I'm on my third radar detector and this latest one is useless - was a $50 One Day purchase and I've already got a speeding ticket.
Can anyone recommend a reliable model and supplier?
Please, no comments about keeping to the speed limit; there are times I need to overtake long vehicles in a short distance and doing this under 100kmh is not always possible.
chas10,
Oct 26, 5:50am
The only one I would bother with is the Valentine 1, not the cheapest though, get it from radar direct
ntalke,
Oct 26, 6:10am
The latest Escort Redline(international) is the go ATM
Have a Bel STI XR over 5 years but rarely go over 100kph as you can get caught easily by IO(Instant on) which won't save you if you are speeding
Would stick to Bel STI,Bel STI Magnum or the Escort Redline because these are RDD immune (radar detector detector) incase in the near future if Radar Detectors are outlawed(yes very possible) because some of the stupid police campaigns of late
These 3 detectors are immune from being detected when hidden
mrsbeeblebrock,
Oct 26, 6:15am
Awesome, thanks guys.
brapbrap8,
Oct 26, 6:20am
Is it even worth having one these days? Most cops have learned not to leave their radars on so you won't get any warning as they get you.
mrsbeeblebrock,
Oct 26, 6:24am
Fair point and I'd be keen to hear the others' opinions on this.
I guess I am hoping a good detector will pick up a signal when the cop is targeting other drivers in the vicinity.
Not sure what you are trying to say. It's an old video filmed in a country with different laws.
lookoutas,
Oct 26, 7:34am
If they're doing that IO (never heard that before) then there's FA warning. But often you will hear them trying to ping someone else.
I would go for a GPS model. That way, at least you will have a closer handle on your accurate speed. One thing that pisses me off with mine - when it picks up a signal, the bloody speed reading disappears! And that's when it's needed the most!
I would say that knowing the true speed actually keeps my speed in check. And coz the optional air bag/cruise control'er can see the readout, it becomes even harder to speed without a warning going off!
Good for setting the real cruise control at, and then forget the cops. Mind you - my Mustang gets real happy when it comes to a hill and needs to accelerate, but it gets a bit carried away once cresting the hill and will finish up notching up a few K extra before it sorts itself out again.
ntalke,
Oct 26, 7:40am
The vid is still relevant to NZ , also speed camera vans here use low frequency k Band which needs a high end detector to get any sort of meaningful warning
They are a driver aid as with a GPS with speed warnings enabled
butterfly05,
Oct 26, 7:43am
End of the day thats what your mk1 eyeballs are for if they are using instant on I usually spot them before the radar goes off. And personally I find about 2 out of 10 would do that if that many.
Radars are well worth it as long as you keep under that BS 40k over loss of car/license rubbish. That way if they get you your not totally screwed.
xs1100,
Oct 26, 8:04am
escort 9500lx had it for over a ear and paid for itself many times over far better than a sti because my boss has one and admitted mine superior and also when you do research find best in the game except for a escort max. ps I do about 1500-2000ks a week
mrsbeeblebrock,
Oct 26, 5:59pm
In NZ the Escort Red Line is $1,099 but from Amazon including shipping it's only $NZ869. Is there any compelling reason to buy local for an additional $230?
lookoutas,
Oct 26, 6:40pm
That's really the issue - it's how many Ks one does.
I always had a theory that I would get a ticket every 3 years under normal vehicle use. But when I drove for a living (say 60 to 70K a year) that could quite easily bring it down to 2 pings per year, and that meant closing in on 100 points before the first ones dropped off after 2 years. That's why I bought a detector when I was sitting on 95 points, and it worked.
Now I'm back to workshop hours, I've done real good by not getting pinged since 2005. And the detector has probably helped too.
PS. If you get a ticket every 3 years between 100 & 120K's, that's only 80 bucks. It used to be $160 from 120 to 130. Is it worth paying $800 odd - or just contribute to the fund now & then?
ntalke,
Oct 26, 6:42pm
$869 NZ +15% GST is $999,that's what Customs will ping you plus they will lump on any postage to that figure as well
The Escort Redline International is the latest as it has segmented K Band,what this means is it can cancel out door openers, blind spot radar,lane departure and auto cruise control(may not cancel all of these due to manufacturer )
Yesterday I followed for awhile a Ford Kuga and K Band would Beep every 15 seconds,2 years ago Napier/Taupo road had a hour of this behind a Audi
Just remember,a detector is not a licence to speed. it's trying to tell you something,don't ignore it. And don't get caught using one or it'll cost you dearly.
[ waits for the 1st person to tell me it's not illegal to use them ]
xs1100,
Oct 26, 8:15pm
well there you go its not illegal to use one so I don't know why it would cost you should you be caught, plenty of cops have seen I have one and never done anything about it. and yes like Mrs BB I need my license for my job and am also not interested in the if you don't speed you have nothing to worry about comments either LOL
gedo1,
Oct 26, 8:44pm
I am always amused by those who claim that their Radar speed detector has saved them many times. or at all. How do you know they have? It seems that those who make this claim are also driving above the posted speed limit rather often. or am I wrong. As I said. amusing!
mrsbeeblebrock,
Oct 26, 8:59pm
I got my current speeding ticket 2 months ago. The detector was in plain view (shit model) and the cop said nothing about it.
I know they are legal but I would expect a cop to have no sense of humour if s/he observed it and note that it didn't save me.
tamarillo,
Oct 26, 9:24pm
I have a tpx bike radar detector with car kit. It's helpful in that if someone ahead gets pinged I get the message and warning. But if I'm first bike it's no use at all these days. Damn.
martin11,
Oct 26, 9:25pm
Plus customs and gst ?
xs1100,
Oct 26, 9:33pm
and also set up for nz conditions and has a warrenty
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