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Radar Detector Buying Guide
If you’ve ever been caught in a speed trap, you’ve probably thought about buying a radar detector. With the cost of speeding tickets rising and the possible impact on your car insurance premiums, a radar detector can pay for itself in less than a year. Radar detectors are not a license to drive recklessly, but they can keep you from getting caught in hidden speed traps, if you’ve got reliable, effective technology. Pronto’s Radar Detector Buying Guide will help you choose the radar detector that will let you know when your speed is being checked.
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the five
What are the five key points I need to look at?
Basic functions
Radar detectors alert you when they pick up radio waves or lasers used by police to measure speed. Most radar detectors do a good job with radar but fare poorly against lasers. Check the laws in your state and in states you drive to frequently before purchasing a radar detector.
Frequencies and jamming
A radar detector should be able to detect radio signals on any of the three frequencies used by the police: X, K, or Ka. Look for a radar detector that can pick up POP radar that is turned on and off quickly. Radar jammers are illegal in all states, but most states allow laser jammers that make your car invisible to police lasers.
Sensitivity and selectivity
A radar detector with higher sensitivity gives you more reaction time and is better at detecting low-power radar signals. Greater selectivity prevents the alarm from being triggered by non-radar sources, such as garage door openers.
Installation
Dash-mount radar detectors run on batteries or a vehicle’s cigarette lighter and are easy to move from one vehicle to another. Installed radar detectors are wired into the car’s electrical system and keep the unit hidden from view. Include the cost of professional installation when comparing built-in radar detectors, and make sure the detector can be removed without damaging your vehicle’s electrical system.
Additional features
When comparing displays, look for adjustable brightness that makes them easy to read in bright sunlight and at night. Radar detectors with audible alerts should have a volume adjustment and an earphone jack. VG-2 protection will shield your radar detector from detection equipment used by police, either by electronically cloaking your radar detector or turning it off.
pronto pick
What product do we recommend?
We like the Beltronics Pro RX65 Radar Detector. This radar detector features a new “POP Alert” detection capability that is extremely fast in alerting you to the latest Ka POP speed measurement devices. Its four selectivity settings virtually eliminate false alarms, and this radar detector can calculate the strength and source of multiple radar signals, giving you complete information about the road ahead.
experts say
RadarTest.com—“The BEL STi Driver also excelled at its primary mission-ferreting out distant radar signals. It spotted all five radars from over 11.25 miles away, the best performance I've ever witnessed from a radar detector.” Source: Radartest.com
Radarbusters.com—“Escort’s new GPS powered Escort 9500i radar detector provides permanent relief from false alarms, including automatic door openers, motion sensors, and other radar based sensors. At the same time, it allows the user to program and/or download safety camera and speed trap locations directly into the unit.” Source: Radarbusters.com
Howtodothings.com—“The higher priced detectors are usually cordless or mounted inside the grille of your vehicle, hidden away. Your average person does not need these “extras” as the units that go for far less will perform nearly as well as the high priced radar detectors.” Source: Howtodothings.com
hot buzz
What's the latest in the world of radar detectors?
In September, 2007, Cobra Electronics began selling its one-of-a-kind wireless, remote- controlled radar/laser detector with speed and red-light camera location alerts. The Cobra XRS R9G, which can be virtually hidden inside the car, is the first radar detector to be paired with a GPS locator in the United States, and it can warn drivers to slow down when approaching dangerous sections of highway or high accident zones.
Wallet Impact
What can I expect in my price range?
| Price | Description | Good Pick (see all Radar Detectors) |
| $ | Budget radar detectors are dash-mounted models with basic visual and audio beep alarms. Selectivity tends to be poor and sensitivity extends to one mile. |
Compare prices at 8 stores $156 - $200 |
| $$ | Midrange radar detectors are dash-mount models offering talking audio alarms and display screens that provide information about radar strength and location. You’ll also find laser jammers that can protect the front of your vehicle. Look for adjustable screen brightness and volume controls as well as higher sensitivity. |
Compare prices at 31 stores $260 - $500 |
| $$$ | High-end radar detectors do the best job at spotting POP and low-power radar and should offer sensitivity to 3 miles. Some models at this price range include radar detection and laser jamming functions, and you’ll be able to choose between a dashboard radar detector and one that’s installed in your car. |
Buy now at 
$494.99 |
shop talk
What are the terms and definitions I need to know about?
Frequency
In radar detectors, the ability to sniff out a particular radio band used by police radar. Radar guns operate on the X, K, and Ka frequencies.
Jammer
A device that temporarily prevents a piece of electronic equipment from working, either by interfering with its signal or by generating a signal that acts as an electronic cloak. Radar-jamming devices are illegal in the United States, but devices that jam lasers are allowed in most states.
POP mode
A feature on radar guns that allows the detection signal to be turned on and off rapidly, reducing the chance of detection by a radar detector.
Selectivity
The ability of a radar detector to screen out radio signals from non-radar sources, such as garage door openers or remote controls, reducing the frequency of false alarms.
Sensitivity
Also known as range, the maximum distance at which a radar detector can pick up a radar signal. Basic radar detectors have a range of about one mile, while more advanced models offer a range of up to three miles.
VG-2
A system used by police that can pick up the radio signal emitted by radar detectors.
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