CHEAP radar dectectors

[Blakamin]

Whats a good, cheap radar detector... I heard about one that ran on batteries but I dont know if that was a dream I might of been having... (dont ask, had radar detectors stuck in my head all week) It was about 240-280 $$$

Anyone?

[edit] I know this has been done before, but they were all expensive ones... I want CHEAP... (amazing how many radars you notice when ya drive a van wif one in... and how lucky I've been on the bike!)

[avgas]

there was a place called www.digitalinovations.co.nz or something - they have one specifically for motorbikes, i think around $230

[Blakamin]

there was a place called www.digitalinovations.co.nz or something - they have one specifically for motorbikes, i think around $230
That sounds like the one... (cept the webpage dont exist...d'oh)


THANK YOU Avgas!!!!
I found the one I was looking for :niceone:
I owe ya a beer!

[gav]

Trade Me have some cheap ones, I bought one for about $120, Cobra 10 band thingy but havent really sussed out if it will fit the bike, but OK in car.

[avgas]

yeh no worries mate. I'll get a radar soon as i can afford my rent :stupid:

[dangerous]

Whats a good, cheap radar detector...
Well thats a trick question really, cos ya get what you pay for..... personally cheap I reckon will mean that it will warn you once you have showen the copper your licence...... were as a more expensive detector will hopfully warn you be for you chat to the uniformed one.
6 hundi up would be the starting point I think, the detector that you are thinking of has battarys so as you dont need to find a power supply on the bike (which is rather easy) and the thing with them is battary power means that you will have a weaker reseption..... just my thoughts anyway.

[dangerous]

Trade Me have some cheap ones, I bought one for about $120, Cobra 10 band thingy but havent really sussed out if it will fit the bike, but OK in car.
easy as... I think I'm not fimiler with the CBR600. Heres what I do.

ps: no worries if you want a look at the reall thing.

[Blakamin]

Well thats a trick question really, cos ya get what you pay for..... personally cheap I reckon will mean that it will warn you once you have showen the copper your licence...... were as a more expensive detector will hopfully warn you be for you chat to the uniformed one.
6 hundi up would be the starting point I think,
I dont go screamin around the place enuff to need 400metres to slow down... just tend to sit on 55-63... 108-118 sorta thing.... just need to be able to gety off the throttle... and living on a boy racer circuit, I get pinged everynite in the van... dont need that on my bike... and I aint loaded!

[gav]

DD, looks pretty neat, does your radar have an ear plug? My mates one has, and he runs a lead up to his helmet, with a little ear plug. My radar doesnt seem to have a seperate lead for this, and I probably wouldnt hear it over my exhaust :o

[dangerous]

I dont go screamin around the place enuff to need 400metres to slow down... just tend to sit on 55-63... 108-118 sorta thing.... just need to be able to gety off the throttle... and living on a boy racer circuit, I get pinged everynite in the van... dont need that on my bike... and I aint loaded!
Yeah mate, I know what ya saying.... but the thing is with a cheap detector you will see the prick be for the detector does, I'm thinking Uniden type detectors $200-300. And Ive been done for less over the limit than what you posted above (prior to protection) but any detector is beter than no detector, but all the same my last ticket was with the $1200 detector in the car...... damn it lost the licence with that one, shit happens

[Blakamin]

. And Ive been done for less over the limit than what you posted above (prior to protection) but any detector is beter than no detector, but all the same my last ticket was with the $1200 detector in the car...... damn it lost the licence with that one, shit happens
OUCH!..... its also mobile speed camera I wanna avoid!

[dangerous]

DD, looks pretty neat, does your radar have an ear plug? My mates one has, and he runs a lead up to his helmet, with a little ear plug. My radar doesnt seem to have a seperate lead for this, and I probably wouldnt hear it over my exhaust :o
yep mine does have an ear plug, but I dont use it instead I use the h.a.r.d. system which is a wirless LED light. The sender unit is pluged into the detector and the power into the sender..... then the other unit you can see in the pic is the reciever which is tucked into my lid with the end of the wire, were the LED light is pokes out by my eye.

