What are some good Radar Detectors out there? 🤔

[FitmentIndustries]

Now, I'm not looking for the Michael Jordan of all radar detectors out there.

But, I'm looking for the kind that can detect police radar preferably the kind that beeps as you get closer to the cops or the directional arrows are pretty cool too.

Any experiences or stories from your Radar Detector? Any Cringe?

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[Yamazuki]

Uniden R8's are typically regarded as best of the best right now. Valentine 1 Gen 2 are still top notch as well. Radenso has some that are pretty darn good. And, Escort's aren't incredibly terrible either I suppose.

Pretty much anything above will give you enough notice to appropriately react to RADAR, provided the officer has it on. There are no guarantee's against Instant On or POP, especially if they're used by someone who knows what they're doing. Most everything now days has laser (LIDAR) detection, but nothing legal is going to save you from that. If you get a laser alert, you're pretty much cooked.
Photo radar is becoming more popular in some areas, so you will want to find out if that is a thing where you live and get a detector that will pick that up as well, if needed.

Expect to pay a couple, to several, hundred dollars for something worth having.

 

[D/\rK•650]

I have the latest unidenR8. So far very nice unit. Last unit was the escort redline. Expensive but it has paid for itself several times over easily. I think there both pretty much very close in performance. I'd maybe lean towards the uniden. Can't go wrong with a decent priced unit in any of the top three manufacturers. Escort Uniden Valentine. Valentine is probably best for directional alerts. Big arrows ect.

 

[pc104]

I have the Uniden R3. It used to be a budget option but now prices have gone up with tariffs (still cheaper than a ticket). Direction sensing is a gimmick and I wouldn't spend extra for it. If the detector is beeping, you'll know almost immediately if the source is getting closer.

My advice is to figure out which frequency bands the agencies in your area actually use. This is a helpful resource: https://lexbrook.com/rdf/?ka

I was being overwhelmed with false alerts because there is so much RF noise in our modern world. Fortunately, local/state police in my area use Ka band and laser exclusively, so I was able to turn off the other bands and now I get zero false alerts.

 

[Yamazuki]

Direction sensing is a gimmick and I wouldn't spend extra for it. If the detector is beeping, you'll know almost immediately if the source is getting closer.

As a V1 user for many many years, I would have to disagree with this statement! Direction sensing is only a gimmick until you've experienced it. Sure you'll know if the source is getting closer without arrows, but you still don't have any idea where it's coming from. If the alert is from the side or rear, I know it's not much of a threat until it does start getting closer. If it's out front, that's danger, Will Robinson!
Not to mention, I can't even count how many LEO's I have met head on, and passed, thinking the threat was now behind me, only to have V1 telling me there was still speed enforcement going on ahead.

 

[pc104]

As a V1 user for many many years, I would have to disagree with this statement! Direction sensing is only a gimmick until you've experienced it. Sure you'll know if the source is getting closer without arrows, but you still don't have any idea where it's coming from. If the alert is from the side or rear, I know it's not much of a threat until it does start getting closer. If it's out front, that's danger, Will Robinson!
Not to mention, I can't even count how many LEO's I have met head on, and passed, thinking the threat was now behind me, only to have V1 telling me there was still speed enforcement going on ahead.

I think this is highly dependent on your threat assessment. Local police rarely do traffic enforcement here (thank police reform) so I really just want to know if I'm driving into a CHP speed trap.

 

[Yamazuki]

I think this is highly dependent on your threat assessment. Local police rarely do traffic enforcement here (thank police reform) so I really just want to know if I'm driving into a CHP speed trap.

Fair enough.

In a past life, when I lived near Anaheim, I didn't ever see many locals doing speed enforcement either. Except for that ONE Orange Cnty Sherriff with the laser gun that loved to sit along my route to work every morning, and who's laser gun I accidently jammed until I passed him one day. We had a nice long chat where I attempted to convince him those things on the front of my car were merely 'parking sensors', but he wasn't buying it. Not one bit! Luckily, we were eventually able to agree to disagree and he let me be on my way!

 

[D/\rK•650]

I have the Uniden R3. It used to be a budget option but now prices have gone up with tariffs (still cheaper than a ticket). Direction sensing is a gimmick and I wouldn't spend extra for it. If the detector is beeping, you'll know almost immediately if the source is getting closer.

My advice is to figure out which frequency bands the agencies in your area actually use. This is a helpful resource: https://lexbrook.com/rdf/?ka

I was being overwhelmed with false alerts because there is so much RF noise in our modern world. Fortunately, local/state police in my area use Ka band and laser exclusively, so I was able to turn off the other bands and now I get zero false alerts.

This is very good information. I have done the same and found they only use KA and laser. K is the speed signs that show your speed but I have them turned off. Im in northern CA as well.

 

[Sig Oris]

Now, I'm not looking for the Michael Jordan of all radar detectors out there.

But, I'm looking for the kind that can detect police radar preferably the kind that beeps as you get closer to the cops or the directional arrows are pretty cool too.

Any experiences or stories from your Radar Detector? Any Cringe?

its Less stressful to drive the speed limit

 

[Garcia172]

V1 gen 1 user for ever. Swear by the arrows. Gen 2 has more, but not a lot more of what I need and a lot of fluff I don't. Yes greater range (Gen 2 over Gen 1).... but the range of the Valentine V1 Gen 1 is definitely more than enough... still. And I love the basic controls... gets the job done straight up.

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