Cheapo Radar Detectors

It may false all of the time. I wouldn't trust it. It seems the more you spend for radar the better the protection. I just woudn't speed for this trip. Whoops, erase that. I always speed. Just don't get caught. By a $40 gun instead. You can't be arrested if you're the only one standing.

 

$40? nah, put it towards the cost of defensive driving. while some might say the cheapos work, I will contest them side by side with the V1. false all the time means you just get no where, or you get caught more often if they do not sound off in time. save up for the V1, even though it's 10x's more.

 

Jordan,

I don't know anything about the detector you are describing. I would think it would be worth a try though. First, you said it was at Bestbuy. I think they have a pretty liberal return policy. If they do, what's the harm? Second, I don't think the technology has changed that much. I remember when my father purchased a calculator for $300.00. Now they give them away. I would think this radar detector technology is very inexpensive.

Just watch out for speed cameras, planes, road timing devices, laser.....etc.

 

If it came down to "cheap-o" detectors, Beltronics is the only label I would consider.

California Highway Patrol uses the Stalker Dual radar unit that blasts a powerful signal of Ka.

Some of the earlier and low end Bells false, but the 'Autoscan' feature on the Vectors do very nice around town and let you know when CHP is on the side of the road.

Check out Circuit City, The Good Guys

 

I agree... this technology is old and easy. Cheep ones now days are pretty good. you get more stuff with expensive ones but are they really necessary? I mean, Who cares which direction the cop is shooting you from? It's the fact that he is close in any direction that cautions you to slow down. Do you really care where he is, just as long as you get by him safely and continue on speeding as you were.

 

Personally, I feel it is necessary. Like I stated above, you'll either get false readings or lack of readings. The technology hasn't changed much, but comparing it to a calculator is a bit difficult to compare. But since that's the route - take the calculator some 25 years ago. Quite a bit different than the ones that we have today and how they are used, right?

Side note - the guy who invented some specific chip that makes the calculator possible was my neighbor in Dallas. He worked for TI at the time. Smarter than the average bear, and difficult to communicate with. His wife used to drive me around in her vette at the time. This was back in the late 70's/early 80's though. Being young at the time, it was still a treat, even though I couldn't see over the dash back then.

 

Try it out, you can always exersize the Best Buy's 30-day satisfaction guarantee privilege.

 

Sort of like manufacturer seconds on condoms; or cheap motorcycle helmets. Why?

 

I've got a cheap colbra 9850 ($50 ebay) and it seems to work just fine. Sure I don't pick something up from 2 miles away, but if you are going that fast your going to get nailed. Second thing to consider, in this day and age most departments are switching over to laser. People claim that laser decteors work and in fact they do, but it just gives you enough warning to pull over before the cop turns his lights on. Laser readings are far to accurate and pin point to have enough warning to slow down.

 

JORDAN

ILL SELL YOU MY FUZZBUSTER FOR 30.00 .............


IT DOES PICK UP X AND K BANDS TOO.........

 

I got a Sensoro detector from Costco last year for $90-something. It detects laser/K/Ka/X bands. It performs alright and is a bit more prone to false alarms. But, there are settings to adjust for false alarms, so it's OK.

The best part about it is it's CORDLESS! It works off 2 AA batteries.

 

two questions: do you ever wonder, "is it the batteries?!" and do you ever keep a spare pair of AA's in the glovebox just in case?

 

I guess you mean false alarms because it's running low on batteries? Actually, it beeps differently and the low-battery LED will flash for a few seconds. Yes, I do keep a pair of spare AA's just in case.

But, I don't use it in the Ferrari. The Ferrari gets V1 treatment. The Sensoro stays in my van.

 

I would be inclined to get a better quality one. The cheap ones may work..but the lower sensitivity, and or/false alarms may lull you into not paying proper attention to your driving.

If you have a friend riding with you, it is always helpful to have them looking ahead with a pair of binoculars...at least it gives them something to do...