You should be able to get a ear plug fitted to your detector..... ther was a thread last month (I think) that named a place that can do this.

[dangerous]

OUCH!..... its also mobile speed camera I wanna avoid!
mobile speed cameras use a KA band but it is very weak.... ther for you need a strong detector to detect it the Escort that I use is rated very well for the camera but still only picks it up 4 or so lamp posts away from the target.

heres a couple of links that may interest you.
http://www.motorcycleradar.com/
http://www.radardirect.co.nz/index3.html
http://www.radartest.com/index.asp

[pete376403]

I bought a cheap detector from Dick Smiths in Palmerston North. Later that day went to Wanganui. It may have been coincidence but just as I got near Ohakea airbase (home of large powerful radars) the thing went crazy (all leds flashing, beeper beeping) and it wouldn't stop until I unplugged the power. Even some hours later, when it was powered up it still was the same, so I think the Ohakea radars fried it.
I would expect a higher priced, higher quality unit to be hardened against this sort of thing.
Given the requirements of a detector (to save you from large fines and loss of license) I'd say a cheap detector is a waste of money

[gman]

Whats a good, cheap radar detector... I heard about one that ran on batteries but I dont know if that was a dream I might of been having... (dont ask, had radar detectors stuck in my head all week) It was about 240-280 $$$

Anyone?

[edit] I know this has been done before, but they were all expensive ones... I want CHEAP... (amazing how many radars you notice when ya drive a van wif one in... and how lucky I've been on the bike!)
well maybe if you SLOWED DOWN once in a while you mite not need one.lol.just cose you like to hear ya bike when its slowing down.....plop plop plop.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=130077#
finger

[Stinger]

http://www.digital-wholesale.co.nz/email/offer.htm

[Blackbird]

About 3 years ago, I bought a Uniden LRD 2000 model from Trademe as a couple of people had told me that the early Unidens were actually very good (before they started sticking on extra features and using cheap components to build them to a price). I've found it pretty darned good and like you, not spotting a camera van was my biggest worry. It picks them up at several hundred metres so there's heaps of time to roll off. On a straight road, it will pick up up a patrol car at about 3 km if their radar is on. I've hung it off the back edge of my fairing blade with a small stainless steel bracket to get as much height as possible. Got a small speaker velcroed in the helmet.

I got it for just over $100 on Trademe and you still see them advertised.

Cheers

Geoff

[Da Bird]

About 3 years ago, I bought a Uniden LRD 2000 model from Trademe as a couple of people had told me that the early Unidens were actually very good (before they started sticking on extra features and using cheap components to build them to a price). I've found it pretty darned good and like you, not spotting a camera van was my biggest worry. It picks them up at several hundred metres so there's heaps of time to roll off. On a straight road, it will pick up up a patrol car at about 3 km if their radar is on. I've hung it off the back edge of my fairing blade with a small stainless steel bracket to get as much height as possible. Got a small speaker velcroed in the helmet.

I got it for just over $100 on Trademe and you still see them advertised.

Cheers

Geoff
Geoff,

Are you going to stick holes in your new screen to mount the radar??

M.

[Blackbird]

Nope, the existing bracket didnt take much alteration and I've put it in the centre now. It slighly obscures the speedo at 200 km/hr plus sitting in an upright position but I figure you might be crouching down a bit by then :msn-wink:

I used some self-adhesive foam between the clamp and the screen to protect it.

Cheers

Geoff

[geoffm]

Whats a good, cheap radar detector... I heard about one that ran on batteries but I dont know if that was a dream I might of been having... (dont ask, had radar detectors stuck in my head all week) It was about 240-280 $$$

Anyone?

[edit] I know this has been done before, but they were all expensive ones... I want CHEAP... (amazing how many radars you notice when ya drive a van wif one in... and how lucky I've been on the bike!)

