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"Best" Radar Detector ???

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Old 01-19-2023, 07:53 PM
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HorsePower Junkie
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Default "Best" Radar Detector ???

"Best" Radar Detector ???

Have any of you tried any of the best radar dectors out there, and found that you like one over the others better than all the rest??

Which one did you settle down with that you thought was the best one available ??

What was it that made you pick the one you thought was the best?

Thanks



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Old 01-19-2023, 08:29 PM
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Not sure if it's the best, but I went with a Uniden R7. I like the range it offered, the directional indicator (front, side or rear) and felt for the price, it was a good fit. I also like the ability to "remember" locations so it mutes itself. There are a few "radar signs" on my way to work (sign that displays your speed and flashes of you're very the posted limit). I do use it WITH Waze, and have been extremely happy with it.
Old 01-19-2023, 08:32 PM
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If you have time, go to YouTube. Quite a few video reviews and tests of the latest and greatest radar detectors.
Old 01-19-2023, 08:42 PM
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I've used a uniden drf7 for three years now and it works great. No false alarms whatsoever when you set the filters properly. The range is extremely good as you always have time to slow down. It's less than $200 which makes it a bargain. It's not rated as unidirectional yet it picks up radar from behind. It just doesn't have the arrows to show where it's from which I think is overrated. The majority of police use the Ka band so when it goes off you can be sure it is real. One time I spotted a cop and the detector went off at the last second and that is because he was using laser. But I believe it only works if the cop is standing still. I drive from NY to Florida several times a year and 99% of the time they are using the Ka band.
Old 01-19-2023, 08:46 PM
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Originally Posted by HorsePower Junkie
"Best" Radar Detector ???

Have any of you tried any of the best radar dectors out there, and found that you like one over the others better than all the rest??

Which one did you settle down with that you thought was the best one available ??

What was it that made you pick the one you thought was the best?

Thanks



.
Hey there. I personally use a Valentine1, and have been very happy with it over the years. Not perfect, but it's stood the test of time. I'd recommend checking out this YouTube channel. Tons of info and head-to-head comparisons across all price/feature ranges.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Wl54uiIq-I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIXhBrQIWF8


Last edited by xp800; 01-19-2023 at 09:07 PM. Reason: Added content
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Old 01-19-2023, 08:54 PM
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Mako72
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Been running the Valentines for years. Currently on the V1 version 2s. Very happy with them.
I had high hopes for the Radenso Theia but got tired of waiting for it. Don't know if it ever made it to market.
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Old 01-19-2023, 09:30 PM
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Uniden R7 for me. I used to use the Valentine One but prefer the GPS on the R7. Both are great options.
Old 01-19-2023, 09:38 PM
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Ron Short
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I run a valentine but it and the uniden are top choices.

https://www.vortexradar.com
Old 01-19-2023, 09:51 PM
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LT4CMG
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Uniden in vette tapped to the onstar for power, escort in the camaro. Have been ticket-free, knock on wood.
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Old 01-20-2023, 12:42 AM
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Escort MAX 3620C Great luck so far, saved me more than once + if you have in car network it can utilize that as well. I would also run Waze in conjunction with detector. Whatever you get, mount it with a blendmount + powertap very clean looking



Old 01-20-2023, 07:40 AM
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Another one of these?

You will find what always gets said here. There are a few big names out there that people like and stick with. Some have arrows, some don't. Some like the arrows, some don't. Some have,as mentioned GPS and remember so they can auto-mute. Some, like me, prefer not to have it auto-mute. One thing about the auto-mute function is this. I have a V1 (Valentine) and it also has a counter of separate receivers that it is receiving. There have been more that one occasion, for me, and there are many others as well, that have passe what they thought was the radar source only to find that the counter was higher than one and there was one more cop awaiting. There are also stories where people pass a standing "speed sign" only to get past that and find there is a cop running radar at the same time. The counter that is on the V1 will tell you that you are not alone.

I have had my V1 for years and have upgraded it a couple times. Putting that in the new vette was the first thing I did.
Old 01-20-2023, 08:25 AM
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Uniden R7 tapped into my review mirror for power and mounted underneath.
Old 01-20-2023, 10:03 AM
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I use the Uniden R8 mounted to the rearview mirror with a Blendmount. I upgraded from a Uniden R3 which I ran for years. The R8 has increased long distance capability and directional arrows that the R3 didn't have. Uniden provides semi-frequent firmware updates.

RDForum.org is an excellent resource for all brands of radar detectors, laser jammers, etc.
Vortex Radar on Youtube is also an excellent resource. You can also check out his website at vortexradar.com

Good luck,
Mick
Old 01-20-2023, 10:45 AM
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Originally Posted by HorsePower Junkie
"Best" Radar Detector ???

Have any of you tried any of the best radar dectors out there, and found that you like one over the others better than all the rest??

Which one did you settle down with that you thought was the best one available ??

What was it that made you pick the one you thought was the best?.
My BlendMounted and MirrorTapped Uniden R3 is a few years old, but still works great. It's saved me from costly tickets countless times. Notably, Uniden posted the latest firmware and database updates last week, so support remains good.

When I shopped detectors several years ago, I found resources/info at Vortex Radar very helpful. Good luck!
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Old 01-20-2023, 10:50 AM
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saleen556
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I have the Uniden R8 in my DD. A great detector and quiet. Upgraded from the R7 and an R3 prior to that. I run a V1 Gen2 in my Corvette along with the V1 driver app. I like to get the notifications through the speakers as I have a hard time hearing with the stereo on and top down.
Old 01-20-2023, 10:53 AM
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Uniden R8 Has arrows to know if the radar is front, back, or to the side. Has a counter so you can tell if you're being ganged up on. Excellent range. Can mute (front button) or remember to have the R8 mute known radar signal locations.

When I was in the Army, I was in ELINT. Knowing where the signal was originating from was very important then and it's important to me now. Old habits die hard.


Elmer
Old 01-20-2023, 01:12 PM
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Yeah the Escort MAX 360c has the direction arrows too.. pretty cool when your out flying around to know generally where it is. As long as you go with name brand they are all expensive boxes you hopefully will work when you need it. When I was younger I always said I don't need a Radar Detector I just need a Kleenex box painted black with a little led that randomly goes off every few minutes to keep my grounded in reality

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Old 01-20-2023, 01:56 PM
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I already have a dashcam installed using a Blendmount bracke, and adding another device such as a radar detector (RD) up-front was unattractive to me. Therefore, I installed a remote mounted radar detector. For me, that was BEST. They are more expensive and require more labor to install than a windshield mount detector.

A Blendmount bracket for mounting most RD is desirable, because in many States it is illegal to mount any third party products directly onto the windshield.



Old 01-20-2023, 02:02 PM
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I must have missed the memo on the Uniden being a good detector. I have always used Escorts Bels. The Escort Passport 8500 is a good one
Old 01-20-2023, 02:11 PM
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There is no "Best" RADAR Detector. They all have pluse and minus.

In my break down, the Valentine, Uniden, and the ESCORT were the top on my list.

In my opinion, after watching the Vortex YouTubes, the Valentine was first rate, but, was more interactive than I wanted to be. It was very adaptable.

The Uniden R8 was outstanding, with great long range protection. It was a little bit more interactive than I wanted.

I eventually went with the Escort Redline 360c, because, it was more a setup and forget platform, which is what I was looking for.

I did use a Blendmount mirror adapter. It is clean and works well. jmho
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