87creepin Posted February 6, 2021 Share Posted February 6, 2021 just wondering if a cheap radar detector is sufficient/reliable enough? On the tard for instance prices start from Whistler GT-138Xi: $109 Uniden DFR1: $138.99 Whistler GT268Xi: $155 admittedly I can't trust other website's reviews as much as OS though its probably best to get one with internal GPS, so then you'll not get caught by speed cameras.. right? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DezTruction Posted June 5, 2022 Share Posted June 5, 2022 So no one has any experience with radar detectors? I had a uniden back in the day before laser was a thing, I realised it was a wast of time when I got pinged by a mobile camera, the cam flashed me then the detector went off ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidewaysickness Posted June 6, 2022 Share Posted June 6, 2022 In my experience you pay for what you get, If you are thinking of buying one then you must need it and it will be worth its weight in R32 GTRs which is worth more than gold I run a Escort Redline and its been epic. Best result so far in optimum conditions has been a weak alert about 8kms away 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supasheep Posted June 6, 2022 Share Posted June 6, 2022 I've got aĀ Whistler GT268Xi I got for very good discount and used it on quite a few occasions since. It works really well, detects speed radars from cops, speed limit signs but only at a reasonable distance where you can already see the cop car or sign ahead (usually much less than 1km). Apparently cop speed guns only work within 600 meters so it's still useful that you can slow down in time.Ā I would say the cheaper ones are good for going 10kmph past speed limits but if you want to go even faster than that you have to invest in much more expensive radar detectors Hope this helps. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87creepin Posted June 6, 2022 Author Share Posted June 6, 2022 I ended up getting a Whistler GT-468GXi and it's saved me on alot of occasions.Ā Only downside is you have to look out for the speed camera vans And the false alerts, but generally on state highways/open roads this isn't a problem.Ā 10/10 would trade again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cletus Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 Are they easy to swap between cars? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidewaysickness Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 My one is hardwired in the S4 which needs it the most, but I use the supplied ciggy plug adaptor when im using it in other cars 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mk2marty Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 I've got a Uniden R3NZ, which picks up posted speed cameras (via GPS) and speed vans, but you have to mess with the settings a bit to narrow down the detected K band range otherwise it picks up every "your speed" sign/shop doorway sensor etc. It's good for Ka band (mobile radar), it usually picks it up a decent distance away (like several kilometers) unless there's particularly hilly terrain. It also goes off when you're getting lasered, but by the time that happens it's probably too late anyway. Wouldn't drive on the open road without it now, not because massively illegal speeds or anything, more just for the peace of mind on passing lanes or for those random 30km/h signs for non-existent road works. Has the ciggy plug adapter too, so easy to swap with the suction cup mount between cars.Ā Mate had a Valentine that told you which direction the signal was coming from, which was a nifty feature. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87creepin Posted June 7, 2022 Author Share Posted June 7, 2022 1 hour ago, cletus said: Are they easy to swap between cars? Yep, I've hardwired mine in (they sell hardwire kits on the tard for about $30) and they come with cig lighter plugs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessemk2 Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 I've got a escort passport x50 pretty old now but gives me a decent heads up with cop cars (ka band) but doesn't pick up mobile speed cameras. Has picked up laser a few times but wasn't speeding so don't know how good that works. What I have noticed over the years is low percentage of cop cars are actually beaming out ka band mainly highway patrol. Ā Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j.e.d. Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 I recently bought an Escort Max 360c along with the Escort M1 dash cam as they integrate well together.. I've been thinking about getting a radar detector for a couple of years now, I don't normally speed excessively, but about a month ago I got pinged for doing 82 in a 60 as I was daydreaming/meditating.. not the fine so much as the demerit points that hurt. Not keen on losing my license again. I was deciding between the Uniden R7 & Valentine as they both gave direction indicators and are top of the line for my budget (around $1200) but couldn't decide between them. Uniden had built in GPS and looked pretty but I've never been a fan of the brand for a lot of years, Valentine is tried & true but the design is dated & you need to pair it with your phone to get the best out of it (updates etc). By chance the old man was talking to a guy at the Hyundai yard in Blenheim & he has experience with both brands, but recommended the Escort 360 as being far better than the both of them so I went with that. So far I'm happy, has a GPS speed reading to glance at if your car speedo isn't accurate, can set a max speed warning, tells you the direction of the threat & also the amount (worked well this morning letting me know a cop car was about 500m up the road and around a corner in a 50kmh zone, and showed he was behind me when I passed) plus other cool stuff. The trick is to always be aware though.. I've read that no detector will alert you of a speed camera van until you're right up to it, and the cops vary whether they have their radar on or not. I've been told the younger cops have their radar on a lot of the time, but the older cops don't want the hassle of paperwork pulling over every tom dick & harry so keep it off most of the time.Ā Ā I got mine hard wired into my daily but it still comes with the cig lighter connection to put in my other cars.. the installer said the ducks nuts is the redline model that @sidewaysicknessĀ has, but I couldn't justify the leap. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RUNAMUCK Posted June 8, 2022 Share Posted June 8, 2022 I have nothing of value to add except that someone who did a lot of research also concurred escort was the best. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j.e.d. Posted June 8, 2022 Share Posted June 8, 2022 I have a tendency at times to research certain things to death.. except when it comes to car purchases, that's purely impulsive. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingbrick Posted June 8, 2022 Share Posted June 8, 2022 3 hours ago, RUNAMUCK said: I have nothing of value to add except that someone who did a lot of research also concurred escort was the best. I've looked lots for the bike and everything I read said that valentine was the best. They also seem to support their customers REALLY well with updates (i think you could even send your unit in to them to have it upgraded when there were hardware updates) Ā Ā Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GARDRB Posted June 8, 2022 Share Posted June 8, 2022 Holy fuck, the custom install Escorts are pricey, but damn they look so much cleaner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honda Ass Dragger Posted June 9, 2022 Share Posted June 9, 2022 When I was in NZ I had a V1, paid for itself within a couple of months Ā Ā 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickJ Posted June 9, 2022 Share Posted June 9, 2022 Fancy pants rental car I had could read speed signs and adjusted the speed warnings to suit, do any radars have that ability? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carsnz123 Posted June 12, 2022 Share Posted June 12, 2022 On 09/06/2022 at 13:01, NickJ said: Fancy pants rental car I had could read speed signs and adjusted the speed warnings to suit, do any radars have that ability? Doubt it but I know some GPS units do that. Provided you keep them uptated and the government keeps the online info up to dateĀ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HighLUX Posted June 14, 2022 Share Posted June 14, 2022 On 09/06/2022 at 13:01, NickJ said: Fancy pants rental car I had could read speed signs and adjusted the speed warnings to suit, do any radars have that ability? Fancy hilux at work has this but it gets confused by two 10kph signs right next to each other and says your good for 110kph 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cletus Posted June 14, 2022 Share Posted June 14, 2022 2 hours ago, HighLUX said: Fancy hilux at work has this but it gets confused by two 10kph signs right next to each other and says your good for 110kph Had one do that the other day, in a 60 zoneĀ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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