Good wide open area radar detector?
First post, radar detector newbie, never knew there were different quality units until I started trolling here.
I live in west texas and travel in about a 150 mile circle calling on rural customers, they pay by the hour + drive time so sometimes I get in a hurry (80-85 in a 70) so I can get there with enough time to get the job done without a return trip. Also, the long drives through farmland are boring and I just want to GET THERE
90% of my driving is state/county road, 2 lane (1 lane each direction) with generally good visibility. I usually slow down some in low vis areas to avoid creaming a farm truck/tractor when they pull out at 5 mph.
there are very few other cars on these roads and rarely any rabbits, some farmers run 80-85 but only for their 2-3 mile trip field to field.
I have been using my old radio shack sws/vg2 detector and I also have a whistler 1730, but using either of these I have been hit with instant on (I assume) because I only got the alert about the time I saw the LEO, sometimes they respect I am on the job but sometimes I get a ticket. only occasionally have I been alerted in time to slow down, usually this happens on the interstate.
So my question is, what is a good radar detector in the $100-200 range based on the environment I drive in? I am on a budget here, also, can't do a permanent mount. I think RD's are legal in TX so hardwiring may not be an issue...
Also, what is a good universal visor mount?
Re: Good wide open area radar detector?
In that price range I would go with a Vector 940 or 955 from Beltronics. They are a no-frills radar detector... right up your ally (as far as price goes).
They aren't the best, but for that price range they are (IMO). They are just barely a notch below the (dashmount) top dogs (in radar detection) so you aren't missing out by much there either... its really a features thing.
You could save up and get a top-of-the-line RD, but no RD can save you from I/O without a rabbit for the most part.
Whistler also makes pretty decent products in that price range.
BTW: Welcome to the forum.
Re: Good wide open area radar detector?
Re: Good wide open area radar detector?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
wegrowhair
Whistler XTR 695!
x2 :D
Re: Good wide open area radar detector?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
AirMoore
In that price range I would go with a Vector 940 or 955 from Beltronics. They are a no-frills radar detector... right up your ally (as far as price goes).
They aren't the best, but for that price range they are (IMO). They are just barely a notch below the (dashmount) top dogs (in radar detection) so you aren't missing out by much there either... its really a features thing.
You could save up and get a top-of-the-line RD, but no RD can save you from I/O without a rabbit for the most part.
Whistler also makes pretty decent products in that price range.
BTW: Welcome to the forum.
I agree with Airmoore. In my opinion, the Bel v955 is the best performer in that price range. Especially since you will almost assuredly be up against some K band, I think the Bel v955 will outperform the Whistler.
Re: Good wide open area radar detector?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
djrams80
I agree with Airmoore. In my opinion, the Bel v955 is the best performer in that price range. Especially since you will almost assuredly be up against some K band, I think the Bel v955 will outperform the Whistler.
GD it dj, will you keep your whistler virgin mouth shut until you try one :D
I love belscort, but whistler does great, on K and KA band.
Re: Good wide open area radar detector?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Lucky225
GD it dj, will you keep your whistler virgin mouth shut until you try one :D
I love belscort, but whistler does great, on K and KA band.
X2.. Dj has never owned a Whistler product. Just wait for the new Whistler in a few months. According to Mike B It will blow Radar roy away.
Re: Good wide open area radar detector?
Where exactly in West Texas and do you know what band you get hit with mostly? Jag lives in Lubbock and he seems to do very well with his whistler. That might be a good solution for you also.
But let me tell you, the V1 owns west Texas. With all the flat land, radar scatters for miles and the V1 will do a great job catching those long range I/O shots. But it is pretty far out of your price range lol.
GL with whatever you get though.
Re: Good wide open area radar detector?
Man, with IO and no rabbit, I wouldn't speed a lot, but that is just me
Re: Good wide open area radar detector?
TX DPS is one of the best skilled at I/O. In moderate traffic Ka 34.7 is very easily detected from miles if they are straight ahead coming towards you.I have some great videos of the Pro 78 at my youtube link below. If you live near me x band will eat you alive on the V1 from x and K falses. There is tons and tons of Cobra users also and there detectors leak Ka band and Whistler is the only one in the market to offer 3 FILTER modes to protect you from falses. Whistler is also very fast and one of the fastest at picking up brief blips of radar or weak I/O at far distances.
Re: Good wide open area radar detector?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Lucky225
GD it dj, will you keep your whistler virgin mouth shut until you try one :D
I love belscort, but whistler does great, on K and KA band.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jag42
X2.. Dj has never owned a Whistler product. Just wait for the new Whistler in a few months. According to Mike B It will blow Radar roy away.
I've seen a Rev C Whistler in action and it was very unimpressive. I was thinking, "Man, this thing is a POS!". There is no way I would recommend any Whistler over a Vector series Bel. Whistlers get crushed in every testing scenario, which just prompts tons of excuses fron the Whistler lovers. GOL testing determines what RD can best detect radar, which is a RD's job and the Whistlers are always unimpressive. It is what it is.
