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
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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.
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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.
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3
Consider brand-name devices. Leading manufacturers of radar detectors include Cobra, Uniden, Whistler and Bel-Tronics.
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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.
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5
Note the unit's sensitivity. Manufacturers sometimes publish lab-test results. Look for at least 110 dB.
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Think about getting a unit with memory. This will avoid the need to keep resetting the adjustments every time you start up.
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Look carefully at the display. Make sure you can see it even in bright sunlight.
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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.
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Comments
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Carix
Nov 26, 2008
Very helpful article, Thank you. -
Carix
Nov 26, 2008
Very helpful article, Thank you.
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Sep 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.
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Sep 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.
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Jun 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.
