Radar Detector Poll

[2ndBimmer]

Yeah, so Im curious.

[schussey]

use mine all the time, passport escort 8500. has saved me many of times

[sydeshow]

getting a v1 in the near future.

[barische]

im thinking about getting one. is brand cobra good. im thinkin about somethin in the price range of 100 dolars.

[sydeshow]

im thinking about getting one. is brand cobra good. im thinkin about somethin in the price range of 100 dolars.
from working in electronics retail for a few years, the only brand name that i've completely crossed out off my list is whistler. once i opened two in a row, brand new, out of the plastic. both were broken. the same way too. built like an egg. probably works like a rock.

for $100, cobra or beltronics (express) is probably what you want. both are good. go check them out to see the different details of each (text display, voice alert, digital compass, etc).

but remember, you could spend $300-400 on a radar detector, and it could save you from about $150+ per ticket, plus however much it would up your insurance. somthing to chew on. and as far as quality, range, etc, you usually get what you pay for.

[ZeroG]

from working in electronics retail for a few years, the only brand name that i've completely crossed out off my list is whistler. once i opened two in a row, brand new, out of the plastic. both were broken. the same way too. built like an egg. probably works like a rock.

for $100, cobra or beltronics (express) is probably what you want. both are good. go check them out to see the different details of each (text display, voice alert, digital compass, etc).

but remember, you could spend $300-400 on a radar detector, and it could save you from about $150+ per ticket, plus however much it would up your insurance. somthing to chew on. and as far as quality, range, etc, you usually get what you pay for.


I just got a V1 today for my B-Day and so far I am totally impressed..

-Chad

[ClubSport]

I've got an 8500.

To anyone who only uses it sometimes, I highly recommend you have it on all the time. If not, you won't get used to the type of signals you see (door openers, cops, etc.) and the range and strength at which you see them. There isn't a detector out there yet that blares "Cop! 1.5 miles ahead!", you really have to get used to interpreting the signals.

Plus it'll prevent those moments pulled over at the side of the road saying "D'oh, if only I'd had the fuzzbuster on!"

[sydeshow]

I just got a V1 today for my B-Day and so far I am totally impressed..

-Chad
lucky you.

four of my friends have them. two of which own m3's. they work. they really do. the whole bogey-count is what really puts it in a class of its own.

well...that and the $400 it takes to buy it. but its worth it.

[sydeshow]

I just got a V1 today for my B-Day and so far I am totally impressed..

-Chad
and happy birthday man. :dance:

[1996 328ti]

lucky you.

four of my friends have them. two of which own m3's. they work. they really do. the whole bogey-count is what really puts it in a class of its own.

well...that and the $400 it takes to buy it. but its worth it.
I like the directional arrows and Valentine provides upgrades.

[aceyx]

To anyone who only uses it sometimes, I highly recommend you have it on all the time. If not, you won't get used to the type of signals you see (door openers, cops, etc.) and the range and strength at which you see them. There isn't a detector out there yet that blares "Cop! 1.5 miles ahead!", you really have to get used to interpreting the signals.

i'm the sole vote for only using it some of the time. really, i only use it on the highway. i don't speed that much around town.

however, the best and least expensive (~$50) radar detector i've ever owned was a cb radio. i'll start a thread on it if people are interested.

[sydeshow]

i'm the sole vote for only using it some of the time. really, i only use it on the highway. i don't speed that much around town.

however, the best and least expensive (~$50) radar detector i've ever owned was a cb radio. i'll start a thread on it if people are interested.
my dad's a truck driver. and i can agree with that. just get on and ask if any bears are taking pictures in the woods around the area. someone's bound to be on and know.

speaking of cb radios...if you haven't seen the movie "joy ride," you should consider seeing it. it's an "ok" movie. but not a "you-have-to-go-see-it-right-now" movie.

[aceyx]

not only does the cb help with spotting bears (with a much greater range than any detector/locator), i also get alerted to heavy traffic, foul weather, and accidents.

[1996 328ti]

If you can cut your way through the noise on CB, it's OK.
I can't listen to these guys for more than 20 minutes.
Their viewpoints scare me.

[sydeshow]

not only does the cb help with spotting bears (with a much greater range than any detector/locator), i also get alerted to heavy traffic, foul weather, and accidents.
very true. very true.

but being that radar detectors are more of a passive device, and you don't have to initiate anything for it to alert you, i find more of a use for it since i'm lazy. haha.

[sydeshow]

If you can cut your way through the noise on CB, it's OK.
I can't listen to these guys for more than 20 minutes.
Their viewpoints scare me.
sometimes i find it to be a great source of entertainment. with all the idiots out there, you feel smarter once you hear some of them.

then again, the conversations are usually low enough to drop you intelligence level in the first place.

[GDB]

Although I don't have it yet, I just bought a Passport 8500. I've used the 8500 before and I really like it.

[robcarync]

im a good driver. i follow ALL traffic laws...

yeah right...but i generally dont speed that much ... i used to...but not really anymore...dont feel like getting caught with a ticket...and my parents wouldnt let me get a radar detector anyway because to them thats just like i admitted that i speed...in which they would then proceed to not let me drive.

their theory is that if i speed enough to need a radar detector, i shouldnt be behind the wheel of the car (on their insurance policy at least). and sicne my parents are paying all the bills, im not one to complain.

[devilddog88]

i just got a Vanlentine 1 a week ago, it is awesome. the best money can buy with a 98% accuracy.

