What radar/laser detectors have you owned since your 1st RD

[Audi Quattro]

This should be a fun drive down memory lane.

this is my list.....

Valentine $400
Passport 8500 $275 x2= $550.00
Bel V995 $299.00 (best buy and dont even say it...lol) ( CURRENT )
Passport 8500 $100 (craigslist and sitting in glovebox)
Whistler 1780R (cordless) $100 but took it back to radio shack

Older Units.

Misc. Bel Vector's
Bel Vector 3
Other bel's (too long ago to remember)
Misc. unidens
1-2 Cobra's

2 Radio shack units back in the day.

[Arashi666]

Im 20 years old, and my first and only RD is my CURRENT RD.......... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Sorry to rain on your parade man, I just had to say it

[Audi Quattro]

in 15 or so years and just remember my post here and think...damn how many radar detectors and how much have I spent on this addiction. You have a fine 1st RLD as your partner...Enjoy.

[WRC]

Im 20 years old, and my first and only RD is my CURRENT RD.......... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Sorry to rain on your parade man, I just had to say it

x2, same age and same rd :lol:

[Arashi666]

in 15 or so years and just remember my post here and think...*BEEP* how many radar detectors and how much have I spent on this addiction. You have a fine 1st RLD as your partner...Enjoy.

I love it, I wasnt going to be a dumb Highschool kid with a Cobra going 30 over all the time, I was going to spend my money right the FIRST time, with the most expensive thing I could get my hands on.also the one my buddy also had and I saw every day :D :D and even so I never break like 15 over unless im REALLY PI$$ED

all in all, ive had it for a year, and NEVER looked back

[glockman30]

Original Escort
Original Passport
Escort DSP
Whistler Spectrum III SE
Escort 4500
Escort 4600
Escort 5000
Escort 6800
Bel 980
Bel rx55
Valentine One x2
Passport 8500
Passport 8500 x50
Bel RX-65

I am sure there were others I can't remember or too embarrassed to admit I owned. :D

[kpatz]

Maxon Micro Trouncer (X, K only), 1988, was a piece o'cr@p and then got stolen

Micronta Road Patrol XK, 1989-1991, X and K only, nice detector for its time, saved me many times

Uniden Stalker, don't remember the model, but it had "wideband" Ka and laser, 1991-1997.

Bel Vector STi, 1997-2000, had great sensitivity but had an annoying tendency to false. Drove over it with my car and got a V1 next.

V1, 1.7, 2000-2004, worked great but threw "E" codes after jump-starting my car one time (fried a chip).

V1, 1.8 (3.813), 2004-present, currently in use

Escort 8500 X50 red, 2005-present, currently in use (usually keep in wife's car)

[laserblaster]

my first detecetor was a snooper sd815i which we had in 1998.

and over the years i've studied detectors and i know whats what, so i got a valentine this year, its not really for the radar i brought it for, its for the laser detection.

[Space Wrangler]

1. Whistler Radar Eye (non superhet. Kleenex box size)
2. Original Cobra Trapshooter (modeled after and performed like an original Escort)
3. Second generation Whistler Spectrum
4. Original Passport (I also had a Cincinnati microwave add on laser detector attached to this)
5. Second Generation Escort (last of the Cincinnati Microwave ones also with "add-on" laser device attached)
6. Second generation V1 with laser (had two of these which I upgraded/traded to the following two)
7. V1 3.821 (updated to 3.826)
8. V1 3.824 (updated to 3.826)
9. Bel 895
10. I have just purchased an original Fuzzbuster as a curio

I still own the last four.

[DogGod]

Walmart $40 Whistler
Walmart $80 Whistler
Walmart Cobra (sucked so I gave it to my ex :twisted: )
Best Buy $100 Cobra (sucked so I sold it to some kid at school)
After this cobra I joined this site, then bought my V1
Valentine 1 1.7 2.909 (great RD sold it for my 3.851)
Valentine 1 1.8 3.851

After seeing the light of the top 3 RD's I will never go back.

