which Radar Laser Detector is best / good enough for the $?

Question

i was looking at the

Cobra 9730 for $115
vs
the Escort Passport with blue display for $280

I also have tinted windows is the cobra good enough? anyone have it with tints?

I mostly drive NY NJ areas

Answer 1

If you can afford it, I would suggesst going with the Valentine One. It's the best detector that money can buy. ( it's about 450 ).

Answer 2

Consider the Valentine One. In all the comparision tests with the other major brands (Cobra, escort) it continuously beats it. Check it out. Even a used one with a return policy just in case. I don't know if tinted windows will make any significant impact on any radar - that's a new one to me.

Answer 3

To me the best bang for your bunch radar detector is the BEL 955, for $179 at RadarBusters.com. The BEL 955 is not the best but it is certainly up there with the top 3 radar detectors [Escort 8500 X50($300), BEL RX65 ($329.99), and Valentine 1($400)] I personally have a BEL Vector 995($270) and Valentine 1($400) and their is only a slight difference in detection range. I like both detectors equally due to their unique features.

The BEST radar detector is relative to the features you like/need.....There are 5 radar detectors with equal performance in most respects and will save you tickets contrary to what some will tell you. The Top 5 radar detectors are (in no specific order) the:
BEL RX65
BEL STi
Escort 8500 X50
Escort 9500i
Valentine 1

I personally use the Valentine 1 as well as the BEL vector 995 both have saved me huge fines when dealing with police radar. But for dealing with Laser you really needs a laser jammer (illegal in some states) I use a Blinder M20 and Anti-Laser laser jammers on my Volvo along with VEIL stealth coating and LaserShield plate cover.

For those that say a radar detector is just a ticket notifier obviously don't have experience with a top level detector. Ask any of my friends that ride in my car. My detectors both sniff out cops easily and give me plenty of time to slow down when usually going 10-15mph over the limit.

For test results of pretty much all laser jammers and radar detectors....Check out these links:
http://guysoflidar.com/testing.html
http://www.laserveil.com/radardetectorsbuyersguide/
http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detector-performance/
To see videos of these stealth measures in action go here
http://www.radardetector.net/viewforum.php?f=20

Radar detectors are only illegal in Virginia and Washington DC.

Answer 4

Valentine all the way. With its directional arrows (showing signals from the front, sides or rear), you get a really good feeling of what is going on around you.

Yes it is pricy. But I have had one since the last ticket I got and have avoided many speed traps in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, etc....

In fact, it paid for itself the first day I installed it and tried it out. Having just installed it, I was driving out the subdivision onto the main drag. As I approached the stop sign I usually coasted through, it started to kick up the signal. Thinking I had installed it wrong, I stopped, turned it off/on. Just then, a local policeman was driving past me. Had it not gone off, I would have run that stop sign (as I had done many times for many years).

Answer 5

I have the cobra and while using it I got pulled over twice in the same week. Those are the only two times I have been caught. I recommend not using a detector at all. I think that they are detectable.