[1996 328ti]

I don't use my V1 so I can go 100 miles an hour in a 55. Seems I always get caught anyway. :( The V1 is useful keeping you in check on local roads. Speed Limit 45 and you are doing 55. Most of the time you don't even realize you are speeding because the road clearly can handle 55. It's 45 so the local revenuers can make some money.

[devilddog88]

i just bought mine because i got a ticket 2 weeks ago doing 45 in a 35 @ 2am. Besides im planning to do a couple trips to FL, and i want to get there fast. Do u guys think the ti is any good for long distance trips (about 16000 miles in less than 4 days)???? i bet the V1 would help me then ha!!!

[1996 328ti]

4000 miles per day? I don't think so unless you are airborne most of the way.
I guess you mean 1600 miles in 4 days. If so that is a very leisurely trip. 400 miles a day. The ti can take it. I can't drive more than 8 hours anymore unless I am caravaning or splitting the driving.

[aceyx]

if you're gonna hoof it down I95, just stay behind someone that's going faster than you. it's pretty much a given that someone will be, and it's a terrible stretch to be caught speeding.

a cb radio would really help you out here (since it's well traveled by trucks), but it's something that takes a bit getting used to.


i drove from NY->LA in 4 days two summers ago; a word of advice: rotate your tires after you get back.

[maurolin]

my hard wired V1.... the BEST!!
http://baybimmers.dtdns.net/Project%20332Ti1/V1%20hardwire.jpg

[1rstbmw!]

I wish i would have bought one i got a ticket doing 108 in a 55 I guess that 340 dollar ticket would have paid for a good one!

[S10mafia50]

:clap: :clap: :clap: to you....LOL.....at least it isn't an exhibition of speed ticket!!!!!!!! Personally, i don't use a radar detector anymore, and i prolly never will....i'm going straight to jamming...by flooding the area with radar bands.....if you all have any questions, pm me...i'll explain it to you! it won't protect you from laser, you'll have to get a shifter to do that.
Andrew
Edit: And actually, I also quit stopping a long time ago....ahhh, the benifits of driving a geared vehicle.....a few quick turns and i'm gone!!

[pdxmotorhead]

I wish i would have bought one i got a ticket doing 108 in a 55 I guess that 340 dollar ticket would have paid for a good one!

In my state thats a 1500 dollar ticket and a free ride to the police station + recovering the car from impound to the tune of 4 or 500 dollars.

You be lucky...

Dave

[S10mafia50]

In my state thats a 1500 dollar ticket and a free ride to the police station + recovering the car from impound to the tune of 4 or 500 dollars.

You be lucky...

Dave
Didn't someone in either Oregon or Washington get stopped on one of those turbine engine motorcycles??? Doing at least 200mph....something about a $10000 fine....LOL. I swear I read that before in a magazine or something.
Andrew

[myblueTI]

I drive with a radar but dont rely on it being that i just dont drive crazy unless it is necassary

[Kraln]

I have a radar detector, but I use it because it tells me where redlight cameras are.

[1996 328ti]

You shouldn't be running red lights!
Especially where I live.

[Kraln]

It's not for me, it's so I can anticipate idiots slamming on their brakes - this has happened a few times to me, and it's nice to get a little heads up on when they're going to do it.

The unit I have also detects speed cameras and lidar... Of course, with those, it's more of a 'You've been caught' than a 'You should try not to get caught'.

I mainly use the compass on the thing :)

[dead4ever]

detector + a little common sense = fewer tickets and cheaper insurance, I wouldn't drive without mine.

[Kraln]

Tonight was a perfect example of why I have my radar detector on at all times. I'm driving down 355 (it's a fairly busy road, 3 lanes in either direction in a very commercial area). It's somewhat late, and I'm driving behind this lexus with blacked out windows.

Coming up to a (green) light, first, the X-Band detector goes off. This tells me that either I'm sitting next to a 7-11, there's a red-light camera on the light, or that there's a cop somewhere on his radio. About a second later, the LIDAR detector goes off. This means that I'm being actively painted. I'm driving the speed limit, so I don't really care. The light turns yellow, and the car in front of me guns it to make the light. I stop, and a county cop pulls onto the road and flicks his lights on.

Score 1 for the radar detector.

[USMC318ti]

My $200 Cobra missed a Laser on the way down to SC this weekend and
cost me a $191 ticket!!

[Kraln]

You really can't blame the detector for missing lidar. The cone is so small if they paint your license plate your windshield doesn't see any of it.

[tol4o]

I am sorry Steven I didn't see that this topic has already been started.
About the radar detector, I use Whistler 1730 which is all band and catches everything. I am very happy with it

[ChItalian1027]

got mine a year ago drive wit it most of the time when in the burbs of chicago when down town however that is when it always on. see i drive wit my ipod on so i can't really use my radar i would have to go to radio shack to get a dual cigarette lighter thing for them both so i think i'm goin to do that this week so i can run both

o i have a cobra my mom bought it when she took my sis to UMASS her frosh year i'm deff. takin it when i go to SIU nxt year don't want IL cops bustin my chops for speeding.

i maintain speed around here cuz the fuzz in the burbs have nothing really to do so they stop high schoolers that are drunk/high and just down right cant drive

glad my mom got the radar has saved me blenty of times

[brodee]

Used a cheap whistler for years and thought it was great until I forked out the money and bought a V1. Wish I would have got it a long time ago, best thing I ever bought, has saved me soooo much in tickets.