Best radar detector for MC
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Clovis
Well-known member
Escort 9500 IX
Top of the line - Retails for $500 US -- I bought mine on Amazon a year ago for $440. The 8500 is similar and cheaper ($300 retail) but I opted for the 9500 because it has GPS and remembers the false alarms from say, automatic doors at the grocery store and filters those out. So if it goes off it's usually a true threat. Some reports say they both have the same detection ability, others report the 9500 is far superior.
Get a ram mount and a screamer with two flashing LEDs to alert you. I mounted my LED lights on the mirrors. Don't get a VIZ Alert 2 (same with the H.A.R.D. system which has since been discontinued), I tried it and it's garbage... picked up a $600 ticket when I had it. The screamer and flashing LEDs - works 100% of the time and also warns your buddies.
https://www.motorcycleradar.com/radar_screamer.htm
I had 5 tickets in 13 months before the detector and zero since. It's saved my bacon quite a few times!! Like everytime I go out riding.
Total setup is about $700.
Top of the line - Retails for $500 US -- I bought mine on Amazon a year ago for $440. The 8500 is similar and cheaper ($300 retail) but I opted for the 9500 because it has GPS and remembers the false alarms from say, automatic doors at the grocery store and filters those out. So if it goes off it's usually a true threat. Some reports say they both have the same detection ability, others report the 9500 is far superior.
Get a ram mount and a screamer with two flashing LEDs to alert you. I mounted my LED lights on the mirrors. Don't get a VIZ Alert 2 (same with the H.A.R.D. system which has since been discontinued), I tried it and it's garbage... picked up a $600 ticket when I had it. The screamer and flashing LEDs - works 100% of the time and also warns your buddies.
https://www.motorcycleradar.com/radar_screamer.htm
I had 5 tickets in 13 months before the detector and zero since. It's saved my bacon quite a few times!! Like everytime I go out riding.
Total setup is about $700.
TomInPA
Well-known member
I use an Escort 8500 X-50 that costs $299. I wouldn’t hesitate to say the BEL Pro 300 is very close if not equal, but less expensive. The Escort Red Line is the most sensitive and long range detector on the market but $499. Top of the line BEL Pro 500 ($399) or Escort 9500ix ($499) are amazing GPS enabled units and essentially identical. It’s all about money and performance, and those are your choices. Stay away from Cobra and Whistler.
I like the 8500 X-50 as having very good range. I might consider the Beltronics Pro 500 based on having the same guts as an Escort 9500ix at a better price and better false filtering than the 8500. Good luck choosing.
Good article and review here: https://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=1064
I like the 8500 X-50 as having very good range. I might consider the Beltronics Pro 500 based on having the same guts as an Escort 9500ix at a better price and better false filtering than the 8500. Good luck choosing.
Good article and review here: https://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=1064
Top_Speed1
Panama Canal Crosser
Escort is on top of my list as well. If you don't want/need a remote one then yes, the 9500IX w/ memory is pretty nice. Going back to your "for Canada" however? As far as I know, they are using the exact same bands as the States r using. OK, thinking... maybe you need one in the operating zone of -30C ?? ...Is this the Canada attribute needed? 
ionbeam
2 FUN
My biggest ticket ever was with a Whistler. AVOID them at all costs. Next was an Escort.
Since I started using Valentine Ones I've never had another one.
And, yes, it does have arrows so you know where the ping is comming from instead of thinking all pings are heart stoppers.
Since I started using Valentine Ones I've never had another one.
And, yes, it does have arrows so you know where the ping is comming from instead of thinking all pings are heart stoppers.
Top_Speed1
Panama Canal Crosser
V1 def has arrows! The front display panel angle may be perfect for cagers, but not to my liking for bikes?. I guess u can used to anything tho
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Geezer
Parsimonious Curmudgeon
Based on comments on this forum over the years, I would concede that the Valentine 1 is best. However, I use an Escort X50 both on my FJR and in my car. The V1 is more expensive and requires special cables if you want to hear the alert. Being frugal, I don't think it's worth the extra expense. The Escort has an audio out that fits the cables that I already had.
