What radar do you use?

[Boob Johnson]

Radar wise?

I've been considering a radar purchase for a while now, have done some home work & have an idea but just want to see what others are using & why they believe it is good. Maybe a rating out of 10? Ever had it NOT go off when passing a patrol car/speed camera etc?


Cheers :msn-wink:

[TLMAN]

Cobra 9930 - SHIT - 5/10.
Saw cop cars with my eyes before the radar alerted me.

[Delphinus]

Been very happy with my Escort X50 8500.

Has paid for itself already (mostly with speed camera vans when doing about 61 and once in a fully sealed "road works" 30k zone.

Obviously you go past a surprising number of cop cars that either dont have radar fitted or dont have it turned on.

With nothing to compare it to, I'd give it a 9/10

[fredie]

are they leagle in nz . not here :no::shifty:

[Blackbird]

If you do a search on here, you'll find an independent test somewhere. No single detector scores the top in every test, but 3 stand out above the rest. Those are the Valentine, the Escort 8500 X50 and the Bel RX (forget the number). Like Delphinius, I'm very happy with the Escort. Very few false signals and I use a screamer for noise amplification and a waterproof cover to protect it.

[sAsLEX]

a waterproof cover to protect it.

This is an important part, they don't like water much, though the screen on mine was toasted I gave it to a young engineer with more time on his hands and he jury rigged up some LEDs!

[NighthawkNZ]

I'm very happy with mine... its called "common sense" it comes with multiple interfaces, as well as in helment HUD, and has a very loud audio warning.



nothing more to add...

[shafty]

I move my Bell Escort X8500 between my Subaru (Rep car) and my ST1300.
RAM mounted, ear piece and waterproof moulded cover - easy peasy; During the Grand Challenge a fortnight ago, it assisted raise my average speed (- you know the feeling, you're flowing nicely at 130k's, but what is over the brow of the hill........) plus definitely saved me 3 times from certain tickets when I "detected" the Cops presence before I could see them - 10/10.

[Krusti]

Look on TM for an Escort 8500, second hand. Cheap and you will notice little difference between this and the newer 8500 x50. I use both and can't.

Hell of a good detector for the bike.

[puddytat]

Bel RX65 Pro...10 outta 10 so far,bodgied up a helmet speaker from a set of Dick Smith headphones (largish, flat speaker) that fits nicely into helmet,& with the volume dial I can hear it @ high speed & with earplugs in...:headbang:

[fredie]

so they are not agaist the law in nz .:blink:

[Grumpy]

Bel RX65 Pro...10 outta 10 so far,bodgied up a helmet speaker from a set of Dick Smith headphones (largish, flat speaker) that fits nicely into helmet,& with the volume dial I can hear it @ high speed & with earplugs in...:headbang:
Ditto. Got the same unit. Top piece of kit.


I'm very happy with mine... its called "common sense" it comes with multiple interfaces, as well as in helment HUD, and has a very loud audio warning.



nothing more to add...
Also good advice. A detector does tend to make you a little complacent and with the buggers cruising around with their radars on pause a good set of eyes can be a big advantage as well. My unit has easily paid for itself by now but it didn't save me the time I came ripping around the corner and there was a patrol car coming towards me with his unit on pause. I managed to scrub off a bit of speed before he got me so it didn't hurt too bad.

Radar detectors ...... not infallable but bloody handy.

[Grumpy]

so they are not agaist the law in nz .:blink:

No, not yet anyway ......

[Mikkel]

I bought a Beltronics STI XR back in january and must say I've been pleased with it. It is very sensitive, yet only rarely gives false alerts. I reckon it has saved my ass several times (those 10 km/h tickets does accumulate remember ;) ).
It was quite expensive - but look at it this way, you can't buy off demerit points (at least it's risky business to try).

I have only been using it in the car so far - but it has a magnesium housing and feels quite robust. I'll have a look at getting a setup for the bike one of these days.

Obviously no radar will save you if you're the only car on the road and a mufty pulses you at short range. For that you need either balls or a jammer... :headbang:

[Reckless]

Obviously no radar will save you if you're the only car on the road and a mufty pulses you at short range. For that you need either balls or a jammer... :headbang:

Can the cops tell you have jammed their signal. It surprises me these are legal?