TH ecordless one is probably the Escort Solo. Crap when they came out, and haven't improved, with poor performance.
I woudl suggest looking on Trademe and getting an Escort 85000X50. Don't pay more than $500 for a new one, as there are several sellers doing them for less than this. They ahve a built in earphone jack. The cheap Cobras etc don't pick up the photo radar, and you need to fit an earphone jack as well. Put the money towards a decent system.
I used to run the radar detector FAQ in the early days of the Net.
I use a Valentine 1 with the HARD display system, which paid for itselt on my South Island trip....
Geoff

[dangerous]

Nope, the existing bracket didnt take much alteration and I've put it in the centre now. I used some self-adhesive foam between the clamp and the screen to protect it.
Cheers Geoff
keyyy rist man..... dont tell him that, BC is proberly looking for a way to mount 'his' radar (the type that sends and recieves) on his 'other' Honda

[Blackbird]

We both have B/B's which makes him ok. That, and 220 k's apart (joke, honest) :ride:

[denill]

Whats a good, cheap radar detector... I heard about one that ran on batteries but I dont know if that was a dream I might of been having... (dont ask, had radar detectors stuck in my head all week) It was about 240-280 $$$

The best advice is - save your money and put it towards your next fine.

Remember, there are no free lunches out there.......

Cheers
BillW

[Blakamin]

Nope, the existing bracket didnt take much alteration and I've put it in the centre now. It slighly obscures the speedo at 200 km/hr plus sitting in an upright position but I figure you might be crouching down a bit by then :msn-wink:

I used some self-adhesive foam between the clamp and the screen to protect it.

Cheers

Geoff
Very cool setup... I think thats what i'm going to do... but with this one (http://www.digital-wholesale.co.nz/product_info.php?cPath=27&products_id=78)
Thanks all... cept Gman, you're a dick :msn-wink:

[Hitcher]

Getting a good quality radar detector seems like a colossal waste of money to me, particularly given that no matter what the cost, you can't be protected from laser guns unless you buy a jammer. On most other occasions you'll see the cop about the same time they can see you. Hopefully there's another traffic between him and you and all will be well. If it's a head-on speed camera, no harm done (apart from the ever-present threat that one day the bureaucrats in Land Transport New Zealand get pissed off and make front plates for bikes mandatory).

And, for the 99.9% of the time I'm out riding, the last thing I want is something squealing in my ear every time it gets intimidated by a self-opening door.

Pick your road if you want to ride fast. Otherwise ride carefully and save yourself some dosh.

[Coyote]

How legal are detectors? Jammers are illegal right?

[scumdog]

The best advice is - save your money and put it towards your next fine.

Remember, there are no free lunches out there.......

Cheers
BillW

True, saved myself a fortune over the years by NOT buying a radar detector, keeps you on you toes too, no complacency 'cos you have a detector (hopefully) doing the work for you. <_<

[geoffm]

Getting a good quality radar detector seems like a colossal waste of money to me, particularly given that no matter what the cost, you can't be protected from laser guns unless you buy a jammer. On most other occasions you'll see the cop about the same time they can see you. Hopefully there's another traffic between him and you and all will be well. If it's a head-on speed camera, no harm done (apart from the ever-present threat that one day the bureaucrats in Land Transport New Zealand get pissed off and make front plates for bikes mandatory).



My radar detector has paid for itself - the added warnign if the radar is running is invaluable, and they can ping you before you see them or have a chance to slow down.
OTOH, if you are doing 120+, there isn't much that will save you. If you are going to go warp speed, it will cost, sooner or later. Most traffic cruices on the open road at 115-120 ish - so there is $120-200 and 35 points you can save, plus the potential of increased insurance premiums or a declined claim.
Geoff

[gman]

its only illegal if you get caught!!!

[denill]

True, saved myself a fortune over the years by NOT buying a radar detector, keeps you on you toes too, no complacency 'cos you have a detector (hopefully) doing the work for you. <_<

Ummm Scumdog, you missed my point when I wrote:

<I>The best advice is - save your money and put it towards your next fine.

Remember, there are no free lunches out there.......</I>

What I was saying is - if you are buying a detector, buy a good one.
OR, save your money for your next speeding tax, I mean fine.

