Opinions/input on radar detectors

[Rob0381]

I currently have a base Cobra radar detector, but it is very inconsistent. Im looking to spend somewhere in the 2-300 range. Prefer something that will alert at a minimum of 1/2 mi, and with 360 degree coverage. Please post your input/expierences on the best radar detectors in that price range.

[redmed]

I have used many different radar detectors over the years found the best to be the Escort Passport's. I have used a Escort 8500 X50 on my Kizashi for the last year. Great range! Sometimes I pick up a alert from 2+ miles away. Just as I figured the alert was false after a couple minutes I pass the cop, plenty time to slow down.

I just upgraded to a Escort 9500IX. Best move I made. One of complaints I have with the Kizashi is that the speedometer digits are too small. Who needs the speedometer to go up to 140? If it was only up to 110 the speedometer would be so much easier to read. It's annoying to keep the car at 35,45 or 55 mph. The 9500IX solved that problem. It is a GPS based radar detector so it can be set to display your current MPH. I clipped it to the headliner just above the rear view mirror. The 9500IX is supposed to be more sensitive than the 8500. And it learns where the false alarms are. After passing a signal in the same spot three times it automatically mutes the alarm from then on or until that spot is found without a signal, then it automatically unlearns the spot. So it is quieter than most detectors. When it alerts you can expect it to be something to worry about.

[ragmopp01]

I wonder about the usefullness of a radar detector, if you live in certain states, Calif. for one. As I used to live there and had a radar detector, all it did for me was go off and basically say: YOU JUST GOT A TICKET. My reasoning is that the CHP in Ca. uses instant on radar, so unless you are lucky enough to be on the road behind someone who got zapped, what good will any radar detector do? I could be wrong (and if I am, I'm sure someone will point it out ) as I haven't bought a new detector in years.

[rocket_man]

yea, the cops where I live park on the freeway entrance ramps where you cant see them until you are past them, then they shoot you with laser radar. I received 1 ticket like this and had no clue where they were hiding until I eventually saw where they were parked. I feel like a lot of you that a radar detector is a ticket to jail, ya know false sense of security and all that.

[redmed]

Twenty plus years with a radar detector and no tickets. I'll keep mine. It paid for itself a couple times over.