[f_399]

1. $40 Cobra- SOLD
2. $75 Cobra- SOLD
3. Red Passport 8500 X50- SOLD
4. V1 3.824- Upgraded
5. V1 3.825- Upgraded
6. V1 3.826- SOLD
7. Passport 8500 (non X50)- BACKUP
8. V1 3.851

[Switchback]

26 years of owning an RD, with several years without one, wow

first, the fuzzbuster of course
then the trapshooter,
Some uniden 360 laser deal with a remote rear laser sensor
Now the V-1

[Joe Diver]

My first was a gift from my dad...when he bought an Escort:

1981 - Fuzzbuster in my '79 6.6...black box with a cone shaped light and made a haunting "oooooooohhhhh" sound. Sammy Hagar's "Standing Hampton" in the 8 Track....

1983 - Dad gave me his Escort, my first "real" detector.

Whistler
Cobra (I usually don't admit to owning these 2)
Bel 840i
Bel 985
Valentine One (still have)
Escort X50 Blue - testing out.

[hookem202]

Well im 19 and i have own all these. Some a few days,some a few months. The two i was most satisfied was my x50<red> and V1<3.851>.
I guess im addicted to this hobby and have to try almost everything and always have to have the best. :!:

V1 3.851 after selling on one on ebay. $400
Bel Rx-65 Rev M4 6.1 $300
Escort x50 "Blue" $300
Escort x50 "Red" $300
V1 3.819 upgraded to 3,826 $400
Whistler Pro 73 $140
Whistler Pro 58 $99
Bel Rx-65 rev. 3.6 $329
Bel 895 $199
Bel Vector 965 $229
Radio Shack $119
Cobra 9700 $120
Cobra esd 9210 $99 <<<<<Original RD>>>>>>>

[mattvr]

See Sig :)

[jdreynss]

The ones listed in my signature are all within the last 4 months, and about 3 years ago, I had a couple of cobras, and a whistler.

[GET 1T DONE]

I'd like to make a stipulation here...

In order to qualify as "OWNING" a radar detector, you have to have "OWNERSHIP" of it for longer than the 30 day "trial" / return period.
Otherwise I would just say you tried/have experience with the RD, because anyone can just order those detectors, play w/them for <30 days and return them since you aren't making any kind of commitment.

P.S. I despise some of you w/the "oh just purchase this RD or that RD, play w/it, then return it." Now some poor individuals end up thinking that they purchased a brand new RD when it's actually used because you guys wanted to test it, then returned it, and the manufacturer repackaged and sold it as new again probably. The fact is you guys may too have used goods thanks to others following your same "just try-and-return" approach. Sorry for the rant, haha.



With that said:

Whistler 1540 (1997-2006) - Christmas Gift (basically my introduction to RD's) ... ~$100 (only problem is that it detects X-band as K and vice versa... but sufficient protection nonetheless)
Whistler 1793SE (2006-present) - $100 (only complaint is the falses from Cobras :evil: )

[Joe Diver]

I'd like to make a stipulation here...

In order to qualify as "OWNING" a radar detector, you have to have "OWNERSHIP" of it for longer than the 30 day "trial" / return period.




Why? If you bought it, paid for it, took it home and started using it....you own it, regardless of any grace period in which you can return it.

[jdreynss]

I'd like to make a stipulation here...

In order to qualify as "OWNING" a radar detector, you have to have "OWNERSHIP" of it for longer than the 30 day "trial" / return period.




Why? If you bought it, paid for it, took it home and started using it....you own it, regardless of any grace period in which you can return it. X2

[GET 1T DONE]

I'm just saying... that kind of action does not fall under "ownership" in my sense of the word... That qualifies as "renting", "trying", etc.

You can't just go to a car dealership, buy a car, drive it around for <30 days, and then go back and say "here, nice car but I'm done playing w/it now" and expect to get your money back. Hell, why don't you just "purchase" all your electronic equipment, use it for a little bit, then return it before the grace period ends. Why not try a DLP TV, Plasma, RPTV, LCD, etc. etc. seeing which one looks best in your living room and gives the nicest picture?

