Lets talk- RADAR DECTECTORS

1699 Views 29 Replies 15 Participants Last post by SHO SPD, Feb 6, 2002

BK

Discussion Starter · Feb 4, 2002

I'm looking to get a radar detector and was wondering what the best one made is. I do want one where the main sensing unit is mounted behind the bumper cover and the only thing in the car is the display unit (which I can hide somewhere). The other thing is that I want VG2 technology to help hide the detector. I know VA uses radar 90% of the time and my old detector had VG2 and they never knew that I picked up thier radar emissions way down the road. I could drive right by them with it blaring and they never knew it was on. Any suggestions and brands- I plan on having this installed in Maryland (where I'm orginally from and absolutely detest Va State and thier efforts to make money by blocking radar detectors.)
Thanks.

1 - 20 of 30 Posts

TehKing

· #2 · Feb 4, 2002

The best by far would be the Valentine One.

One of the car mags did a test of the top detectors from all the brands, and out of 100 points the V1 achieved 94, beating all the others by at lest 30-35 points.

bigdaddy

· #3 · Feb 4, 2002

I see the Valentine 1 advertised in Car and Driver all the time. They are expensive, but I've heard that they are worth it. Check out their web page. They have a lot of useful information concerning the proper use of radar detectors. If you need another shipping address to send it to, I'll help ya out.

Looks like LHSer beat me to it. Does that VG2 work well in VA. I was always afraid to use mine on the way to some races

[ February 04, 2002: Message edited by: bigdaddy ]

BK

Discussion Starter · #4 · Feb 4, 2002

I drove with my Bel one and they had no idea the unit was in the car. The main recieving unit was hidden behind the bumper and the display was mounted low and out of site. It wasn't like one mounted in the windshield to recieve the radar signals.

BK

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 4, 2002

Okay, found it- my old dectector was the Bel Vector LR Remote. If you go to beltronics its the one on the bottom. It has two laser sensors and the remote sensing unit. I do know that the VG2 worked really well and was undectectable when I drove past police cars in the dark.

[ February 04, 2002: Message edited by: BK ]

00ChryslerIntrepid

· #6 · Feb 4, 2002

I have a Whistler radar detector with the VG2 technology. It detects X, K, and Ka bands as well as Laser and Pulse. I paid $100 for it over a year ago at Wal-Mart. It's saved my ass more than a few times.

INTREPER

· #7 · Feb 4, 2002

Why dont you get a radar and laser jammer? It detects, has VGA2, and it jams their signals. Letting you get away clean. No officer has been able to get me yet. The name of it is the PHAZER made my ROCKY MOUNTAIN electronics.

IntrepidXJ

· #8 · Feb 4, 2002

Originally posted by INTREPER:
Why dont you get a radar and laser jammer? It detects, has VGA2, and it jams their signals. Letting you get away clean. No officer has been able to get me yet. The name of it is the PHAZER made my ROCKY MOUNTAIN electronics.

Because jammers are illegal.

[ February 04, 2002: Message edited by: Intrepid99 ]

p3

· #9 · Feb 4, 2002

The Valentine One is the best one out there. But for alot of people it's a little too pricey for what they want. I have the Whistler 1660 With Realvoice, text display, 360 degree protection, Safety Warning System, and VG-2 cloaking. Only cost me $80 at Walmart.

Dimensions 1.3"H x 2.9"W x 4.6"L
Weight6.5 oz.
Laser Wavelength 905 ± 10 nanometers (nm)
Radar Frequencies 10.500 - 10.550 GHz (X Band)
24.050 - 24.250 GHz (K Band )
33.400 - 36.000 GHz (Ka Superwideband)
Operating Temperature Range -20° C to +80° C (-4° F to +176° F)
Power Requirements Operational 12 to 15 volts DC, 250mA nominal
Vehicle Battery Saver, 30mA nominal.
Power Cord Plug Size Inside diameter is 1.3mm with center tip is positive.

See less See more

IntrepidXJ

· #10 · Feb 4, 2002

Anyone ever tried a battery operated detector? Is it worth it, or does it go thru batteries too fast?

