Hi, guys and gals, I drive a 2002 C320 Sedan and I am looking for a good radar detector that costs under $200. Do you have any advice or experience? Which radar detector do you recommend? Will use of a radar detector interfere with the electronics of the car? Thanks for your help!

 

its not going to mess up the electronics, i have a Bel forgot which model it is but its wireless and runs on 2 AA batteries. It works pretty good and its good because i dont need any wires.

 

valentine makes great ones but they are $$$. I have a cobra I like it alot. I have it wired underneath the console.

 

Are radar detectors legal in the States? You guys are pretty lucky, they're illegal here in Canada. Once, I was driving along with traffic, everyone travelling above the speed limit (within reason, 15-20km/h), when all of a sudden one car slowed down to the speedlimit and he/she got pulled over, probably because the cop thought he/she had a radar detector. I've read a few stories about it happen on some local messageboards too.

 

yea there legal here.

 

Aborwick, The top three of radar detectors, Valentine One, Bel 980 and Cinci Microwave Passport 8500 are all priced above $200. My Bel 980 cost me $239 a year ago... maybe they're less now. Passport is a little more, and Valentine quite a bit more. I personally believe detectors under $200 are a waste of money.

Drivers here have the same kind of allegiances for their radar detectors like they do for their cars, so you will find supporters of all three. I'm in the Bel 980 camp, but only because it's the best value for money. IMO, all three perform better than your ability to slow down if you're first in line.

Do a search in this forum on radar detectors, and RD tests for more info.

BTW, a couple states in your neck of the woods have outlawed detectors. Can't remember which. Someone closer to DC can clarify. I don't want to mislead.

 

Ohh yea i forgot they instruction manual said there not legal in D.C.

 

The Valentine 1 is by far, the best Radar Detector on the market. Hands down, it will beat out any of it's competition.

 

they're not legal in virginia either.

i still don't quite understand why a cop will pull over a guy who's driving safely at a consistent speed over the speed limit as opposed to not pulling over the idiots who drive WAY over the limit and weave in and out of cars without looking whatsoever. i like police but give me a break. anyone who has driven on I95 can attest to this...

 

Radar detectors are legal in B.C. and Alberta.
Cananda does extend beyond Toronto, beleive it or not

 

I use Bel 985 (newer version of 980) and I'm very happy with it. It cost me around 230 USD as well.
Like MB-BOB said, the top three RD's are similarily good. Naturally their makers highlight magazine reviews that favoured their products

 

Spend the $$$$ for the V1, because it will more than pay for itself by the tickets you won't get for spending

 

Accord,


Do you have a website or place that I can purchase the Valentine 1? I traditionally don't have a heavy foot, but I do like to put my car through its paces every once & awhile & don't need the higher insurance premiums. Thanks in advance!!!!


MarcusBenz
H.O.I. MBZ

 

Here you go: www.valentine1.com

I had my dealer hard wire it into my car.

 

Valentine's Online Store

 

Much appreciated!!!

 

I have a passport 8500, it picks up every band of radar, and works very well, in open areas i caught a cop up to 1.5 miles away. On the town streets, probably about 3/4 of a mile to 1 mile, plenty of time to adjust your speed. Plus it has some very nice options.

If i had the money i would get a valentine one, and in fact im thinking of saving up for one. I would just spend the extra cash and get that, it has a good accessory for hiding the detector as well for 40.00 more

 

Accord, do you have any pics of the hardwire install of your V1?

 

David, I do not have pics, although I can probably manage to take some.

I had my dealership doit for me. Basically the V1 is placed right above the mirror on the right side and there is a very small wire sticking out right near the mirror. All you do is disconnect that wire and you can take the V1 down like you normally would and place it in my glovebox.

I always take my V1 off and put it in my glovebox when I park my car, because I had a car of mine broken into once and the only thing the person stole was the V1. I guess these theifs go around parking lots looking on the windshields to see if a person has a radar detector.

 

What i understood from the messages here is that the production, marketing of radar detectors is legal in States.Owning is also legal but using is not.
Good way to screw customers in both ways.Nice system.