Radar Detectors

Radar threats 101

Before you purchase a radar detector, it's important to understand the different kinds of radar used by the police. X-band radar (10.5 to 10.55 GHz) used to be the most popular gun used, but these are now almost totally obsolete. X-band is also the frequency that causes the most false alarms. That's because many supermarket automatic doors, garage door openers and microwave towers run on the same frequency. More expensive radar detectors have a city mode that lets you downgrade or disable a detector's sensitivity to X-band, therefore cutting down on the number of false alarms from sources other than law enforcement.

Right now, the majority of radar guns operate on K-band (24.05 to 24.25 GHz) or Ka-band (33.4 to 36 GHz). Ka-band guns, according to SpeedZones.com, account for 90 percent of new radar-gun purchases, and they now are the mostly widely used radar technology. K-band and Ka-band guns are especially tricky because they can be turned on instantly. If an officer chooses your car, it's almost impossible to be warned ahead of time. However, most detectors can provide a warning if a radar gun is targeting vehicles ahead of yours, giving you enough time to slow down.

Police radar guns work by emitting a microwave pulse to measure the speed of a moving vehicle; radar detectors work by sending out a signal that mixes with this pulse to produce a lower, more easily detected frequency. Newer radar guns are licensed to operate in any of three frequencies on the Ka-band -- 33.8 GHz, 34.7 GHz and 35.5 GHz, though experts say that the 33.8 GHz band is rarely used -- and are now the most common type of radar gun in use. Reviewers emphasize Ka-band performance more than X- or K-band, since Ka-band is both harder to detect and increasingly popular. Photo radar also operates on the Ka-band and photographs the license plates of speeding vehicles.

Law enforcement has found a new way to stack the deck with POP modes on Ka-band and a few K-band radar guns. POP modes allow officers to send out signals in bursts too short to be picked up by many radar detectors. The catch is that speeders caught using POP modes can't be ticketed because the law requires a radar gun to lock onto a vehicle. However, if law enforcement detects a speeding vehicle using POP mode, he or she can then flip the gun into constant-on mode and get a lock on a vehicle. While Speed Measurement Laboratories continue to test POP modes, other testers either do so inconsistently or have stopped doing so altogether. Though Roy Reyer at RadarBusters.com continues to conduct POP radar testing, he notes that it is seldom if ever used by law enforcement and "should not be a major concern as an 'important feature' in considering your radar detector."

The laser gun is becoming increasingly popular. Law enforcement particularly likes laser guns for use on crowded roadways, since laser light beams are so tight, they can easily pick a speeding car out of a crowd. Another positive for police is that, generally speaking, laser guns give off little advance warning. Unlike radar, which outputs a relatively unfocused signal that can be detected miles away, laser uses a tightly aimed beam that generates little in the way of reflections or scatter for a distant detector to detect. That means that once a laser detector sounds its alert, it's already too late, as the laser that it is detecting is aimed squarely at you. Laser guns do have some downsides for police, however: Since the laser must reflect back to the gun off a flat surface, the police have to get a good aim, usually at your front or back license plate or headlights. In addition, laser guns have to be used from a stationary position -- giving you some opportunity to visually spot the speed trap.

Most radar detectors can also detect laser guns, but experts say that a laser detector alone is of limited use. Instead, they recommend coupling the detector with a laser countermeasure such as a laser jammer (which, unlike radar jammers, remain legal in many jurisdictions) or another countermeasure such as an anti-reflective coating on your headlights or license plates.

Finally, some police departments use a device known as a radar detector detector (RDD) to alert them to vehicles equipped with radar detectors. For passenger cars, using a radar detector is legal everywhere except Virginia, Washington, DC and on military bases. However, they are illegal in commercial vehicles and in much of Canada. Most RDDs can detect most radar detectors, though some are better at covering up their telltale signal leakages than others, and one model, the Escort Passport 9500i (*est. $450) was developed specifically for the commercial driver and is outstanding in that regard.

It's also important to realize that no radar detector will report every single radar encounter. There are too many variables, such as terrain, angle of the gun to the car, interference from other traffic, etc. While certain models do better than others, no radar detector will spot 100 percent of radar threats 100 percent of the time.