My wife uses a Beltronics in her car. It seems to be about the same as the Escort but less expensive for equal features. The thing I don't like is that it speaks to you to indicate the radar band being detected. The Escort uses distinct sounds for each band and I can pick up on that easily even if I am distracted by the scenery or traffic.
FWIW, I recommend that you listen to the alerts rather than depend on lights and batteries. I tried visual alerts and found that It is too easy to miss a visual alert if you are busy controlling your bike. I have speakers in my helmet that I use for other things anyway, so it was easy for me to add the radar detector sound. If all you want to hear is the detector then a simple set of ear buds will work.
Regarding Canada, radar detectors are illegal in the eastern part of Canada. I don't remember which provinces allow them so one of the Canadians will have to clarify that.
There are some water resistant detectors specifically for motorcycles, but most are not and you will need to protect your detector from the weather. That's the only drawback I have found with the Escort. I have to keep it dry and open it up and clean it once a year or so to keep it working well.
And, there have been some extensive discussions on this forum over the years about the effectiveness of detectors in general. Personally, I'm a believer, but some people think otherwise.
My wife uses a Beltronics in her car. It seems to be about the same as the Escort but less expensive for equal features. The thing I don't like is that it speaks to you to indicate the radar band being detected. The Escort uses distinct sounds for each band and I can pick up on that easily even if I am distracted by the scenery or traffic.
FWIW, I recommend that you listen to the alerts rather than depend on lights and batteries. I tried visual alerts and found that It is too easy to miss a visual alert if you are busy controlling your bike. I have speakers in my helmet that I use for other things anyway, so it was easy for me to add the radar detector sound. If all you want to hear is the detector then a simple set of ear buds will work.
Regarding Canada, radar detectors are illegal in the eastern part of Canada. I don't remember which provinces allow them so one of the Canadians will have to clarify that.
There are some water resistant detectors specifically for motorcycles, but most are not and you will need to protect your detector from the weather. That's the only drawback I have found with the Escort. I have to keep it dry and open it up and clean it once a year or so to keep it working well.
And, there have been some extensive discussions on this forum over the years about the effectiveness of detectors in general. Personally, I'm a believer, but some people think otherwise.
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road runner
Well-known member
I have a V1 and really like the arrows. Seems to work better than my friends Beltronics (sooner alerts) and I always know where they are.
08FJR4ME
-WYNPRO-
That would be me. The last radar detector I had got me a ticket and was taken away from me also. My eyesight is my detector and sofar it's been working. I have had a clean driving record for over 25 years. That doesn't mean I haven't had to battle on a few ocasions if you get my drift.
Dave
HotRodZilla
GOD BLESS AMERICA
After a ticket and some very close calls in my FJR I decided it was time for another Radar Detector. I used Bels back in the day and loved them. I used a Whistler once and as said before, it was a POS. I got stopped both times I used it.
So, I bought a Bell Vector 9500 from a guy on the Forum. Started throwing it in the vehicles, just to get a feel for it, and DAYUM!! That bad boy has range!! On our recent trip to Cali and my trip to Moab, it was veeeeery useful more than once.
Its not waterproof, and if behind the windshield, driving into the sunset, the LASER falses. That's weird as Hell, but the Ka, and K band range are phwnominal. I kind of ignore the X alerts as almost no one uses that anymore.
I mounted a bracket for it on my bike this weekend...I'm gonna use it a lot. Just can't forget its a tool...Not a save all for being stupid.
So, I bought a Bell Vector 9500 from a guy on the Forum. Started throwing it in the vehicles, just to get a feel for it, and DAYUM!! That bad boy has range!! On our recent trip to Cali and my trip to Moab, it was veeeeery useful more than once.
Its not waterproof, and if behind the windshield, driving into the sunset, the LASER falses. That's weird as Hell, but the Ka, and K band range are phwnominal. I kind of ignore the X alerts as almost no one uses that anymore.
I mounted a bracket for it on my bike this weekend...I'm gonna use it a lot. Just can't forget its a tool...Not a save all for being stupid.
The original question was specific to use in Canada, and that is a different question than use elsewhere.
As has been mentioned, in many provinces of Canada it is illegal just to possess, never-mind use, a Radar Detector. If you will be using one in any of the forbidden provinces you would want to find one that does not emit a signal that can be picked up by a Radar Detector Detector and operate it hidden somewhere on the bike, or risk a hefty fine and the loss of the unit.
