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

[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!!