Best radar detectors

The Valentine One (*est. $400) is a dinosaur among radar detectors, first introduced in 1992. Despite criticism from some quarters, most experts and many users consider it the gold standard against which all other radar detectors are compared. One reason is that the Valentine One has evolved over time, adding features and functions to address both shortcomings and new methods of speed detection. For example, the Valentine One originally lacked the ability to detect POP radar because the company did not consider it a significant threat to motorists. However, Valentine bowed to consumer and critical pressure a few years ago and quietly added that feature to the Valentine One. In the latest tests by Speed Measurement Labs, the Valentine One was one of only two radar detectors -- the other was the budget priced Whistler XTR-690 -- to garner a perfect score in detecting POP transmissions.

In testing, the Valentine One continues to equal or surpass other radar detectors in most trials. Unlike most dash-mounted radar detectors, the Valentine One has two antennas to detect radar both in front and behind the vehicle, with directional arrows to identify the location of the threat. According to SpeedZones.com, "This arrow feature is extremely accurate and beneficial on non-false alert polluted roads like interstates." In Speed Measurement Laboratories' competitive trials, the Valentine One achieved perfect scores in detecting radar signals in all bands. In Guys of Lidar's most recent test, the Valentine One detected radar signals as soon or sooner than other models in most test runs. Early detection is important, as it gives drivers a few extra seconds to slow down.

Critics agree that the Valentine One stands head-and-shoulders above other models in laser detection, and it's the only detector to get a perfect laser detection score in Speed Measurement Laboratories' most recent test. However, SpeedZones.com notes, "if your detector does alert you to laser it usually means you just got a ticket." Still, if laser countermeasures (see below) are also used, an accurate laser detector can be very helpful.

The Valentine One is not without some warts, however. For one thing, it's relatively expensive given its dearth of features; you'll find few bells and whistles aside from the dual radar antennae and directional arrows. More significantly, many complain that the Valentine One is more susceptible to false alerts than other radar detectors. As The Veil Guy notes at Laserveil.com, however, more filtering of radar signals means some legitimate threats -- such as an instant-on radar gun at the fringes of the detector's range -- might be missed.

The biggest advancement in radar detectors of late is the incorporation of GPS capabilities. That allows drivers to log the locations of known false alerts, speed traps and traffic enforcement cameras. This can be especially helpful for drivers who regularly travel the same route or drive in urban and suburban locations where there are lots and lots of potential false alert sources. The Escort Passport 9500i (*est. $450) is one of the first radar detectors to include GPS capabilities, and critics say it's a reliable performer in most ways.

In the majority of tests, the Escort 9500i scores as well or just slightly behind the Valentine One. It is the second best detector against laser, but trails the Valentine One by a significant margin in Speed Measurement Laboratories tests. One area where it excels, however, is in eliminating false alerts. Filtering is excellent, and the Escort radar detector's GPS feature lets users log false alarms by both location and frequency. That way, if something new -- such as a speed trap -- appears in an area that was formerly logged as a false alert, the alarm is still passed on to the driver. Drivers can also log the location of regular speed traps and traffic enforcement cameras, and the Escort 9500i will alert them when they approach those locations.

Radar detectors are legal in passenger cars in most jurisdictions in the U.S. (Virginia, Washington, D.C., and military bases are the exceptions), but the picture is considerably different for drivers of commercial vehicles. Federal law prohibits radar detectors in commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds in all 50 states. Most radar detectors give off signals of their own, which can be picked up by police using a radar detector detector (RDD).

The latest tool developed to counteract the effectiveness of RDDs is the Beltronics STi Driver (*est. $450) , which the company says was made with professionals (i.e. commercial truck drivers) in mind. In tests by Speed Measurement Laboratories, Guys of Lidar, RadarBusters.com and elsewhere, the STi was the only radar detector able to mask its presence to RDDs right to the gun. Roy Reyer of RadarBusters.com writes, and testing by others concurs, that the STi Driver is the only gun able to defeat the Spectre III RDD, which has largely replaced the less effective VG-2 RDD. We've also seen reports of a Spectre IV RDD. Of the ongoing cat and mouse game between radar detector makers and radar gun manufacturers, SpeedZones.com writes: "Many have made their radar detectors radar detector detector detectors detecting the detector detector before the detector detector can detect the detector." And so it goes.

In addition to its anti-RDD abilities, the STi Driver is a competent performer. In testing, it holds its own against the Valentine One and Escort 9500i. Though the detection range is slightly shorter in some tests, it still picks up radar signals far enough away from the gun to give motorists plenty of time to slow down. It is a good performer when it comes to laser detection, though not quite as good as the Escort 9500i and significantly inferior to the Valentine One. Of course, the usual comments about the value of laser detection apply here as well.

