2015 Radar Detector Thoughts / Opinions

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As dreams of upcoming winter farkling projects dance in my head, I am seriously considering adding a Radar Detector to my STeed. I am not a fast rider, I wouldn't even consider myself a "spirited" rider really, but there are times where I am hammering down the interstate just barely keeping up with traffic and am running 20 or even 30 over the posted limit. There was another time where I got pinched by a GEN U INE speed trap on a country rd in SC. He was sitting just past the 35MPH sign dropping the speed from 55... Got me for 49 I think. Situations like these would be much less stressful (and in the case of the speed trap less expensive) with a little advanced technology. After researching until I reached the end of the internet I have come up with these conclusions so far...

My Current top two...
Escort Redline - Best range out there, up to 14 miles in some tests
Escort 9500ix - GPS enabled with internal memory of Red light cams and Speed cams But I am concerned that mounting this one in a water proof "legal Speeding" box will block the gps signal

Others Looked into...
Escort 8500 X50 - this was my top pick until I found the two above at reasonable prices AKA <$400
Adaptiv TPX - Really wanted to like this one since it is the only motorcycle specific one worth even looking at but, I feel that it doesn't offer the protection or features of the equally priced automobile units
Valentine V1 - The classic, the legend, the V1! I remember when you were something if you had a V1... I also remember that they used to pay your ticket since they were so sure you wouldn't get one (I guess the use of laser ended that). There are a lot of great things about a V1 and it's range in some tests beat the redline but to make it motorcycle friendly would cost more than I want to spend to add an audio out etc... It still has the best rearward facing detection out there.

So... there is where I am at. I really would love some insight from users of my top picks as to their experiences but would welcome this to be an open discussion of current radar detectors (or better yet, my favorite term from childhood... FuzzBusters) since there have been quite a few advancements in the last couple years.
 

amorley

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I love my Adaptiv TPX. It stays on the bike in the foulest of weather. I bought a second mount so I could swap it easily between my ST1300 and the Super Tenere.

Does it work? I have not been pulled over in the last five years since installing it and I know it has detected lots of radar and laser.

Regarding range, I am not sure that it helps to detect radar 14 miles away.

You might ask if I ride over the speed limit occasionally....

...but I could not possibly comment on that issue! ;) (with apologies to "House of Cards", Francis Urquhart/Ian Richardson and Frank Underwood/Kevin Spacey)
 

nerSTeve

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After a chat with Andy at the last ride of the year RTE in Stockton, I bought my TPX yesterday.....
In fact I just now got my shipping email from Revzilla! :)
 
Joined
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I have used radar detectors for the last 30 years and have seen a lot, been stopped alot and also have gotten my share of tickets. I have had a Valentine 1 for ?? 10+ years and would not buy anything else! Yes, the rearward detection is awesome, you are never guessing where the radar is coming from....it tells you, front, side or rear. It has saved my license a number of times, too many to count. Not that I am going at high rate speeds its the small ones when you are pulling into a town and the speed drops from 40 or 50 to 25mph in a blink of the eye. Those are the costly ones. I am sure the Escort is good and there is also a couple of other ones, but in my opinion....Valentine 1 without a second thought!!!!!!
The negative on the bike is you need a waterproof case, which I customized one, the unit is hidden and don't worry about it being stolen and now it sits on bike and never give it a second thought! Good luck in which ever unit you buy. Oh yeah, one other thing, the Valentine can be sent back for upgrades so you never have to sit there and buy another unit every year or two to keep up with the changes.
 

nerSTeve

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The negative on the bike is you need a waterproof case, which I customized one, the unit is hidden and don't worry about it being stolen and now it sits on bike and never give it a second thought!
He's pointed right at the thing and I STILL didn't see it.... very clever disguise.
 
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Thanks Steve.....wonder somedays if it is disguised enough, probably cause I know what's in there.
 
OP
OP
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the Valentine can be sent back for upgrades so you never have to sit there and buy another unit every year or two to keep up with the changes.
the 9500ix is supposedly able to be updated off the internet via a USB cable, I don't recall if the redline is or not.

Lots of positive thoughts on the TPX coming in... like I said, I really wanted to like that one.
 
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After a few awards for back country slashes I decided I needed some protection. I spent hours on http://www.rdforum.org/content/. Frankly it was between the Redline and the V1 for me. I opted for the Redline but not sure you can go wrong either way. I segmented my rig for max sensitivity and tune up based on the likely radars on my tour route. If I was using it for commuting in a urban environment I would chose a GPS type setup which does a better job of screening out (less sensitivity toooo) false alarms.

med_gallery_2144_7292_4399254.jpg
 
OP
OP
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After a few awards for back country slashes I decided I needed some protection. I spent hours on http://www.rdforum.org/content/. Frankly it was between the Redline and the V1 for me. I opted for the Redline but not sure you can go wrong either way. I segmented my rig for max sensitivity and tune up based on the likely radars on my tour route. If I was using it for commuting in a urban environment I would chose a GPS type setup which does a better job of screening out (less sensitivity toooo) false alarms.
this was my thinking behind putting the Redline on top, I mainly want it for the Interstate where the false alarms would be minimal anyway. I was also going to segment it as you did and basically set it up as an "XR" model would be.
 

