Best radar detector on the market

eglc02 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 12, 2006 Posts: 1

I am looking at buying a radar detector. Could anyone give me some advice? Whats the best one on the market and why?

Skippy · Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 5:18 pm Post subject:

Forget the hype that the sales people tell you, there is some stuff you have to understand the limtations of Radar detectors in general:

1. Although they are legal in the UK they are illegal in some European countries. Consider getting a hidden one if you will use it outside of the UK. They are also considering banning the use of Radar detectors in the UK.

2. Radar detectors produce a lot of false alarms in built up areas. It is essential that you can selectively switch off detection of unused radar bands (ie X-Band). The main ones you want are Ka (Gatso) and Ku (Mobile Mini Gatso).

3. If a Laser operator targets you directly then he will probably have a speed reading on you before you have time to react and put your foot on the brake, let alone slow down. If he targets the car in front of you then you may or may not get a warning in time to slow down. You need a Laser jammer if you want a fighting chance.

4. Many types of speed detection equipment, ie Monitron, SPECS, Truvelo, VASCAR and ProVidia DON'T use Radar. The main use of a Radar detector is to detect mobile Gatso/Laser sites.

5. You get what you pay for, the Valentine and Bel units have a good reputation. The Snooper and Escort models don't get such good reviews. Do a google on "UK SpeedTrap" for some reviews of the units available.

6. Don't pay over the odds for a "UK spec" detector if you can buy the same model at a substantial discount in another country.

I have a Bel 990i Radar detector, it's pretty good but I don't use it much in the UK. A GPS system is adequate for most needs unless you do very high mileage or you have a lot of problems spotting mobile sites.
_________________
Gone fishing!

Skippy · Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 5:20 pm Post subject:

Oh, and

by the way.
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Gone fishing!

Privateer · Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 5:21 pm Post subject:

Hi eglc02,

Welcome

to the forum! Thumbs Up

Firstly which country are you based, and which countries do you want to use a radar detector in?

It's best if you have a look at The UK SpeedTrap Guide for details of radar detectors.

However, you'd be better off with a GPS system. GPS "detectors" are passive and radar detectors are active, which means that radar detectors may one day be banned in the UK.

You’re best off getting a TomTom PND (e.g. GO or ONE) and loading the PocketGPSWorld camera database onto it! Thumbs Up

Regards,
_________________
Robert.
iPhone 6s Plus, iOS 14.0.1: iOS CamerAlert v2.0.7
TomTom GO Mobile iOS 2.3.1; TomTom (UK & ROI and Europe) iOS apps v1.29
Garmin Camper 770 LMT-D

Privateer · Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 5:30 pm Post subject:

Pipped at the post by Skippy's excellent reply. Wink

BTW the radar detector that I used to use is a Bel Euro 550, which is a development of the Bel 990i that Skippy has.

Regards,
_________________
Robert.
iPhone 6s Plus, iOS 14.0.1: iOS CamerAlert v2.0.7
TomTom GO Mobile iOS 2.3.1; TomTom (UK & ROI and Europe) iOS apps v1.29
Garmin Camper 770 LMT-D

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