OT - Radar Detectors, Share your knowledge. What should I buy? Options

[VegasRacer]

My trusty Bell radar detector died on the Route 66. It was rather old and had been serviced / updated several years ago. I was happy with it's performance, but I think it is time to upgrade to some more modern electronics.

Valentine One seems to have an excellent reputation. Is that what I should buy, or do you have a better recommendation ?

[Superhawk996]

I’ve found radar detectors to be largely obsolete.

Having said that I swore by nothing but Valentine V1 for over 20 years. Best hardware on the market by far.

LIDAR is what I find to be used way more than radar now but it varies state to state. By its nature by the time LIDAR it is detected, you already have a ticket headed your way.

What works far better for me is Waze and keeping your focus as far down the road on the visual horizon. The faster you drive the further you need to be looking ahead anyway so that’s a no brainer. The other is to pay attention to leading traffic and brake lights or cars pitching severely as they get on the brakes. Between those 3 things I can usually see them before they see me.

[GregAmy]

I’ve found radar detectors to be largely obsolete.

Having said that I swore by nothing but Valentine V1 for over 20 years. Best hardware on the market by far.

Me too. And ditto on the V1.

Having grown and up driving since the bad ole days of 55, today's environment is completely different.

First, speed limits are 65+. Unless you're tryingo to Cannonball that's really as fast as most people want to go on the highways.

Second, we can usually drive 65-70+ and not stick out of the crowd. "Not being the fast guy" is always the best defense (it's why we used to drive 5mph slower than desired and wait for a "rabbit" to pass...and then hang on his tail back a half-mile or so while he cleared the road for us...)

Third, we have free crowd source apps such as Waze where police are reliably reported. Though I do miss the CB radio (I still use one in my Excursion while towing the race cars...purely for entertainiment. Eastbound and down!)

I've been seeing the ads for the new V1 and I'm sorely tempted, just because I've always been a V1 butt-boy and I want to support him. But in today's environment a RADAR/LIDAR detector just doesn't make economic sense...

I have an old V1, Passport Solo, and Escort if you're interested...I'll have to dig them out of a box somewhere...

GA

[Andyrew]

First, speed limits are 65+. Unless you're tryingo to Cannonball that's really as fast as most people want to go on the highways.

You clearly have not driven in California... 80mph is about the norm in the fast lane. if the speed limit is 70 then 85 or 90...


But I agree with you on the Waze. I keep mine open daily.

[dhuckabay]

You clearly have not driven in California... 80mph is about the norm in the fast lane. if the speed limit is 70 then 85 or 90...


I picked up a car in LA. Posted 65mph, doing 85 in the lane next to the HOV. Staying with traffic. A CHP in the HOV lane blew by. A ways up he turned his lights on to move a guy over that wasn't going fast enough for him. Figured it was shift change or a sale at the doughnut shop.