Best Radar Detectors

[Rubbersidedown]

What is everyone using to keep themselves off of America's Most Wanted? I did a search that resulted in 20 some odd pages of posts that had very little to do with radar detectors. I see a lot of posts about Valentine 1 and Escort, but I'm not looking to spend $500 on a detector. I need it more as a wake up call if I let the bike do its thing a little too much than as a license to do a buck ten in school zones. I was looking at a Whistler XTR 695 which seems like a lot of bang for the buck but I'm curious as to what the rest of you who don't use top of the line use, or if you have upgraded to top of the line from cheaper units because of specific instances. Of course if I have completely missed the boat here and there are 5000 current threads regarding this topic a link would be much appreciated.

 

[coyotedude]

I've owned a Passport 8500 for several yrs that I've used in our cars. For the $300 cost, it's paid for itself many, many

times over. I just purchased the Adaptiv Tech detector that is made specifically for bikes (waterproof, durable, etc) and

although I haven't had a chance to put it to use, it was rated pretty good by this guy....https://www.radarroy.com/. He seems

to be fairly objective and spares no criticism across the spectrum of brands. In reality, to get a decent detector, you're going

to have to drop at least $300+. The Adaptiv Tech ... https://www.adaptivtechnologies.com/ ... is around $400 by the time you

add up the goodies that go along with it.

A good start is to check out the Radar Roy link. Good luck.

 

[SkooterG]

In tests, the the Passport and Valentine are always the hightest rated detectors. I've never been willing to go with a second rate detector. To me, it would be a false sense of security, and like, what's the point?

I have seen other less expensive detectors on bikes, but sorry, I don't know anything about them.

 

[Phugedaboudet]

I am leaning towards one of these:

https://www.adaptivtechnologies.com/

 

[Rubbersidedown]

I currently have a middle of the pack Cobra detector from my car which I could use. I have seen the adaptiv one but was looking to spend less and at that price I'd like to be able to use it in my car too. Cobra is not on Radar Roy's list of recommendations, but its gotta be better than nothing and I guess if it breaks its no big loss. My only real requirement is a headphone jack to interface with my starcom1 because I don't want a H.A.R.D. system.

 

[ionbeam]

This topic rates right up there with oil and tires. At first I was going to jump on this and make some type of a comment about buying a less expensive detector that does only a partial job, thus leaving you almost as unprotected as no detector at all so why bother. Then I thought, man am too tired to yet again cover this topic the way that is necessary to give a meaningful answer. But, in the end I've got to say something.

Less than top line detectors will indeed pickup most radar and some laser signals, but often don't give sufficient warning or warn you until after it is too late. The Adaptive detector is an example of a well appointed motorcycle detector that only provides half-ass(1) measurably lower protection. But, it is waterproof, glove friendly and small! It does everything but give you good protection.

Let's take another tact here. Do you sometimes ride in a way that a radar detector may save you from a ticket? Do you live in an area where the police have the edge on you with up-to-date radar equipment? If their equipment is better than your detector you are getting a ticket. Now, how much would that ticket be? Do you normally ride borderline? Say 48 in a 40? 65 in a 55? Does your speed wander into the real danger zone where you could well be 15 or more over? If you ride 15 over or more what would that ticket be? What about your insurance increase?

Here is my bizarre suggestion. Estimate what a 15 over ticket would cost and what the resulting insurance increase would cost over the next three to five years. Now start your own personal insurance policy. Pay into the policy what you can afford, but pay into it as often as you can, because you never know when that ticket may be coming. Save, save, save against that rainy day. At some point, count that money, how much you got? I expect that your 'insurance' balance of $500 won't pay 3-5 years of insurance increase, so save, save, save. Oh, but wait -- how much was that top quality radar detector? Well golly dang, it cost less than what you have in your insurance policy...

FWIW.

(1) sanitized offensive phrase to make this post more palatable to the Adaptive leaning riders

 

[MartyA]

You already did but I was going to mention Radar Roy and he sells the Adaptiv TPX

I don't have one yet but I have seen the Valentine 1 in action. Seems to work fine.

for now I rely on rabbits....

