What is a good Radar Detector for under $100 ? [Archive]

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tegralens

08-31-2006, 12:01 PM

What is a good Radar Detector for under $100 ? I am planing to buy one but don't whant to spend more the $100 Thanks everyone

jdreynss

08-31-2006, 12:23 PM

To be honest, I would save up and get a valentine, escort, or bel rx65, but all of those are 300.00++. If you are just completely unwilling to spend over 100.00, then I would go with the Bel e795, or the whistler pro 58

Greg

08-31-2006, 12:43 PM

I agree you should do your best to save up---->to atleast the $200 dollar mark....yes it won't get you to the top 3, but it get to some pretty good BELs. As you read more, STAY AWAY from all COBRA and ROCKY MOUNTAIN RADAR (RDR) detectors.

Aim for atleast a BEL RX55, BEL V955, BEL V940, BEL 895

Also, keep in mind of any warranty concerns as you buy,
in that any BEL bought at an unauthorized seller the warranty becomes void.

canadian

08-31-2006, 12:43 PM

I would save that $100, and save up and buy a bel 995 or x50..

I went cheap my first time around and got a PNI silver Bullet for around $100, and I was not impressed with the performance.
I now have a Bel STi and it's performance is amazing. You really get what you pay for with radar detectors. You don't need to spend $450 on an STi, unless you are in a banned area. Bottom line is, if you do spend $100 and get a sub par detector, you will more than likely get a ticket or want to upgrade after you hear about the performance that people are getting from the top 3

Space Wrangler

08-31-2006, 01:05 PM

Look for a Bel 895 or 955 on ebay. They sell for $200 new. They are the same unit except the 895 is sold at Radio Shack only.

Joe Diver

08-31-2006, 01:20 PM

I've seen Bel985's go for $130 on ebay....excellent detector for that price.

jdreynss

08-31-2006, 01:24 PM

Arashi666

08-31-2006, 01:58 PM

Space Wrangler

08-31-2006, 02:17 PM

I've seen Bel985's go for $130 on ebay....excellent detector for that price.WHOAAAAAA...I wouldn't start telling someone who is new to the world of radar detectors to go buy one off of Ebay...no warranty..etc.....

If he only has $100 to spend, he could get a good used detector from ebay or new junk elsewhere. Which would you rather have?

jdreynss

08-31-2006, 02:49 PM

I've seen Bel985's go for $130 on ebay....excellent detector for that price.WHOAAAAAA...I wouldn't start telling someone who is new to the world of radar detectors to go buy one off of Ebay...no warranty..etc.....

If he only has $100 to spend, he could get a good used detector from ebay or new junk elsewhere. Which would you rather have?I would rather spend my 100.00 on a bel 795, or whistler pro58 instead of getting one off of ebay with no warranty, not knowing the true condition, or the abuse that the unit has been subjected to.

Arashi666

08-31-2006, 02:50 PM

I've seen Bel985's go for $130 on ebay....excellent detector for that price.WHOAAAAAA...I wouldn't start telling someone who is new to the world of radar detectors to go buy one off of Ebay...no warranty..etc.....

If he only has $100 to spend, he could get a good used detector from ebay or new junk elsewhere. Which would you rather have?I would rather spend my 100.00 on a bel 795, or whistler pro58 instead of getting one off of ebay with no warranty, not knowing the true condition, or the abuse that the unit has been subjected to.

right ill get a reliable junk unit before I get one off eBay thatll break on me

jdreynss

08-31-2006, 02:53 PM

I swear, sometimes I think that Arashi and I are the only ones that think before we speak around here.. :wink:

Arashi666

08-31-2006, 02:56 PM

I swear, sometimes I think that Arashi and I are the only ones that think before we speak around here.. :wink:

:wink: I guess thats how we are

stealthJamal

08-31-2006, 03:04 PM

What is a good Radar Detector for under $100 ?

There is no radar detector that is "good" in that price range.

jdreynss

08-31-2006, 03:07 PM

What is a good Radar Detector for under $100 ?

There is no radar detector that is "good" in that price range.As opposed to a cobra, I would say that the 795, or pro 58 is pretty "good"

Arashi666

08-31-2006, 03:08 PM

What is a good Radar Detector for under $100 ?

There is no radar detector that is "good" in that price range.

Look Jamal just says it flat out.....all cool like 8)

Joe Diver

08-31-2006, 03:54 PM

I've seen Bel985's go for $130 on ebay....excellent detector for that price.WHOAAAAAA...I wouldn't start telling someone who is new to the world of radar detectors to go buy one off of Ebay...no warranty..etc.....

No my friend, I do think before I speak. For the money, a used unit like a Bel985 for $120 off of ebay is a great deal, much better than wasting your money on a lesser unit just because it has a warranty....so what? If it sux to begin with, it'll suck after a warranty repair.

I would not encourage someone to buy a "new" unit off of ebay from a dubious source with a questionable warranty. My suggestion was for an obviously used 3 year old unit...no warranty implied.

Arashi666

08-31-2006, 03:58 PM

I've seen Bel985's go for $130 on ebay....excellent detector for that price.WHOAAAAAA...I wouldn't start telling someone who is new to the world of radar detectors to go buy one off of Ebay...no warranty..etc.....

No my friend, I do think before I speak. For the money, a used unit like a Bel985 for $120 off of ebay is a great deal, much better than wasting your money on a lesser unit just because it has a warranty....so what? If it sux to begin with, it'll suck after a warranty repair.

