Ok, I've done a search for radar detectors and I've seen tons of threads that always seem to degenerate into threads about the Valentine V1. Well, that's all well and good, but I just don't have that kind of $$$.

The budget I'm aloting myself is $200, no more. After all, the wife was kind enough to let me get this cool toy. I feel I need to dedicate some of our hard earned resources into projects that she feels are important.

What can people recommend in the less than $200 range for a good (perhaps not exceptional) radar detector?

Some units I've seen in this range on eBay and on the net are:
Whistler Pro 73
Bel RX55
Cobra XRS 9700
Cobra XRS 9860

Are there any others I should be looking at? And what are your personal experiences with said units?

Thanks,
-Dennis

 

I got the Bel 985 for $225 a little more then you want to spend and have to say that is a great detector with very little falsing. If you can go a little extra that is the one I would get.

 

Spend the money, it will save you in tickets.

 

Yeah--I have the top of the line Cobra radar that talks--its decent--but I only have about 55% confidence in it. Remember-there is almost no legal defense against Laser and auto-on radar.

 

the best for the money will be the top of the line whistler.

Check out: http://www.radartest.com

They have great reviews. The absolute best non-installed detector is the Excort Passport 8500 x50.

All other brands outside of Valentine, Bell, Escort, and Whistler get thrashed. They just don't do well in tests. I'd say save your money for the Escort if you could. You should be able to find an 8500 x50 on e-bay or somewhere for 245-260. You'd never regret spending the extra, but you may regret not.

 

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

I'm still undecided... It seems like LOTS of new detectors have come out just recently and there are no reviews on the latest ones.

Yes, I want good detection, but I'm unsure if the BEST reception is even applicable for me. I live in WA which has quite a few turns and hills and such. Seems like many of the speed traps on my regular commute are situated at turns, where you come around a bend and BAM they've got you. I don't know if any detector would help in these sorts of situations.

Of course there are also some I've seen recently (and the new random one where I got the ticket that convinced me I needed SOME kind of protection) which are cops just sitting on the opposite side of the road or highway shooting radar down the strait road. Any half way good detector there would have given me plenty of time to slow down before I came into his sights.

I'm going to do some more thinking and searching with Google - I found a 2004 Car & Driver test, but they just tested the same units I've already seen that did well in other reviews. I believe I need one, I believe I wouldn't regret it if I spent the extra cash, but I also don't want to overspend... The more I spend here, the less I'll be able to spend elsewhere.

Thanks again,
-Dennis

 

You get what you pay for. The better detectors will pick up weaker reflected signals around corners.

 

Well, after all my noise about not wanting to spend the extra money... My WIFE told me that if I didn't get a GOOD detector we'd be paying the money in tickets and insurance. Damn she rocks! So this morning I ordered a Passport Escort 8500 X50.

 

i just ordered a passport 8500 x50, and it came in the mail this afternoon. it gives very few falses, and has already picked up cops. the POP radar feature is a good one, but i ahvent seen it work yet. also, it lets you konw which band its picking up the signal on so you learn to ignore some and listen to others.


***EDIT***: i just realised that my post didnt help you at all. i have no experience with the under-200 range. it was between the v1 and the 8500, and i just chose the 8500. sry i cant be of more help.