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Radar Detectors: Ratings of Sources
Total of 19 Sources
1. SpeedZones
Not Dated
Annual Radar Detector Test 2009-2010
by Editors of SpeedZones.com
Our Assessment

SpeedZones.com reports on the incredibly well-documented radar-detector tests by Speed Measurement Laboratories. All of the detectors in the test work fine, but a few stand out. The Escort Passport 9500ix has the strongest detection signal, even at long range. Three models from Beltronics and Cobra do the best job evading radar-detector detectors, and testers name certain Whistler and Cobra products as the most innovative. A laser jammer, the Denmark-made Laser Blinder, jams every laser gun in the test, every time. The iRadar app for iPhone alerts you to red-light cameras and speed cameras, but it doesn't detect radar or laser guns.

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2. Guys of Lidar
July 25-27, 2008
2008 Laser Jammer Shootout
by Editors of GuysOfLidar.com
Our Assessment

In this review, editors subject eight different laser jammers to a comprehensive test. Each device is tested against every type of laser gun on the IACP (International Association of Chiefs of Police) approved list except for the new LTI TruSpeed (testers said it was too new to obtain). Two test runs are performed with the gun aimed at a headlight and three with it aimed at the license plate. An easy-to-read chart shows that the Laser Interceptor works best -- but this review has not been updated since a rival company, Blinder, accused Laser Interceptor of patent infringement.

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3. Guys of Lidar
Aug. 17-19, 2007
Radar Detector Test
by Editors of GuysOfLidar.com
Our Assessment The reviews conducted by GuysOfLidar.com are comparative and comprehensive. Complete results are published, leaving the reader to draw his or her own conclusions. All of the top three models here are still current, but this older test was run before the newest models (which can alert you to red-light cameras, for example) came on the market.
4. Radar Detector Geeks
Not Dated
Radar Detector Reviews
by Paul Graham and Gary Smith
Our Assessment

Radar detector "geeks" Paul Graham and Gary Smith own Graham Smith Motoring, a Kentucky auto gear shop they founded after speeding across the country in the famous Cannonball Run race. In this online arm, Graham and Smith provide one-page reviews of 18 radar detectors from Escort, Beltronics, Whistler and Cobra. The detectors are not compared against each other, but each gets a numeric "cannonball rating," making it easy to see which ones rate best. However, testing methodology is not explained. Top-rated are the Escort Passport 9500i and the Beltronics STi Driver. None of the new models that warn of red-light cameras are included.

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5. RadarBusters.com
Not Dated
Radar Roy's Product Recommendations
by Roy Reyer
Our Assessment

Former police officer and certified radar instructor Roy Reyer runs this site, which also sells radar detectors. Reyer was sentenced in 2001 for computer tampering in a satellite-TV fraud case. However, his radar-detector reviews appear credible -- unlike many retailer-written reviews, the testing methodology is clearly explained, and Reyer highly rates some detectors he does not carry, while downgrading some he does. Products are awarded from zero to five stars, and Reyer makes specific recommendations, here and in the section titled "Radar Roy's Badge Ratings." Customer reviews posted here are also helpful, with several detectors amassing 50 or more reviews. Beltronics and Escort models are the winners here.

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6. Laserveil.com
Jan. 11, 2009
Radar Detectors Buyer's Guide 2008-2009
by "The Veil Guy"
Our Assessment

If you can get by the numerous plugs for its own product (an automotive spray designed to absorb laser light in order to reduce a laser gun's targeting range), this site has a number of good single-product and comparative reviews. Unlike some higher-rated reviewers, reporting here is based on real-world driving experience rather than formal testing. Several high-end and budget-friendly detectors are identified as the best currently available in their classes, and subtle differences between them are explained.

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7. 007 Radardetectors.com
As of Sept. 2009
2009 Radar Detector Reviews and Tests
by Editors of 007RadarDetectors.com
Our Assessment

This is another retail site that tests the radar detectors it sells under "real-world" driving conditions. However, there is scant documentation about how the tests are conducted, and there is little detailed discussion of individual models. Instead, each is given numeric ratings for performance and additional considerations, such as features and build quality. The Valentine One rates best overall, but the Beltronics GX 65 and Escort Passport 9500ix give fewer false alerts.

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Radar Detector Test: Escort Passport 9500i and Cobra XRS 9955
by Don Sherman
Our Assessment Don Sherman lives with each of these two radar detectors for a few weeks, and he also tests them side-by-side on his windshield for one day. He likes the Escort Passport 9500i better -- it's more expensive, but it's also more sensitive and easier to use than the Cobra XRS 9955.
9. Wired.com
Not Dated
Product Reviews -- Automotive
by Editors of Wired
Our Assessment

Mixed in amongst reviews for cars, motorcycles and GPS navigators, Brook Wilkinson has posted four August 2009 reviews of radar detectors and speed/red-light camera detectors. Units from NavAlert and Cobra are so user-unfriendly that they get low ratings, and the Cheetah GPS mirror has its drawbacks, but the Escort Passport 9500ix is an Editors' Pick. The brief write-ups give very little information, however.

