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Anyone using radar detectors?

alrock

El Diablo
Staff member
Messages
10,442
Location
Scottsdale
Don't really need it in my H3 but with other vehicles it comes in handy. I've been using the Escort Max 360 https://amzn.to/3xnU49P but wanted to get something cheaper for when I drive the company car. I tried a cheap Uniden and it basically false alarmed everywhere, making it useless, so that went back to Amazon. I like the filtering of the Escort and the directional arrows but the price is a bit tough.

What do you use?
 

Korby7

Well-Known Member
Messages
395
Location
Utah
Has anyone else had Siri warn you? I don't think I would rely on it but a couple weeks ago I was making good time on a rural highway, she warned me. I only had a couple seconds to slow before the crest but it surely saved me a ticket and maybe worse. I probably should invest in something.
 

alrock

El Diablo
Staff member
Messages
10,442
Location
Scottsdale
I do use Waze on some trips as well to help identify speed traps. I haven't had Siri do anything.
 

jakesz28

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,041
Location
Cabool MO
I have not used a radar or laser detector since the late 90's early 2000's. Escort has been at the top for a long time. Interested in what you find.
 

alrock

El Diablo
Staff member
Messages
10,442
Location
Scottsdale
That VortexRadar guy Jeeper links to above is pretty neat. He seems to confirm a lot of what I've learned or assumed over the years and I think I'm in a comfortable spot between price/features/capability with the Escort 360. It's a newer platform, though not the newest. It has the directional arrows which are hugely helpful. It doesn't have wifi but I would not take advantage of that feature.

The filtering capabilities of the newer, better models is really important as radar is used now more than ever. In the 90s it was cops and grocery store door openers. Now, it's still cops and doors, but countless vehicles use those frequencies for adaptive cruise control and other safety features. I don't know what else uses it but when I tested a low end Uniden it didn't shut up for three minutes where my Escort, in that same area, doesn't make a sound.

So in the Escort arena, it would be neat to have the Redline but it's huge $ and I really don't drive that fast so I don't need way advance range. I don't need the wifi, don't need a built in camera, and I do want directional arrows. So for me it's the Escort 360 or if I wanted to switch platforms, the Valentine. But I hear those are a bit fussier to use.
 

rascole

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,580
Location
Bellflower, CA
I used the Valentine One V1 Gen 2 and the Uniden R7 long range for 2 different trips to Texas. The Uniden worked better on the long stretches of highway at night when speeds average 85+. I borrowed each from co-workers but have not purchased one yet but will look into the Escort.
 

JPaul

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,400
Location
Way up north, UT
I used one when I was much younger. Haven't bothered to in quite a while. Not sure what even happened to my old one. I just stick to around 5 over. Don't see the point in spending several hundred dollars on something that isn't guaranteed. I need that money for parts!

Dash cam's on the other hand are invaluable.
 

Kurt

Well-Known Member
Messages
955
Location
Orange County, CA
I found Waze ok, not that I needed it in the Hummer but it's usually correct most of the time when you enter a new speed limit zone it'll flash a red limit sign to get your attention. My last road trip from Texas to California a few weeks ago it also warned me of a few speed trap areas.
 

rascole

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,580
Location
Bellflower, CA
I purchased a Uniden R3 Extreme for a recent trip to Texas, I cannot recommend it. It would get hot and shut down in the hot Texas sun, @ 98 that day. At night it would be cool to the touch but during the day it would shut down randomly, sometimes for up to 15 minutes. I got a ticket in Wichita Falls, 85 in a 60. Have not got the bill yet but I am sure it will be more than the $300 detector. It worked great when it was on, the long distance is great and the features make it even better, best one is the detector will stay silent until after you hit a preset speed, 70 mph is where I set it, to ignore alarms when you are doing the speed limit. I may get the R7 Extreme I used last year with no issues.
 

06 H3

a.k.a. "The Jackal"
Messages
9,350
Location
Meridian, ID
I use the valentine V1 and it has saved me multiple times.

I don’t use it in the Hummer or F550. Just the work car
 
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