trackpack13gt

I'd like to purchase a reliable radar detector. One that is not subscription based. I've had a cheap one in the past that would be set off by automatic doors.

Which ones are recommended?

SpectreH

Even good ones can be set off by automatic doors. Collision avoidance/blindspot warning systems can also set them off.

SilrBult

As noted, I don't think any of them are immune to false alerts. Especially since so many new cars have adaptive cruise control, automatic braking and blind spot protection. I have a Bel that was state of the art way back when I bought it. It has saved my butt more times then I can count, but it's certainly not infallible. A lot of police have instant on radar that is all but impossible to detect until it's too late. That said if you live or travel in areas where speed traps are common a radar detector can be your friend. If you have one that shows the type of radar being used eg. x,k or ka that can help you decide whether or not it's a real threat or a false alert. From everything I've seen either Escort [ they bought Bel ] or Valentine are the best of the bunch.

junkman9096

Constant vigilance coupled with a healthy regard for traffic conditions. In my 28 years as a CHP officer, when I found a speeder with a detector on his dash I mentioned two things.

(1) if they had a detector I always asked how effective they were(snark). There are more ways to measure speed than by radar. Pacing-speed matching over a distance-and in my local courts I was qualified as an expert in visual speed estimation. If I looked at your car I could make a legally valid estimate of your speed.

(2) I always mentioned that the presence of the radar detector constituted proof of an "intent to speed". There is only one reason to possess a radar detector and that was to speed, thus, no mph knocked off of the citation.

Truth be told, sometimes I'd pull up behind an otherwise inattentive driver (how do you miss that black and white car in the rear view mirror?) and with the detector visible on the dash/mirror. That's when I'd hit the "on" button. You can guess the various reactions.

SpectreH

I have a Valentien One that I sent in about 2 years ago to make current. At that time, most adaptive cruise control, automatic braking and blind spot protection false alarms were fixed. Now, a few newer cars are setting it off again. GM and Acura products seem to be the worse offenders. I run the detector along with the Waze app and have stayed out of trouble. Of course even when speeding, I'm not setting land speed records. The only sure fire way to avoid a ticket is to drive the speed limit.

Glenn

one reason to have one is to help keep your speed in check. Every time it goes off the first thing you do is check your speed. Even if you know you are not speeding. I use one sometimes but rarely go more than 6 or 7 mph over the limit. Its just not worth it to go much faster than that.

berzerk_1980

I agree with all the above advice but no one gave you the recommendation you were looking for.

And I can't either as I've never owned one. But when I considered it I was leaning toward the Valentine One. I'd start there and also always have Waze running.