I don't know... all I know is that renting/trying a RD is not "owning" one IMO. Though to each their own... whatever works for ya. I could care less... unless I'm the poor unknowing shmuck that ends up getting your sloppy seconds! :P haha

[Joe Diver]

Why not try a DLP TV, Plasma, RPTV, LCD, etc. etc. seeing which one looks best in your living room and gives the nicest picture?


Some folks do just that! It was especially bad around Superbowl...and now most stores have restrictions on big ticket TV's during that period.

[SmaartAasSaabr]

You can't just go to a car dealership, buy a car, drive it around for <30 days, and then go back and say "here, nice car but I'm done playing w/it now" and expect to get your money back.

Didn't Saturn use to do that?

[Joe Diver]

You can't just go to a car dealership, buy a car, drive it around for <30 days, and then go back and say "here, nice car but I'm done playing w/it now" and expect to get your money back.

Didn't Saturn use to do that?

Dodge does it now...but read the fine print...it's gonna cost ya $$$$!

[hookem202]

I'd like to make a stipulation here...

In order to qualify as "OWNING" a radar detector, you have to have "OWNERSHIP" of it for longer than the 30 day "trial" / return period.




Why? If you bought it, paid for it, took it home and started using it....you own it, regardless of any grace period in which you can return it.

X3

[GET 1T DONE]

You can't just go to a car dealership, buy a car, drive it around for <30 days, and then go back and say "here, nice car but I'm done playing w/it now" and expect to get your money back.

Didn't Saturn use to do that?

Dodge does it now...but read the fine print...it's gonna cost ya $$$$!
Yeah, 5% restocking fee on the MSRP. So $30,000 car = $1500 restocking fee! So that's like renting the car for $50/day (assuming you wait a month)... similar to rental car companies.

Just a little more than the, what, $5-10 shipping charge on a RD. But that's the price you pay for avoiding that immediate "commitment" when you purchase something these days.

That's why I don't look at the two scenarios in the same light and tried to suggest a distinction between ownership and "ownership" (aka renting IMO), haha.

[SmaartAasSaabr]

Restocking fee? Do they have to pack it in the box again or something? :lol:

[Orbital75]

In my 14 years of driving I've only owned 3 detectors. Each has served me well at that point and time. I believe that you learn over time and each step you make is considered progress. I really didn't know to much about detectors until I found this forum. This forum has educated me about what makes a good detector and makes a bad detector. When I had just started driving, I had heard that Escort made an outstanding detector but the price was way beyond what a 16 year old could afford. So, I turned to Whistler. I can't remember the make and model but I do remember it being one of the cheaper ones in the line up. I believe I may have paid $50 dollars for it at K-Mart ( This was way before Wal-Mart had become popular and one was on every corner ). The detector had X, K, and I believe KA. Laser was only offered in a stand alone unit at that time. I remember you would have to daisy chain the Laser detector to your normal radar detector. After about a year or so I retired the Whistler and purchased a Uniden "Stalker" model: LRD 2000. It was a good unit and had Laser built into the detector. I used this detector from 1992-2001. Yeah, that was a long time to keep a detector. Well, one day for some reason K band just would beep for no reason. Even sitting in my driveway it would just constantly beep. I guess it had fallen out of tune or something. By this time I had become older and learned more about detectors and could afford something better so I decided to go Escort. I must say the X50 is the best detector I have ever owned. When it arrived I was astonished how nice the detector was. I noticed it's long radar range and ability to filter out false signals right off the bat. I plan to keep my X50 for a long time but I may buy a V1 someday just to see the difference in detector. Thanks for the trip down memory lane everyone .......

Whistler
Uniden "Stalker" ( Model: LRD 2000 )
Escort 8500 X50

[worldpower]

35$ whistler 3 weeks this was actually better then i thought but then got sold on cobra
130$ cobra 2 months
300$ escort 8500 2 years
400$ valentine 1 current

[Audi Quattro]

"GET IT DONE" states.......

In order to qualify as "OWNING" a radar detector, you have to
have "OWNERSHIP" of it for longer than the 30 day "trial" / return period.