When a Whistler finally shows respectable results during testing, let me know.
Radar Detector Tests and Reviews by Guys of LIDAR
http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/8334/gol3uz8.png
Guys of LIDAR - Radar Detector Test - August 2007
Re: Good wide open area radar detector?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
djrams80
I'm sure you have seen the Whistler in action at GOL but have u had actual drive time with one out in the real world? I think not :D I still find it odd how MEM-TEK and Happya$$ gave a Pro 78 a chance in the real world and it did very well just as Bob and Radar Roy had expierence with it and were very pleased.
Re: Good wide open area radar detector?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jag42
I'm sure you have seen the Whistler in action at GOL but have u had actual drive time with one out in the real world? I think not :D I still find it odd how MEM-TEK and Happya$$ gave a Pro 78 a chance in the real world and it did very well just as Bob and Radar Roy had expierence with it and were very pleased.
I'm sick and tired of these Whistler lover excuses. The radar guns used at GOL are exactly the same as those used in the real world. In fact, the Stalker ATR that was used at GOL is no different than the ones my locals use. Everything else(except the busted STi) could detect the radar guns at GOL, but the Whistler struggled. If it has trouble detecting the one at GOL, it will have trouble detecting tough situations it in the real world. Radar is radar and lack of sensitivity is lack of sensitivity. Seriously, the busted STi beat the Whistler on K band. :rolleyes:
Any RD can save someone against easy to detect scenarios. I deal with scenarios where even the might V1 and the incredibly sensitive 9500ci have failed, although luckily for me, not at the same time yet. No Whistler is anywhere near the league of any of my RDs, whether you're happy with yours or not. I drive too fast to trust my driving record to any budget RD.
If the Whistlers are so good, please tell me why they struggle to detect radar during testing.
Re: Good wide open area radar detector?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
djrams80
I'm sick and tired of these Whistler lover excuses. The radar guns used at GOL are exactly the same as those used in the real world. In fact, the Stalker ATR that was used at GOL is no different than the ones my locals use. Everything else(except the busted STi) could detect the radar guns at GOL, but the Whistler struggled. If it has trouble detecting the one at GOL, it will have trouble detecting tough situations it in the real world. Radar is radar and lack of sensitivity is lack of sensitivity. Seriously, the busted STi beat the Whistler on K band. :rolleyes:
Any RD can save someone against easy to detect scenarios. I deal with scenarios where even the might V1 and the incredibly sensitive 9500ci have failed, although luckily for me, not at the same time yet. No Whistler is anywhere near the league of any of my RDs, whether you're happy with yours or not. I drive too fast to trust my driving record to any budget RD.
If the Whistlers are so good, please tell me why they struggle to detect radar during testing.
The 78 at GOL lacked db's on Ka 34.7 Mine is I'm sure around 108-109 db's The one at GOL was 104 db's.
Do the radar antenna's in the real world have radar absorbant foam too wrapped around them?
Re: Good wide open area radar detector?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jag42
The 78 at GOL lacked db's on Ka 34.7 Mine is I'm sure around 108-109 db's The one at GOL was 104 db's.
So you predict that the Whistler's results will be dramatically better at the next GOL? If the Whistler gets crushed again, will you stop with all of this?
I predict that the Whistlers will finish where they always do, somewhere between the Cobra and the Bel Vector series RDs.
Re: Good wide open area radar detector?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
djrams80
So you predict that the Whistler's results will be dramatically better at the next GOL? If the Whistler gets crushed again, will you stop with all of this?
I predict that the Whistlers will finish where they always do, somewhere between the Cobra and the Bel Vector series RDs.
Some video proof would be nice. Maybe Mike B can throw in his newest creation by this summer. I'm just saying I have no problem detecting distant I/o radar over hills around curves with 34.7 I have had 4 mile I/0 blips from a trooper in a median shooting I/O. I will prove my point soon How Whistler eats 34.7 for lunch. The Point is in the Real world i trust the Whistler as much as your 9500ci or the V1 and drive just as fast as you.
Re: Good wide open area radar detector?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jag42
The Point is in the Real world i trust the Whistler as much as your 9500ci or the V1 and drive just as fast as you.
(With all due respect)The point I would then make is: You sir, are a fool.
No offense: Whistler makes good RD's, and they keep getting better, especially for the budget oriented buyer. (As you can see I offered them as a suggestion, but I would prefer a Vector series moreso, so I suggest it moreso).
Also: You can bet you are buying a solid product and with M.B. from Whistler representing Whistler on here you can bet your questions and concerns will be taken care of, no 2-ways about it. (I feel) he has propelled Whistler to the level it is regarded on this website... and that is saying a lot. Also their continual improvements and innovations are heading them in the right direction: Alas back to the current:
But trusting a $150 Whistler as much as you trust a $400 powerhouse in the RD industry (for ions), and or a $1,600 Monstrosity in detection that Escort(Belscort) has created... is just asking for trouble.