 

[JamesK]

What is everyone using to keep themselves off of America's Most Wanted? I did a search that resulted in 20 some odd pages of posts that had very little to do with radar detectors. I see a lot of posts about Valentine 1 and Escort, but I'm not looking to spend $500 on a detector. I need it more as a wake up call if I let the bike do its thing a little too much than as a license to do a buck ten in school zones. I was looking at a Whistler XTR 695 which seems like a lot of bang for the buck but I'm curious as to what the rest of you who don't use top of the line use, or if you have upgraded to top of the line from cheaper units because of specific instances. Of course if I have completely missed the boat here and there are 5000 current threads regarding this topic a link would be much appreciated.

As others have already mentioned, any detector outside of the top 4 or so will work just fine, at letting you know that you've just got a ticket that is. So it's a no brainer that if you're going to buy a detector get one of the best ones on the market at that time. I've been running an Escort Passport 8500 X-50 for a couple of years now. When I need to replace my detector I'll go for the Bell STI Driver, it offers the same great level of protection as 8500 X-50 & Valantine1 but is also the ONLY detector on the market completely undetectable by the RDDs (Radar Detector Detectors) as the cops love to give out big tickets in places like VA, DC, etc. for using a detector.

Now if you think just buying a top end radar detector is enough, think again, NONE of the detectors are worth a damn against LIDAR/LASER, which the cops are getting to like/use quite a bit, more and more every day. Basically any radar detector with Laser support will again, just notify you before the cop flags you down that you've just received a performance award. To have any chance against LIDAR/LASER you need a Laser Jammer (Blinder M25 X-Treme vJ16 or Esscort ZR4 are some of the best protection you can currently buy). Opps, there goes another $400+ and to help reduce the cop's Laser targeting distance you should also get the Veil G4 anti-laser coating. Guess how I know all this info in such detail all of a sudden But as Ionbeam just said, this equipment pays for itself after avoiding one ticket. You can find all the info and tests on RadarRoys site.

 

[radman]

The biggest problem I've seen with cheaper detectors is falsing-you eventually tire of it, turn it off, or ignore it. Then you get nailed. Best I can suggest is waiting for a used Escort or Valentine to pop up, that's what I did, and got a 8500 for $180.

 

[coyotedude]

"[The Adaptive detector is an example of a well appointed motorcycle detector that only provides half-ass protection. But, it is waterproof, glove friendly and small! It does everything but give you good protection."

Really? What do you base your opinion on? I"m not trying to rationalize my own purchase , but it has been tested

extensively by credible folk in pre and post production models. I give the owners props for being innovative and

open minded in tweaking their product. Is it a Valentine or Escort Perhaps not, but given the compromises any of these units face mounted on a bike, in my opinion it's a helluva lot better than 'half assed'.

 

[ionbeam]

I retract my half assed comment. The comparison reviews that I've read have led me to form my OPINION that the top line radar detectors have a hard time performing adequately against many of the challenges that current technology radar/lidar presents. My opinion is that the Adaptive performed at a measurably lower level than the top rated detectors. The job of a top rated radar detector is to always alert you so you can always avoid a ticket. Even the top detectors can't meet this standard, but they do give you a better chance in most situations. My opinion is that the performance of the Adaptive would put me at an unacceptable risk of a ticket. The opinion that I formed from the reviews I've read makes it look to me like the current police radar units over match the capability of the Adaptive detector. The Adaptive also had a noticeably higher falsing rate which is a big problem for me.

Your money, your risk, your opinion. If you feel that the Adaptive is the best dollar vs ticket risk then by all means go for it. I did point out that the Adaptive, being a motorcycle specific detector has many nice features. I also am of the (personal) opinion that it won't perform its intended function as well as a top rated detector, in spite of its nice features. This is the crux of my opinion -- if it won't save your bacon in a high percentage of the situations what does it gain you?

 

[kaitsdad]

Simple decision really -

If you can guarantee you'll only get bargain priced tickets, buy a bargain priced detector.

Basic math.