Otherwise I would just say you tried/have experience with the RD, because anyone can just order those detectors, play w/them for <30 days and return them since you aren't making any kind of commitment.

P.S. I despise some of you w/the "oh just purchase this RD or that RD, play w/it, then return it." Now some poor individuals end up thinking that they purchased a brand new RD when it's actually used because you guys wanted to test it, then returned it, and the manufacturer repackaged and sold it as new again probably. The fact is you guys may too have used goods thanks to others following your same "just try-and-return" approach. Sorry for the rant, haha.


1st of all.

Many of others like myself and gave the bottom of the fish tank RD's out there at the time a chance because we didnt know really much about it 10yrs ago.

2nd of all.

All you have own or still own is just Whistler RD's. I'm surprised you havent learned from this site and returned those POS RD's and got something like the V1, Escort, Bel and have a real RLD to talk about.

Next time dont hijack my post.

[DogGod]

Whistlers arent that bad, cobras and unidens are crappy. And Im not even going to get on RMR's quality line of products.

[Audi Quattro]

Every Whistler I have owned before my ownership of a V1, 8500 or my current the V995, sucked compared to the last quality RD's i have owned. 10-15 years ago when i did have a whistler, I didnt know anything but know I wouldnt waste a penny on that product, If it doesnt say Valentine, Escort or Bel it wont be in my car.

[GET 1T DONE]

1st of all.

Many of others like myself and gave the bottom of the fish tank RD's out there at the time a chance because we didnt know really much about it 10yrs ago.

2nd of all.

All you have own or still own is just Whistler RD's. I'm surprised you havent learned from this site and returned those POS RD's and got something like the V1, Escort, Bel and have a real RLD to talk about.

Next time dont hijack my post.
You're sooo much smarter than me w/your "real" RLD... sorry I didn't "got" one yet. At least I can form complete sentences that are grammatically correct. And you couldn't even figure out how to use the quote button? :roll:

I go 80 mph on major highways (65 mph PSL in NJ), 70-75 mph on 55 mph PSL highways, and a typical 10 mph over on non-congested back roads (w/no children/people present). Do I have speeding tickets to show-off thanks to my crappy RD? NOPE

But for someone as uneducated as you, the only thing running through your mind must be "But how can that be? It's not possible to speed and be ticket free w/o a V1, Escort, or Bel!" You think that because you are ignorant... ignorant to law enforcement tactics, ignorant to preventative driving techniques, and ignorant to the purpose of a RD being simply an aid to avoiding tickets as oppose to being the first line of defense.

I could basically keep to the same routine I listed above (maybe shaving 5 mph off under certain circumstances) and still be ticket free w/o any RD... I do that any time I have to travel for work or am in my second car (and that includes 85 mph cruising when on major interstates like I-95). It's called I'm not retarded and put faith in my RD. I drive like I have no RD... always scanning, anticipating, taking precautions like when approaching an overpass on a curve w/an emergency u-turn through the median! I mean for heaven sakes, it's not rocket science. It simply requires one to be observant and follow several fundamental principles. Then... in addition to my driving techniques I use the tool we all here have become so fond of... the RD. And does it give me sufficient protection from those threats that I am unable to anticipate or too lazy to consider? MORE THAN SUFFICIENT. Hell, my current 1793SE's weakest area is detecting Ka-band (forgetting Laser since that's pointless IMO). Here is a typical Ka-band encounter for ya.

http://www.radardetector.net/1793SE-Ka-Band-Tested-13343t.php

0.66 miles (would've been further but since I only started 0.66 miles away that's as good as anything could get... haha) w/a signal strength of 3-out-of-9 bars. At the 40 mph PSL, that was a 59.4 second advanced warning... though in actuality was more like a 57 second advanced warning since he could get a visual and clock my speed once I was 100 ft. from him (in this example he went for the totally concealed hiding spot with no range down road in exchange for sneakiness). 57 seconds! If I was going 80 mph, it still would have been 29 seconds advanced warning! And that's neglecting the fact that I didn't even give my Whistler the chance to pick up a signal from further than 0.66 miles... otherwise I would've only had more time to slow down. And do you know how long it takes my car to slow down from 80 mph to 65 mph from just coasting and not even hitting the brakes? Like 10 seconds! (I'll check tomorrow and update w/the exact time) :wink:
SO WHAT BENEFIT WOULD HAVING AN EXTRA 30 SECONDS MAYBE FROM A "TOP 3" RD DO ME? I get to hear the beeping for an extra 30 seconds :?: Oh yeah! Tons better! Can't get enough of BEEP-BEEP, BRAP-BRAP!