A few other premium radar detectors get some consideration from critics. Radar Roy Reyer at RadarBusters.com gushes over the Beltronics Pro RX65 (*est. $330) , calling it his number one pick. He notes that it is very similar in performance to the Escort 8500 X50 (*est. $300) , but with a few extra features (Escort owns Beltronics). Those features include voice alerts and Ku band capabilities for European use (Ku band radar is not used in the U.S.). Both radar detectors have city modes, which reduce false alarms, and both come with a hard carrying case.

Other reports confirm that the Bel Pro RX65 and the Escort 8500 X50 are competent performers. Guys of Lidar's testing, however, reveals that their detection range falls short compared to the top choices, especially the Valentine One and Escort 9500i. Still, either should give a driver plenty of time to slow down when radar is detected. While less expensive than higher rated choices, these radar detectors are not as effective in detecting laser as the Valentine One, in defeating RDD as the STi Driver, or in suppressing false alerts as the Escort 9500i.

Finally, the Beltronics Vector 995 (*est. $220) delivers performance that's similar to the Pro RX65, but has a fewer features. For example, the Bel Pro RX65 has programmable voice alerts and a multiple-threat alarm, which can tell you if more than one type of radar gun is detected. The Bel Vector 995 skips these features (though a basic voice alert is present), along with the hard carrying case and Ku band capability, but it does cost less.

Best budget radar detectors

There are a number of sub-$200 radar detectors on the market, but few get much in the way of positive reviews, at least from experts and aficionados. One exception is the Beltronics Pro RX55 (*est. $180) , a step-down version of the RX65 profiled above. Roy Reyer of RadarBusters.com says the RX55 is an excellent budget pick. This model differs in only a few ways from the RX65. The higher-end model gives you more information on its display, telling users which kind of radar it's picking up. While the Beltronics Pro RX65 comes with an aluminum carrying case, the Beltronics Pro RX55 skips the case.

We also saw positive comments for the even less expensive Whistler XTR-690 (*est. $125) and the very similar Whistler Pro 78 (*est. $140) . Reports say that the two are identical in performance, but differ slightly in features. The XTR-690 has a built in compass and volt meter, while the Pro 78 has a higher-resolution, auto-dimming display. In addition, the Whistler Pro 78 has an anti-slip dash mount pad that's also available as an optional accessory on the Whistler XTR-690.

In testing by Speed Measurement Labs, both -- but particularly the Whistler XTR-690 -- scored very well against POP radar. They also are impressive performers against RDD units. While both could be detected in most tests, the detectors effectively shielded themselves until they were very close to the gun. Performance against the Spectre III RDD is particularly noteworthy, delivering easily the second best scores after the Beltronics STi Driver. However, testing does indicate a performance hole in detecting instant-on 33.8 GHz Ka radar, but Speed Measurement Laboratories notes that detection at that frequency is not critical, since 33.8 GHz radar is rarely used.

Detection distances for the Whistler models, as measured by Guys of Lidar, are not particularly impressive compared to the top radar detector choices, but still should provide adequate time to slow down. The Veil Guy at Laserveil.com compares the Whistler radar detectors to the Beltronics STi Driver and says that in most cases (but not all), they reacted a significant number of seconds after that highly rated radar detector. However, he says that performance in the 34.7 GHz Ka band nearly equaled -- and in one case even outperformed -- the STi Driver.

Laser jammers

As discussed above, laser guns present the biggest obstacle to speeders. Because their light beams are so narrow, they are almost undetectable unless your radar detector can pick up bounced light off of other vehicles. However, if you're on a sparsely crowded highway, and a laser-gun operator has you in his crosshairs, your radar detector will probably only be able to warn you when it's too late.

While it is illegal in every state to attempt to jam radar guns, it's still perfectly legal to jam lasers except in Minnesota, California, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Utah, Virginia, Colorado and Washington D.C., where laser jammers have been banned or restricted. Several products on the market claim to do just that. These are active jammers, which emit an infrared beam at the right frequency, so that laser guns are confused and unable to get a lock on your vehicle's speed. Laser jammers won't confuse the laser gun indefinitely, but better models should give you enough time to adjust your speed before the laser locks on.

