When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Not really an audi topic per se, but It''s time i buy one as I haven't had one in over 20 years...
what should I be looking at??
Escort? Valentine? something else?
GPS? non GPS??
planning on having a mirror tap done to plug it in above or below the mirror...
well, i was using the generic term "radar detector," I guess the right heading would have been "speeding ticket protection device."
Not looking for a built in, but the best dash/ window mount unit... period.. I find the escort max360 appealing, but $650 (and i know you can buy it for 10% off somewhere) a bit high...
of note, I have a NYS Troopers PBA card that has done wonders for me with every PD except for the Westchester County HWY patrol that seems to have a vendetta against the NYSP, so I am pretty up on which roads are county vs State patrolled.
the PBA card has also worked wonders for me in NH once..
of course there is Wayz which will soon be on dash screen via android auto.
The Valentine 1 is still ranked #1 in terms of laser detection, FWIW. Some say the info provided (laser warning) is semi-meaningless since they've typically got your speed by the time the device goes off. You'd look at something called ALPs if you are worried about laser. It's a separate system.
Uniden has just released two new detectors that have basically blown everything else off the map - - see radar detector forum
They're called R1 (no GPS) and R3 (GPS equipped). They're on backorder right now. Have been providing some STELLAR detection range. This would be a simple solution, if you can find one.
I have an escort X50 which is OK given it's age. Good enough that I am not currently in the market for a new one (especially when supplemented with Waze)
If I was to get a new one now, I'd probably go for the Escort iX which is 2-3 generations newer than my current unit (same power plugs) and can be had for ~$450 on Amazon making it a little more affordable than the 360. It's also got MOST of the same features as the 360.
Most high end detectors seem to have caught up the the V1 for the most part. It's more just a matter of which one has the price/features/look you want these days.
I've had, for nearly five years now, the Passport 9500ix, (now discontinued) but many other Escorts, including the Escort IX are newer with more features.
This one has served me well, so I'll just remain with it.
I have the Max360. I love it, especially the auto lock-outs but it can get a little chirpy from all the blind spot monitoring systems. A new firmware update is suppose to improve that.
I've had the Escort 360 for about 3.5 years and love it. It is as much as I could want in a radar detector.
I had the 9500ix for 4.5 years prior to that and loved it too. I've also had the 8500 in the past and it was good.
Don't let anyone convince you the Valentine V1 can hold a candle to the first to listed above. It is a completely antiquated detector.
This may sound silly, but why is a radar detector GPS equipped? I have never owned one!
To lock out false signals from a store's radar equipped automatic doors that you keep driving by everyday and the radar detector starts beeping. Also red light cameras.
07-17-2017, 08:52 AM
Best Radar Dectector?