[bucket boy]

Ive got the m20 laser jammer as well as bell xr the jammer only works for hand held laser gun you have a on and of switch for it they no youve got a jammer on board

[Mikkel]

Can the cops tell you have jammed their signal. It surprises me these are legal?

Well if you jam the signal their equipment will most likely return an error or give a faulty reading. The idea is that you use the jammer to disrupt their measurements until you're down to legal speeds and then turn it off. Cruise by letting them do their reading, give them a wave, a smile and a wink and then nail it around the next corner turning the jammer on again.

And yeah, there are commercial ones for lasers out there - it should be possible to make one for the doppler radars as well though, just harder.

[Blackbird]

And yeah, there are commercial ones for lasers out there - it should be possible to make one for the doppler radars as well though, just harder.

Not just harder, the signal strength you'd need would require you to tow a large trailer to carry all the equipment.:blink: And as far as I know, there are only 2 laser jammer makes that actually work reliably. The Blinder range is the most well known, with the M45 being the latest version. Steer away from anything made by Rocky Mountain.

[SVboy]

I have just ordered my rx65 Bel, to fit a screamer on my bike. I am so looking forward to it....not total security...but increased peace of mind.:soon:

[Swoop]

Radar wise?
I've been considering a radar purchase for a while now...
If you are a policeman, you will be provided with a radar as part of your equipment.
If you are talking about a detector though...:bleh:

are they leagle in nz . not here :no::shifty:
Yes, quite legal here along with laser jammers. Radar jammers are a different matter entirely.
In Oz you will need a Bel STi detector as this is not able to be picked up by your police radars.

[jim.cox]

I had an Escort Solo - the first one.

Worked well till the Fattrick Policy Ossifers changed their radar gear - Bastards :(

[pritch]

I've been considering a radar purchase for a while now, have done some home work & have an idea but just want to see what others are using & why they believe it is good. Maybe a rating out of 10? Ever had it NOT go off when passing a patrol car/speed camera etc?


There are a lot of threads on KB about this. Some even contain good advice:whistle: A search should reveal heaps.

At the risk of repeating myself, I use an Escort X50 and am very happy with it. I bought it from CartertonRyan on TradeMe for a price that I understand is less than Energy Honda can buy them from their supplier. He is very good to deal with. I 'd like him to decide to sell Zumos...

All detectors will "NOT" go off sometimes, usually because the cop car hasn't got his radar turned on.

If the car is using "instant on" you won't get a warning unless you are being naughty... (You do have to be particularly careful when travelling through the Riviera of the South.)

Camera cars don't give much warning because they only have a weak radar signal.

Don't be overconfident when you get a detector, avoid relying on it totally, and keep doing whatever it is you do now to avoid getting tickets. Of course the best tactic is to stay below the speed limit like I do :innocent:

[elpigaro]

Hey all, very interesting post considering a purchase myself, any info on dealers in the CChurch area?
Many thanks,
Elpigaro

[Boob Johnson]

Hey all, very interesting post considering a purchase myself, any info on dealers in the CChurch area?
Many thanks,
Elpigaro
Trade me is a good place to shop for radar's ;)

[Mikkel]

IIRC InGear is the name and they used to be located at the end of Moorhouse Ave. - towards the overbridge to Blenheim Road, just across from the southern bit of Hagley Park.

[Reckless]

Trade me is a good place to shop for radar's ;)


Yep! if you have cash and get to know the market you can pick up a good buy. I got a ESCORT PASSPORT 8500 X50 for $300-00, still in its original box with manuals etc. Pretty much new.

Goes really well very few false alerts etc. When it goes off its worth slowing down as it doesn't do it all the time like my old Uniden Stalker did! And it has a really good mode where it goes off loud, then automatically turns its volume down for the remainder of the alert. Bloody good radar unit.

[Boob Johnson]

Yep! if you have cash and get to know the market you can pick up a good buy. I got a ESCORT PASSPORT 8500 X50 for $300-00, still in its original box with manuals etc. Pretty much new.

