I have been running a cheap Cobra in my truck for the past 7 years. It works ok, but I am sure there are better things. I wanted something cheap to put in the car, and picked up a Cobra 787 at Walmart for like $40 (on sale). Upon returning home, I find that the thing gets horrible reviews and its pretty much useless. Now, I'll run it and see if its at least as good as my older Cobra, we will see.

In the meantime, what are some good ones under $100? I wish I could bump up to $150 so I can get the refurb Escort 8500 but its not in the cards now.

2/3/2011 10:58:21 PM

a heavily used V1 or Escort 85xx/95xx

your eyes

your right foot

[Edited on February 3, 2011 at 11:02 PM. Reason : only radar detectors worth using]

2/3/2011 10:59:47 PM

No.

Don't waste your time.

If you're going to get a detector, it's pointless to get one that sucks. Get an 8500 at a minimum.



Also, I'm pretty sure that you will not find a V1 anywhere for $100. Used V1s hold their value ridiculously...I bought mine new because the used ones just weren't worth it.

2/3/2011 11:03:26 PM

nope, there aren't.

2/3/2011 11:07:12 PM

What are the differences in the 7500 and the 8500 Escort?

2/3/2011 11:24:14 PM

$400 v1

/thread

2/3/2011 11:34:33 PM

Cheap radar detectors will give you false confidence and a ticket.

I just speed smart... i follow someone going fast at about a 1/4 mile distance if possible.

2/4/2011 6:18:23 AM

just like everyone else said, no.

find a best buy employee and get an 8500/9500 for $50-$100 off retail

[Edited on February 4, 2011 at 7:34 AM. Reason : .]

2/4/2011 7:34:41 AM

Quote :

"What are the differences in the 7500 and the 8500 Escort?"

The 7500 was pretty good in its day. CarZin had one and it saved him quite a few tickets.

2/4/2011 11:38:26 AM

V1 of bust

2/4/2011 12:12:06 PM

I found a 7500 used on ebay for like $60 shipped, I my just pick that up. Hell, apparently I have been driving with a pos for the past 7 years, god knows what I can do with a decent detector.

2/4/2011 12:26:49 PM

I foresee a ticket in your future. A bad one.


On a side note, I've owned 2 passport 8500 x50's. Liked them, but I think i'm going to try a V1 next.

[Edited on February 4, 2011 at 1:04 PM. Reason : .]

2/4/2011 1:01:24 PM

I had a 7500 for years and years until it started acting really weird and giving me all kinds of false alarms. I finally had to retire it. I have an Escort RedLine now. That thing is great. The range on it is insane. I would highly recommended, though its not exactly <100$

2/4/2011 1:30:00 PM

radar detectors you do not want to cheap out on; bite the bullet and spend the extra cash for a minimum Escort Passport 8500 x50. if you want to go high-end, there is the V1 and the Passport 9500ix or Redline. ask for it as a gift for birthday or take money from selling other things to purchase a much better, higher quality detector.

also depending where you drive the most, radar detectors will not save you from laser, regardless of them having laser sensing capabilities.

2/4/2011 1:44:39 PM

^^I dont drive like a mad man, usually 5-10 over. Mostly its for protection on my country roads in Franklin County where the local cops act like Highway Patrol for anyone going 1 over. This, and when I drive 540 in the am I like to run 75 instead of the posted 65.

I picked up the 7500, and a direct wire cord. If it fits the bill for now, then great. If not, then I'll just pick up a refurb 8500. You guys forget, I have been completely happy with a crappy Cobra for the past 7 years.

2/4/2011 2:24:29 PM

I love how tight of a grip the radar detector industry has on people. I find it hard to believe that basic X, K, and Ka detection has evolved that much over the years. A Passport 7500 worked pretty damn well a decade ago. I assure you it didn't work any less when the 8500 came out. Likewise the 8500 doesn't work any less well now that the 8500 X50 and 9500 models are out.

The only reason I bought an 8500 back in the day was because I was so impressed by the 7500.

[Edited on February 4, 2011 at 2:39 PM. Reason : s]

2/4/2011 2:34:03 PM

Quote :

"I dont drive like a mad man, usually 5-10 over. Mostly its for protection on my country roads in Franklin County where the local cops act like Highway Patrol for anyone going 1 over. This, and when I drive 540 in the am I like to run 75 instead of the posted 65."

If that's a description of how and where you drive you don't need a radar detector. Any ticket for less than 10 over is either going to get thrown out or reduced to the point where it makes no difference on your insurance. Unless you drive 15+ over on the reg this is a waste of money.

2/4/2011 3:14:48 PM

I've had a $30 Cobra for about 6 years now. I haven't gotten a ticket, and it has alerted me in time to slow down when I've been hauling ass many times. I don't speed all the time, and I don't rely on it very much, but it has saved me several tickets.

2/4/2011 5:16:58 PM

Bump.

I was looking at picking up a used Passport 8500 x50 blue. Just curious - since this is an old detector, do I need to worry about it being outdated or having to upgrade its firmware or should it work well enough? I seem to recall V1's having SW version codes and everyone always asking about them.

11/17/2011 1:12:28 AM

Quote :

"If that's a description of how and where you drive you don't need a radar detector. Any ticket for less than 10 over is either going to get thrown out or reduced to the point where it makes no difference on your insurance. Unless you drive 15+ over on the reg this is a waste of money."

Pretty much.

I will stand by my V1 all day and night long. That thing is awesome and was $400 well spent. I hear the escort 8500 series is awesome as well. This is one of those things, like everyone else has said, either pay big or don't pay at all and unless you speed excessively (I'd say 11+ mph on the regular), I wouldn't worry.

11/17/2011 1:37:29 AM

I worked the hell out of an 8500 (non-X50 model) for several years. It worked great.

I'd get around a mile warning out of it when cops sat on the side of the road with their radar on waiting for someone to come by. On I-40 and similar type roads you might see a lot of "Instant On" radar being used by the HP, but there were usually enough cars within sight being clocked for me to pick up some advanced warning and slow down. On country roads and roads like US-1 that pass through small towns you'd be surprised how many of the sheriffs/local cops are just sitting there with their radar on all day. You'd pick them up close to a mile away a lot of times and just watch the signal get stronger as you approach.

You'd also be surprised how few of the cops you pass actually check your speed.

11/17/2011 9:56:33 AM

Quote :

"I was looking at picking up a used Passport 8500 x50 blue. Just curious - since this is an old detector, do I need to worry about it being outdated or having to upgrade its firmware or should it work well enough? I seem to recall V1's having SW version codes and everyone always asking about them."

i would look into possibly sending it to Escort to get it checked out and calibrated if necessary, esp if it is used. there is a fee involved but dont know how much off-hand.

11/17/2011 10:00:32 AM

Wait, you want to pay less than 1 speeding ticket for a devise that if it works right should save you from a bunch??


Pay attention while you drive and ave your $100 for a speeding ticket.

11/17/2011 4:37:58 PM