Radar detectors. Who uses them, what brands, price etc?

[tig99]

Having recently being pinged (waiting court case) what are your opinions on radar detectors?
Lots of information on the web, just to much to sift through.So guys, and girls, models, prices , reliablity? What is yor experiences?

[Jonno.]

Depends on how much do you want to spend.

[miloking]

Having recently being pinged (waiting court case) what are your opinions on radar detectors?
Lots of information on the web, just to much to sift through.So guys, and girls, models, prices , reliablity? What is yor experiences?

using one in a cage...currently thinking about getting one for bike.
SO yeah will probably buy TPX radar detector for bikes.... and keep my cage beltronics RX where it is.

[slofox]

I have a TPX which seems to work well both on the bike and in the cage. Good for bike because it is water resistant, vibration and shock proof according to the man who sells 'em. Good audio and visual warning. Reasonable sensitivity...you do need to get the wireless headset as well as the visual alert.

[grusomhat]

TPX if you've got the cash and want hassle free. I use an rx65 on the bike but wearing headphones attached to it can become a PITA. Much much cheaper though than the tpx.

[CookMySock]

The pigs can still instant-on you, so it does't help a whole lot. It's only any use with the idiot leaves his radar on full tit and paints a massive beam in the sky which your detector can see for many km's away.

Detectors are interesting to use, but I wouldn't rely on them and travel at lightspeed everywhere.

Steve

[miloking]

TPX if you've got the cash and want hassle free. I use an rx65 on the bike but wearing headphones attached to it can become a PITA. Much much cheaper though than the tpx.

how did you mount the RX65? I have the little windshield suckers for mine and also have visor clip...but need to manufacture some bracket or something. I guess thats why TPX is worth it...as they have custom mounts and shit....

But yeah i know not to rely on it Steve, its more of a bonus if it works....even if it saves me 1 ticket out of 5 its worth it for me ;)

[Smifffy]

how did you mount the RX65? I have the little windshield suckers for mine and also have visor clip...but need to manufacture some bracket or something. I guess thats why TPX is worth it...as they have custom mounts and shit....

But yeah i know not to rely on it Steve, its more of a bonus if it works....even if it saves me 1 ticket out of 5 its worth it for me ;)

If it saves you 1 ticket out of 5, won't that mean loss of licence anyway?

[grusomhat]

how did you mount the RX65? I have the little windshield suckers for mine and also have visor clip...but need to manufacture some bracket or something. I guess thats why TPX is worth it...as they have custom mounts and shit....


Had my Dad make me one :D It attaches to the bird cage and is just a flat platform and I use velcro to hold it on. It's not waterproof but it sits under the windscreen enough that it stays dry long enough for me to pull over and take it off. It would be nice to have it fully waterproof though

[TimeOut]

The pigs can still instant-on you, so it does't help a whole lot. It's only any use with the idiot leaves his radar on full tit and paints a massive beam in the sky which your detector can see for many km's away.

Detectors are interesting to use, but I wouldn't rely on them and travel at lightspeed everywhere.

Steve

Agreed, don't rely on them

But even with instant on if they've pinged someone else within 10km you get a fair bit of warning they're in the area.
I'm always weary if there's not much traffic.

Mine has saved me countless times along with the eyeball

[sinfull]

how did you mount the RX65? I have the little windshield suckers for mine and also have visor clip...but need to manufacture some bracket or something. I guess thats why TPX is worth it...as they have custom mounts and shit....

But yeah i know not to rely on it Steve, its more of a bonus if it works....even if it saves me 1 ticket out of 5 its worth it for me ;) These mounts are avail. on trade me or ebay Milo ! Also if you got yourself a H.A.R.D unit compatible with your detector, it will save the expence of having two detectors !

[Flip]

I love my fuzz detector.

You can't rely on them, but bikes have a relatively small radar signature and most are made of soft materials like plastic and don't also have many flat frontal surfaces. The cops have to be right on top of you to get a lock on.

My old Bell XR950 has performed perfectly. Since I have owned it I have not had a ticket. There have been only been a couple of times I have not known that a cop was working in the area around me, not that I really go that fast on my Hog. The furthest I know it detected a cop was 12 km on the Cheviot straights, he has parked on the road getting donuts (lunch).