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Escort Passport 9500ix Radar Detector Weeds Out False Alarms: Tech Test
by Glenn Derene
Our Assessment A site search at Popular Mechanics turns up a few recent radar-detector reviews. Editors say the GPS-equipped Escort Passport 9500ix is the standout among these, for cutting down on false alarms. Editors also like the Cobra XRS 9960G's easier-to-update GPS database, although they haven't tested the unit.
11. CNET
As of Sept. 2009
Radar Detectors
by Editors of CNET
Our Assessment CNET has reviewed only two radar detectors, the Beltronics RX 65 and Cobra XRS 9960G. The Beltronics model earns a score of "very good," beating the Cobra, which "may come up short for faster drivers."
12. RadarDetector.net
As of Sept. 2009
Radar Detector Jammer Forum
by Contributors to RadarDetector.net
Our Assessment This lively discussion site includes forums dedicated to most major brands of radar detectors, as well as general radar-detector discussions, polls and more. Like all user-to-user sites, the discussion can get heated, but there's lots of great information to be found (though it takes some time to weed through it all). The site is moderated by Roy Reyer of RadarBusters.com.
13. RadarTest.com
As of Sept. 2009
Detector Review Index
by Craig Peterson
Our Assessment Reviewer Craig Peterson has long been acknowledged as a top radar-detector reviewer, but that reputation was called into question in 2007 by another review site (GuysOfLidar.com) that accused Peterson of sabotaging one of its tests. Peterson favors Beltronics and Escort models in all of his recent radar-detector tests, and he likes the Cheetah C100 speed/red-light camera detector.
14. Laser Jammer Tests
As of Sept. 2009
Laser Jammer Reviews, Tests and News
by Editors of LaserJammerTests.com
Our Assessment

The testers at Laser Jammer Tests identify themselves only as John and Chris, two laser-jammer enthusiasts. They say they don't accept freebies from companies, instead either buying the jammers they test or inviting readers who own jammers to have them tested. Testing methods are explained, but not in detail. Chris and John make no bones about which brands they hate, and some posters on car and laser-jammer forums say Laser Jammer Tests appears to be biased in favor of the LaserStar, a now-discontinued model that does not perform well in the respected GuysOfLidar.com tests.

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15. Epinions.com
As of Sept. 2009
Radar Detectors
by Contributors to Epinions.com
Our Assessment

Though Epinions.com sometimes lags behind retailer sites when it comes to review volume, radar detectors actually get a fair amount of feedback. Some of the reviews reflect months and sometimes a year or more of use, something few professional reviewers can do. Still, this is a better site to visit after you've narrowed your choices down somewhat, as many radar detectors rate similarly. In addition, many radar detectors remain listed long after they've been discontinued. One current model, the Valentine One, is the clear favorite here. It averages 4.5 stars (out of five) in 140 reviews.

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16. Amazon.com
As of Sept. 2009
Radar Detectors
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Our Assessment

Amazon.com is another good spot to read owner-written reviews of radar detectors. Navigation is easy, since the landing page displays both average ratings and the number of reviews each product has received. Some popular detectors have accumulated 20 to 50 reviews, but review quality varies. Watch out for fake reviews; the GPS Angel speed/red-light camera detector gets perfect ratings, but only one of the reviewers has ever reviewed any other products at Amazon.com.

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17. BestBuy.com
As of Sept. 2009
Radar Detectors
by Contributors to BestBuy.com
Our Assessment BestBuy.com attracts fewer owner reviews than Amazon.com, but it sells a wide selection of radar detectors from the most popular brands. The Escort Passport 9500ix, Escort Passport 8500 X50 and Escort Solo S2 get high ratings and plenty of reviews.
18. PC World
As of Sept. 2009
Radar Detectors
by Contributors to PC World
Our Assessment Users review popular radar detector models here. Some have only one or two ratings, but several have 10 or more. Two of these -- the Beltronics RX 65 and Escort Passport 9500i -- maintain perfect five-star ratings.
10 Cool Car Gifts for the Holidays
by Cheryl Cooper
Our Assessment Road & Track includes one radar detector, the Escort Passport 9500ix, on its holiday gift guide. A short paragraph lists the 9500ix's notable features, but there is no mention of any testing or any other detectors.

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