Clean cars are radar/laser magnets!

[Monk]

Originally posted by Monk
Aren't there lots of detectors on the market. My local shop is touting some unit that has front and rear capabilities for about $2500. No way am I spending that. But aren't there alternatives to the X50 and V1. I would not trust anyone who uses and old C&D study and calls it the "latest"

Perhaps I should add that I did not want a windshield mounted unit. I wanted it in the grille and somewhere in the rear and nothing on the windshield. And I wanted laser shifting.

[RamAirV1]

Originally posted by Monk
Aren't there lots of detectors on the market. My local shop is touting some unit that has front and rear capabilities for about $2500. No way am I spending that. But aren't there alternatives to the X50 and V1. I would not trust anyone who uses and old C&D study and calls it the "latest"

OK, here are more recent tests:

Laser Detector Review

V1 wins the laser test by a wide margin. Especially at close range. And this guy has no agenda. He doesn't sell radar detectors.

And for more recent radar detector tests:

Radar Detector Review 2005

Radar Detector Review 2006

V1 is best on K band and X band (still in use in NJ and OH). BEL, with it's RX65 and STi models, is best on Ka 33.8 and 35.5 GHz. V1 is best on 34.7 GHz.

BTW, the V1 is no longer the most expensive radar detector. BEL now has the STi, that sells for $449.00!

For people with cars, that don't have their rear windshield blocked, the rear antenna does make a huge difference. Modern Ka band radars have same-lane capabilities. Your speed can be clocked by a cop running moving radar coming up from behind. I have seen it in use myself.

Some may or may not think a rear antenna is important, just reporting my experience. I own a BEL also. It is very good too, but it is not as good at picking up radar from the rear.

Car and Driver does not do radar detector tests very often. They only do new tests when they believe there are enough new ones on the market to justify a new test.

RamAirV1

[scarface_]

I have an x50 and it has saved me plenty of times. People say they are pointless because of "instant on", but if you have a few cars ahead of you, the radar will pick up that instant on then go off then back on before you get to the cop.

[RamAirV1]

I think that if you get either an X50, an RX65, or V1, it will do a very good job for you. Each has it's advantages.

If you get a cheaper model, detection range will go down, and you will get more false alarms from other RDs in the Ka band range.

RamAirV1

[Monk]

Originally posted by RamAirV1
I think that if you get either an X50, an RX65, or V1, it will do a very good job for you. Each has it's advantages.

If you get a cheaper model, detection range will go down, and you will get more false alarms from other RDs in the Ka band range.

RamAirV1

What do you like for "hidden in the grille and not on the windshield" models?

[GMZ]

Oh Im subscribing to this! Seems the V1 is no longer king of detectors. Lots of good info in here. On a detailing forum no less!

[RamAirV1]

Originally posted by Monk
What do you like for "hidden in the grille and not on the windshield" models?

You want a remote model then. Check this out:

Escort Remote Radar Detectors

IIRC, the SRX is the top of the line model. One advantage of a remote compared to the X50 is that your laser detection will probably be better, especially at close range, as they tend to target the license plate.

Also check out the Beltronics Remote Detectors.

Hope this helps.

RamAirV1

[sneek]

I think i am going to go with a V1 or an X50. The BEL RX65 is 499.99 locally so i can just order direct and save on the other 2 detectors

[rusty bumper]

If I'm not mistaken, radar detectors are illegal in North Carolina.

Never had a problem with police tailing me here...Yet.

Now I did get pulled over a while back for driving a dirty (mechanics) convertible. Policeman almost gave me a ticket for not having it detailed, lol.

Just kidding...The mechanics tag had expired, and that was the reason for the pullover.

Never the less, I gave the car a good detailing, and the mechanic paid me for doing it!

[RamAirV1]

Originally posted by sneek
I think i am going to go with a V1 or an X50. The BEL RX65 is 499.99 locally so i can just order direct and save on the other 2 detectors

Is that $499.99 US? That's high for sure.

BTW, radar detectors are legal in NC. The only place where they are illegal for passenger cars and small trucks in the US are Virginia and DC. They are illegal in commercial vehicles in all of the US.

RamAirV1

[Monk]

Originally posted by RamAirV1
You want a remote model then. Check this out:

Escort Remote Radar Detectors

IIRC, the SRX is the top of the line model. One advantage of a remote compared to the X50 is that your laser detection will probably be better, especially at close range, as they tend to target the license plate.

Also check out the Beltronics Remote Detectors.

Hope this helps.

RamAirV1

Thanks--and to do it right, don't you need laser shifters? Otherwise all you know is you just got whacked with laser and your ticket is waiting for you up the road?

[RamAirV1]

If it were me, I would get the laser shifter.

If you are driving a dark colored car, with popup headlights, and no front plate, you would not need the laser shifter. Makes a black Vette all that more desirable. But not the newest one as they did away with the popup headlights.

RamAirV1

[sneek]

Originally posted by RamAirV1
Is that $499.99 US? That's high for sure.

BTW, radar detectors are legal in NC. The only place where they are illegal for passenger cars and small trucks in the US are Virginia and DC. They are illegal in commercial vehicles in all of the US.

RamAirV1

no 499.99 CAD = 450.44 USD which is a litte high and BEL does not ship to Canada so I am going for the V1 or the X50

[BlueTooth]

hate to revive old threads here, but I recently noticed that cops will tailgate the **** out of me, I guess since I have a truck with a tailgate they think its like a huge mirror. at night it blinds people, when they get behind me and put on there high beams, this is no joke I was riding with a friend to my house in his car adn he pulled in behind my truck adn told him to hit the high beams and wow all those wax jobs come through, we were blinded for a couple of secs, its good when you get behind a truck with a clean tailgate adn you can see your reflection of the car as u drive... sorry for the revival here

[sneek]

sound kind of dangerious, hopefully you didn't cause too many accidents