Most cops are lazy sods and they do turn the radars on and off checking oncoming cars, but they get into the habit of checking all oncoming cars so anybody with a half decent detector sees them working for miles around.

The time to be extra vigilant is on the straights and in times of light traffic flow. I think my detector has been more usefull than my Mk1 eyeballs but is worthless without a Mk2 brain.

[SMOKEU]

I also need a mount for my RX65. Where do I get one?

[miloking]

These mounts are avail. on trade me or ebay Milo ! Also if you got yourself a H.A.R.D unit compatible with your detector, it will save the expence of having two detectors !

Oh thanks mate, i wasnt sure if the H.A.R.D would work with RX65...i think you can get them for around $200, definately cheaper then buying TPX itself,wireless thingie for TPX,mount etc...
Ok i will be creative and make myself mount for RX...unless i find one on ebay

[miloking]

If it saves you 1 ticket out of 5, won't that mean loss of licence anyway?

iam not talking about one day and getting 5 tickets :) what i meant is if it saves you even one ticket its already worth it. As long as you dont get extra tickets because of false sense of security.

[Bad Gixxer]

I've used a radar detector for the last 10 years. Must have saved my license at least 50 times, and probably a king's ransom in fines. Always used an Escort 8500 until recently when i was following another bike that had a Valentine. He picked up a signal that my Escort didn't pick up, not once but TWICE! I figure that the cop was zapping his radar and mine didn't pick it up becauae of the range. So I decided to buy a Valentine and man-oh-man, what a difference!! I've been running both radars in the car for the last 3 months and the greter sensitivity of the Valentine is just huge. As much as 20seconds difference (at 100+ klm/h) if the copper leaves his radar on before the Escort picks up the signal. If you assume that the cop is doing 100 as well, then that's 40 seconds or 2/3 of a Klm. What's more disconcerting is that if the radar is being used intermittently, then sometimes my Escort won't pick up the signal at all, but the Valentine hasn't failed me yet. I have a buddy who has an Escort 9500 and we tried all three together in the car once - the 9500 and the Valentine both performed about the same, the odd time the Valentine beat the 9500 and vice versa. We were dreading being stopped by a cop while having three radar detectors mounted on the windscreen and cables hanging everywhere "Are you boy's just a little bit paranoid?"...."No Officer, we make it a point to always use 3 condoms as well, you can never be too careful!"

The 9500 has some good aspects regarding the GPS functionality etc. but the winner on the Valentine is the arrows that show where the signal is coming from as well as the number of signals it picks up. Several times I've picked up two signals at the same time and known that I've got a tax-collector in front of me as well as one behind me.

I use built in headphones on my bike, and mount the detector in a small plastic box velcroed vertically inside the fairing beside the forks. Three reasons for this - one is that if a cop does ever stop you then you've got a fighting chance of getting a more lenient reaction if the detector isn't visible, and secondly, I assumed last year that they were going to make detectors illegal so wanted to have it mounted stealhily. Third reason is that mounting it vertically means that it picks up speed cameras from a greater distance because they broadcast their signal in vertical orientation. Cop cars broadcast in a cone shape, so it doesn't matter which way you mount the detector. In theory having it mounted lower effectiovely cuts down the range, but after doing some LOS calculation I concluded that the loss wasn't material. In practice I've picked up signals at a range of 5klm's on the flat (SH1 Timaru-ChCh).

I've tried a HARD heads up light unit but to me, you just can't beat the sound through the headphones. You soon get used to attaching/detaching the cable, it's unobtrusive, and cheap. I wear earplugs inside my Shoei so i had to get a mini amplifier to boost the sound. I also have a Valentine concealed display unit that shows me all the arrows etc since the detector is hidden inside the fairing.

I should point out that having a detector doesn't make you bullet proof and the police are canny about how they zap you - if you're first in the queue and they instant-on then you're nailed. I've only been nailed 3 times in 10 years and lost my license once for 28 days. I all cases it was first in the queue, doing 150 + and instant on. I f I cruise at 135 then I always (so far) have managed to bleed enough speed off so that all i get is a waggly finger and a "I'll get you next time" look from the patrol car.

My RD is like an American Express card - I never leave home without it and on the few occasions where I forget to take it, I go back and get it.