In summary... don't talk sh1t or pass judgement on other people when as clueless as you are. You're nothing but a freakin zombie. I'm sure you "can't live!" w/o your arrows! Heaven forbid you don't have the arrows or a bogey counter! Just accept the fact that some of us don't need to spend $400 to be protected when driving a reasonable 10-20 mph above the PSL. It's really simple. You hear the beeping, the strength slowly ramps up... you slow down. Then 15, 30, 60 seconds later you see a cop hiding on the side of the road. Some of you people really amaze me... it's not about which one is the absolute best. It's about which ones get the job done! That's what counts. Are you sufficiently protected or aren't you.

[jdreynss]

Can we maintain the form of constructive conversation and helping each other that this forum was designed for?? There is no reason to take cheap shots at one another, or put someone else down just because they don't have a top 3. Not everyone can afford one, and not all of those who can afford them need, or want one. It's rediculous, and some people need to grow up....people have different detectors, and yes...even different education levels....so what??? Get over it.

[dmarcus48]

Original Fuzzbuster
Fox XK
Escort Solo
Valentine one (older thick one)
Escort 8500
Escort Solo2
Valentine One (just sent in for 'e' problem)

[Greg]

BEL 995 (current)
WHISTLER XTR-425 (returned)
COBRA ESD 6200 (in glove box)

[Arashi666]

You're sooo much smarter than me w/your "real" RLD... sorry I didn't "got" one yet. At least I can form complete sentences that are grammatically correct.

he' s actually not that bad as opposed to some others ive seen posting here, atleast I can make out his sentences :D

You havent been here too long, but ive seen some pretty nasty ones around, no sight of a punctuation mark, all caps, improper syntax and all that stuff.......


You're nothing but a freakin zombie. I'm sure you "can't live!" w/o your arrows! Heaven forbid you don't have the arrows or a bogey counter! Just accept the fact that some of us don't need to spend $400 to be protected when driving a reasonable 10-20 mph above the PSL. It's really simple. You hear the beeping, the strength slowly ramps up... you slow down. Then 15, 30, 60 seconds later you see a cop hiding on the side of the road. Some of you people really amaze me... it's not about which one is the absolute best. It's about which ones get the job done! That's what counts. Are you sufficiently protected or aren't you.

actually if you see his sig he's running a V995, no arrows or crappy bogey counters there :D :D

[glockman30]

1st of all.

Many of others like myself and gave the bottom of the fish tank RD's out there at the time a chance because we didnt know really much about it 10yrs ago.

2nd of all.

All you have own or still own is just Whistler RD's. I'm surprised you havent learned from this site and returned those POS RD's and got something like the V1, Escort, Bel and have a real RLD to talk about.

Next time dont hijack my post.
You're sooo much smarter than me w/your "real" RLD... sorry I didn't "got" one yet. At least I can form complete sentences that are grammatically correct. And you couldn't even figure out how to use the quote button? :roll:

I go 80 mph on major highways (65 mph PSL in NJ), 70-75 mph on 55 mph PSL highways, and a typical 10 mph over on non-congested back roads (w/no children/people present). Do I have speeding tickets to show-off thanks to my crappy RD? NOPE

But for someone as uneducated as you, the only thing running through your mind must be "But how can that be? It's not possible to speed and be ticket free w/o a V1, Escort, or Bel!" You think that because you are ignorant... ignorant to law enforcement tactics, ignorant to preventative driving techniques, and ignorant to the purpose of a RD being simply an aid to avoiding tickets as oppose to being the first line of defense.

