Just curious as to what everyone uses. I've had an Escort 9500i for years and it's served me well. I had an Escort 8500 x50 before that. With the kid now living in ATL, she'll be driving back and forth once or twice a month so I decided to pass it on to her and buy a new one for myself. I found that most of the review sites are pretty crappy, just trying to sell you whatever they make the most markup on. I was almost swayed to Valentine, then Uniden, and then I decided that since I've had such good experiences with Escort, I'd stick with them. I chose the Max 360. The Max 360c is the latest, but it only seems to add wifi connectivity, so I saved some money by using a USB cable for updates. So far, I like it. It uses the same hardwired cable I had installed for the 9500i.

My only complain is that the unit itself is huge. I had the 9500i mounted at the very top of the windshield, above the rearview mirror and between the overhead control panel and visor. I use a "permanent" stick-on bracket, and I did have to modify i (shave it to be more narrow) to fit the new magnetic mount of the Max 360. The 9500i had plenty of room there, but the Max 360 is a pig and barely fits - but it does fit. i do like the Bluetooth interface for "Escort Live". I never used it on the 9500i as it required a USB plug-in. Also, I think the 9500i didn't fully interface with Escort Live, where the Max 360 will give you a distance countdown to reported Ka band sightings. I think wit that and Waze, you'd have to be pretty unlucky to get "surprised".

Here's the "pig" installed:

 

I hate the windshield mounted radar detectors because of the mess of wires and reduced visibility. I have a Passport behind the grille of my 211 and a whistler behind the grille of my daughter's 203. They work very well although in 9 years I got maybe 2 true warnings of radars waiting out there. But that's because MA troopers are not that radar happy as in other states. I have a friend that has the radar embedded into his (factory) Porsche mirror and I would like to do the same for the AMG GT that is coming this summer. There are some websites out there about that but I think that you have to send them the mirror to have it modified.

 

I use Waze lol, free and legal in my state.

 

I am currently running a Beltronics (owned by Escort) model RX65. It's an older unit but serves me well. It is pretty much the same as the Escort 8500 X50. Had an Escort Passport S55 before that which I gave to my brother (a watered down version of the 8500 X50 pretty much) and before that I had a Beltronics V955. I like their quality and the performance seems pretty consistent between models. It seems Escort will be discontinuing the Beltronics brand as the web site is pretty empty and hasn't had any new models in a while.

 

I hate wires, too. Mine is hardwired. There is a "mute" button located in the center console and the wiring runs up the A-pillar and inside the upper windshield trim. Where I have it placed, it's not impairing visibility. If anything, it helps block the afternoon sun from coming in between the OHC and visor.

In the areas where I drive, there is so much radar, it's almost annoying to have a detector, but still necessary. Most of our local cities fund their police force with "roadside revenuer". A few use laser (LIDAR) and of course that's a losing battle - the detector just tells you when you're getting a ticket. Our state patrols use radar all over the freeways. I also like Waze - a good "belt and suspenders" approach.

I did consider a hardwired option, but there were several factors against it. One, most (if not all?) require installation by an authorized shop to maintain the warranty. Sorry, but I don't let anyone else except the tire store touch my car. Two, the cost is excessive. $1500 for a system that's basically the same as the one I bought for $500, just in "pieces" is crazy. Finally, I do drive my wife's car whenever she and I travel, and I like being able to port my detector to her car (which is also hardwired and a bracket mounted basically int he same place as my car). I;d just buy one for her, but she does not like using a detector - she says they are too noisy.

Speaking of "noise", the Max 360 is definitely better at filtering out the on-board radar some cars use for their "nanny systems". The 9500i would pick up all of them - GM, Hyundai, Audi, etc. The Max 360 has, so far, only gone off with an Acura, which I understand is a common challenge for all detectors.

 

 

When I worked at the dealership, they installed K40 systems. They were pricey, over $2K. I don't know much about K40, but if it keeps you from getting tickets, it's a good thing!

Yesterday, I was driving to my daughter's house an hour south. Twice the detector saved me. I was also running Waze, and there were no cops reported on it. Traffic was heavy, too, so I guess other Wazers were just being lazy.

 

I know that hardwired are ridiculously expensive. I bought mine used from eBay. I found that the audio signal is sufficient and no need for a display so I will probably move the one from the W211 to the GT.

 

Yeah, you'll need it in the GT!