Is it worth it to get a radar detector

[LAKERS333]

Was thinking of buying the Passport 9500ix.

Would it possibly save you from tickets? I know it doesn't work with Lidar which many highway patrol's use these days.

Just wasn't sure if its worth spending $400.

[jj913]

Yes. I definitely get more radar alerts than lidar. Lidar you actually need a cop to specifically target you. Radar can be a sweeping thing he sets up while he bums.

Saves me from the "oh shit" moments when I blow past a hidden cop. If he's got radar on.

ALPs are the best laser jammers. Fronts only 600ish, front and back 1k ish.

[tcpsoft]

Originally Posted by LAKERS333

Was thinking of buying the Passport 9500ix.

Would it possibly save you from tickets? I know it doesn't work with Lidar which many highway patrol's use these days.

Just wasn't sure if its worth spending $400.

Possibly, yes. Always, no. If it saves you once, it's worth the $400 and if you get a ticket with it, you more than likely would have gotten that ticket without it.

Use it as another tool along with your eyes and common sense. Drive as if you didn't have a RD and you're off to a great start.

[yaymitch]

Yes, it's worth it IMO. The cost of the unit is cheap if you avoid two or more tickets. It also depends on whether you drive over the speed limit often, which of course I never do. Plus, most counties and towns typically don't choose to afford Laser.

[jj913]

Don't know what state you guys are in but cost of just one ticket, with points, plus insurance rate increase in NY would easily set me back 1-3k. (Each car)

[sdshah]

Passport max and eyes. You should be good. Lidar gun maybe but he will be sending off a Ka band to sweep.

Laser jammers are cool if you are Jeff Gordon or rich.

[cays]

I find the most useful feature of the 9500ix to be its GPS-enabled database of photo/speed/redlight cameras as well as known speed traps. Knowing when an intersection has a redlight camera prepares you for a short yellow (and yes, it seems almost all the intersections I go through with a RLC have distinctly shorter yellowlight cycles). As the previous poster pointed out, the true cost of even a single moving violation these days is generally well over $1k.

[tonydt1g3r]

Got my escort smart radar for $150. Been working well

[Wah]

In the last 5 years I've owned an M3/M4, I've gotten 3 speeding tickets. All of them were in my SUVs that do not have radar detectors. I drive a lot faster and more often in the M. I've never been busted for speeding in my M (knock on wood). I'd say my V1 has saved my ass many times, and it has paid for itself several times over.

[Voodi]

I've never been a speed demon but driving a M comes a heavier foot so I bought one and it has saved me a couple times for sure.

[Mr. Hankey]

My V1 has saved me 5-10K easily since 2003, one of those things that just works (so well we have one in every car). Unfortunately just got my first ticket ever 4th of July weekend...plane in the air timing people...no jamming that!

[Ian1973]

Well I just got a minor ticket that cost me 193 bucks in fines and surcharges, that means approximately 2 tickets over years will pay off a detector. I can not even put into words how many times mine has saved me from all sorts of speeding tickets.

Don't skimp, buy the absolutely best you can as you want to trust it to save you.

[Xerxes480]

Yes an RD is worth it. Throw in some common sense and the Waze app and you're good to go!

-X-

[Mr. Hankey]

+1 on Waze

[LAKERS333]

Ok so overwhelming number of people recommend them, so my next question is I guess which one?

Seems like a lot of people have the V1 but would like something a lil more updated. Let me know what you guys recommend.

Passport 9500ix- red or blue one? I hear that blue is sometimes hard to see in day.. Is that true?

Redline?
Max2?

[Mr. Hankey]

They are all excellent. Problem with V1 is once you get used to the arrows telling you which direction the threat is coming from, you won't want to go back. My friend has a passport that is sensitive but just beeps at you...over 50% of those signals will be crap that could be sorted out quickly with the arrows. I have my V1 coded for european spec with custom sweeps of the Ka band. Its extremely sensitive (1.5 miles on highways, 1 mile predictably even where hilly). I can turn K band off and on by holding the button for 3 seconds. X band off all the time. If you want jamming thats a completely other story and where I drew the line...if they get me with the V1 then they get me. Been driving "spiritedly" with a V1 since 2003 and just got my first ticket 2 weeks ago - Staties had a censna in the air at 5000 feet timing cars, and there were 10 staties waiting to wave people over...they ran this system all day, I was one of over 200 people pulled over. V1, Escort, Redline, max2, 9500 would not have saved any of us. Interesting thing was this was within 10 miles of the airport so seeing the plane circling is a regular occurrence in that area.

[ersin]

Originally Posted by rhk118

I have my V1 coded for european spec with custom sweeps of the Ka band. Its extremely sensitive (1.5 miles on highways, 1 mile predictably even where hilly). I can turn K band off and on by holding the button for 3 seconds. X band off all the time.

You need to get the V1 Connection or V1 Connection LE (for iPhones) and pair it with a smart phone to do this as well as other nifty stuff. With an Android get the YaV1 app instead of the V1 app for a really nice experience.

Originally Posted by rhk118

If you want jamming thats a completely other story and where I drew the line...if they get me with the V1 then they get me.

Jammers can work when set up correctly. Results depend on where you are, what type of laser they use, what type of jammer you get and using it properly.

Originally Posted by rhk118

Been driving "spiritedly" with a V1 since 2003 and just got my first ticket 2 weeks ago - Staties had a censna in the air at 5000 feet timing cars, and there were 10 staties waiting to wave people over...they ran this system all day, I was one of over 200 people pulled over. V1, Escort, Redline, max2, 9500 would not have saved any of us.

A PCAS (Portable traffic Collision Avoidance System, basically a small TCAS) could have saved you ...

Originally Posted by rhk118

Interesting thing was this was within 10 miles of the airport so seeing the plane circling is a regular occurrence in that area.

... but probably not in this situation. However, a radio scanner and/or CB radio might have helped.


Cheers,

Ersin

[F83]

I have an Escort Max II. It saved my bacon the very first weekend I had it. So yeah, if you have a heavy foot, worth it.

[ersin]

I have an Valentine 1. It has been saving my bacon since 1992. So yeah, worth it.


Cheers.

[Mr. Hankey]

Originally Posted by ersin

A PCAS (Portable traffic Collision Avoidance System, basically a small TCAS) could have saved you ...

Wow! That's hardcore, didn't know they existed...now I just need some sharks with friggin' lasers on their heads!

[ersin]

Originally Posted by rhk118

...now I just need some sharks with friggin' lasers on their heads!

Get those and nothing else matters.


Cheers.

[LAKERS333]

I just ordered the Escort 9500ix from Costco.com, they have them on sale through end of July for $349. Not a bad price I thought...

I'm sure it will be a great unit.