Good luck with your research, there's a wealth of info on the web. Check out Youtube and there are quite a few vids of comparisons.

[miloking]

Thanks Bad Gixxer i think you've answered all the questions one could have about choosing redar detector, hmm....so i guess V1 it is :)

[CHAPLIN]

I have the bel sti. The V1 and this are more or less the same in respect to picking up cop radar. If it goes off There IS a cop radar near, but I dont totally rely on it, yours eyes must be working too.Those radar drones are a piss off but when you know where they are, detector+eyes do the rest.

[tig99]

Thanks guys, if i'm still riding after the 4 may, my next purchase will be a R Detector.

[Swoop]

Also try the "Search" button on KB. There are quite a few discussion threads on here where people have asked the same question.
Bad Gixxer's reply was very good, but add another vote for the STi. I have had a pickup at 90 degrees off of the tax collector's signal line.

[Taz]

The TPX comes with the wireless headset at no extra cost.

[steve_t]

Another Bel STi user. I have a H.A.R.D. system as well but a bit sick of charging/changing batteries. Might look at getting a screamer at some stage

[slofox]

The TPX comes with the wireless headset at no extra cost.

With regard to the TPX wireless headset:

I had to have mine swapped over, under warranty. Radar Direct were very good about it and swapped it out pretty quickly.
The problem was battery life. The original set ran a battery out in about three days of riding - maybe 4 - 6 hours of use. After some discussion with RD and with the makers of the unit in the USofA, we decided a replacement under warranty was the way to go. The new unit took over two weeks to eat a battery - much more like expectations.
So just be aware that there is some variation in that respect.
Still like the unit...

[miloking]

With regard to the TPX wireless headset:

I had to have mine swapped over, under warranty. Radar Direct were very good about it and swapped it out pretty quickly.
The problem was battery life. The original set ran a battery out in about three days of riding - maybe 4 - 6 hours of use. After some discussion with RD and with the makers of the unit in the USofA, we decided a replacement under warranty was the way to go. The new unit took over two weeks to eat a battery - much more like expectations.
So just be aware that there is some variation in that respect.
Still like the unit...

How would you rate TPX compare to V1 or Bel STI? I can get TPX from USoA for $259 USD plus postage...and mounts are about $40...so is definately worth considering.

[Swoop]

How would you rate TPX compare to V1 or Bel STI? I can get TPX from USoA for $259 USD plus postage...and mounts are about $40...so is definately worth considering.
Go here (http://radartest.com/ProductReviewIndex2.asp) and here (TPX) (http://radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=100585) for reviews and decent testing.

[slofox]

How would you rate TPX compare to V1 or Bel STI? I can get TPX from USoA for $259 USD plus postage...and mounts are about $40...so is definately worth considering.

I would rate the TPX sensitivity as "average". Better than my original Cobra but not as good a range as the top enders...but the motorbike design features are good

[slofox]

How would you rate TPX compare to V1 or Bel STI? I can get TPX from USoA for $259 USD plus postage...and mounts are about $40...so is definately worth considering.

When I looked at getting one from USofA, by the time I had added in shipping and exchange rates, I was only going to save a few cents over getting it from Radar Direct. Plus I like to support local industry and reckon I have a better chance of service should I strike a problem - as I did with the remote headset.

[miloking]

When I looked at getting one from USofA, by the time I had added in shipping and exchange rates, I was only going to save a few cents over getting it from Radar Direct. Plus I like to support local industry and reckon I have a better chance of service should I strike a problem - as I did with the remote headset.

Well arent they like $700 NZD from a Radar Direct?
The price i am talking about works out to be about $420 NZD incl. shipping (using todays exchange rate)...and mount is about $90 NZD inc shipping. I understand what you are saying regarding the warranty and helping local business. but thats almost double the price...something to ponder about.

[miloking]

Go here (http://radartest.com/ProductReviewIndex2.asp) and here (TPX) (http://radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=100585) for reviews and decent testing.

Thanks for the review, it actualy proved yet again that V1 is pretty much the best (with STI and Escort 9500i being equal) so that begs the question whats the point of TPX being waterproof and made for bikes if its nowhere nearly as good as the cage radar detectors....

[Chooky]

And always remember that cops hate the things, and if they pull you up for a chat and see your detector, they'll write you a ticket for anything they can think of.
Even if they have to go round the back and smash your tail lights.....