 

[HotRodZilla]

I think I have written a speeding ticket to every brand radar unit in the US, and I don't run LASER that much because I don't like sitting stationary waiting for a car to come to me. That being said, back in the day, I went through a couple of Bells and really liked them. I don't think I ever got stopped with one. The one time I borrowed someone's Whistler, it went off twice and I got stopped twice. Buy what you can afford and use it accordingly. Don't spend any money on jammers or signal scramblers, because they are a gimick and do not work against quality equipment.

 

[Rubbersidedown]

This topic rates right up there with oil and tires. At first I was going to jump on this and make some type of a comment about buying a less expensive detector that does only a partial job, thus leaving you almost as unprotected as no detector at all so why bother. Then I thought, man am too tired to yet again cover this topic the way that is necessary to give a meaningful answer. But, in the end I've got to say something.
Less than top line detectors will indeed pickup most radar and some laser signals, but often don't give sufficient warning or warn you until after it is too late. The Adaptive detector is an example of a well appointed motorcycle detector that only provides half-ass(1) measurably lower protection. But, it is waterproof, glove friendly and small! It does everything but give you good protection.

Let's take another tact here. Do you sometimes ride in a way that a radar detector may save you from a ticket? Do you live in an area where the police have the edge on you with up-to-date radar equipment? If their equipment is better than your detector you are getting a ticket. Now, how much would that ticket be? Do you normally ride borderline? Say 48 in a 40? 65 in a 55? Does your speed wander into the real danger zone where you could well be 15 or more over? If you ride 15 over or more what would that ticket be? What about your insurance increase?

Here is my bizarre suggestion. Estimate what a 15 over ticket would cost and what the resulting insurance increase would cost over the next three to five years. Now start your own personal insurance policy. Pay into the policy what you can afford, but pay into it as often as you can, because you never know when that ticket may be coming. Save, save, save against that rainy day. At some point, count that money, how much you got? I expect that your 'insurance' balance of $500 won't pay 3-5 years of insurance increase, so save, save, save. Oh, but wait -- how much was that top quality radar detector? Well golly dang, it cost less than what you have in your insurance policy...

FWIW.

(1) sanitized offensive phrase to make this post more palatable to the Adaptive leaning riders

I agree 100% that it is an investment that should match your tolerance for risk and your riding style, and that any radar detector that saves you once from any "award" is worth its weight in gold by the time you add up the fines and the insurance aftermath. I suppose some people rely on their detectors to allow them to ride in away that puts a wide grin on many LEOs faces as they walk around your shiny toy penciling their way closer to their quota. Fortunately that is not me. I only ride at a level of risk on the street inline with both my own safety concerns and my willingness to accept the penalty if caught. Typically this means no more than 10 over in people (and police) dense areas, and rarely over +15 unless its a very remote area with good visibility, or traffic flow is nearly the same. Maybe I'm fortunate in the area that I live (and as I type this I know I will be stopped tomorrow) the police aren't terribly diabolical or at least I am used to their tactics, and the radar detectors that I have used over the last 5 years (yes that is how long I have been driving at age 22) have only saved me a couple of times. There is no question that those couple of times of saving more than paid for the device, but that device has always been a $80 or less Cobra and I have never used another although I always wished those Cobras would have alerted me sooner. The fact that they didn't may have shaped my driving habits to where they are today as the alerts were nearly always too late. I also suppose that I am put off by the fact that as long as I can remember (yes, not that long) I have never seen a motorcycle stopped by a LEO. Again, my experiences being limited as they are I came to those who have more for insight. I am still quite uncomfortable riding with out a detector at all considering how easy it is to be going +15 or more unwittingly, but at 22 with a new bike purchase hanging over my head 5 bills is a lot for a get out of jail MAYBE card.

 

[Beamer Reamer]

I use a Beltronics RX65 (don't read about them too often here) and it works great. I can't claim its cheap, but I can vouch for its effectiveness. I shift it back and forth from bike to car and have used it on road trips...it is accurate and gives lots of warning. One dodged ticket pays for it. I don't push all that hard, but we all know how the speed creeps up on you on the FJR and that radar detector can save you. I figure I have ducked 3 tickets thus far. Think of my insurance if I hadn't....

