New guy opinion

**KheSanh1968** · 03-16-2008, 09:23 PM

I'm new to this site and I find getting a worthwhile answer is difficult from some of the posters. If I ask for an opinion I expect something other than smart-ass criticism from a frequent flyer on your forums like djrams80. If I knew everything about radar I wouldn't have come to this site to begin with. Overall, I have learned that Cobra is not a good choice. For a motorcycle used 4 months a year in the central US, I don't want to spend a ton of money. I have learned that I can't get all the functions I want in any unit. Having the headphone output, compass, and decent KA reception would be my short list, but I can't even find that. An analog compass does not work well on a Honda Goldwing. I've have tried some motorcycle designed units. The bike speaker system and other electronics seems to pull the compass off.
Yes, I do have an older GPS on the bike but it's difficult to see in the daylight and change pages to see my direction quickly. So, if anyone of the critical posters would care to buy me a Garmin Zumo 550 GPS and a high-end Radar with headphone jack I will be happy and never ask a stupid irritating question again.

**Ray** · 03-16-2008, 10:16 PM

Hey KheSanh1968, Radar Roy did a review on a new RD coming out specifically for motorcycles, the TPX. I don't recall a compass intergrated into it though. If I remember reading your original post you said you have an old Cobra with compass. I would suggest you run your old Cobra with the TPX but running two RD's together interfear with each other. I really don't know what to tell you other than that. I wish I can be of more help but at least it wasn't a smart a$$ comment. I think the link was posted to Radar Roy's review but I will repost it here:

http://www.radarroy.com/

Here's another suggestion, since Radar Roy is an avid rider, maybe he can give some suggestions if you PM him. Maybe he will see your post and respond with some suggestions. Good luck and take care.

Ray

**Freebird** · 03-16-2008, 10:23 PM

Sorry to hear you got smart ass answers and some people think your questions a dumb. We come to the forum to gain knowlege and some have more than others but should remember no question is a dumb one.
I have over 30 years Motorcycle racing experience and the last 17 riding a variety of Sportbikes. I would suggest a bel v995 that you can buy with a powerful external speaker or use the audio jack with a small speaker in your helmet. The 995 may be loud enough to use without external speaker if your bike and wind noise is low, its loud on its ownand has all the features you need. I used a x-50 escort with a stem mount from radar roy and used one speaker from a set of headphones mounted inside my helmet for audio. With an aftermarket exhaust this worked fine for me. Good luck!

**djrams80** · 03-16-2008, 11:22 PM

Originally Posted by KheSanh1968

If I ask for an opinion I expect something other than smart-ass criticism from a frequent flyer on your forums like djrams80.

See my reply on the exact same post on the exact same thread you started in the Cobra part of this forum.

**Esoterica** · 03-17-2008, 11:01 AM

He's just butt hurt because he seemed to have his heart set on getting a cobra and no one here seemed to be in favor of that idea (go figure, not a lot of Cobra fans here).

That djrams guy is obviously more than just a smart ass, he's also clearly dumb, everyone (I thought) knows that the transmission in a Gold Wing Trike generates such a strong magnetic field that only the Cobra compass will work on one. Any other compass just always shows North pointing down at the transmission.

djrams also clearly does not know the Cobra detectors are the absolute best on the market and you should most certainly buy one.

Sorry you had to deal with a smart ass like that on the internet, if you PM one of the Admins they will send you a coupon to get your next 5 posts here for free.

**lugnuts** · 03-17-2008, 11:04 AM

**djrams80** · 03-17-2008, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by Esoterica

He's just butt hurt because he seemed to have his heart set on getting a cobra and no one here seemed to be in favor of that idea (go figure, not a lot of Cobra fans here).

That djrams guy is obviously more than just a smart ass, he's also clearly dumb, everyone (I thought) knows that the transmission in a Gold Wing Trike generates such a strong magnetic field that only the Cobra compass will work on one. Any other compass just always shows North pointing down at the transmission.

djrams also clearly does not know the Cobra detectors are the absolute best on the market and you should most certainly buy one.

Sorry you had to deal with a smart ass like that on the internet, if you PM one of the Admins they will send you a coupon to get your next 5 posts here for free.

Now I'm offended!

**zr1** · 03-17-2008, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by djrams80

Originally Posted by Esoterica

He's just butt hurt because he seemed to have his heart set on getting a cobra and no one here seemed to be in favor of that idea (go figure, not a lot of Cobra fans here).

That djrams guy is obviously more than just a smart ass, he's also clearly dumb, everyone (I thought) knows that the transmission in a Gold Wing Trike generates such a strong magnetic field that only the Cobra compass will work on one. Any other compass just always shows North pointing down at the transmission.

djrams also clearly does not know the Cobra detectors are the absolute best on the market and you should most certainly buy one.

Sorry you had to deal with a smart ass like that on the internet, if you PM one of the Admins they will send you a coupon to get your next 5 posts here for free.

Now I'm offended!

Nah, Esoterica's just butt hurt because of...er...wait...is this a family-oriented forum? :P

**Kayrac** · 03-17-2008, 08:22 PM

Man guys he's just looking for a RD, his cobra worked for him in his time, so thats what he knows

anyways if your main concern is an audio output jack, i believe the escort lines have them, 9500i atleast does i am fairly sure

and i will assume the 8500 x50 does also, these are good detectors at a reasonable price, 8500 atleast, 9500i is a bit expensive

like i mentioned in your last post if your looking to stay within that budget, head over to the whistler forums, for low budget many users seem to think they work very well(i always go top end sadly, so i have no input on that)

as far as a compass, i dunno man, i'd say just check out google try to find one thats only a compass

i REALLY REALLY can't suggest a cobra, but it's your bike and your money my friend, noone here can stop you

if you look here
http://guysoflidar.com/august-2007/r...ctor-test.html

many of the bels did quite decent, and the whistler pro-78 while not great, did so so, and i'm sure the pro-78 is rather cheap also

not sure on headphone jack on any of the bels/whistler, but you can check the manufacturer websites

hope this helps a little

edit: just checked out the 8500 x50
http://www.escortradar.com/8500.htm

built in earphone jack, 300bucks, but it is one of the better detectors

just a side note the red is the EXACT same as the blue, just not blue, save 50bucks, blue sucks anyways

**zigbuzz** · 03-17-2008, 08:36 PM

KheSanh1968,

For the money In my opinion the Bel Vector 940 is the one to get. This is a solid performer and has done well in tests on Guys of Lidar site. What I look for in a Radar detector first and foremost is an automute option. The Bels wont get you aggravated like a Whistler,Cobra etc. I wouldnt be happy with a ny Whistler, because of that fact. The Bel will do the job without being flashy and noisy. With the Bel you wont have to touch it while youre driving. Get the warranty on it at a store closeby and you should be good to go. Ebay isnt worth taking a chance on for 20 to 30 in savings without a warranty. Check out the GOL site. Very informative. Good luck