st981

Good thread. Not know anything about RDs does anyone have a recommendation for a $200-300 RD for use primarily in SoCal? Not sure what the cops are using here. I see a couple of Escort Redline and Escort 9500ix for sale on craigslist near me as well as a V1 (first gen). RDs are legal here but supposedly they can't be mounted on the windshield so will have to see where to mount one.

NF4710

After the more recent firmware update to the R3/7 it’s much better. I had a V1 gen 2 and it was slightly better in that regard but the overall range and ease of use weren’t as good IMO. In fact I find it funny how many guys w the V1 on here turn K band off. If you did that with the Uniden you’d have zero false alerts. Any Mercedes seemed to set off my V1.

Having owned the R3, R7, and V1 within a short time frame of 2 years I believe the R3 to be the best value and the R7 to be the best detector. Although I am a huge Mike Valentine fan and have enjoyed his company’s ads since childhood I found their product an incomplete solution. When Mike makes a decent unit with GPS that allows me to focus on driving instead of playing with an app I will try it out.

Cheers,
N

thesaintusa

Blendmount.

Never believed the hype but worth it.

4PTZERO

Thanks! That was my analysis of it as well watching all the Vortex reviews. I went ahead and bought one from Amazon. I did see R7s $599 when they first released (wowzers!), but now they're closer to $480 and at one time $450 apparently. I like the V1 Gen 2 as well, but I don't want to depend on my phone to get the full functionality of it really, and it's just more expensive too @ $537 (w tax). I wanted the Escort Redline 360c which provides the best of both worlds, but ooooo too rich for my blood @ $795!

4PTZERO

I'd suggest checking out the Vortex Radar reviews. Per post above, I agree the Uniden R3 is best bang for buck with the R7 being the best all inclusive with extreme range. Then you have the very top tier like the Escort Redline 360C that has the best of both Uniden and V1 Gen 2 technologies, but @ $795...

For anyone into RDs, I also found out about the upcoming Radenso Theia being released in 2021, which is supposed to eclipse any radar in the market with AI Technology and the ability BSM filter 100% + identify different types of Cop radars, lasers, etc. - but of course all at a very high price.

Class5Kayaker

I've used a 9500ix for 5 years now. GREAT detector with super long range. My only complaint is all the false K and Ka signals from car safety systems. New detectors have better filtering of those false alarms and you can choose to not even get alerted for K-band on most of the newer detectors (99% of all cops use Ka if they're using RADAR). I'm actually probably going to upgrade to a Uniden R3 or R7 in the near future because of the false alarms.

B Russ

I wish I could say 95% are using Ka but thats not the case here in New England.Its different from town to town. South Florida is a different story where its County and I had the K turned off on my R3s.

st981

Thanks guys. I found a resource on Vortex Radars which lists bands used by various agencies by each state https://rdfgs.rdforum.org/state.php It looks like LIDAR and Ka is what's most common here now. I believe LIDOR detection is only available on specific (high end units)? I will have to research more. Until then I'll start using Waze.

sampelligrino

If you don't mind share what you find/decide, I'm curious as someone also in SoCal not running a RD (and I know next to nothing about them too)

st981

Sure! It ended up being a quick research after viewing youtube (I usually watch them at 1.5x the speed otherwise I don't have the patience lol)


My conclusion was, LIDAR=Laser detector. As far as the LIDAR detectors go V1 is/was the best. However, it's no use as by the time you get alerted they already have you. So it's useless. A better option is Waze. The solution is laser jammers or laser shifters but they're illegal in CA as far as I know. Further, some people have managed to contest laser jammer citations saying they were their car's lane departure radar (not an illegal jammer) but I can see how this would be totally dependent on the car and the cop as some will literally rip the car apart on the spot to find it if they suspect you have one.

Again just what I gathered in 20 mins of research.

WJGreer

I think it's been said already, but I agree - radar technology has gotten so far ahead of radar detectors that they aren't really valuable anymore. With instant-on laser radar, the whole thing happens before you can react.

How much do we need to speed anyway, really? You can safely go 5-8mph above in most situations, which in Colorado puts me at 80mph on the interstates. It's fun to zip around the twisties a bit, but there are rarely speed traps there.

I just mostly try to be responsible.

TheUnscented

I've got the Escort 9500ix on a Blendmount. Always feel a little guilty when I see Mike Valentine at a PCA meeting but I've had the Escort longer than the Porsche. I've also got a remote mount Escort still in the box. Wish they had a K filter but in the last couple of years I don't even use them as Waze is so good in my area.

Highyo

there's no way your eyes can protect you if you're speeding and head into the trap.

i have passport radar and shifters installed and the shifters are worth their weight in gold

st981

I did some more reading/research. Anyone know if the Escort app is worth paying a subscription for (if you don't own their detector)? I like the idea behind it, similar to Waze but it picks up laser automatically (if I understand correctly) i.e. if other people's radar detectors are picking up laser the app marks the location as a possible speed trap. This would be very valuable info on the backroads where you might want to take a corner or two more enthusiastically but there's a cop behind the big tree just out of sight. Its effectiveness would all depend on how many people have their escort laser detectors in the area and paired to their phone's bluetooth.

So I guess my question is, is it better than Waze in SoCal? I'm considering either buying a 9500ix or paying for the subscription if it's worth it. Otherwise I'll stick to Waze.

Class5Kayaker

I believe he can't make a unit with GPS due to a patent, and he's not willing to pay a ton of money to the patent holder to be allowed to incorporate GPS into his units.