What radar do you use?

**Boob Johnson** · 23rd October 2007, 22:11

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

**TLMAN** · 23rd October 2007, 22:18

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

**Delphinus** · 23rd October 2007, 22:25

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** · 24th October 2007, 01:09

are they leagle in nz . not here

**Blackbird** · 24th October 2007, 05:57

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** · 24th October 2007, 06:06

Originally Posted by Blackbird

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:Me** · 24th October 2007, 06:15

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** · 24th October 2007, 06:58

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** · 24th October 2007, 07:01

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** · 24th October 2007, 22:07

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...

**fredie** · 24th October 2007, 22:19

so they are not agaist the law in nz .

**Grumpy** · 24th October 2007, 22:21

Originally Posted by 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...

Ditto. Got the same unit. Top piece of kit.

Originally Posted by 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...

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** · 24th October 2007, 22:22

Originally Posted by fredie

so they are not agaist the law in nz .

No, not yet anyway ......

**Mikkel** · 24th October 2007, 23:58

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...

**Reckless** · 25th October 2007, 00:15

Originally Posted by Mikkel

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...

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