Uncle Phil

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I have the 8500 X50 on all three of my ST1100s just under the headlight in a waterproof project box. I play the audio through my headset and have an on/off switch in the side pocket in case I go through VA. Usually with laser they have you before you get them - especially instant on. I don't know how the location of mine would affect a GPS option. I don't worry about the rear as I check my mirrors periodically anyway.
 
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I wanted to input the alarms into my helmet and Redline does that well. The V1 arrows are really nice but I do not want to be looking much at the detector on my rides so less utility on a MC for me. I did not figure rain would be an issue as I would just slow down in the stuff anyway so I have/will throw the RD in the bag or trunk.

It took me a while to figure out the segmentation routine but I am slow (here anyway). The setup really is pretty easy and I used the Redline in the cage to get the hang of it and what to expect.
 
OP
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I have the 8500 X50 on all three of my ST1100s just under the headlight in a waterproof project box. I play the audio through my headset and have an on/off switch in the side pocket in case I go through VA. Usually with laser they have you before you get them - especially instant on. I don't know how the location of mine would affect a GPS option. I don't worry about the rear as I check my mirrors periodically anyway.
UNCLE PHIL!!!! I was really hoping you'd hop in here! I have read about your under headlight mount on numerous threads but couldn't find any pictures. Since you and I have the same ride (except mine is not abs) and we even have the same sound system, I'd really love to know more about your install. Any pics or a writeup of how you did it? I was planning on making a custom smartcord with a power switch, alert lights, and a mute button to mount on my dash so I don't need to see the actual detector anyway.
 
OP
OP
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I wanted to input the alarms into my helmet and Redline does that well. The V1 arrows are really nice but I do not want to be looking much at the detector on my rides so less utility on a MC for me. I did not figure rain would be an issue as I would just slow down in the stuff anyway so I have/will throw the RD in the bag or trunk.

It took me a while to figure out the segmentation routine but I am slow (here anyway). The setup really is pretty easy and I used the Redline in the cage to get the hang of it and what to expect.
I really like that the Escort units (and the TPX) have a headphone jack already installed. I will be running the Radar Detector and the two GPS's, one with XM, through a "Mix It 2" that I have laying around and all that will plug into my Honda Valkyrie CB system to get the audio to my helmet speakers. I haven't decided if I want to put the RD on one of the priority channels of the Mix it so it cuts off the music or put it where it just plays louder than the music.
 
Joined
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I modified an Escort accessory power plug to a SAE jack for power which I can easily use to switch the unit to either Honda. Frankly I do look at the unit every once in a while although the audio alarm tells you the band & proximity of the radar. My experience is that if the Redline says there is a KA band radar out there..............slow down as it is a sure thing. Around town I do get some K band false alarms but I could cut those by tuning with resultant loss of overall sensitivity.

On my VFR I use an Amplirider for dual Zumo and Redline input.
 
Last edited:
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After a chat with Andy at the last ride of the year RTE in Stockton, I bought my TPX yesterday.....
In fact I just now got my shipping email from Revzilla! :)

Awww man I wish you had said something. I have a TPX that is going to get replaced under warranty. I would have given you a killer deal on it! I won't use it again...can't trust it in the rain. If I am going to have to waterproof my detector, I'm going to go with one of the big names.
 
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Lots of positive thoughts on the TPX coming in... like I said, I really wanted to like that one.
How about a negative? Mine lasted about 5 hours. Purchased new, first rain cooked it. It's been in the box ever since. They will warranty it, but I have never sent it back. I'll never use it again...can't trust it...so pointless to have a new one in a box vs. a broken one. I'll probably send it out sometime. Maybe. I've heard from too many people after it happened to mine who had problems in the rain.
 
OP
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How about a negative? Mine lasted about 5 hours. Purchased new, first rain cooked it. It's been in the box ever since. They will warranty it, but I have never sent it back. I'll never use it again...can't trust it...so pointless to have a new one in a box vs. a broken one. I'll probably send it out sometime. Maybe. I've heard from too many people after it happened to mine who had problems in the rain.
Man, that sucks to have a $300 paper weight! That is the main selling point to the TPX, even if it never found a bogey it sure as hell shouldn't ever leak! That's a big "con".
 

SupraSabre

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I bought one to go to Canada back in 99 to go pick up a bike. I might have saved me one ticket, haven't used them since! I haven't had a ticket either, since November 1975.
 
OP
OP
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I bought one to go to Canada back in 99 to go pick up a bike. I might have saved me one ticket, haven't used them since! I haven't had a ticket either, since November 1975.
I made it from 1999 to 2013 without one. I researched the small little SC town that got me and It has a population of 95 people with something like 80% of the towns yearly budget coming from speeding tickets. Wish I could remember the name of it so I could tell you guys to either slow down there or avoid it all together! It was somewhere between Charleston and Myrtle Beach if that helps. I wouldn't have even been there but I forgot to change my GPS off of "avoid highways"!
 
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