Laser jammers are expensive, costing anywhere between $250 on up to $1,400. All come with at least one transceiver unit, but the better models have two to four transceivers -- two for the front of your car and one or two for the rear. The transceivers are all connected to a control box inside your car. Laser jammers require either professional installation or a very handy novice, and laser jammers don't double as radar detectors, although some can be integrated with a separately purchased radar detector. Laser jammers are also fairly discreet; their components remain mostly hidden to traffic enforcement as well as to thieves.

Speed Measurement Laboratories did not test laser jammers in 2007, and most other tests are older as well. One exception is a test conducted in March 2007 by Guys of Lidar. By far, the most effective jamming system in that test was the Laser Interceptor (*est. $660, two transceivers; $1,110, four transceivers). The catch is actually finding one in the United States. The Laser Interceptor is made in Croatia and has only limited distribution in the U.S., though it can be bought from several resellers abroad who will ship to the U.S. See our Best Research section below for more information.

Blinder makes a series of laser jammers that is more readily available in the U.S. However the company recently updated its M-20 and M-40 models as the M-25 X-treme (*est. $430) and M-45 (*est. $680) . There have yet to be any formal tests on the new jammers, and discussions about them have been heated -- to say the least -- at RadarDetector.net. While most agree that the M-20 and M-40 were decent laser jammers, we've seen some informal reports that the latest models are a step back. The M-25 and M-45 are largely identical; the major difference is that the M-45 has four laser jamming transceivers, while the M-25 has two. Most critics say that two is sufficient for most cars, but that the M-45 is a must for larger vehicles, such as SUVs, or in order to provide both rear and front protection.

Another interesting countermeasure is a product called Laser Veil (*est. $90). Laser Veil is a paint-on coating you apply to your license plate and headlights that makes them less reflective. While earlier attempts at some kind of laser-deflecting paint have been ill received, SpeedZones.com says this one really works. They tested it in 2005 and found that while Laser Veil won't totally prevent a laser lock, it will give you significantly more time to slow down. Laser Veil needs to be reapplied every four to six months

Important Features: Radar detectors

Here's what experts say to consider before choosing a radar detector:

• The further away the device is able to detect radar guns and laser, the easier it will be for you to slow down in time to avoid a ticket. Results vary a little, but all the models in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers will give you a mile or more warning on X-band, K-band and Ka-band frequencies (depending on obstructions and terrain).

• Radar detectors should filter out noise and trigger signals only from actual radar guns. Look for models with city/highway mode, which varies sensitivity to limit urban false alarms. Many radar detectors now allow you to disable X-band alerts. X-band radar guns are now nearly obsolete in most areas, yet conflicts on the X-band frequency often trigger false alarms.

• A detector should provide easy-to-understand audio and visual warnings. It should also have a dark mode for discreet nighttime use.

• An automatic or manual mute silences audio alarms during extended radar encounters.

• A cordless radar detector can be an attractive option if you need your lighter for other uses. However, running on a battery diminishes performance, and reviewers do not recommend these models.

• Remote detectors have antennas that mount behind the grill, with controls under the dashboard for discretion and protection against thieves. They're pricier than one-piece models and require professional installation, but they are less prone to theft.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Model (With Retailer Links)	Details from Amazon.com
4	Escort Passport 9500i (*est. $450)	details
4	Beltronics STi Driver (*est. $450)	details
3	Valentine One (*est. $400)	details
2	Escort Passport 8500 X50 (*est. $300)	details
2	Beltronics Pro RX65 (*est. $330)	details
2	Whistler XTR-690 (*est. $125)	details
2	Beltronics Vector 995 (*est. $220)	details
1 each	Cobra XRS-9930 , Whistler Pro 78

The best advice we've seen is that the best radar detector is the one that fits where you travel and the types of law enforcement used. With that in mind, the Valentine One, Beltronics STi Driver and Escort Passport 9500i, are all top-shelf choices. All are strong performers overall, but each has a particular strength that could make it the ideal choice for certain drivers. However, all are relatively expensive. The Beltronics Pro RX65 doesn't quite have the range of the best radar detectors, but it's feature packed. The Whistler XTR-690 costs less than half as much as any of the radar detectors above and is good at keeping itself hidden from RDDs. Though its range is adequate in most cases, and sometimes even better than that, it won't give you nearly as much warning as better rated radar detectors.

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