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Radar Detector Models and Reviews

Posted: Mon May 21, 2018 10:26 am
by 5chn3ll
This isn't really a DIY, but since it applies to all models, I wanted to post it somewhere it might actually be helpful to others in the future.

In my 996, I run a Beltronics (RX65-Red Professional Series) detector with the SmartCord Live. When the companion app is running, the detector is supplemented with real-time alerts, on-screen actual vs. posted speeds, and more detailed information about alerts. I don't use the app that often; the detector alone has saved me a small fortune in tickets.

Those of you who live in or have visited San Diego are probably aware that Interstate 5, also called the SoCal autobahn, often runs at CRAZY speeds. Average fast-lane speeds during light traffic times can be as high as 85-100MPH. Even on a slow day like yesterday, traffic was flowing at 80-85MPH. Twice yesterday I passed highway patrol officers parked on the shoulder finishing up paperwork from their previous stops; both jumped back into traffic to catch up to the loose pack of cars around me. I was DEFINITELY the target for one of the two CHPs; thanks to the detector, I was tucked in behind a Prius doing 76 in the #2 lane by the time the cruiser was close enough to radar/pace me.

I'm not a fan of reckless driving or endangering other motorists; however, in situations where everyone on the road is driving fast enough to be cited, the detector helps ensure I'm not the one that winds up getting the ticket. In fact, there has been only ONE instance where the detector warned me too late to avoid a ticket; the cop was parked and using a bridge and sand dunes to ensure he couldn't be detected from behind.

I would not go with any of the lower-end Beltronics detectors...they lack sufficient configuration options and most do not work with the SmartCord Live.

Re: Radar Detector Models and Reviews

Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2018 6:50 pm
by Cuda911
Looky what showed up in today's mail. I also got their concealed display unit, which moves the display to a concealed location in the car.

Re: Radar Detector Models and Reviews

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 5:01 am
by B3DAWG
Cuda911 wrote: Tue Jun 12, 2018 6:50 pm Looky what showed up in today's mail. I also got their concealed display unit, which moves the display to a concealed location in the car.
Interesting! Where does the main V1 receiver mount? On the front grille? Or, is it still an interior unit that mounts high on the windshield and the remote display can be moved in a more discrete location?

I have a high respect for the Valentine company, but one thing I've never understood is why they haven't integrated Bluetooth/iPhone/Android capability without having to purchase a separate unit. Historically, many of their options have to be purchased separately and are plug-in devices that can make for a very convoluted mess.

Shame they lost exclusive rights to the 360˚ antenna and arrow display design. Escort quickly jumped on the bandwagon and now others will follow. V1 is still one of the best.

Have you heard about Uniden latest detectors? They are getting great reviews and they sell for much less than Escort and V1.

Re: Radar Detector Models and Reviews

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 7:47 am
by Cuda911
The main unit mounts in the normal place. The concealer plugs into the obd11 port, and provides power to the main unit and to the remote display. When plugged in, the display on the main unit stays dark.

Re: Radar Detector Models and Reviews

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 9:34 am
by KoB
I have a Beltronics STiR Plus that I never got around to installing. I may revisit that over the summer, assuming that everything else settles down and more car-futzing time becomes available

I also have an older Bel RX-65 that I bought used for not much money — sub-$50, IIRC. Works pretty well and provides a lot of bang for the buck. Whether or not it’s worth it probably depends a lot on where you live, what your traffic is like, and what equipment is commonly in use. Around where I am there seems to be more radar than laser and even an average detector is useful. Further downstate — toward NYC and Jersey — I imagine the situation is reversed, and there’s enough traffic that the real-time alerts have much greater frequency and value.

Re: Radar Detector Models and Reviews

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 12:11 pm
by Dr_Strangelove
I'm running the Uniden R3, and I'm happy with it, though it is my first and only radar detector so I can't make comparisons. I did all of my research online using Vortex Radar as my primary source of info. The Vortex guy was a big fan of the R3.

The R3 definitely gets early detection. So early, in fact, I frequently begin to question whether there is actually a cop up ahead or if it's getting a reflection from elsewhere. Then, lo and behold, I pass "friendly trooper" serving and protecting me on the shoulder. At this point I've learned to just trust it and mute it after I slow down. A couple times it has actually been picking up a cop on a different road, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. (Great argument for the V1 arrows.)

