Radar detectors

[John H2]

I'm ready to buy one (for the first time). Does anyone have experience with the newer models from Beltronics ( the STi), or the Escort 9500i ? They are more expensive, better? do we need it?
John

 

[StOhio]

I have an Escort 8500X50. The 9500 has a GPS chip that "remembers" where false alarms occured and the frequency of it, and where speed traps are that you've told it. Odd you bring this up though. I just got a friendly reminder in the mail from the Great State of Ohio that I currently enjoy 6 points on my record. Would be more but tickets in Michigan don't count for points. I drive about 140 miles roundtrip everyday to work, and it's only a matter of time before I get them. Radar detectors don't do a thing against 'instant on" radar, and CB's do no good on sparsly traveled SR's that I drive on. Curves and crests are a speeders worst enemy. I feel no ill will towards our law enforcment folk, they got me fair and square. Although I know there are bigger problems in my community(ie. drugs, sexual predators etc.) that have to be a higher priority than someone doing 65 in a 55. Oh well, you takes your medicine.

 

[electrajoe]

The radar detector is not foolproof, I got ticketed with my Escort 8500 on, must have been instant-on . A young trooper, probably just out of advanced radar operations and techniques class. Wonder why they gave him a Camero.

However the Escort has probably save me at least 50 times in the last 50K miles. When they trigger down the road in front of you, you will GENERALLY get some warning bleeps. The one ticket you don't get pays for the detector. Every little bit helps.

I have an ST1100 , and don't exceed the posted limits (sure.)

 

[jahoobob]

Can't vouch for the current crop of detectors but I bought an orginal Passport about 20 years ago and it stays on all the time in my car, even with the ignition off and it still detects. A friend has one a little older than mine and it just bought the farm last month.

 

[Ashalina]

See this thread: https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22100

 

[Torch]

There's The Valentine one,nuff said!!!!!

 

[MAC_JD]

After BygDawg headed south and I headed home (he had a detector I did not), I picked up a Beltronics Vector 995 at a Pilot Truck stop in Nebraska for $150 dollars. Wasn't selling so they marked it down. You might check a local truck stop for a deal.

JD

 

[MLRickards]

There's The Valentine one,nuff said!!!!!

+1 on the Valentine 1. Have had mine for years and it's especially useful on the motorcycle. Not foolproof, but has saved me a lot of money and uncomfortable conversations with LEOs

 

[Tidrick]

+2 on the V1. I have owned 3 different Bel products, have friends who have owned Escorts of different vintages over the years. V1 for my money!

and... they are upgradeable!

 

[nm6r]

You need to ask yourself how you are going to be alerted. Having to look at a small display of a radar detector won't work. You will either need a visual alert added to your helmet or on the dash or an audible alert heard in your helmet comm system. I feel the visuals are a distraction and some of them eat up batteries like crazy. I opted for a radar detector that talks to me in plain english and the signal strength is read by the speed of the beeps. You also need to ask yourself where the radar detector will reside on your ST. I have mine in the fairing pocket with the antenna behind the plastic of the front fairing. I never have to take it off to avoid theft or wet weather.

Ray

 

[pretbek]

I opted for a radar detector that talks to me in plain english and the signal strength is read by the speed of the beeps.
Ray

So which detector do you have?

 

[Medicine Bear]

Ray, you make a lot of sense. I have a few questions. What detector did you settle on? Does the heat in the pocket have any effect (I suppose not since you are still parking it there)? Did you do anything to the RD to insulate it from the heat? And, lastly, how are you getting the voice from it into your helmet?

Fred

 

[nm6r]

I'm using a Whistler Pro-3450 2-piece radar detector. I needed to put a jack on the optional voice unit so I could pipe the audio into my Autocom. I found the fairing pocket never gets any hotter than 135 degrees. I carry my microfiber towel in the same pocket so I'm sure it's insulating some of the heat from the unit.

There are many choices for radar detectors that have audio outputs, several of which will speak in plain english. I haven't shopped for a radar detector recently but the choices for 2-piece units were limited.

Ray

 

[pointpergame]

I plan to go the speed limit on my first US tour. After that I'm taking the Valentine out of the WRX.

Unless things have changed in 3 years, there's no comparison to the Valentine. Or have I missed something?