BK

Discussion Starter · #11 · Feb 4, 2002

I haven't tried a battery one. I do have to keep this out of the windows because if VA troopers see it mounted you get a fine and possible confiscation of the unit. I would use the jammer but I think they'll notice something if they don't get a return signal.

p3

· #12 · Feb 4, 2002

Originally posted by BK:
[BI do have to keep this out of the windows .[/B]

Do what I do. Put it as low on the window as possible so the bottom is resting on the dash. They can't see them when they drive by. (I do this because if you get pulled over for something here with one they won't even think about giving you a warning, just a ticket) When you see them start to turn around to come get you, quick pull it off the window, unplug it and stuff it under your seat. After you do this a few times you get pretty fast at it

.

PS- This only works if you have a detector with VG-2 cloaking. If it doesn't have this they will be able to tell you have one with what they call their "radar detector detectors".

capitalcity rt

· #13 · Feb 4, 2002

Illegal in Canada. Don't need it in winter. U pay a fine. They give u a baseball bat to smash it and I am not sure, but demerit points as well.
Youses take ur chances!

Danny
Capitalcity R/T
01 Black Chrysler Intrepid R/T

TehKing

· #14 · Feb 4, 2002

Not true CapitalCity, radar detectors are not illegal in B.C. or Alberta. Just everywhere else.

[ February 04, 2002: Message edited by: LHSer ]

00ChryslerIntrepid

· #15 · Feb 4, 2002

pimped3point3, I have the 1650. It's the next model down from you. It has all the same features... except it doesn't have the RealVoice. When I got mine, the model you have was way more than $80 at Wal-Mart.

I have mine mounted pretty much in the center of the windshield and I haven't been pulled over. Maybe I'm just lucky.

It's not the best, but it's paid for itself more than once in warning me to slow down because a cop is in the area.

[ February 04, 2002: Message edited by: 00ChryslerIntrepid ]

[ February 04, 2002: Message edited by: 00ChryslerIntrepid ]

bigdaddy

· #16 · Feb 4, 2002

Originally posted by INTREPER:
Why dont you get a radar and laser jammer? It detects, has VGA2, and it jams their signals. Letting you get away clean. No officer has been able to get me yet. The name of it is the PHAZER made my ROCKY MOUNTAIN electronics.

I've heard a number of people who have bought these units and say they aren't worth worth nickle.

Here's an article from the Tom Martino Radio Show

Article 1
Article 2 (cont.)

[ February 04, 2002: Message edited by: bigdaddy ]

p3

· #17 · Feb 4, 2002

Originally posted by 00ChryslerIntrepid:
pimped3point3, I have the 1650. It's the next model down from you. It has all the same features... except it doesn't have the RealVoice. When I got mine, the model you have was way more than $80 at Wal-Mart.

I got mine like 2 years ago, that might be why it was cheaper. It's odd that they haven't changed the design or features at all in those 2 years. I love the RealVoice in mine. You don't have to take your eyes off the road (so you can look for where the cop is at) and it tells you what band it is and how strong it is instead of just beeping. Mine has also paid for itself many times over again. I don't think I can count how many times it has saved my ass.

MadTxn

· #18 · Feb 4, 2002

I have the Bel Vector 975 LR Remote. I loved it when it was working. I drove thru VA all the time, and all throughout NJ. It works VERY well. Of course, since I've had it out I've been pulled over twice... I would say go for it again. If you get it, I can tell you exactly where to mount it. there's really only one place that works. I also got a Blinder laser jammer (which is legal because the FCC doesn't regulate laser). I haven't gotten to test it, but it's there if the need arises.

Whew. I'm done.

MoparHead

· #19 · Feb 4, 2002

Sorry to weigh in so late on this one, but Valentine One far outstrips any of the other detectors on the market. I read the article in C&D, and the way the Valentine One outperformed the others was just about ridiculous.

Expensive? Yeah. Worth it? I'd say so.

Just my two cents.

00ChryslerIntrepid

· #20 · Feb 4, 2002

The Valentine One was rated a 77 out of 100 on www.radartest.com (who claims to be "the world's most-quoted authority on radar detectors and speed trap technology")

They rated the Escort Passport 8500 above the rest. Coming in a very close 2nd was the Bel 980.

Don't base your decision on just one source (the C&D article).

Late-Breaking News: Amazon.com is selling the Bel 980 at $230 with free shipping!! According to them the list price is $340!! I'm really tempted to buy it, but I think I'll wait for my tax refund.

[ February 04, 2002: Message edited by: 00ChryslerIntrepid ]

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