BillW

[Lou Girardin]

Cheap is, as cheap does. Ryan, (online trading) does Escorts and Bels for $500. Stretch to one of those, mine has saved me hundreds of dollars over the years. Warnings before the cop is in sight, are not to be sneezed at. Battery powered units are crap.
Lou

[Lou Girardin]

How legal are detectors? Jammers are illegal right?

Laser jammers are not, repeat NOT, illegal. They transmit light not an RF signal.
Lou

[Warr]

Nope, the existing bracket didnt take much alteration and I've put it in the centre now. It slighly obscures the speedo at 200 km/hr plus sitting in an upright position but I figure you might be crouching down a bit by then :msn-wink:

I used some self-adhesive foam between the clamp and the screen to protect it.

Cheers

Geoff

So Geoff I see u have a headphone plug or does it go to something else ??

[dangerous]

Laser jammers are not, repeat NOT, illegal. They transmit light not an RF signal.
Lou
As far as I know they 'are' illegal..... the reason, they stop the copper from doing there job, but this has to be proved and that cant be done as if the cop never got your speed then how does he know you were speeding.... if he got your speed then you dident obstruct him from his job, if he could prove it then you can be nicked for obstruction....... but it just cant be done.

It is 'not' illegal to own, buy, sell, it is illagle to obstruct however, were as detectors do not obstruct they just warn.... hopefully in time.

[onearmedbandit]

I have a valentine 1 on my bike, and its saved me a sure couple of tickets. However I don't rely on it, and tend to keep my speed in check now having just come off a 6 month ban (167km in a 100 - no traffic, straight stretch of highway, excellent visibility. The judge went easy on me and gave me the minimum he could).

Anyway, while I have had no experience with jammers, we got into a debate over radar detectors on another bike forum, with someone bringing up jammers as a better option. Well the following is copy and paste of just one of the responses.


Sorry if this seems overly done, but I've spent a little time looking into those and have developed a well researched and carefully considered opinion:


THEY ARE CRAP, and the people who sell them are RIPPING YOU OFF!!!!

Here's a test:
http://www.RADARbusters.com/support/product-tests/6.asp


Quote:
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"Well the bottom line is that during our testing of these units we have NEVER found one unit to work"


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Another test:

http://65.105.242.80/data/columns/RADAR%5Fjammer%5Fpart%5F1.html



Quote:
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The owner of Rocky Mountain RADAR -- Mike Churchman -- was invited to supervise the tests. He declined. Police were set up at one end of the strip while each car was driven toward RADAR. There were observers in the cars and watching police. Each car accelerated to a high rate of speed (different in each case) and held it. That speed was compared to the reading on the police RADAR unit. In every case police RADAR accurately locked in the speeds. Not once did the RADAR jammer make a difference!


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Part 2:

http://65.105.242.80/data/columns/the%5FRADAR%5Fjammer%5Fpart%5F2.html



Quote:
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I told you in this column a couple weeks ago I was going to test police RADAR JAMMERS. The testing is now over and I can tell you without a doubt -- the JAMMERS did not work at all! They did not jam RADAR, confuse RADAR, block RADAR, scramble RADAR, nor did they render a car invisible to RADAR. The same goes with police lasers: the JAMMERS had no affect.

The results should make you angry because a Colorado company -- Rocky Mountain RADAR -- is ripping off consumers for millions of dollars and no one is doing anything about it. Instead the company is praised. A few years ago the Denver Chamber of Commerce honored owner Mike Churchman for creating one of the fastest growing businesses. Imagine honoring a company for selling a product that doesn't even work?


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Yet another: http://www.laseRADAR.com/laser_wars.htm

Rocky Mountain RADAR "Phaser" - Score: 0/0
Rocky Mountain RADAR "Phantom" - Score 0/0


More:
http://www.RADAR.co.nz/usa/usarticle4.html



Quote:
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Whether it be a Phantom, Phazer, TeleRADAR, Spirit, Mirage, they all have one thing in common, they don't seem to jam RADAR


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More yet: http://www.RADAR.co.nz/driver.html



Quote:
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In every case the Phantom failed to jam, or scramble, the RADAR and it also failed to make the driver or the car he was in, "invisible" as some Phantom advertising says it will.

