Darren05

No matter which radar detector you choose remember this, they will not make you ticket proof. A radar detector only works if the cop has his radar on. Because cops know that most people have radar detectors, a lot will not have their radar on while on patrol. If the cop spots a car that looks like it is driving over the speed limit he will wait for the car to come into range of his radar and then flip it on. No matter how great of a radar detector you have it will not prevent you from getting caught. On the other hand, there are many cops that still patrol with their radar on so under these conditions the radar detector will be to your advantage. The only way to ensure not getting a ticket is to not speed.

Nuke

Instant On (I/O) radar is tough but if you're foolhardy enough to speed for any distance when you're the only one on the road you deserve to get caught. I/O radar is detectable when the LEO is shooting other vehicles ahead of you. I've often picked-up an alert 1/2 to 1 full mile from the LEO when he was targeting others.

Like I said in an earlier post, an RD is a tool and, like any tool, you have to know how to use it properly for it to be effective.

Johnboy7701

Mine went off tonight and picked up the popo in the city about 3 blocks away... works good enough for me...

Mudflap

I've had my Passport 8500 for a couple years now. It will usually pick up radar at least a 1/2 mile away, I have been very impressed with it. I don't speed very often, but for the occasions where I go ***** out 0-100 or something, its a nice security blanket.

limitedex

Passport 8500 here. Anything over $300 will probably be the same quality. Just depends on what preferences you like.

illin

I have been doing some research and it seems that there is a lower priced option with independant tests as good as the $300+ units. There are a couple of Whistlers that test VERY high across the board. They are well discussed on the Radar Detector forums (amazing there are forums for RD!?!?).

These are around $120ish...which is palatable to me. They seem to focus around a "Pro" lineup...here is one review here:

http://www.laserveil.com/whistler/pro-78/xtr-690/

I may go ahead an grab one of these. I read about 100 threads last night and this one comes highly rated.

Not too off topic, but can we tap into power in the overhead lights to keep it hard wired at the top of the windshield? I dont want mind dangling right in the middle id the windshield and have the cord hanging down on the dash.

Mudflap

I'm not familiar with the Whistlers of late, but they used to be on the lower end years ago. I've seen the Passport 8500s for < $250. I think I paid like $450 for mine a couple years back, so that is a good deal.

As someone else said, don't rely on it TOO heavily, but it has saved me multiple times. Just don't be the ONLY person on the road! The key is to have the cop shooting people up ahead of you. When that happens, on the highway I can pick them up from sometimes as much as a mile away or so.

d_ames117

I love my 8500 - it has easily paid for itself. One night I was tailing another car about 1/4 mile ahead of me doing well over the speed limit. As I was approaching the crest of a hill, the detector went off. I slammed on the brakes and as I crested the hill I was doing the speed limit and the cop was sitting on the shoulder in the dark. After I went by, he went after the other car...it took the cop 3 or 4 miles to catch up with the other guy. So yea, I think they're worth it.

Dustin

06stangGT

8500 X50

TedGamble

In case you aren't familiar with this site, I highly recommend it:
http://www.radarbusters.com/

Along with others here, I'm a big fan of the Escort Passport 8500 X50.

Darren05 stated the sobering truth: "No matter how great of a radar detector you have it will not prevent you from getting caught."