[Stormer]

Good debrief on the detectors Bad Gixxer.
And yeah, they are a mandatory accessory on the Gixxer 1000 that`s for sure!!

[OutForADuck]

I have an STI and a bluetooth wireless transmitter that transmits to my bluetooth helmet set (phone works as well as music and radar detector).

I tried a couple of different detectors and rode with quite a few people with different models. STI or Valentine, I have not seen anything else work as well , TPX is pretty good but I personally believe not quite up to those two.

Only other thing is do not rely on them, use them as an assistant. This way they will save you much mula and your license. They don't save you from being blind, deaf and stupid!!!

[hondav2]

Anyone compared them , my old 8500 has paid for its self several times over, only ticket was when i forgot to turn it on DOH my son thought whats the silly old ---- doing passing when his radar was going off . When he got his detector he thought he was bullit proof and cop done instant on when he was doing about 160k , cop locked him at 138k and told him if he had turned it on 10 meters later he would hav had his licence , Cheers Toddy

[saltydog]

Ive got a American Whistler radar.on dash blue led and in helmet red led. I ride slower. i crack up every time it arms as the led's flash alternatley, just like the real thing. Saves me regularly.

[Swoop]

it actualy proved yet again that V1 is pretty much the best (with STI and Escort 9500i being equal)
If you look at the testing that he does, the STi comes out on top for detection capability. The V1 has the "direction" feature though.

I have an STI and a bluetooth wireless transmitter that transmits to my bluetooth helmet set (phone works as well as music and radar detector).
Any chance of more info on your bluetooth setup please? I have been wondering about a combined 3-way link somehow.

[miloking]

If you look at the testing that he does, the STi comes out on top for detection capability. The V1 has the "direction" feature though.

Any chance of more info on your bluetooth setup please? I have been wondering about a combined 3-way link somehow.

Iam seriously thinking about Sti now after reading all the reviews and opinions...
mainly because its stealth to RDD so dont care if they make them illegal... also it looks heaps better than V1

Also +1 on that bluetooth helmet setup....

[OutForADuck]

Any chance of more info on your bluetooth setup please? I have been wondering about a combined 3-way link somehow.

its just a plain old Sony product. A TMR-BT10 and I think it cost me less than $100.

It works very well, I can hear my Radar detector at just about any speed that it will do me any good and lasts for hours (never ran it out in a days riding, only ever flatterned it over a couple without charging).

Just plugs into the audio socket and I clip it to the handlebars. The helmet kit is a bike to bike intercom/phone/stereo unit you see for sale in alot of bike shops, blueant I think make them and I have held phone conversations at up to 140 without any trouble at all (obviously not on the road !!!!)

The whole thing is very very easy to get alone with and although I bought it for the radar detector and music I use it almost daily for work whilst commuting around on my scooter.... I have one unit with a headset for two helmets. (p.s. don't use it as an intercom)

[miloking]

its just a plain old Sony product. A TMR-BT10 and I think it cost me less than $100.

It works very well, I can hear my Radar detector at just about any speed that it will do me any good and lasts for hours (never ran it out in a days riding, only ever flatterned it over a couple without charging).

Just plugs into the audio socket and I clip it to the handlebars. The helmet kit is a bike to bike intercom/phone/stereo unit you see for sale in alot of bike shops, blueant I think make them and I have held phone conversations at up to 140 without any trouble at all (obviously not on the road !!!!)

The whole thing is very very easy to get alone with and although I bought it for the radar detector and music I use it almost daily for work whilst commuting around on my scooter.... I have one unit with a headset for two helmets. (p.s. don't use it as an intercom)

Ok thanks for the info...sounds like TMR-BT10 is the way to go (11 hours battery life is also decent, only wish it could power up from the bike)

[OutForADuck]

Ok thanks for the info...sounds like TMR-BT10 is the way to go (11 hours battery life is also decent, only wish it could power up from the bike)

Yeah that would make it pretty simple... only have to charge the helmet. Sony do make a different one that has a power input rather than the little charging lug this has. I have thought about getting some sparky to sort out a power fitting for that and mount it under my seat.

