Anyone using $75-$150 radar detectors?

[Sean_IRL]

Is anyone on here using budget radar detectors between $75 and $150? I don't want to spend 400+ on one and all the cheaper ones I'm looking at have mixed reviews. Any recommendations for me on which one to get?

[Impureclient]

I've been using a Escort 8500 for the last 10ish years. Paid about $300 at the time. Last speeding ticket was the same 10 years ago before I had a detector.
It was one of if not the best rated ones when I got it and the newer ones have more bells and whistles but it still does the job so I'm sticking with it.
They are no longer produced but this Google search brought up a Groupon one for $100 and a bunch of used ones on Amazon for around $150.
It's funny how the radar detectors have basically doubled in price in the last ten years. It looks like all the Escorts are pretty much $500-600 now.
The most expensive ones also have this new guarantee: "Purchase your detector directly from us and if you get a radar or laser speeding ticket,
we’ll pay for it*". Maybe they have a slick way of getting out of paying but that is a pretty bold guarantee. It's probably not to hard to keep because it's
reeeeaaaly hard to get a ticket if you use a good detector properly. --> http://www.radarbusters.com/How-to-E...tor-s/2386.htm
I wouldn't skimp on getting the cheap one and instead I'd go for a used better one.

If something happened to my 8500, I would probably pony up for one of the newest Escorts but if money was really tight I would get one of these used ones.

https://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-esc...Uq0xoCTWLw_wcB

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-list...&condition=all

[Sean_IRL]

Thanks Impureclient for the help! I didn't even think to look on groupon

[golfyankee2121]

Originally Posted by Sean_IRL

Is anyone on here using budget radar detectors between $75 and $150? I don't want to spend 400+ on one and all the cheaper ones I'm looking at have mixed reviews. Any recommendations for me on which one to get?

I wouldn't go cheap on a radar detector. In my mind, radar detector is something that can save your ass if you're speeding, and having one gives you a little peace of mind knowing that you can rely on it to alert you when a cop is running radar/laser. So why buy something that isn't going to be reliable? Cheap radar detectors are exactly that: Cheap. My buddy bought a cheap one, Cobra maybe?, and the thing constantly goes off, which makes it really difficult to know when a cop is actually running radar or not. I bought an Escort 9500ix about a year ago and I love it. It's a little old now, but it has GPS and red-light camera alerts and all that jazz. It can be had for around $300 now which isn't bad compared to the new escort stuff.

I would stay away from anything cheap, but that's just my 2 cents


-J.B.

[jasonojordan]

Best way to avoid a ticket. Don't drive like a jackass. That coupled with the radar detector will eliminate any tickets. I have a v1 and I got it just for the peace of mind of cruising along going cross country it starts to beep you peek down see you have drifted up in speed to 12mph over it gives you time(most of the time) to slow down. Also another good way to help avoid tickets is keep a rabbit in front of you. Someone that the officer will be clocking 1st giving you the chance to detect danger and slow down.

[bababooey]

i can echo the 8500. its worked well for me for a decade. but you read around and its poe-tay-toe VS po-tah-toe debate between upper level escort and valentine. also the rabbit method works really well but instances do arise where in getting hit with LASER will make ur ring pucker. uh oh

[Bowen]

There are some things where the "You get what you pay for" statement rings true. Radar detectors is one of those things. You can get a cheaper detector, but it may not give you enough time to slow down at the initial detection like a more expensive one ill.

[Shinigami301]

Originally Posted by Bowen

There are some things where the "You get what you pay for" statement rings true. Radar detectors is one of those things. You can get a cheaper detector, but it may not give you enough time to slow down at the initial detection like a more expensive one ill.

Or worse, go off ALL the time from door openers and the like, so you start ignoring it when you shouldn't.

My Escort Max 360 was expensive, but it's paid for itself at least twice in four months. Even scored a save from LIDAR.

[DJCarbine]

I have two beltronics, a pro 300 and a pro 200. I've had a lot of cheap 75 dollar cobra etc. detectors and they usually crapped out after a few years or had way too many false alarms. One would just go off every 20 seconds just because it wanted the attention.

Cheap radar detector, never again

[Packofcrows]

Be more patient, like someone stated, "not a jackass..." and make smart and good choices.


I had the Escort Max 360 Radar Detector and it worked well. Cost was about $150 off of a friend. I left it somewhere and lost it. I never drive at more than 5-10 mph over the speed limit in highway anyway, so it was semi useless for me, but having a vehicle that looks fast to the not knowledgeable officer of the law, they will deem our vehicles Corvette-like, hence, if having a bad day, attempt to pull us over for any small reason.


I really recommend that one though!

[soulreapersteve]

Just to echo, shell out money for the more top of the line models. It's extremely worth it.

Peruse craigslist, ebay, etc. I bought an Escort Redline from a guy with an M5 who didn't need it anymore for $200. Came with an extra suction mount and power cable. MSRP for the redline alone is what.. close to $500?

[malubawla]

https://www.amazon.com/Escort-Passpo.../dp/B019HF60EI

the radar i have, works pretty good for me

[FX86]

i have the valentine 1..but i know it's not in the price range you are looking for..worth every penny spent on it though

it's one of those things where you should spend the extra cash because you really get what you pay for..spend the money now and possibly save in the long run by avoiding getting caught speeding and an expensive ticket

look at a radar detector as an investment

[quik1987]

Waze?