Radar
 

Was looking at getting a radar. I've never bought one or even looked at them before so, i'm clueless. Any recommendations?

Do you mean radar detector? Or are you wanting to stand on the corner of your street and radar people just for shits and gigs?

If you mean radar detector, the "best ones" are the Valentine V1 and the Escort Passport 9500. They're both around $500 I believe. However there are cheaper ones which are still plenty good. I have a V1 personally and I really like it.

The Valentine One is always a super reliable classic and really well made. The Escort Redline and the Escort 9500ix are both rated really highly. Figure out your budget and do a lil google research. Also, if you're looking at hardwiring it in, there's a DIY here on the forums. Happy shopping

The Valentine One is about $300. Used or refurbished for about $200

i've had the valentine 1 for 6 years now. dont leave home without it.

If you want the latest greatest tech, get the Escort Smart Radar. Combo bluetooth + GPS, stealthy install, not a remote. Works great, the Escort Live service (basically a crowdsourced radar detector) has saved me 3-4 times in the 3 weeks I've been using it.

Highly recommended.

Thumbs up for the Escort/Beltronics devices paired with the Smart Radar plug and software. It basically adds GPS and Waze like functionality to your radar detector using your phone. I especially like the ability to mute known false positives on your daily route. If my radar goes off, I immediately slow down even if I wasnt speeding to begin with.

Are you looking for purely windshield mounted units? or remote installs too?

If remote installs are what you're looking for, the Escort 9500Ci and Bel STi-R Plus can't be beat. Here's a link to my STi-R Plus install:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25140

I have to recommend the Valentine One over any of the other units. Escort and Bell make fine products and the GPS feature is one many people like but honestly, now that I have experience with the arrows and boggy counter I will never switch back to the other brands. Knowing what band, the direction(s) and how many boggy's are out there is invaluable. I know people say the V1 falses a lot but I find it well behaved in Advanced Logic mode.

Make a mount to put it OVER your rear view mirror and no one will ever see it :)

There is another thread about this as well posted the other day: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21540

Basically the argument is going to come down to the Valentine One or the Escort 9500ix. The Valentine offers the arrows and bogey counter which some people absolutely love, while the 9500ix offers GPS features that lockout constant falses on roads you normally travel.

I have the 9500ix and absolutely love it. I looked at the V1, but the visual design is not appealing.

^^^X2. I love my 9500ix. I have it in unison with my ZR4 laser shifter and they work perfect together.

Unfortunately, the V1 isn't an option for me (or anyone who will be driving through VA/DC with any regularity) as it can be picked up by radar detector detectors. I had to go full stealth.

Same reason I went with a 9500ci. Another big plus of the 9500ci is the laser jammers. Here in va they are very useful.

On the note of the arrows and bogey counter, I have used a v1 for many road trips in the past (We keep one at my shop for rental cars), and honestly I find these features useless. They are the biggest reason I hear of people choosing the v1 over other options but honestly, if my radar is going off, I don't care how many cops are around or which direction they are in, I am slowing down regardless.

Another option may be the Calibre K40. I had one in the past that worked well for a number of years, but then became simply out performed by the escort. I haven't looked into their new stuff yet but I have had a couple cold calls from them telling us they have new product with new features. Been too happy with the escort products to consider switching though.