[Bad Gixxer]

Well arent they like $700 NZD from a Radar Direct?
The price i am talking about works out to be about $420 NZD incl. shipping (using todays exchange rate)...and mount is about $90 NZD inc shipping. I understand what you are saying regarding the warranty and helping local business. but thats almost double the price...something to ponder about.

Just a warning about buying off Ebay in the States - most of the units sold are factory refurbished models (been returned under warranty etc.) I'm not saying they aren't as good as buying from a recognised reseller in either US or NZ, just something to be mindful of.

[Bad Gixxer]

Anyone compared them , my old 8500 has paid for its self several times over, only ticket was when i forgot to turn it on DOH my son thought whats the silly old ---- doing passing when his radar was going off . When he got his detector he thought he was bullit proof and cop done instant on when he was doing about 160k , cop locked him at 138k and told him if he had turned it on 10 meters later he would hav had his licence , Cheers Toddy

I think I'm right in saying that the 8500 and 9500 have the same radar technology and no material difference in the sensitivity. But I compared my 8500 and a mate's 9500, and his won hands down (but didn'r beat my new Valentine). I think my old 8500 has just gotten a bit old (4 years), it's been wet and dropped a few times so maybe that's why it's lost it's effectiveness. Also, I remember reading a forum somewhere that reckons the harder knocks/vibrations that a detector gets on a bike (compared to a car) doesn't help with their longevity.

[steve_t]

I think I'm right in saying that the 8500 and 9500 have the same radar technology and no material difference in the sensitivity. But I compared my 8500 and a mate's 9500, and his won hands down (but didn'r beat my new Valentine). I think my old 8500 has just gotten a bit old (4 years), it's been wet and dropped a few times so maybe that's why it's lost it's effectiveness. Also, I remember reading a forum somewhere that reckons the harder knocks/vibrations that a detector gets on a bike (compared to a car) doesn't help with their longevity.

Not 100% sure but I think I read somewhere that the 9500 series have internals developed by Beltronics so they are better than the 8500's

[Bad Gixxer]

Not 100% sure but I think I read somewhere that the 9500 series have internals developed by Beltronics so they are better than the 8500's

Yep I'd heard that too, but i thought it only refers to the GPS aspect of the technology. I just googled it but can't find a conclusive answer to that one.

From what I've read I'd say that that the Bell, Escort9500 and Valentine are all pretty similar on the detection effectiveness, it's the other design features that really make them different, such as the GPS aspect, or the arrows on the V1. I reckon the arrows are brilliant and more beneficial to me than a GPS/speed trap locator. There isn't a fixed speed camera within 160klm of where I live, and they keep moving the mobile vans (obviously!) so GPS is not much use to me. If you programmed in all the "usual" locations of the vans on the GPS then I think that'd be more of a hindrance. Instead I have my license plate mounted on an extreme angle under the front of the tailpiece and it's visibility from the side is obstructed by the mufflers and hangers - always amazes me when they give me a new WOF.

I discovered recently that they've reverted to K band (from Ka) on mobile cameras as well. That's a pain because I always have K band turned off - too many false signals with door openers etc. Now if any manufacturer can eliminate those falses from door openers on K band, that would be a real winner.

[slofox]

I discovered recently that they've reverted to K band (from Ka) on mobile cameras as well. That's a pain because I always have K band turned off - too many false signals with door openers etc. Now if any manufacturer can eliminate those falses from door openers on K band, that would be a real winner.

Not all K band detectors will get the new mobile camera signal - they actually use the bottom end of that band. They are also instant on which makes detection harder still at any range worth having.

FWIW - coming back from Papamoa to The Tron on Saturday night (in the cage this time) about 10pm - the TPX performed well in warning me about two parked cars with radar. First was facing opposite direction to me - he showed up well before he was visible. The second was facing the direction I was travelling - obviously targetting cars from behind. He also showed up despite facing away from me - (was in an unmarked car the sod)...Then about three more alarms on the Waikato side. More coppers than you could poke a stick at...

As it happened I was slow enough to be safe every time. I must be getting old and mellow...

[Bad Gixxer]

Not all K band detectors will get the new mobile camera signal - they actually use the bottom end of that band. They are also instant on which makes detection harder still at any range worth having.