Goes really well very few false alerts etc. When it goes off its worth slowing down as it doesn't do it all the time like my old Uniden Stalker did! And it has a really good mode where it goes off loud, then automatically turns its volume down for the remainder of the alert. Bloody good radar unit.
Yeah there sure are some bargins if you study the market first

[bully]

belltronics sti xr, really good, no false alerts, i aslo have the h.a.r.d. system, the radar is made for oz and nz conditions, undetectable, beware some like trade me ones , parellel imported arnt set up for new zealand.
look at radardirect.co.nz they have every thing u need, mine cost heaps to set up, but worth every cent, i dont ride my bike without it.

[inlinefour]

Radar wise?

I've been considering a radar purchase for a while now, have done some home work & have an idea but just want to see what others are using & why they believe it is good. Maybe a rating out of 10? Ever had it NOT go off when passing a patrol car/speed camera etc?


Cheers :msn-wink:

Talk to nadroj as he is the man to tell you exactly what your need to know. ;)

[Boob Johnson]

Talk to nadroj as he is the man to tell you exactly what your need to know. ;)
Check the date of the original post ;)

ps: Yeah have spoken Kev & seen his V1, have tucked in behind him for protection many a time :innocent:

[inlinefour]

Check the date of the original post ;)

ps: Yeah have spoken Kev & seen his V1, have tucked in behind him for protection many a time :innocent:

We had hand sinals and I was either sitting in frount of the busa or tucked in behind on the CBR. We have done quite a few KM like that, even almost shared a chook once but you'll need to ask him about that one.

[Boob Johnson]

We had hand sinals and I was either sitting in frount of the busa or tucked in behind on the CBR. We have done quite a few KM like that, even almost shared a chook once but you'll need to ask him about that one.
Almost? :clap:

[beyond]

Those who ride with me and when I'm on my own will know that I should not have my licence right now.

I love speed... corners were made for bikes and stuff what anyone says about an oldish geezer riding a GSX1400. They go like stink and I would have lost my licence untold times except for my Bel STI XR and hard system.

It rocks :)

Plenty of warning on speed cameras and instant on gives plenty of warning as well cos they use it on other cars in front and it gives heaps of heads up. Ignore it at your peril for it gives very few false warnings.

When I was made redundant last year I was so angry I pinned my bike on every part of the road I could from Papakura to Napier and did it in 2 hours and fifty minutes. The Rangitikei plains saw me seldom under 260kmh. Slowed down several times cos the radar went off and sure enough, cops wherever it went off. I was not going to stop anyway. Got there in that time and three hours back again and I'm still riding. It's an awesome unit and probably the best and it did cost heaps but I could'nt live witout my licence.

Buy one or the latest equivalent and you won't be sorry. :)

[scumdog]

Never bought one
Never needed one
Never speed.

[Ryan432]

Never speed...

Really?? Even my 80 year old granny speeds sometimes!! lol

[jrandom]

Papakura to Napier... in 2 hours and fifty minutes

Must... not... try... to... beat... record...

:eek:

[jrandom]

Never speed.

Me neither.

:yes:

[Boob Johnson]

I Never speed.
Would you like a tui's Scummy? :whistle:


:lol:

[Mikkel]

I love speed... corners were made for bikes and stuff what anyone says about an oldish geezer riding a GSX1400. They go like stink and I would have lost my licence untold times except for my Bel STI XR and hard system.

I have the same detector and I am very happy with it.

However, it won't save your arse every time! There are situations where you can get nailed even though it is properly the best unit on the market. Trust me, I know :(

[MD]

are they leagle in nz . not here :no::shifty:

The Govt announced in Nov 07 that they would be made illegal in 2008..we are still waiting? Along with other tougher penalties.
75 demerit points if you are caught using a detector was the proposal. Funny thing is there has been no further news about these new laws coming in? Must be election year.

My V1 was nicked off the bike recently and to honest I have learned to live without it. Can't see the point in buying a replacement until I hear more on the proposed law changes.

You are a keen man to fork out big bucks for a new detector right now though. If they are banned you wont be able to give them away.

[sAsLEX]

If they are banned you wont be able to give them away.

The internet makes the world a small place for ebay etc

[Boob Johnson]

You are a keen man to fork out big bucks for a new detector right now though. If they are banned you wont be able to give them away.


The internet makes the world a small place for ebay etc
We live in changing times :corn:

[roogazza]

The Govt announced in Nov 07 that they would be made illegal in 2008..we are still waiting? Along with other tougher penalties.
75 demerit points if you are caught using a detector was the proposal. Funny thing is there has been no further news about these new laws coming in? Must be election year.