 

[JamesK]

... Don't spend any money on jammers or signal scramblers, because they are a gimick and do not work against quality equipment.

HotRodZilla I am curious to know what facts you base this statement on, have you or your colleagues personally carried out tests against the top laser jammers on the market?

I guess time will tell, in theory my FJR should now be a pretty hard target for LIDAR to lock-in at a distance, hopefully giving me enough time/warning to adjust my speed if necessary.

 

[HotRodZilla]

HotRodZilla I am curious to know what facts you base this statement on, have you or your colleagues personally carried out tests against the top laser jammers on the market?I guess time will tell, in theory my FJR should now be a pretty hard target for LIDAR to lock-in at a distance, hopefully giving me enough time/warning to adjust my speed if necessary.

Yes we have carried out tests on numerous devices that claim to jam both RADAR and LASER. I spent four years in the Traffic unit and went to numerous instructor level classes revolving around speed detection. Both local and out of state classes bring up the use of jammers.

The reason I qualified the statement by saying they would not jam quality equipment is because my department uses the best RADAR and LASER detection equipment available. All RADAR equipped units are using Kustom Eagles, and all traffic units, as well as some patrol units use Kustom Golden Eagle units. Not one scrambler device has worked against either of these models yet. Like any product, there are some cheaper units out there and some smaller departments may use them just to help keep costs down. I have also seen the cheaper units in large departments where officers "hot-seat" their cars. Since those cars get passed from officer to officer, they are not well taken care of and departments will use cheaper equipment to keep from having to constantly fix and replace abused expensive equipment. I have no idea how well those lesser quality units do against jammers, but I would not bet my driver's license on a jammer working.

As far as LASER goes, we use LTI (Laser Technology Inc.). Not just becasue they work well, but because they are less prone to break under the stress we place them under, which has included dropping them off the roof a car by accident once or twice. Nothing on the market has "jammed" any of these either. Besides, we train to estimate a vehicle's speed within 1-2 mph before we verify that speed with an electronic device, so we have a pretty good idea how fast vehicles are going before we activate a unit.

With either RADAR or LASER, motorcycles are harder to hit just because of the smaller surface area, so riding a MC AND running a detection device reduces a rider's chances of getting caught more than that same device would in a full sized car. In all honesty, most of the MCs I have stopped were doing something other than speeding. I have stopped a few for speed, but very few. Most were for some other violation (doing wheelies, passing on the shoulder, no eye protection, kids on the bike with no helmets, etc.). I have been stopped for speeding on my FJR twice. Once was an incorrect assumption by the officer, and the other was right on the money. A detector probably would have prevented the second one.

 

[atxrider]

I, too, have a Beltronics RX65 and it has saved me many times. I have ridden on some really long trips with my father, who has a valentine. It seems sensitivity wise, they were always going off at the same time. Of course, with the valentine, you can determine which direction the radar is coming from. I don't know what you consider cheap, but I got my the Bel for around 225 from amazon and I can tell you it is well worth that.

I guess technique has been discussed to death but....

If I can, I always use other speeding cars as cannon fodder. I let them ahead 500m and when they get gunned, I have plenty of time to react.

Best of luck,

Davy

 

[Hudson]

Here is why I like the Valentine, even for the money (about $400 with all the things you need to run it on the FJR):

1. Quality of rejecting false alerts

2. Arrows. When you are on a bike, you simply don't have time to study a display to see what kind of radar, strength, etc. A quick peek at the V1 arrows (coupled with the unique tones for radar types) tells me 2 things: where the radar is coming from, and how many there are. With my other radar (a Cobra cheepie), I heard a beep and had to figure myself where it might be coming from.

One problem with the V1 and Escort: water. I have mine enclosed in an N/line case, but if it pours, I quickly put it in the tank bag. Since I don't regularly ride in the rain, not a real issue, but here in Seattle it rains a bunch, so if you are regularly out in inclement weather, the Adaptiv may be the safer bet, compromised as it is.