fgirard

So I'm looking at getting a decent radar detector, and I've narrowed my list down to: Escort Max 360 (+360c), Escort ix9500, Escort S75, Uniden R3, Valentine One, and Anti-Laser remote system (w/ remote radar detection). Does anyone have experience with these, or perhaps another detector?

TIA

Dodge DeBoulet

I've had an Escort Max for almost 4 years now, with the Escort Live app and cable. Very pleased ... the detector itself is great, and the app aggregates reports from other owners to provide real-time coverage of patrols and speed traps. The investment has far more than paid for itself

fgirard

Thanks for the advice...in fact, I've just gone ahead and ordered a Max 360, with the hard wire installation kit.

bkafrick

Sounds like I'm too late, but I've had the Valentine One for 5+ years now, and its amazing.

DMSFCA

Valentine 1 all the way. I've bought several over the years, had them factory-upgraded a few times. Everything else seems crappy in comparison. Finding legit review sites is really hard, most of the ones out there are just shill sites.

Regardless, if you are going to get a detector, get the best one you can afford. One bad alert will cost you more than the difference between a good and great unit.

I've found using Waze alongside your detector, even if you aren't using it for actual routing is a huge advantage. Your radar picks up a lot of things, especially on lonely roads, but don't discount Waze people reporting speed traps. Even if they don't report the trap or marked a moving car, at least you know the police are in the area and you need to keep it in check.

gfunkdave

Wow, I didn't realize radar detectors were still a thing. I thought all cops used laser by now.

I had a radar detector in high school but it didn't help when the cop was waiting in the dark with instant on radar. I have long just set cruise control for 5 over and forgotten about it.

davie355

@gfunkdave, many cops do use laser but many laser guns are slow enough to get a reading that the driver can get by with slamming on the breaks upon hearing a laser alert from a windshield-mounted detector.

gfunkdave

How interesting. When I had a radar (and laser!) detector in about 1994, I distinctly remember the manual saying that lasers were the fastest way to get a speed reading, within 0.2 seconds. I guess tech has changed.

Dodge DeBoulet

There are a couple of problems with laser (LIDAR). They're less effective without a clear line-of-sight, and generally require the officer to be outside his vehicle to get an accurate and fast read. Radar doesn't have either of these issues and is more effective over a much greater distance. Radar can also be used from a moving vehicle in many situations, and while that is possible with LIDAR it's not usually useful.

I used to see LIDAR in use fairly often in our area, but it seems pretty rare now. Ka band radar seems to be the popular choice in Southern Maine. K band is used for the stationary traffic monitors that appear every few miles on 295, Rt 1 and the ME Turnpike and it's been a while since I've seen it used by an officer (my detector indicates which band is being used). X band is apparently used only by supermarkets for their automatic door openers these days

cardsqc

Except apparently in Ohio, and possibly northern NJ. Both supposedly still have x band being used for traffic enforcement.

boerne

+1 on detector plus Waze
I now have a one hour commute and use my radar detector plus Waze. Great combo. Also Waze provides clever alternative routings. Would rather be flying, however.

HDQDD

Haha, I go 9 over, never had an issue. Friend of mine who's a state trooper said he doesn't usually bother with people unless they're doing 15 or more over. His reasoning was that there are enough of those people to keep him busy and it's best to catch the fastest speeders.

I had a radar detector for many years, it helped sometimes but not always. If there's not much traffic, they can nail you with Instant On (usually Ka in NC).

DMSFCA

For sure they don't work every time, or maybe even most times, but all they have to do is save you once when you weren't paying attention to your speed on a lonely road to make it worthwhile!

davie355

delete

immaculate

I've used Valentine 1s since 1997 and have had great luck with them.