Info from Wikipedia:
As has been mentioned, in many provinces of Canada it is illegal just to possess, never-mind use, a Radar Detector. If you will be using one in any of the forbidden provinces you would want to find one that does not emit a signal that can be picked up by a Radar Detector Detector and operate it hidden somewhere on the bike, or risk a hefty fine and the loss of the unit.
Info from Wikipedia:
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The V1 has always had good shielding against detector detectors.
Not according to radarbusters.com. According to them the Spectre III RDDs can sense all but the Bel STi and Escort 9500.
Also according to Valentine themselves...
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tcfjr
Well-known member
90,000 miles with a V1, above the posted limit more often than not -- and I've only been caught once, and it was entirely my fault.
US-95 northbound between Beatty and Tonopah, a well-known instant-on radar corridor, and I was 15 over in a hilly, twisty section -- yes, I'm an ***** sometimes. I pulled over promptly and stopped well off the roadway, and was polite and pleasant to the officer, and he wrote me a Rural Speeding ticket -- $75, no points, no reporting to my home state. Could have been much, much worse.
Other than that one time, I've never been stopped for speeding with my V1 mounted.
For me, the arrows are an important feature.
US-95 northbound between Beatty and Tonopah, a well-known instant-on radar corridor, and I was 15 over in a hilly, twisty section -- yes, I'm an ***** sometimes. I pulled over promptly and stopped well off the roadway, and was polite and pleasant to the officer, and he wrote me a Rural Speeding ticket -- $75, no points, no reporting to my home state. Could have been much, much worse.
Other than that one time, I've never been stopped for speeding with my V1 mounted.
For me, the arrows are an important feature.
Used my V1 multiple times in Saskatchewan west in Canada, and stashed it in a locked side case I have no need to get in if I'm ever stopped in the east...and assuming Section 8 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom is comparable to the 14th Amendment and "probable cause" in practice.
Directional arrows, DIRECTIONAL ARROWS, DIRECTIONAL ARROWS (just in case you didn't get the point in my or previous posts) is the single best differentiator why I think the V1 is the "best". Because price sure isn't and it takes a bit of work to get it all integrated with the audio system. Can't say I'm ticket free because of the sheer amount ofmiles kilometers I've ridden assertively, but it's paid for itself at least a dozen times over on the times I haven't gotten an award.
Directional arrows, DIRECTIONAL ARROWS, DIRECTIONAL ARROWS (just in case you didn't get the point in my or previous posts) is the single best differentiator why I think the V1 is the "best". Because price sure isn't and it takes a bit of work to get it all integrated with the audio system. Can't say I'm ticket free because of the sheer amount of
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JamesK
Got to ride
The Bell STi Driver and Magnum where the first "totally undetectable by RDD" units, the Escort Redline is the new or most modern/current holder of this title.
To me this is the most important feature, of course the Redline is also one of the best RDs on the market today. The only thing they could possibly add is GPS.
Unless you're just slabbing along on non-congested, isolated roads where you're almost on autopilot, I really can't see how any display or arrows would be of benefit, since all/most of your attention should be on the road and/or surrounding traffic to be looking at the RD's display.
When my X50 makes the K/Ka noises I slam on the anchors because as a rule if I'm riding, I'm in the ticket territory
TomInPA
Well-known member
This ^^Unless you're just slabbing along on non-congested, isolated roads where you're almost on autopilot, I really can't see how any display or arrows would be of benefit, since all/most of your attention should be on the road and/or surrounding traffic to be looking at the RD's display.When my X50 makes the K/Ka noises I slam on the anchors because as a rule if I'm riding, I'm in the ticket territory... So from personal experience I've found first slowing down to acceptable speeds than looking at the RD display and figuring out whether the threat is bogus works best, especially if the cops are using any tricks...
If you actually take the time to analyze the visual quality of a signal, you are going to be paying for that.
And Admins, why NEPRT? This is a technology that changes regularly.
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Top_Speed1
Panama Canal Crosser
Cuz I'm following this with interest
Totally agree! So pointless? Somebody is quick to pull the trigger I guess.
