How to Purchase a Radar Detector

Many who travel the highways and byways of this country would like to have help avoiding speeding tickets. That assistance comes in a package known as a radar detector.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Radar detectors

1. Figure out your budget so that you will get a detector you can afford. There are many varieties of radar detectors with a lot of bells and whistles, with prices ranging from roughly $80 to more than $350.

2. Decide if you want to install the detector or whether you want a professional installer to do it. This will help determine what kind of store you buy the unit from. Specialty car audio shops have technicians on hand who can install the units for you. If you buy from a store like Kmart, you will probably have to install the unit yourself.

3. Consider brand-name devices. Leading manufacturers of radar detectors include Cobra, Uniden, Whistler and Bel-Tronics.

4. Choose a unit that can sense wideband. The unit should be able to pick up the entire Ka band as well as K, X and laser.

5. Note the unit's sensitivity. Manufacturers sometimes publish lab-test results. Look for at least 110 dB.

6. Think about getting a unit with memory. This will avoid the need to keep resetting the adjustments every time you start up.

7. Look carefully at the display. Make sure you can see it even in bright sunlight.

8. Select a unit that has an adjustable volume. Consider getting a unit with a "Mute" function. If there is a police car cruising behind you, you can silence the detector so it won't drive you batty.

[Carix]

on 11/26/2008 Very helpful article, Thank you.

[Jezzamcbezza]

on 10/5/2006 For Australian radar detector uses on the East Coast (illegal to use a detector), there really is only one choice and that's the Bel STi - because it is invisible to the police radar detector detectors. The best on-line source of info I've found is from the Radar Busters Forum and Australian users can buy them at www.delonixradar.com.au
For countries / states that have Ka band photo radars (such as the Gatso and Multanova), you may actually find an increased range in detection by mounting your detector vertically instead of (normal) horizontal. This is due to the polarisation of these types of radars, U.S. car-mounted or hand-held radars are apparently not polarised, so no change in range there.
I agree with Chris O - def don't buy a Rocky Mountain Radar product as they don't work.

on 9/20/2006 The V1 also has directional arrows that definitely help to distinguish between door openers and other non-threatening radar sources.

One example would be when you pass a door opener the radar detector goes off, as you pass the location the arrows change from a forward location to the side and finally,coming from behind. The signal strength indicators will also indicate exactly where the source is located.

Another situation where the directional arrows are helpful is when you are passed by a cop going in the opposite direction.Your radar detector is going off but the arrows didn't follow his patrol car as it went by.The real source is still ahead and as the real threat goes by the arrows follow.

The V1 also gives the number of radar sources.This is handy when speed radar is used in an area where you usually get a door opener or burglar alarm. Instead of showing the usual number of targets you get an extra alert. This has saved me a few times.

on 6/30/2006 Valentine-1 detectors are available direct from the manufacturer. They do not have wholesalers, retailers, or authorized agents. Anyone selling a Valentine-1 detector besides Valentine research, means it may be stolen or they are selling at a higher price than you can get directly from V-1. Valentine-1 has the best laser performance available according to all test's published. And yes, they do detect laser well before you are targeted. Radar detectors do work if used properly contrary to what most police officers want you to believe.

on 11/22/2005 - Rocky Mountain Radar products don't work.
- Beltronics seems to have some of the best buys for the money. They have something for every price range from the $85 specials, clear up to the $300 top of the line units. Whatever you get from them, it always seems good for the money.
- Mount the detector high if you're in a small car. If the detector is pointing at trunks or tailgates, it won't give you as much warning.