My V1 was nicked off the bike recently and to honest I have learned to live without it. Can't see the point in buying a replacement until I hear more on the proposed law changes.

You are a keen man to fork out big bucks for a new detector right now though. If they are banned you wont be able to give them away.

MD , Sorry to hear ! (insurance ?) I haven't read a newspaper since I retired over two years ago. You can't believe all that shit they shove at you mate. I can't say I've missed much, though I still watch about ten minutes of TV news (mainly overseas news and sport) the rest is pathetic.
I believe the soon to be retiring Prime Messa hasn't the numbers to pass much now and new improved Govt aren't racing to bring it in any time soon anyway.
My V1 is was working perfectly as of yesterday. See you for breakfast if the weather changes tune M. Gaz.

[McJim]

I've got a Beltronics RX55 - I could not believe the number of mufti cars with radar on when I fitted it! It goes off and I'm on the picks looking and looking and then when I'm really close I see the mufti car coming the other way.

A real money saver.

[Biggles2000]

I have been known to speed a little from time to time. I have a Bell Vector XR950. Had it for 2 years. Its worth its weight in gold. Never had a false alert that I doubted was a cop somewhere. It can pick up stationary cops up to 12km away line of sight. It seems to give about 1-2 seconds warning for on coming muftis when they turn the radar units on before locking on. It gives about 50-100m warning of speed cameras. Mine is mounted behind the big screen on my roadking and I can hear it go off at the max speeds I travel at, but not at sports bike speeds you would need a screamer or earpiece.

[Dave-]

cant you hide it?

[sAsLEX]

cant you hide it?

Not RF emissions very easily.

[Swoop]

If they are banned you wont be able to give them away.
Why would you want to? If you have a late model Bel detector, they cannot be picked up (according to independant tests - another thread on detectors has the reference link). With the amount of vehicles sporting Navman style electronic navigation units, actually identifying a vehicle that has a detector will become almost impossible for the plod.
On a bike... there are "ways".:blip:

[Racey Rider]

So the average one you buy has a cigarette lighter fitting. Do you just cut it off and hard wire it into the bike or what?

And the models to look out for are:?
Escort
Bel
Valentine

and any model from these makes are good?

[Mikkel]

Le belle BEL! :yes:

And yes, the STI is apparently a stealth model so if you hide it out of sight and use a bluetooth communication device the plod should not be able to find it without a very thorough inspection.
...if they were to become illegal.

[Swoop]

So the average one you buy has a cigarette lighter fitting. Do you just cut it off and hard wire it into the bike or what?

And the models to look out for are:?
Escort
Bel
Valentine

and any model from these makes are good?
You can get a hardwire from seller: CartertonRyan on Tardme, or email him direct at info@discountbay.co.nz
He has these ready to go so that you can wire it straight into your bike and save the ciggy lighter for when it is mounted in the car.
Go for the Bel.

The Valentine is now lagging behind the STi, but has the "benefit" of telling you the direction of the signal.

[sAsLEX]

the plod should not be able to find it without a very thorough inspection.

Or a Spectrum analyser ..............

[alanzs]

I have a valntine on my Bandit tucked up in the fairing. That and a "screamer" has saved me from (m)any ticktes. I always use it!

[Mikkel]

Or a Spectrum analyser ..............

How would they identify a non-emitting/passive device with a spectrum analyser?

[trainingwheels]

Dude Valentine One, has directional pointers they show you where the radar or laser is coming from, high range to i have picked up the local plod from as far as 2kms, not s@!t.. they are good even around town you can turn off the auto doors, the only time i ever got a speeding ticket since owning this uint.... was when i forgot to turn it on... (No auto on for idiots function)

[PrincessBandit]

Can the cops tell you have jammed their signal.

Lando Calrisian captaining the Millenium Falcon "how can they be jamming us if they don't know we're coming?"
yeah, i know it's not quite right way round for what you're saying but it's the first thing that came to my mind when i read this post. :slap:

[Biggles2000]

If they make them illegel I will hide my "new" one in the screen bag and wear a blue tooth ear piece. My current Bell unit picked up a cop parked in Cheviot with his radar on from the very southern end of the Cheviot straight 12 km away.