Performance of 'imported' radar detectors?

**Digitdion** · 26th February 2009, 14:23

I am looking to get a radar detector for my bike. What I would like to know is if you have got one in from the states direct for your self how have they performed? I am heading over to the USA for a quick visit soon. Exchange rate no worries as got US dollars ages ago for trip.

It will save me heaps if I buy one over there, But how do they perform here with our cops? And there radar?

Do they work just as well as radars bought here through 'official channels' ? You always read from sellers here that they are programmed for NZ use. IS this just Seller B.S trying to get a sale. I would love to hear from people who bought there own device in from the states as to its performance.

Cheers!

**Chooky** · 26th February 2009, 18:57

Yer it will work fine....just like the stuff you buy here.
Little ole NZ with a population of 4mil does not have a different system to the rest of the world [ where the things are made ]
Just buy a good one, and you wont get hit with GST if you bring it in yourself.

**3umph** · 26th February 2009, 19:05

the radar is usually the cheap part... its the extras that add up...

Wireless led warning for in the helmet, lights on the screen, screamers etc...

I see there is a new one out that is designed for use on bikes and is waterproof and comes with the extras...

http://www.radardirect.co.nz/new/mot...dar/index.html

not that I endorse speeding...

**Digitdion** · 26th February 2009, 20:25

Yeah, its called a TPX by adaptive. They look the goods. Does any one have one? How does it perform?
I guess its a radar eqivilent of the garmin zumo GPS. Built to handle motorbikes And comes with all the extra little bits you need for a bike.

**LBD** · 26th February 2009, 20:46

Originally Posted by Digitdion

. Exchange rate no worries as got US dollars ages ago for trip.

My TPX from Radar Direct with mount was NZD1300 . If buying from seppo land, cost would need to be less than USD500 by the time you take x rate .516, and freight and customs duty and customs clearance into account, and then there is the back up and support.

Originally Posted by 3umph

the radar is usually the cheap part... its the extras that add up...

The TPX comes with a wired in LED which fits where you want, (On the top of the gauge panel works for me) It also comes with a wireless volume adjustable screamer for the helmet. (My screamer did not work from new and was replaced, no hesitation, by radar direct, (see comment above regarding product support) However for me the visual LED's worked fine (5500km/8days/not slow) and I will not be using the screamer in the future.

Originally Posted by Digitdion

Yeah, its called a TPX by adaptive. They look the goods. Does any one have one? How does it perform?

The TPX worked really well,I had a play with a constable friend to try it out, well over a km and probably more, but only line of site. In the 5500km run, only once was I told to slow down, (When the cunning....turned the radar on from hidden behind another vehical) several occasions I had slowed down when the lights flashed and sure enough there would have been a fine at least.

TPX and Radar Direct get the thumbs up from me.

**3umph** · 26th February 2009, 21:25

I run an Escort X50 passport in the plastic shield case with screen mounted LED's which work off the earpiece jackport and the wireless LED in the helmet...

So far it has informed me when boys in blue are about....

Disclaimer: all done at legal speeds of course and only done for scientific purposes... the X50 seems to work very well...

I also only have it detecting Ka band

**ynot slow** · 27th February 2009, 14:26

Valentine 1 or Belltronics rx65.

**Dschubba** · 27th February 2009, 15:58

If any have disabled the X and K bands (as I have) on your escort or valentine to get rid of the false alarms. The new cameras in the vans are now back on K-band- which will need to be switched back on to detect em.

A shame, since I was false alarm free just running Ka. (escort & screamer)

**Gizzit** · 27th February 2009, 18:34

IMHO ..... Definitely import one from the USA, with the stuff you need, like a mount, plastic weather cover, a screamer or visual display ... which ever works for you.

Bell STI are good, and others here prefer other detectors. Just be sure of the exchange rate, and you can't go wrong. They work here just the same as the do in the USA. Don't believe anyone who tells you otherwise. All the new models will work here just fine. Some dealers will definitely try to tell you different, and that overseas models are not set up for NZ. That is just a lie. Pure and simple.
In the past, we have had K band and X Band (i think ?) turned off ... which is simple to do on an STI anyway, and probably on any of the other top models. Its simply a setting you can turn off in the menu. Thats the difference from imported models ..... they still have those two bands switched on. Just turn them off !!! Easy !
As someone else mentioned, some Camera's are now using K band again, so we will have to leave that band on now.
Do your research before you go, know the prices of stuff, and you'll be fine !!
Good luck.

**Bladeslapper109** · 27th February 2009, 19:24

Originally Posted by LBD

My TPX from Radar Direct with mount was NZD1300 . If buying from seppo land, cost would need to be less than USD500 by the time you take x rate .516, and freight and customs duty and customs clearance into account, and then there is the back up and support.

The TPX comes with a wired in LED which fits where you want, (On the top of the gauge panel works for me) It also comes with a wireless volume adjustable screamer for the helmet. (My screamer did not work from new and was replaced, no hesitation, by radar direct, (see comment above regarding product support) However for me the visual LED's worked fine (5500km/8days/not slow) and I will not be using the screamer in the future.

The TPX worked really well,I had a play with a constable friend to try it out, well over a km and probably more, but only line of site. In the 5500km run, only once was I told to slow down, (When the cunning....turned the radar on from hidden behind another vehical) several occasions I had slowed down when the lights flashed and sure enough there would have been a fine at least.

TPX and Radar Direct get the thumbs up from me.

What do you mean by line of site? It didnt pick up the radar bouncing off things around corners or what. Would of thought if its line of sight hes allready got you before you can react.

**Titanium** · 27th February 2009, 19:44

Got a Valentine 1 while in the states a few years ago ($200 USD). Still does the goods. Bought a HARD kit from radar direct and mount from techmount.

I think this "tuned for NZ" from the local importers is just bollox!

**Bladeslapper109** · 27th February 2009, 20:39

When they say NZ tuned i think they mean they have just turn off the k and x band which anyone should be able to do if the model allows it.

**LBD** · 27th February 2009, 21:57

Originally Posted by Bladeslapper109

What do you mean by line of site? It didnt pick up the radar bouncing off things around corners or what. Would of thought if its line of sight hes allready got you before you can react.

I came around a corner on to the straight some 1 km away from the radar, The radar was a hand held and car was out of site. There was thick bush either side of the road. The detector went off as I was coming around the corner and there was a car in front of me.

The radar definately picks up the threat well before it registers to my sight/mind.

And the signal has to travel twice the distance back to the radar than it is to the detector

Cheers