I could basically keep to the same routine I listed above (maybe shaving 5 mph off under certain circumstances) and still be ticket free w/o any RD... I do that any time I have to travel for work or am in my second car (and that includes 85 mph cruising when on major interstates like I-95). It's called I'm not retarded and put faith in my RD. I drive like I have no RD... always scanning, anticipating, taking precautions like when approaching an overpass on a curve w/an emergency u-turn through the median! I mean for heaven sakes, it's not rocket science. It simply requires one to be observant and follow several fundamental principles. Then... in addition to my driving techniques I use the tool we all here have become so fond of... the RD. And does it give me sufficient protection from those threats that I am unable to anticipate or too lazy to consider? MORE THAN SUFFICIENT. Hell, my current 1793SE's weakest area is detecting Ka-band (forgetting Laser since that's pointless IMO). Here is a typical Ka-band encounter for ya.

http://www.radardetector.net/1793SE-Ka-Band-Tested-13343t.php

0.66 miles (would've been further but since I only started 0.66 miles away that's as good as anything could get... haha) w/a signal strength of 3-out-of-9 bars. At the 40 mph PSL, that was a 59.4 second advanced warning... though in actuality was more like a 57 second advanced warning since he could get a visual and clock my speed once I was 100 ft. from him (in this example he went for the totally concealed hiding spot with no range down road in exchange for sneakiness). 57 seconds! If I was going 80 mph, it still would have been 29 seconds advanced warning! And that's neglecting the fact that I didn't even give my Whistler the chance to pick up a signal from further than 0.66 miles... otherwise I would've only had more time to slow down. And do you know how long it takes my car to slow down from 80 mph to 65 mph from just coasting and not even hitting the brakes? Like 10 seconds! (I'll check tomorrow and update w/the exact time) :wink:
SO WHAT BENEFIT WOULD HAVING AN EXTRA 30 SECONDS MAYBE FROM A "TOP 3" RD DO ME? I get to hear the beeping for an extra 30 seconds :?: Oh yeah! Tons better! Can't get enough of BEEP-BEEP, BRAP-BRAP!

In summary... don't talk *BEEP* or pass judgement on other people when as clueless as you are. You're nothing but a freakin zombie. I'm sure you "can't live!" w/o your arrows! Heaven forbid you don't have the arrows or a bogey counter! Just accept the fact that some of us don't need to spend $400 to be protected when driving a reasonable 10-20 mph above the PSL. It's really simple. You hear the beeping, the strength slowly ramps up... you slow down. Then 15, 30, 60 seconds later you see a cop hiding on the side of the road. Some of you people really amaze me... it's not about which one is the absolute best. It's about which ones get the job done! That's what counts. Are you sufficiently protected or aren't you.



No offense, but you do not start a sentence with an "and" or a "but" if you really want to be gramatically correct.

Also the word oppose should have a "d" on the end of it.

Hey, your spelling was excellent. Have a nice day brain surgeon and stop belittling people because you disagree with them.

[GET 1T DONE]

No offense, but you do not start a sentence with an "and" or a "but" if you really want to be gramatically correct.

Also the word oppose should have a "d" on the end of it.

Hey, your spelling was excellent. Have a nice day brain surgeon and stop belittling people because you disagree with them.
Apparently the fact that you have ZERO involvement in our bickering isn't enough to deter you from sharing your opinions (or "belittling") just the same. :roll:

And if you even took time to read the thread, you would have noticed that personal attacks started w/Audi Quattro's:


All you have own or still own is just Whistler RD's. I'm surprised you havent learned from this site and returned those POS RD's and got something like the V1, Escort, Bel and have a real RLD to talk about.

and not my defensive response that you quoted. So "no offense"... but you shouldn't be one to talk.


And to Audi Quattro... I "messed up" your thread, not your post. Sorry you feel that way... I'll clean it up for you as an act of goodwill since I don't want us to be enemies just because our opinions differ. :wink:

Here you go:

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?p=171885#171885

[Audi Quattro]

First of all, no one here asked you to hijack my post and start talking crap about something that didnt have to with my post. So please stay out of my posts since you must be jealous. Sit back, shut up and learn is the way to get ahead.