aren't up to scratch, I have a friend who loves his Uniden, but he did say he quite frequently sees cars right as it goes off, a problem which I don't have.

[bsasuper]

I have a bell sti, and its superb, the escort 8500 is almost as good.

[Biggles08]

Got some goof info off here so far. thanks guys

where can i see online radar detectors?

or am i better off getting a gps system with a detector built in

my brother had a road angel detector and had nothing but trouble with it

ive had no experience of any others

ta

Buy mine...its for sale...Beltronics XR (STi) including all the goodies for bikes....H.A.R.D system (lights up in your helmet when a signal is detected), stem mount, rain protection all included...as new condition purchased less than a year ago for over $1500....yours for $1000ono...pm me if your interested:Police: I have no need for it anymore as I don't ride on the road now...need money for racing! woop!

[TLMAN]

They're good units. I'd steer clear of the Uniden end of the market, the electronics just aren't up to scratch, I have a friend who loves his Uniden, but he did say he quite frequently sees cars right as it goes off, a problem which I don't have.

+1

I bought a Cobra 9945 from paralell imported for $400.

It works well, on two occasions recently it gave me a 20s+ warning on HP patrols on SH16 (one moving and one stationary).

I might add, a radar detector will never work as well as a sharp pair of eyes though!!

[pritch]

Searching the threads hereabout will give an idea as to which makes are popular, but the model information will likely be out of date. But so probably would be a second hand detector.

Then again I'd consider selling mine because there's a new undetectable Escort out with longer range detection and a metal case... Probably expensive, but not as expensive as having a cheap detector that doesn't do its job. :whistle:

If on a tight budget it's probably better to stay under the speed limit?

[jono035]

Searching the threads hereabout will give an idea as to which makes are popular, but the model information will likely be out of date. But so probably would be a second hand detector.

Yeah, thats a good point, however there are some extremely good resources out there for finding out how well these units perform. My favourites are:

www.guysoflidar.com
www.radarbusters.com

[nodrog]

get one of these, its cheaper and more effective

http://www.yoyodyneti.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=E80061

[Biggles08]

+1

I bought a Cobra 9945 from paralell imported for $400.

It works well, on two occasions recently it gave me a 20s+ warning on HP patrols on SH16 (one moving and one stationary).

I might add, a radar detector will never work as well as a sharp pair of eyes though!!


A Beltronics XR works a lot better than a sharp pair of eyes :yes: it has saved me many times where the police are nowhere to be seen...over crests off hills, around corners and it NEVER falses...if it goes off beware, there are blue and reds somewhere.

[Swoop]

STi.

Bloody annnoying as it picks up cops from miles away. Then there is heaps of time spent looking, trying to "find Wally"...

[TLMAN]

A Beltronics XR works a lot better than a sharp pair of eyes :yes: it has saved me many times where the police are nowhere to be seen...over crests off hills, around corners and it NEVER falses...if it goes off beware, there are blue and reds somewhere.

If only I had a spare 12hundy:no:

[scumdog]

STi.

Bloody annnoying as it picks up cops from miles away. Then there is heaps of time spent looking, trying to "find Wally"...


Serious question: do you detector users ever get paranoid?

"oops, gone off AGAIN, where is he, where is he....???:blink:"

[Swoop]

Serious question: do you detector users ever get paranoid?

"oops, gone off AGAIN, where is he, where is he....???:blink:"
A tinfoil hat takes care of that...:blip:

I find that certain areas "do" have a higher paranoia rating than others. With a good detector it only activates when there is a definate presence.

[ynot slow]

Serious question: do you detector users ever get paranoid?

"oops, gone off AGAIN, where is he, where is he....???:blink:"

Actually when ever we hit highways we stick the detector up,get sick of it in town,even on lowest setting.

Really surprising the false alarms on ka band,especially if a tractor is on the road,gps in them maybe,usually slow down,but then that's what they're made for.

And the amount of time you go passed a police car and the detector is quiet,can happen a couple of times in 250km area we travel.

[Biggles08]

If only I had a spare 12hundy:no:

Nope....have mine with all the whistles for bikes (see previous post of mine in this thread) for $1000 ono. It NEVER falses and I have it always on 'highway' mode even in town...if it goes off there is a radar in opperation somewhere!:yes:

[inlinefour]

Got some goof info off here so far. thanks guys

where can i see online radar detectors?

or am i better off getting a gps system with a detector built in

my brother had a road angel detector and had nothing but trouble with it

ive had no experience of any others

ta

Ive got a cheap shitty radar detector from overseas that I only use when Im wanting to give the turbo a good working out. Ive been told it upsets their signal also, so once Ive hit the picks, I turn the detector off also. :whocares:


If on a tight budget it's probably better to stay under the speed limit?

Exactly right, otherwise you run the risk of selling off the bike/girlfriend/mistress/whatever to pay the fines.

[pritch]

Serious question: do you detector users ever get paranoid?

"oops, gone off AGAIN, where is he, where is he....???:blink:"

Yes, but it's OK, as long as you slow down before you start looking...

Then again, I may be paranoid but they are out to get me :whistle:

[jim.cox]

I use an Escort Solo 2.

It has internal batteries and an earpiece.

Which makes it ideal for use on a bike...

[jono035]

Actually when ever we hit highways we stick the detector up,get sick of it in town,even on lowest setting.

Really surprising the false alarms on ka band,especially if a tractor is on the road,gps in them maybe,usually slow down,but then that's what they're made for.

And the amount of time you go passed a police car and the detector is quiet,can happen a couple of times in 250km area we travel.

My Escort 8500 doesn't false alarm on Ka ever. It has gone off a few times when I've never spotted the cop, but generally only low signal strength and around Balmoral Rd, where I pick up heaps of cops legitimately anyway...

