Radar detectors. What do you use?

[Stormer]

I replaced my Escort with a Bel STi a few months ago...

Hey Jantar,
Why`d ya replace the Escort?
And of course...how does the new Bel STi compare??

[Hockenrider]

Hey if any one has an Escort they want to move on let me know as I fried mind heading to the Cold Kiwi (my waterproof container wasn't that good ) .
Still have all the HARD gear so hence why happy with still an old Escort.
Cheers.

[Wannabiker]

Has anyone tried a Whistler Cruisader?? I have seen these advertised in USA and seen a couple fitted out here. Supposedly M/C specific.....?? Any good??

[Flip]

I have a bell XR950. So far its performance has been 100%. It detects our friends in blue up to 12 km away. I have never had a false alarm that I did not think was a cop some where. Its set on highway all the time. The speaker in the detector is loud enough for me to hear up to about 130+ kph with ear plugs in which is about as fast as I ever go. I believe the design of the screen tends to throw a lot of noise back in my face, which helps a lot. I have been told that some of the new detectors are very quiet and need a screamer. I would say it hasen't actually saved me from a direct fine, but when it chirp and starts to carry on I keep to the speed limit usually 10 min down the road I run past a traffic cop.
The trick is to listen for little chirps when it picks up somthing at long range and keep to speed limit then. If the detector goes off with the cop right in front of you, you are mostly and usually stuffed.
On one occasion I slowed up when the detector just gave one little chirp, and a mate passed me to his detriment a few miles on.
The install on my bike was easy:

[MD]

This new Cobra detector is amazing. Since I got it a week ago no Cop has dared drive the same road as me! That's the sort of pereformance I expected. Always the way. I buy it and drive around for days to test how well it detects and I have hardly seen a Cop all week.

I have only had two warnings so far and both times a Cop was coming towards me. One was impressive with the cop about 1.5km ahead on a widely seperated dual lane M/way.
NOT a single false alert even around the city. Bril, the V1 was a bastard for giving false alerts all day.

A quick trip to Dick Smith and I got the wiring to set it up on the bike and an ear plug that fits out of the way inside my helmet. Haven't had a chance to ride the bike with it yet.

[roogazza]

Hey Markus, the only falsies I get with my V1 are on the motorway to town approaching Johnsonville and again 1 km further on, at the top of the gorge. But thats it, no others ! Did you have the latest software in yours ? I think mine is 3 point something or later ? gaz.

[beyond]

Use a Bel STI for two years now. Awesome. Gives me plenty of warning and no false alarms. Saved me heaps of funding for Helens lunch.
No problems with it ever either. It's run two years now flawlessly.

In some cases it's given me warnings 10kms ahead and lots of warning on speed cameras.

[ynot slow]

Some low life tosser flogged mine out of the car Weds night,had it 2 weeks max.The bel rx65 was heaps better than the old whistler,but then it cost 2-3 times more.Plan to buy another rx65 as good for bike,the whistler is a bit bulky width wise.And the bloody $350 excess for car pisses me off,as well as losing no claims makes it waste of time to claim.Was about to sell the whistler on tardme,so will chuck it back in the car,better than nothing.

[Jantar]

Hey Jantar,
Why`d ya replace the Escort?
And of course...how does the new Bel STi compare??

I bought the STi on a special deal from the states (only NZ$440) when the govt announced that they were going to make detectors illegal. The Escort is now installed in my cage.

They are both excellent at detecting threats. The Bel may be slightly better but there's not much in it.

[roogazza]

It is a pain in the arse , but you must stick these detectors in your pocket every time you leave your car somewhere dodgy. If the car is locked they just smash the window !
Great safety device though aren't they !!!!!! Gaz.

[ynot slow]

It is a pain in the arse , but you must stick these detectors in your pocket every time you leave your car somewhere dodgy. If the car is locked they just smash the window !
Great safety device though aren't they !!!!!! Gaz.

What amazes me was when the cops said people are looking in the windows of cars with detectors,then either going to NZ Post paying $2.00 to get owners details,then waiting till night and smash if like us you forget to remove it.Or smashing the glass in daylight in carparks and running,good to see the pricks are not all at home on playstations and at least getting some form of push play.

[Radar]

Two basic questions:

1. Can a radar detector work if it is mounted inside a fairing? They work through a cage windscreen so would they be effective hidden away inside a fairing?

2. Stupid Q but I have to ask: Radar detectors made for cars will not be waterproof, so we bikies must get waterproof ones, correct? Are they marketed as made for motorcycles or do they say "waterproof"?

[Stormer]

Yes, they most definately work through your fairing...saved me (again) today on one of the Gladdy straights.
Most detectors are not really waterproof.
Radar Direct sell clear plastic vac-formed type waterproof covers, I`ve got one for an Escort that I don`t use if you want it.
Either that or just a plastic bag will do.
I`ve been caught out with nothing in the rain, and found if you keep moving and try not to stop for too long, it stays dry.

[Swima]

Yes, they most definately work through your fairing...saved me (again) today on one of the Gladdy straights.
Most detectors are not really waterproof.
Radar Direct sell clear plastic vac-formed type waterproof covers, I`ve got one for an Escort that I don`t use if you want it.
Either that or just a plastic bag will do.
I`ve been caught out with nothing in the rain, and found if you keep moving and try not to stop for too long, it stays dry.

I also got mine from Ryan from Carterton an Escort X50 about 3 years ago - great service. Have a speaker in my helmet with jack plug so can also use helmet without wires hanging out.Saved my licence so many times and also about $1,000,000.Got pulled over once by a cop after he said I was going a bit quick ,so I challenged him that he did'nt have his radar on ,otherwise I would have known.He told me to piss off and waited for the next sucker

[Stormer]

HA!!
Go the Escort!