Uniden releases frequent firmware updates to their units to improve performance and add new features. I'd say the updates come every 3-6 months. The latest feature they added was an auto dimming program so that you don't have to reach up and manually adjust brightness anymore. (I was a big fan of this one.) There are lots of handy auto-mute features that one has to manually program, but once they're set, I rarely get false alerts for blind spot detectors, etc. There is also speed-specific muting where if the detector notices you're on the highway but going within 5 mph of the speed limit, it will give you a visual warning only. Then if you speed up the audio will kick in.

I'm not sure about remote functions, or bluetooth / smartphone connectivity. I'm a phone-in-pocket driver. I don't listen to music or anything when I drive my 911. So I just reach up and bop the mute button on the detector itself if it annoys me. Right now I have it programmed to lower its own volume, so I get a somewhat loud initial alert at volume level "4", and then after 1 second it automatically lowers the volume to "1" so I can hear it intensifying but it's not jarring. Again, the mute button is but one motion away if I get sick of it.

If anybody is looking to save a bit of money, but is worried about quality, I'd say the R3 is a good buy, so long as you're willing to live without stealth-mount or anything fancy like the V1 offers. I have my detector mounted high on the windshield and I routed the RJ11 cord into the sunroof controls, so the install is clean, at least. (See my DIY guide in this forum for details.)
b3freak wrote: Wed Jun 13, 2018 5:01 am Have you heard about Uniden latest detectors? They are getting great reviews and they sell for much less than Escort and V1.
R3-GPS Radar High-QTR left _hi.jpg
R3-GPS Radar High-QTR left _hi.jpg (55.98 KiB) Viewed 3760 times

Re: Radar Detector Models and Reviews

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 12:21 pm
by B3DAWG
Dr_Strangelove (whew!) wrote: Wed Jun 13, 2018 12:11 pm I'm running the Uniden R3
Did they make an R2? Guess they wanted to avoid the Star Wars jokes, huh? Seems like a good detector based on the reviews I've read. Do these give the name and badge number of the officers running radar? That would be helpful in cases where they pull illegal speed traps. Maybe citizen should have the right to run their OWN radar and make "citizen's arrests Gomer style" :lol: ... to keep cops in line of course. ;)

Re: Radar Detector Models and Reviews

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 12:29 pm
by TheDeckMan
I have been running V1's for years, have one in each of the 911's. The 996 had a K40 that while was useful on the highway would always end up causing me to get followed. Turned it off but it still turned out to drain the battery if it sat for two weeks so out it came a couple years ago.

The biggest annoyance is on the older of my two V1's Volvo's set off the laser on it all the time :evil: Suppose it is a good time to send it in for an upgrade.

Re: Radar Detector Models and Reviews

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 12:36 pm
by B3DAWG
TheDeckMan wrote: Wed Jun 13, 2018 12:29 pm The biggest annoyance is on the older of my two V1's Volvo's set off the laser on it all the time :evil: Suppose it is a good time to send it in for an upgrade.
If it's a newer Volvo, then it's the "City Safety" technology which uses laser to determine the distance of your car vs. objects in front of you. I've been using Bell and Escort since I bought my Volvo S60 and rarely do I have false laser alerts and if I do, it's because it's bouncing off cars in front of me. Scares the fool out of me sometimes... pull up to car at a stop light and BZZZZZzzZZZZzzzZZZZZZZzzZZZZ (women's voice "Laser Alert!") BZZZzZzzzzzzzZZZZzzzzZ!!!!!

:lol:

Re: Radar Detector Models and Reviews

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 1:14 pm
by TheDeckMan
b3freak wrote: Wed Jun 13, 2018 12:36 pm
TheDeckMan wrote: Wed Jun 13, 2018 12:29 pm The biggest annoyance is on the older of my two V1's Volvo's set off the laser on it all the time :evil: Suppose it is a good time to send it in for an upgrade.
If it's a newer Volvo, then it's the "City Safety" technology which uses laser to determine the distance of your car vs. objects in front of you. I've been using Bell and Escort since I bought my Volvo S60 and rarely do I have false laser alerts and if I do, it's because it's bouncing off cars in front of me. Scares the fool out of me sometimes... pull up to car at a stop light and BZZZZZzzZZZZzzzZZZZZZZzzZZZZ (women's voice "Laser Alert!") BZZZzZzzzzzzzZZZZzzzzZ!!!!!

:lol:
HAHAHA! Did the first time cause you to slam on the brake pedal like mad?