I would not encourage someone to buy a "new" unit off of ebay from a dubious source with a questionable warranty. My suggestion was for an obviously used 3 year old unit...no warranty implied.

ok that fixes everything.........youre right, id rather buy a used one on eBay (Unless its a V1 at this point in time :lol: :lol: ), than a new one on eBay

but I still agree with Jamal's analysis, there is no real "good" RD in that range

ES13Raven

08-31-2006, 04:02 PM

What is a good Radar Detector for under $100 ? I am planing to buy one but don't whant to spend more the $100 Thanks everyone
Escort 8500 non-X50 on EBay :wink:

Joe Diver

08-31-2006, 04:04 PM

.......youre right, id rather buy a used one on eBay (Unless its a V1 at this point in time :lol: :lol: ), than a new one on eBay

but I still agree with Jamal's analysis, there is no real "good" RD in that range

I wouldn't buy one of the V1's on ebay right now either...I've been following the posts here and there's some dubious firmware up on ebay!

But yeah, there's no "good" detector "new" for that price unless you go used. If you buy from an idividual with good feedback, perhaps someone who has upgraded to a better unit, you're most likely to get a good deal. With everything on ebay though, caveat emptor!

vw242

08-31-2006, 04:31 PM

I've seen Bel985's go for $130 on ebay....excellent detector for that price.

X2 especially with s/n beginning with "c"(latest version)

aust3333

08-31-2006, 11:29 PM

Please just save just $50.00 more bucks and get yourself a Bel Vector 895 for $149.99 at Radio Shack. I just saw them on sale recently. They are regularly $199.99. I would jump on this deal if anyone is looking for a good detector. The Bel Vector 895 is the best for the money that you can buy right now for $149.00.

tegralens

09-01-2006, 06:34 AM

How important is the Warranty? Does it come with a lifetime warranty most of the detectors? Maybe I will try and spend about $150

BullyDawg19

09-01-2006, 08:23 AM

go buy yourself a good 2" x 4" and place it under your gas pedal until you can afford one of the top 3. "not kidding" - you will find yourself spending more money using a cheap detector than you will by just waiting till you can get something better. your first ticket will cover the cost - trust me.

GET 1T DONE

09-01-2006, 08:23 AM

How important is the Warranty? Does it come with a lifetime warranty most of the detectors? Maybe I will try and spend about $150
Most of the RD's (from Bel, Escort, V1) only have a 1 year warranty I believe.

Best you can get for $100 is Whistler 1793SE. Amazon will have them at that price. So that's right in your price range, it's a very good detector for the money (good protection and lots of features for $100), and it comes w/a 3-year warranty... that's the best warranty in the business for a windshield mount detector as far as I know.

Oh, and I own one so what I say is from personal experience. Though I hear that the Bel V895, 955, and 995 RD's are very good for the money as well (with a little better protection)... but now you are talking the $150-250 price range.

As long as you learn to use whatever RD you buy intelligently (learn to know it's quirks, typical detection ranges, don't speed 20+ mph over the PSL) it can be a very helpful tool in protecting you from tickets. And just remember, you DON'T need to spend $250, 300, or 400 for a good RD w/good protection. Spending lots of $$$ will get you a better detector w/better protection (Escort x50, Bel RX-65 or STI, Valentine V1)... though if a $150 RD is capable of giving you a 30-60 second advanced warning on most threats, do you really need a RD that's capable of 60-120 secs of advanced alert when it only takes 10 seconds to slow down 15 mph w/o hitting the brakes (and only about 3 seconds to slow down when hitting the brakes)?

How much money you should spend is directly dependent on how wreckless of a driver you are. However no detector (no matter how much money) will protect you from a sneaky cop who uses Instant-On radar or Laser to measure speed. So drive smart and use your head... not your RD... as your first line of defense from speeding tickets.

quickster

09-01-2006, 08:10 PM

Well said Get It Done.

Orbital75

09-01-2006, 10:33 PM

Honestly, I would save for one of the top 3. On the other hand, If your looking for a detector on a budget, I would have to say WHISTLER PRO-58. I have a friend that just recently purchased that detector and he's happy with it's proformance. However, it doesn't have the range like the X50, RX65, or V1. Don't get me wrong though it is a good detector.

vortexnut

09-02-2006, 06:00 AM

I would say grab a Bel 895 from Radio Shack for $149.99 if you can find one at your local store. If you can't absolutely spend over $100 then I would say go with a whistler pro-58. However the extra $50 you spend on the bel 895 assuming you can find one would be well worth it.

aust3333

09-02-2006, 10:08 AM

How important is the Warranty? Does it come with a lifetime warranty most of the detectors? Maybe I will try and spend about $150

Good choice my friend. They are not going to last long at $149.99. Hey, if you dont like it, return it within 30 days and you will get a full refund, but the chances of this happening is slim to none. Good luck and let us all know what you decide and how it is working out for you.

tegralens

09-02-2006, 10:49 AM

I want everyone to know that you where all a big help. Thanks I went to my local Radio Shack and brought the Bel 895 It was the last one in the store and I have 3 months with radio shack they said if I didn't like it I could bring it back. Then after the 3 months it's with the manuf. warranty They offered the ext. Warranty for 2 years 39.99 I am going to think about it but I have 3 months to think about it. Thanks everyone.

leo68

09-02-2006, 11:06 AM

What is a good Radar Detector for under $100 ? I am planing to buy one but don't whant to spend more the $100 Thanks everyone.

None

satman858

09-02-2006, 12:49 PM

What is a good Radar Detector for under $100 ? I am planing to buy one but don't whant to spend more the $100 Thanks everyone

Check out below, the 2 links for the threads I made about purchasing a Radar Detector. I was convinced by the people in this website forum to pay the extra 50 bucks, and I think you should too. I will be getting a Bel 895 from Radio Shack next week for $149.99 as most people suggested.

http://www.radardetector.net/ROCKY-MOUNTAIN-CAR-RADAR-LASER-DETECTOR-RMR-D250-15949t.php

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=15969&start=0