Radar detectors - what's best?

[cs363]

I dont have experience with other detectors to compare with so won't comment on relative merits.

But I do take task with the sensitivity claimed in the refered to review. We have a 1.6km straight, undulating, bush either side where myself and a constable friend had a play...

He was near one end and I came around the corner say 1.3km away. Both hand held lasar and car mounted radar was detected just as the straight is coming into sight.

Definetly avoided several infringments overthe 5500km I have been using it.

Andit can be more easily addapted for car use than a car radar detector can for a bike.

Yeah, even with all the available info sensitivity can be a tad subjective what with atmospheric conditions, how and where the unit is situated, voltage supply and a few other variables. So what works well for some (regardless of brand) may not neccessarily work as well for others (and vice-versa). Most users of the big 3 brands will usually have reports of detection of constant on radar from considerably longer distances than 1-2km in ideal conditions.

Also, some detectors are better at picking up the remains of 'instant on signals' from further away. This is particulary important if your main area of use is in the Nth Island where this practice is widespread, my experience travelling in the Sth Island on numerous occasions indicates that this is less common down there, though maybe I'm just lucky?

The main thing for you is of course that you are happy with your purchase which it appears you are and it's obviously saved you some coin which is the purpose of the whole exercise. As the TPX is relatively new it would be good to hear from other users to build up a balanced view (no offence intended LBD) to add to the pool of info on here for future prospective buyers.

From previous threads it's obvious the top models from Bel, Valentine and Escort all work exceptionally well, with each unit having it's own advantages in certain areas or with certain features that appeal to the user. Argueing over the relative differences between them is almost superflous, the main thing is they do the job and do it well.

With more input from other users it may well work out that the TPX is comparable, time and feedback will tell the story.
In the meantime, hope yours keeps doing the job for you.

My 2c spent...

[Pixie]

Make sure you get one "modified for NZ conditions"

[jono035]

Check out the Guys of LIDAR website for some pretty comprehensive testing info on radar detectors and laser jammers...

[p.dath]

I guess I should point out that the new distance based road side speed cameras will make radar detectors obsolete in the coming years (not very far away).

The new cameras are digital based, and the number plate system supports OCR (aka, it can read your number plate).

The intention with the new cameras are they can be placed a set distance apart, such as 10km. They take your number plate and date/time, and then 10km later the next camera takes your plate and date/time.

They then compute your average speed over the 10km.

So slowing down for 300m for a single camera and speeding up again will still result in a speeding ticket.

[cs363]

Make sure you get one "modified for NZ conditions"

.....

[nodrog:Me]

I guess I should point out that the new distance based road side speed cameras will make radar detectors obsolete in the coming years (not very far away).

The new cameras are digital based, and the number plate system supports OCR (aka, it can read your number plate).

The intention with the new cameras are they can be placed a set distance apart, such as 10km. They take your number plate and date/time, and then 10km later the next camera takes your plate and date/time.

They then compute your average speed over the 10km.

So slowing down for 300m for a single camera and speeding up again will still result in a speeding ticket.

what if the numer plate is not visable?

[Swoop]

I'm looking for a radar detector but i want to know what you guys thing
are the best ones to go for.

Has the search button broken?

[jono035]

Has the search button broken?

Yeah, must be because I'm sure that I said the exact same thing in the exact same thread less than a week ago...

[Swoop]

Yeah, must be because I'm sure that I said the exact same thing in the exact same thread less than a week ago...

This is your first post in this thread...

[beyond]

Unless a new and fancy product has entered the market the best unit, if you can afford it, is the BelTronics STi.

You can enable the bands that you want it to pick up, it is non-detectable and extremely sensitive. Won't save you every time though.

Bang on buddy. Bloody good unit.

[jono035]

This is your first post in this thread...

Yeah, was referring to a different (but nearly identical) thread from a week ago

[aahsv]

Bang on buddy. Bloody good unit.

Bel Sti +1

[NSR-Dan]

just looking at the test on "http://www.guysoflidar.com"

valentine one own's in all the tests

[jono035]

just looking at the test on "http://www.guysoflidar.com"

valentine one own's in all the tests

Yeah, but it also gets much higher rates of false-alarm in real world conditions from memory. It also costs a heap more.

[pritch]

I'll third it, the directional arrows and multiple threat tracking makes it a winner in my book.

My Escort has multiple threat and relative strength indicators. Of course if you're riding a bike you shouldn't be wasting time reading that much info and it's too far out of line of sight anyway so I have that switched off.

In a car though maybe...