FWIW - coming back from Papamoa to The Tron on Saturday night (in the cage this time) about 10pm - the TPX performed well in warning me about two parked cars with radar. First was facing opposite direction to me - he showed up well before he was visible. The second was facing the direction I was travelling - obviously targetting cars from behind. He also showed up despite facing away from me - (was in an unmarked car the sod)...Then about three more alarms on the Waikato side. More coppers than you could poke a stick at...

As it happened I was slow enough to be safe every time. I must be getting old and mellow...

I know how you feel!! 206589

[slofox]

I know how you feel!! 206589

Today I don't think I could pick up that stick he's got...

[tig99]

Well, managed to keep my licence. Do not want to repeat the experience of waiting 4 months to find out. All the "may mate was doing such and such and got 6 months" advice only seemed to create more worry. Some days when you throw caution to the wind remember if you get nailed, wear it. Still, had agreat ride to the Cold Duck and back. Now i start saving for a decent RD. Cheers for the information.

[rapid van cleef]

well to my suprise i just picked up an escort passport x50 for 100 bucks from local auction house lastnight in case with manual and working etc. so i wanna fit it to me bike but dont wanna hardwire to me helmet. so considering a screamer or rigging up a led strip light on the front of the screen or summat. anyone done this or anything similar? i have heard of people doing this but im no electrician but quite competant with a soldering iron etc. any top tips?

[pritch]

well to my suprise i just picked up an escort passport x50 for 100 bucks from local auction house lastnight in case with manual and working etc. so i wanna fit it to me bike but dont wanna hardwire to me helmet. so considering a screamer or rigging up a led strip light on the front of the screen or summat. anyone done this or anything similar? i have heard of people doing this but im no electrician but quite competant with a soldering iron etc. any top tips?

A good buy.

Whatever you do it has to be 100% reliable or it could work out very expensive. The price of those H.A.R.D. thingies dropped a lot (about half?) a while back, so I bought one. It seems to work fine with my X50.

I did hear one cautionary tale about someone using an HARD with low batteries. Low batteries apparently means less warning which sounds reasonable. He was leading a group when he received a belated warning, he was OK but one of the group got done.

[rapid van cleef]

ok where did u get your H.A.R.D from? radar direct?

[pritch]

ok where did u get your H.A.R.D from? radar direct?

No, from the USA. Legal Speeding or a similar name to that.

http://www.legalspeeding.com/

Very similar in fact.

[slofox]

Pheeeeew!...:sweatdrop. Close.

Sunday - heading north for a short distance on SH1 from Horahora to Karapiro before ducking west across the dam and back into the SW corner of The Tron. Given that there is a lot of enforcement on this road, I am taking it easy and staying at or around the limit (the legal one). :innocent:

There's a passing lane there. And in it is a car towing a boat and an SUV behind him. SUV goes to pass boat and I follow behind. Coming to the end of the passing lane and the SUV is taking his time getting past. There's a heap of opposing traffic, so I decide to drop in behind the SUV instead of passing him as well. BUT. The lane is almost at an end and the SUV moves back left without being very far past the boat at all - certainly not far enough ahead to let me squeeze in. So I decide the safer option is to get past SUV boy as well...(funny how its always safer to fang it past something innit?).

So I do just that - whip past and start to move left. At which time the Automatic Law Enforcement Officer Detection Device chirps and there coming t'other way is the Law Enforcement Officer hisself. :Police: I look at the speedo - 122km/hr...aaughshitfuckdamn! And the copper is pulling left off the road. My mind springs to conclusions obvious - "'e's gonna pull a u'y, run over three bikers an' chase me up the highway, siren a'screamin' and lights a'blinkin' and run me over as well for me pains...the bastard..." :ar15::ar15::ar15:

But it didn't happen. He never appeared behind me...I would like to think that he had seen my plight with the passing lane and thought "Oh Jolly Good Show, he's doing his best to be safe and I can overlook his slight indiscretion as regards the posted maximum velocity legislation in the interests of general road safety..." :whistle:

But I reckon he just couldn't get turned around in time to make it worth the chase...

Woulda been just my luck to get pinged for that brief breach after being soooo good the rest of the time...

[TimeOut]

Highly possible he didn't have a read on you as the two signals behind you would've been far bigger

[slofox]

Highly possible he didn't have a read on you as the two signals behind you would've been far bigger

Yeah - could be. At least the TPX woke me up to his presence...