So again: With all due respect: You are foolish to trust your product as much as industry icons.
Re: Good wide open area radar detector?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jag42
The Point is in the Real world i trust the Whistler as much as your 9500ci or the V1 and drive just as fast as you.
You can't mean that. :rolleyes: You seriously think your Whistler is as good as a V1 and/or a 9500ci? I suppose your "out" word here is trust, which keeps your Whistler from having to actually perform to the level of the much better RDs you are attempting to compare it to.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jag42
Some video proof would be nice.
GOL's reputaion is just as good as video proof. Rest assured, whatever results get posted are the real deal. The laser jammer tests went on for three days. Recording everything via video would take up valuable time. The testing itself is tedious enough.
Re: Good wide open area radar detector?
I can't improve on the RD advice already given, but as a former traveling salesguy who drove around in rural areas a lot, I can offer a traveling salesman joke:
Quote:
There was a traveling salesman whose car became hopelessly stuck in a snow bank during a recent blizzard in North Dakota. It took him several hours to make it to the nearest farm house, but frozen half to death, he finally reached the front door and knocked on it. A grizzled old farmer answered, and the salesman pleaded for a place to spend the night.
“Why sure young fella, I can give ya a place to bunk.” said the hospitable old man. “But I ain’t got no daughter for ya to sleep with, like ya always hear about in them thar jokes.”
“Oh!” said the salesman. “Just how far is it to the next house ?”
Re: Good wide open area radar detector?
Back to the OP (before the thread became a Whistler/Belscort war), save your money and go with a V1. Flat landscape coupled with the sensitivity of the V1 would make a nice combo.
Two tickets avoided with the V1 will almost pay for itself, rather than relying on a more economical detector.
When it comes to detectors, i think you get what you pay for.
Re: Good wide open area radar detector?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
AirMoore
(With all due respect)The point I would then make is: You sir, are a fool.
No offense: Whistler makes good RD's, and they keep getting better, especially for the budget oriented buyer. (As you can see I offered them as a suggestion, but I would prefer a Vector series moreso, so I suggest it moreso).
Also: You can bet you are buying a solid product and with M.B. from Whistler representing Whistler on here you can bet your questions and concerns will be taken care of, no 2-ways about it. (I feel) he has propelled Whistler to the level it is regarded on this website... and that is saying a lot. Also their continual improvements and innovations are heading them in the right direction: Alas back to the current:
But trusting a $150 Whistler as much as you trust a $400 powerhouse in the RD industry (for ions), and or a $1,600 Monstrosity in detection that Escort(Belscort) has created... is just asking for trouble.
So again: With all due respect: You are foolish to trust your product as much as industry icons.
x2, I just wanted to see djrams get his panties in a bunch. Whistler is an excellent budget detector, but I would never trust it as much as a 9500ci/V1
Re: Good wide open area radar detector?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Lucky225
x2, I just wanted to see djrams get his panties in a bunch. Whistler is an excellent budget detector, but I would never trust it as much as a 9500ci/V1
That's all I'm saying. People should have a realistic view of how good the RD that's in their car really is. If you spend $150 on a RD, it will not work like the top-of-the-line monster RDs. Jag42 seems to seriously think his Whistler is on the level with the big dogs. He seriously believes that his Whistler might have picked up the I/O shots that my RDs missed. That's just not realistic.
The Bel Vector series RDs performed much better than the Pro78 at the last GOL RD test on all bands. While the Whistler fans all think that Rev C is much better than the Rev A tested there, after seeing the Rev C in action at the last GOL, I'm not totally convinced there's all that much difference. I wouldn't be surprised if the Bel Vector series RDs haven't improved as well and aren't still well above the Whistlers in the next round of testing.
Now, that doesn't mean that the Whistler isn't a good value. It appears to perform better than every other RD in its same price range, except the Bels. I would not personally choose any of the Whistlers over a v955, but I would choose them over every other RD in the same price range. The v940 might outperform the Whistlers, but it lacking the ability to shut off X band makes it a no-go for me.
Re: Good wide open area radar detector?
finally made it back to the thread, I live in Lubbock, TX. The area I travel is west to NM border, east to Dickens, north to Pampa and South to Fort Stockton - and all over inside that range - I don't really push more than 5 over on the state roads and highways, mostly just the FM roads.
Problem is TX DPS seem to run pretty much constant radar on the state highways because there is some traffic, but on the FM's you may not see a car for 15 miles, so they will light you up with instant but then it is too late
Jag - my X band does go crazy all the time for no reason on the radio shack detector - my friend has a V1 in his M5, that thing drives me nuts with the false alarms, plus I think he paid like $400 for it...
