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Radar detectors

5K views 15 replies 13 participants last post by  LeonardoDaBenz 
#1 ·
I am thinking about a radar detector/lazer jammer.
Thoughts? Local store will install hard wired unit for $1500-$1600 from beltronics or passport.
 
#2 · (Edited)
$1500 sounds like an awful lot. You can get the Valentine V1, which I think is the best way to go with radar detectors for 400 bucks. It is the only detector that uses 2 antennas and it has been proven many times it has the best range. This price already includes a hardwire kit, so you can install it yourself.

Do you know how they were going to hardwire it? With convertibles it is a little tougher since there isn't a permanent head liner to hide the wire. That may make a self install a little trickier

For another 40 bucks you can buy the concealed display and place it anywhere you want, that way you can make your detector look like it is off and others wont mooch off you.

So for about $440.00 and shipping you can have what I think is the best setup possible. I just don't see where they are getting the $1500.00 figure from... Did they give you a breakdown of cost and labor?
 
#3 ·
:confused:I agree, way too much money. I happen to live in one of the two states where radar detectors are illegal. I had several Passports back in the mid eighties when they were one of the best brands. Both my wife and I got warnings for having radar detectors. I decided to give them up. As I've gotten older, I tend to drive slower and now with high gas prices, I've taken a vow drive 60 mph on the interstate and enjoy the ride more.
 
#5 ·
Passport here, and less for speeding and more to be aware of where the traps are - I love back country driving, and have been saved a couple of times where a "55" turned into a "35" with a sign hidden behind a tree. Only way I know about the sign was because when it went off I instinctively slowed down to 45, and the guy pulled me over to give me a hard time about 45 in a 35, but was obviously bored, so chatted a bit, told me to slow down, and went back to his nap behind said tree.

$1100 seems excessive to me, but I don't know what hardware they are quoting you on.
 
#7 ·
Quality installed units that include laser and radar usually run about $2000. This is not the cheap windshield stuck on types that you can just buy from Best Buy or Walmart. Typically they'll have one antenna in the front, one in the rear, 2 laser diffusers in front, 1 in the rear, a hidden display, hidden switches, and a separate audio display. In my SEC, the display consisted of 4 LEDs hidden inside my instrument cluster to indicate direction of radar, intensity, and bandwidth.

Of course there are unscrupulous installers out there that will use cheap components to do the install....you really need to do your research on installers, instead of just which model and how much; try some exotic car forums.
 
#8 ·
take a look here for a quick example:

http://www.k40.com/unde_main.html

i personally wouldn't go with k40 again though, it's a little behind the times in terms of actual sensor technology, but their 'install' is wireless, so might be better for those who lease their car.
 
#12 ·
Radar detectors!



These fall into two camps among aficianados- the Escort/Bel and Valentine groups. Radardetector.net has a lot of good wisdom to help you choose.

I have a Bel in the Porsche in our house, moved once already, with jammers. Great unit, but very expensive.

My 55 has the Escort set up, moved over from my Carerra when I sold it. I got the 8500 hardwired in and the Escort brand laser jammers. We put all of the jammers up front- one on each headlight and the one designed for rear in the center to accomodate the license plate. Rear laser is not all that useful- if they are shooting rears, you will pick it up with your front sensors from the car in front of you, or when you went by the LEO and saw him. The extra protection in front is often needed as it helps prevent laser punch through.

Both Bel and Escort have great range and saved my bacon more than once. I hardwired an Escort in my Tahoe as well- the best radar detector is the one you have turned on! Of course, with instant on and hills here in Missouri, I have gotten popped once in five years nonetheless.

If you don't have GPS, the new Escort unit has a bluetooth and GPS unit built in as well. No, I don't own stock in the company, just like their gear.

Cobra and Rocky Mountain aren't worth the money you will spend in postage to get them.

Don't bother with the K40. I had one in my Carerra when i bought it, and it was low range and useless. Unless you can remember the myriad of beeptones, you don't know if it is real radar (K and Ka in the States) or just someones garage door/automatic front door (X band).
 
#15 ·
Radar detectors!



These fall into two camps among aficianados- the Escort/Bel and Valentine groups. Radardetector.net has a lot of good wisdom to help you choose.

I have a Bel in the Porsche in our house, moved once already, with jammers. Great unit, but very expensive.

My 55 has the Escort set up, moved over from my Carerra when I sold it. I got the 8500 hardwired in and the Escort brand laser jammers. We put all of the jammers up front- one on each headlight and the one designed for rear in the center to accomodate the license plate. Rear laser is not all that useful- if they are shooting rears, you will pick it up with your front sensors from the car in front of you, or when you went by the LEO and saw him. The extra protection in front is often needed as it helps prevent laser punch through.

Both Bel and Escort have great range and saved my bacon more than once. I hardwired an Escort in my Tahoe as well- the best radar detector is the one you have turned on! Of course, with instant on and hills here in Missouri, I have gotten popped once in five years nonetheless.

If you don't have GPS, the new Escort unit has a bluetooth and GPS unit built in as well. No, I don't own stock in the company, just like their gear.

Cobra and Rocky Mountain aren't worth the money you will spend in postage to get them.

Don't bother with the K40. I had one in my Carerra when i bought it, and it was low range and useless. Unless you can remember the myriad of beeptones, you don't know if it is real radar (K and Ka in the States) or just someones garage door/automatic front door (X band).
Hi
I have an escort for my slk55 AMG that hangs from the windscreen, can I get a power feed from the center console/Mirror setup?
 
#14 ·
I have the Escort 9500ix, great investment. About the same range as the V1 but a great feature in that it has GPS, speed trap and red light camera database. Comes in handy in the LA area. The GPS is great also that it learns where false positives are, so it will no longer beep at that garage door you drive by all the time.

Only thing I don't like about it is the blue LED screen. It is impossible to read during the day, but it does 'speak' out the warnings as well.
 
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