The police tests also concluded that the Phantom has minimal ability to detect RADAR.


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If you haven't given up yet: http://www.RADARtest.com/JOS.html



Quote:
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Except for the Phantom, which contains rudimentary RADAR-detection circuitry, each is essentially an empty box with a 12-volt power cord, a cheap cast-plastic waveguide assembly, one or two front-mounted LEDs, a basic power-supply circuit and a button or two. Press the button and an LED lights up, accompanied by a tinny bird whistle. ("Our patented 'FM Chirp', " company salesmen proudly proclaim.) We've tested these products a dozen times against every front-line police RADAR gun and laser, finding all of them utterly worthless.


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JAMMERS ARE CRAP

They have always been CRAP

They will always BE CRAP


Anything you could build that's powerful enough to actually Jam RADAR, would get you into a LOT more trouble with the FCC (federal charges and almost guaranteed JAIL time). Not to mention "Interfering with an Officer in the performance of his duties." A MUCH more serious charge than speeding.


How about nice set of fork springs, instead?

[dangerous]

There has only been one laser jammer that has been proven to work in NZ the 'Blinder' and this is why the price tag is well over the top at just under a grand.

[Blackbird]

... but aren't jammers purely for laser jamming? And how many of those do you see on the open road?

Incidentall, Bel make a jammer (or used to) which seems to be very popular among UK bikers. I presume it would work here just fine too.

[AMPS]

... but aren't jammers purely for laser jamming? And how many of those do you see on the open road?

Incidentall, Bel make a jammer (or used to) which seems to be very popular among UK bikers. I presume it would work here just fine too.

I've seen Laser being used on the open road but close to cities, Whangarei and Auckland. Laser jammers do work, radar jammers do not on Ka band. A detector and jammer in combination are what the 'sophisticated' speeders use.
Lou

[Blakamin]

My radar detector has paid for itself - the added warnign if the radar is running is invaluable, and they can ping you before you see them or have a chance to slow down.
OTOH, if you are doing 120+, there isn't much that will save you. If you are going to go warp speed, it will cost, sooner or later. Most traffic cruices on the open road at 115-120 ish - so there is $120-200 and 35 points you can save, plus the potential of increased insurance premiums or a declined claim.
Geoff
My reason exactly.... I dont regularly speed on the highway, but have noticed a few times I'd be doing 115 on the highway or 65 up my street and dont want to get done for it... especially up my street where boy-racers run and cops use radar a hell of a lot... the one in the van or the bosses car goes off at the end of my street and the cop will be a K away, over a hill.....and considering my street is downhill to my house, I do 60 down here alot and I dont feel like testing the 10k discretion thing!
the van one also picked a camera van from around a bend on the double lanes at WhenuTapu on saturday... might have been doing 120 to pass the car in front if I didnt get the warning!!!
I think it pays for itself

[dangerous]

... but aren't jammers purely for laser jamming? And how many of those do you see on the open road?

You can get 'Laser' jammers (light) and 'radar' jammers (radio) ....... 'radar' as said above dosent work very well at all, but 'Laser' jammers do work and I have seen Laser guns being used in the middle of know were in the middle of nite.... been done at 10pm on the Kaikoura coast.... wish I had a jammer then.

[scumdog]

Ummm Scumdog, you missed my point when I wrote:

<I>The best advice is - save your money and put it towards your next fine.

Remember, there are no free lunches out there.......</I>

What I was saying is - if you are buying a detector, buy a good one.
OR, save your money for your next speeding tax, I mean fine.

BillW

Nope, didn't miss your point ( good one too) BUT by not buying a detector I have (a) saved the initial cost, (b) saved the cost of updating, (c) not had to worry if it is still working, (d) not had to worry about it being stolen and (e) not had to worry about transferring it from vehicle to vehicle (or buying extra devices).
Prior to my present job I treated speed limits as a general guideline, not to be taken too seriously (as per my 156kph ticket) but by driving in an alert (and crafty) manner I still only have that one ticket.
Now of course I ride/drive within the law, couldn't do anything else eh? :msn-wink: :whistle: