best radar?

[bwong6736]

I currently own a Passport 9500ix which is installed hardwired to another vehicle, i just got my M3 and wondering if anyone would be willing to share their 2 cents about what they have or used before I pull the trigger on getting another one......... Thanks!!

[stocksure]

Using Waze has worked better for me than any radar detector.

[Schwarz]

I haven't gotten around to picking it up yet but I was thinking of grabbing a V1. I've heard too many good things about them.

[///F80M3]

Originally Posted by bwong6736

I currently own a Passport 9500ix which is installed hardwired to another vehicle, i just got my M3 and wondering if anyone would be willing to share their 2 cents about what they have or used before I pull the trigger on getting another one......... Thanks!!

Escort redline

[shortseller]

Originally Posted by ///F80M3

Escort redline

This + Waze, a very nice set up.

[jpdchicago]

Originally Posted by shortseller

This + Waze, a very nice set up.

Agree! I use Redline with escort live + Wase
No issues yet except for a few scares from laser hits but always had time to slow down before getting hit.

[3er]

Radar = Passport Max 360 or STiR Plus
Radar + Jamming = STiR Plus + AL Priority

I ended up going with the 9500ci since I got it new for $1,200. It's been rock solid for me and I love the discreteness of the setup.

[RickFLM4]

I stuck with the 9500ix.

The Max seems a little large and expensive and when it first came out there were some software and plastic-related issues with it. Installed / higher end systems are a multiple of price when you factor in installation. I looked into laser interceptor but personally found it not worth the investment. If you have an unlimited budget and perpetually drive 20+ MPH over the limit you may conclude differently on a higher end radar detector and laser system.

I use Waze sometimes and it can be a good supplement but is not a replacement for radar detection. 9500, supplemented with Waze and common sense is probably the most cost effective solution.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by jpdchicago

Agree! I use Redline with escort live + Wase
No issues yet except for a few scares from laser hits but always had time to slow down before getting hit.

If you hear a laser alert going off I'm pretty sure the laser already found you. There is no advance warning on laser. You can jam it with a jammer system but that's about it.

[///Mongo]

Max 360 + BlendMount + MirrorTap = You're Welcome

[Xerxes480]

I'm still sporting my old Escort 9500i - yes, the pre "x" model. That plus Waze works well; I just can't quite pull the trigger on a new Max 360.

-X-

[M4 CSL]

Stinger VIP and pay the extra for lazer.

[Draper]

I've always been a V1 fan. That or the Escort Redline will give you the best range for a windshield mounted detector.

I just replaced my 6 year old V1 with the newest model that includes their new filtering (traffic monitoring, blind spot detection, etc...) and now it pretty much only goes off when there's danger nearby. I also like how I can tuck it up out of the way next to the rear view.

[bwong6736]

thanks everyone i appreciate everyones input!! I still have not decided lol

[morgan302]

I may be the only fan of K40 but the adjustability is hard to pass up for me. Getting ready to do another 1500 miles and so far on all my road trips at speed it has saved me more times than I can count. 15K is just a short hop but on the longer trips it is nice to have another friend besides by Uncle Sig.

[JDE92M3]

+1 Passport Max 360! Clean set up on the F80 with the direct wire kit.

JD

[F83]

Originally Posted by bwong6736

I currently own a Passport 9500ix which is installed hardwired to another vehicle, i just got my M3 and wondering if anyone would be willing to share their 2 cents about what they have or used before I pull the trigger on getting another one......... Thanks!!

IMHO I would transfer the Passport. It's a GREAT detector and it's less flashy than some of the newer ones like the Max or 360. I have a Max2 right now in my M (and a Passport in my E90). The Max works no better than the Passport but its price and flashiness makes it a thief target. So I gotta take it off whenever I'm in a dodgy area and hide it. Never worried about that with the Passport. It's less obvious and less pricey.

[bwong6736]

Originally Posted by F83

IMHO I would transfer the Passport. It's a GREAT detector and it's less flashy than some of the newer ones like the Max or 360. I have a Max2 right now in my M (and a Passport in my E90). The Max works no better than the Passport but its price and flashiness makes it a thief target. So I gotta take it off whenever I'm in a dodgy area and hide it. Never worried about that with the Passport. It's less obvious and less pricey.

yeah i think i may go that route, my buddy has a V1 and im currently testing the water on it since his on vaca!

[rahul1023]

If you're going to go the route of the V1, make absolutely sure it's one of the newer ones with Junk K-Fighter. That feature for K-band will help reduce the false alarms on K-band that will drive you crazy. If you're buying factory direct from Valentine it's a non issue, but if you're looking used make sure the Serial number ends with 118x or higher.

The top dogs of the radar detector community are (in no particular order): Escort Redline, Beltronics STi Magnum, Escort 9500ci, Beltronics STi-R Plus, Valentine V1 (3.893 or newer only), and if your wallet can handle it the Stinger VIP.

The Redline, STi Magnum (Driver upgraded), STi-R Plus & 9500ci all share the same radar antenna also known as a M3. These are completely undetectable by any measure less than 1foot from Radar Detector Detectors(Spectre) used in Washington D.C. & Virginia. They are the Gold standard of the Escort & Beltronics line for the past 10 years and I trust these completely if configured correctly. (see Band segmentation & RDR Toggle)
The redline & STi Magnum/Driver are windshield mount, and the 9500ci & STi-R Plus are both custom installed. Same antenna just different installs.

The V1 is another beast to consider, it has the arrows that some find useful. The weakness for the V1 is in off-axis radar which the M3 antenna based Escort/Beltronics models shine on. The V1 has a better K-band filter for false alarms in the newest models known as Junk K Fighter. It is super silent vs. the TSR Enabled features the Escort/Beltronics units have. I paired my V1 with the V1Connect Bluetooth Module for Android phones. This allows me to pair it with the YaV1 app, which allows me to apply custom Ka band sweeps for 35.5Ghz & 34.7Ghz radar. It also allows me to disable Ka-Guard mode, which increases sensitivity big time. Ka Guard Off is the same as RDR OFF on the Escort/Beltronics models and custom sweeps is the same as Band segmentation. The YaV1 app will let you have speed based muting as well as GPS Lockouts (huge!).

The Escort, beltronics, and V1 don't hold a candle to the Patch Antenna based Stinger VIP System. If your stomach & wallet can handle a $3000 price tag, then go with that as it will beat any of these models in range for radar detection. You will have so much time to slow down that you can speed up and slow down a few times before you're the target.

Finally, keep in mind a radar detector is useless against laser guns and a laser jammer is useless again radar guns. If you want the best protection you need both. And as others have said, the Antilaser Priority or ALP is the best money can buy against Laser. You can also get a RG Module and plug in a M3 based antenna from a 9500ci or STi-R Plus with the Antilaser Priority and get a fully custom setup with radar & laser.

The options are vast but these are the ones to consider.

My setup (incase you have questions):

Radar:
Beltronics STi Magnum with Band Segmentation/RDR Toggle (2015 update)
Valentine V1 3.8945 (newest) with Custom Sweeps & YaV1 on a throw away Android phone

Laser:

Antilaser Priority Quad, 2 sensors front, and 2 rear.

[GIANITALY]

COBRA DSP9200BT + APP+ WASE. Works awesome and hide perfectly in front of the rear mirror.