[Gizzit]

I used to use a detector on my CB1300. It was an STI, and apparently one of the better ones. But yeah .... even if I was going between 100 - 110kmh, I was always wondering when it was going to go off. Even though I was confident that I had good technology on my side .... I never "relaxed" really, and enjoyed my ride, ... as I was often getting along quite a bit quicker than the 100 - 110, and always wondering when I was going to have to grab the picks ... and button off, to avoid a ticket .... or walking.

My CB was quite capable of much more than double the speed limit, and it was awful tempting to use that grunt ...

However ..... a few bikes later down the track, and the STI sold off when the CB went, .... and I won't ever buy a detector again.

I'm REALLY enjoying my cruiser. I don't feel the need to fly down the road anymore, and enjoy my riding much more because I only have to worry about the idiots on the road around me ...... not worrying about getting a ticket for speeding. It's bloody good !!!!!! I still get a real buzz out of riding, and enjoy the journey more than I used to, because now I can SEE what I'm passing through, rather than it being a blur .... !! lol. Also I get to where I want to go feeling really relaxed and just enjoy the ride !!

Speed is a buzz, no question about it !!! But as someone else has said .... thats what track days are for .... and there isn't the crap roads, and solid things to run in too either ....

Just another thought or perspective on the need for a detector ....
Cheers.

[slofox]

Serious question: do you detector users ever get paranoid?

"oops, gone off AGAIN, where is he, where is he....???:blink:"

That is possibly the best thing about radar detectors - they constantly remind you to monitor your speed...every time they chirp they remind you to keep the inner hoon at bay. They should be made compulsory, not banned...

[scumdog]

That is possibly the best thing about radar detectors - they constantly remind you to monitor your speed...every time they chirp they remind you to keep the inner hoon at bay. They should be made compulsory, not banned...

Houzabout a gizmo that chirped evrytime you got near 60/110kph - would be waay cheaper than a detector - and no false alarms!

[slofox]

Houzabout a gizmo that chirped evrytime you got near 60/110kph - would be waay cheaper than a detector - and no false alarms!

My mate had a vehicle with one of them in it...drove me insane. You can turn a detector off, not like his goddam thing...

[HenryDorsetCase]

I have a front mounted SSM can on the triumph. When it detects an incoming radar signal it arms the system, and an outgoing SSM is targeted locking to the incoming signal. That launches the missile, and after that some ECM and chaff is launched. Bingo, no tickets ever, and all the barbecue one can eat.

Of course there are drawbacks: It was originally designed for fitment to F14 15 and 16 fighter jets, so the rockets igniting burns the shit out of your leg when it goes, and the torque reaction from the rocket firing can skew the steering a bit. Oh and since the rockets and control gear weigh 220kg, it makes the steering a bit ponderous. Apart from that, though, all good.

I can hook you up with my supplier too, I got the whole thing, shipped, out the door and landed for just under $20M USD. Bargain. Fitting is extra, depending on your bike make and model.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Houzabout a gizmo that chirped evrytime you got near 60/110kph - would be waay cheaper than a detector - and no false alarms!

wives are not cheaper than consumer electronics, trust me on this. That "cheaper than a detector" that you mention could wind up owning your house!!

[Gizzit]

That is possibly the best thing about radar detectors - they constantly remind you to monitor your speed...every time they chirp they remind you to keep the inner hoon at bay. They should be made compulsory, not banned...

The only problem with that ..... is that really good detectors don't "chirp" much at all ...... only when they do actually pickup radar, so that kind of wouldn't work as far as keeping the hoon within at bay.
As SD points out ..... something like the old jap imports used to have ..... where they alarmed when you went over a certain speed, might be viable IF you want to keep it within the speed limit, otherwise no amount of chirping is going to do it.

[sinned]

Houzabout a gizmo that chirped evrytime you got near 60/110kph - would be waay cheaper than a detector - and no false alarms!

The STI never gives false alarms on KA band. K band is now in use with the mobile radar speed units and this band is used for a few other purposes with the result being a lot of alerts. The roadside how fast you are going readouts use K band along with door openings at service stations and other places. This is a bit of an irritation but there are seldom, if ever, K band false alerts on the open road.

When I first got the radar detector I noticed cops I would have missed with eyes along. I have it on even when not speeding - which is most of the time - as it alerts me to those areas where I have to be extra careful not to drift over the limit and to question - did I miss a speed zone sign.

[slofox]

The only problem with that ..... is that really good detectors don't "chirp" much at all ...... only when they do actually pickup radar, so that kind of wouldn't work as far as keeping the hoon within at bay.
As SD points out ..... something like the old jap imports used to have ..... where they alarmed when you went over a certain speed, might be viable IF you want to keep it within the speed limit, otherwise no amount of chirping is going to do it.

but that's the point - you only have to control the inner hoon when necessary...not that I ever speed myself you unnerstand - bein' an ole grampa fulla an orl...no inner hoon left...

[LBD]

The Bike orientated TPX from radar Direct works well for me and has saved me $

I have even tested it with a Copper mate and his radar....I have no complaints at all.

[Gizzit]

but that's the point - you only have to control the inner hoon when necessary...not that I ever speed myself you unnerstand - bein' an ole grampa fulla an orl...no inner hoon left...

Well you've got a nice SV to tempt you into hoon land. I still occasionally find myself hooning a bit ..... but nothing like I have done, so pretty much most of the time now, .... I'm within the law. If I speed and get caught .... no argument. I'd pay the fine and wind my head back in again. Of course my memory will fade even further .... and I might do it again!!! lol :D Tis a buga gettin olda eh ??!!
However ...... it's better than the alternative ....... not getting older ..... !!! :D