Need some pointers

[WheelieChuck]

Hi Guys,

New to the forum here. I've never used a radar detector before and I'm thinking about getting one for my motorcycle because I've had a few buddies getting ridiculous tickets recently. A buddy got a ticket for going 60 in a 55 and another low 40's in a 35. I know I'm always 5-10 above the posted speed limit easy and I really don't feel like getting a ticket.

Anyway, from my own research and lurking on this board, I think I want either the TPX, V1 with HARD, RX65 with HARD, or Escort 9500 with HARD.

TPX seems to have the best set up, but looks like the other 3 has been around longer and people seems to swear by them. Any reason that I should shy away from the TPX and go with the other 3? I'm not opposed to get the other 3 it's just that the TPX set up seems so slick and easy.

[djrams80]

Hi Guys,

New to the forum here. I've never used a radar detector before and I'm thinking about getting one for my motorcycle because I've had a few buddies getting ridiculous tickets recently. A buddy got a ticket for going 60 in a 55 and another low 40's in a 35. I know I'm always 5-10 above the posted speed limit easy and I really don't feel like getting a ticket.

Anyway, from my own research and lurking on this board, I think I want either the TPX, V1 with HARD, RX65 with HARD, or Escort 9500 with HARD.

TPX seems to have the best set up, but looks like the other 3 has been around longer and people seems to swear by them. Any reason that I should shy away from the TPX and go with the other 3? I'm not opposed to get the other 3 it's just that the TPX set up seems so slick and easy.

The TPX mounts much nicer than the other 3 RDs you mentioned, but it's performance is pretty bad.

[YTCD]

I would say a 9500 for a motorcycle or if you run sometimes a v1 so you know where their coming from.

I think the quiteness and "real alert" features are neccessary for a bike. When that led goes off you want it to actually be a cop because on a motorcycle you don't have the time to process alerts and don't have time for the false alerts, because your much more seceptable to ignore them than in a car.

Later a 9500ix is the choice I would suggest for sure, order from radar busters they have a great Moto section.

[WheelieChuck]

Hey djrams,

From what I've found on the web, seems like the performance of TPX is adequate. SML certified it, Radar Roy liked it, and from the web, seems like there are a lot of satisfied customers. Why do you say its performance is bad?

[djrams80]

Hey djrams,

From what I've found on the web, seems like the performance of TPX is adequate. SML certified it,

SML's RD testing is useless. According to them, everything works great.

http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...ults-joke.html

Radar Roy liked it, and from the web, seems like there are a lot of satisfied customers. Why do you say its performance is bad?

Roy basically saying that it's better than a Cobra is not really a ringing endorsement. It looks to me that what Roy likes about this product is that it's Motorcycle friendly and his liking for it is not really based upon peformance. I'd bet money that this product performs below the top Whistlers and below the Bel Vector series RDs, especially on Ka band. With the fact that the newer police radar units are getting harder and harder to detect, without proper testing, I wouldn't trust this product, performance wise.

One of the downsides I noted in my blog entry in my review was the false alerts. I was pleased when I met up with Wayne and Adam again, this time at the 2008 Radar Detector Shoot Out in El Paso, and they told me that they changed the filtering characteristics of their unit based upon my observations.

Overall the TPX system is on par with the mid class radar detectors such as the Whistler Pro-78 and would outperform any Cobra on the market today.

http://www.radarroy.com/2008/06/adap...tector-system/

[WheelieChuck]

So sounds like for someone like me who is more concerned about motorcycle compatibility and isn't a hard-core radar detector guy, the TPX would do, right?

[djrams80]

So sounds like for someone like me who is more concerned about motorcycle compatibility and isn't a hard-core radar detector guy, the TPX would do, right?

My opinion is that a RD should first function well as a RD, then the convenience factor is somewhere after that. I talked to a GOL member today and we discussed a few RDs that we felt should be on the list of RDs tested at the next GOL event and this RD was specifically mentioned. If you can wait a few months, we will all know for sure how this RD performs.

My guess is that this RD will do very poorly at the next GOL. The reason that I think this way is that the RD industry is patent driven. This means that all the good ideas are not able to be copied by a new startup company with a new product such as this. Without infringing on current patents, it is very difficult to make a good performing RD. Specifically, I think this RD will perform fine on X and K band detection, but will perform extremely poorly on Ka band and will lack effective false alert suppression. That's bad news when about 80% of the new radar guns purchased by the PDs out there being Ka band.

I know this product seems perfect for you are looking to use it for, but without any controlled testing done on it, I'd have to discourage purchasing it at this time. My suggestion is to wait for a few months for the GOL testing results or, if you can't wait that long, purchase something that we know works properly against today's threats. Just my $.02.

[WheelieChuck]

Thanks djrams80. I'll be going to the motorcycle show (in Long Beach) this weekend and I'm going check it out there. The company that I buy most of my toys for my bike, Cycle Gadgets, will be there and they are always knowledgeable about their products and they only carry products that they vouch for, so I'll see what they have to say about it and if any of their customers have had issues with it.

I know they are no radar detector experts like you, but they are bike experts and I want to get their perspective as well.

[YTCD]

Thanks djrams80. I'll be going to the motorcycle show (in Long Beach) this weekend and I'm going check it out there. The company that I buy most of my toys for my bike, Cycle Gadgets, will be there and they are always knowledgeable about their products and they only carry products that they vouch for, so I'll see what they have to say about it and if any of their customers have had issues with it.

I know they are no radar detector experts like you, but they are bike experts and I want to get their perspective as well.

Believe me thats not going to matter. People that have cobra radar detectors think they are the best things in the world and they do almost absolulty nothing. This is why many cobra users get tickets and wonder why.

The bike shop isn't going to know any more than you do. TPX has great options for bikes and a great install package for a clean install but believe me you don't want their product.

If your going to spend money in a detector why not spend it on something that works unless your into just show. Heres the way I'll put it, if you want to waste hundreds or thousands of dollars on a detector that isn't going to give you any advantages and that you will not and shouldn't trust then get it but if you actually want something that is going to work then get a Escort or Valentine product. Im not saying the TPX won't work, it will work to a certain extent but in a lot of situations its not going to help you much. Your going to get a ticket plain and simple, much faster than if you have a nice good performing detector. And cops love street motorcycles, because of the persona so be prepared for quite a few I/O attacks.

[alpinestars_2002795]

I also agree An escort for a motorcylest is your best option. Also roy used to sell enclosed plastic cases that where sealed from weather. This is how I would run a detector on a bike then hardwire it. That way it wouldn't get ruined, they also make mounts so you can mount it nice flat level to the road surface. I firmly beleive DJrams would not lead you down the wrong path. He is a very intelligent guy from what i've seen. And so is Roy Reyer. But just as DJ said he never commented it's preformance simply it was easily mountable.

As for a detector if your not on a High and mighty budget. And in need of a detector on steriods as all of us enthusist's love. If you are truely on a meger budget which unfortunatly in these rough times in the USA alot of us are.

I would suggest the same case maybe that roy sold the plexy glass type of sealing case, and seeing maybe if you could make a whistler pro 78 fit in there instead.

Best of luck with your application just got done installing a teather on my bike last night for ice racing.

X2 YTCD good points my friend good points as well.

. Cheers.



AlPiNe~