Jump to content

radar detectors - cheap all good?


87creepin

Recommended Posts

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?

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

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

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

646904F2-A437-422D-BB57-537F601B7770.jpeg.51776a50de0ee56faf97c6f10893e182.jpeg

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

  • Like 2
  • Haha 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...