What is the best radar detectors for speed cameras?

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tradertim

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#150232 15-Jul-2014 20:47

Guys whats the best radar detectors out there that give plenty of notice to speed cameras?

Personal experience by people who own them is appreciated.

I read the old topics but they are a couple of years out of date now.

Thanks alot.

TraderTim

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#1089591 15-Jul-2014 22:00

http://radardirect.co.nz is the place to go. Beltronics are very good.

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petercad

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#1089606 15-Jul-2014 22:02

And now for a reply that is of assistance for the OP

I have a Valentine 1, about 5 years old, and it gives me 1-200 metres warning before the speed camera vans on average - they operate at a very low power on K band, and you will get some false-alarms on that band as well, be prepared

The only other brand I would consider is Bel/Escort (same company, different brands), forget the actual model number, but their 2 high-end ones are great as well, I just prefer the Valentine

As for the 'Don't speed and you won't get caught' people - maybe they should stop being brainwashed by NZTA, Govt and Police and realise that speed isn't the big killer that we're told it is.
Speed is targetted as it is a easy thing to gather fines from and scaremonger with
Speed is a contributor to almost every crash, purely as you are usually moving when an accident happens - the only thing we hear about in a crash is "Speed was a factor", not conditions, crap drivers, car condition, just the speed - getting really sick of it

And, yes, I speed, yes I have been caught twice in 20-odd years of driving, but my Valentine has saved me many times - usually at the 10k or less over the limit that so many get caught doing

Don't even get me started on the 4km/h tolerance....

chevrolux

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#1089619 15-Jul-2014 22:23

Back when I cared Valentine 1 was the business. Had a cheapy for a while and all sorts would set it off. The Valentine wouldn't unless there really was an issue.

Did it help? NOPE!!! Still got tickets lol.

kiwitrc

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#1089678 16-Jul-2014 06:18

I still have a Valentine One that I had from my Turbo Subaru Days, these days I drive a lot more sedately in a Hilux so dont rely on it much any more. It doesn't pick up any speed cameras at all, but then I havent checked what bands I have turned on but pretty sure K will be one of them though.

Having said that I actually don't mind speed cameras. There are no demerit points so its just speed tax.

scuwp

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#1089696 16-Jul-2014 07:50

No one ever said speeding caused all crashes, although it is a cause in a significant number, but surely the GZ'ers intellect can grasp the basic concepts of physics? Laws of Motion? Kinetic energy? If the unthinkable happens, be it your fault or not, speed counts towards the the severity of the crash and whether or not you walk away [FACT] (sorry couldn't help myself Lol) .

But on a serious note, if the cops using the in-car radar know what they are doing, then all your radar detector will tell you is that you have just been caught.

For the static camera's - are the new digital camera signals even detectable on these devices anymore?

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

kiwitrc

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#1089702 16-Jul-2014 07:57

scuwp:
But on a serious note, if the cops using the in-car radar know what they are doing, then all your radar detector will tell you is that you have just been caught.

No not really. Even if they are using instant on, the range of say the Valentine One is such that you will get a ping if the cop turns his radar on someone ahead of you (depending on the road and terrain that can be a few kilometres). Of course if you are the only car around and the cop hasnt turned his radar on prior then chances of getting caught are pretty high.

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Inphinity

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#1089715 16-Jul-2014 08:26

Speed is certainly a factor in crashes, but based on many studies around the world, it is a lesser factor in the cause of them than many would believe - but of course, once the incident occurs, the higher speed at impact results in increased damage and injury. Ideally we would focus on driver, vehicle, and roadway quality control, but that's unlikely (you won't be popular if you tell 2/3 of people they're too crap to be allowed to drive anymore), so mitigating the results is the easy option.

Anyway, back to the OPs question - I too would go Valentine One. Too many false readings or missed readings with the cheaper units I've used (Uniden, Cobra etc).

hsvhel

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#1089755 16-Jul-2014 09:31

I've had a valentine one (now the property of whoever stole it), and currently use a Belltronics Sti. both equal performance, valentine had the novelty of which direction the threat is.
If you are going to have the vehicle for some time, I would recommend the fitted units, very discrete and always there. This would be budget dependent though, they're usually about 200-800 more depending on what you look for

Radardirect were the place to go when I was looking.

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ilovemusic

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#1089820 16-Jul-2014 11:06

coffeebaron: http://radardirect.co.nz is the place to go. Beltronics are very good.

ditto esp. the sti and their hidden models, the product line is getting a bit old now as the parent company (which also owns escort) are focussing more on the escort line.

haven't seen the new 'max' but the 9500ix, redline and x50 are excellent performers.

i'd rate them a whisker above the venerable valentine 1, with the x50 being a best buy.

xpd

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#1089840 16-Jul-2014 11:30

I always got told that by the time you've registered your detector alerting you to a camera, its already too late. Pretty sure the smoke pouring from the tires would be a good indication for a roadside cop with a handheld unit that you were speeding... ;)

XPD / Gavin

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hangon

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#1089881 16-Jul-2014 12:29

tradertim: Guys whats the best radar detectors out there that give plenty of notice to speed cameras?

Personal experience by people who own them is appreciated.

I read the old topics but they are a couple of years out of date now.

Thanks alot.

the old pole fixed speed cameras - I don't think anyone can detect that but some GPS will warn you when approaching the POI

as many said, driving at the speed limit is just fine. your speedo is usually a few km faster unless you changed your tyre diameters. so if it shows 100km/h, you most likely driving below 100km/h - don't push your luck though

and driving at 120km/h won't save you much time compare to 100km/h, you do end up paying a lot more for petrol

with the 4km/h tolerance during holidays, it can get tricky in passing lanes.

on the other hand, certain roads are perfectly safe to drive at 120 km/h or more (median barrier, proper sealed and camber), some barely at 70 km/h, yet both marked as 100 km/h

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Mark

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#1089897 16-Jul-2014 12:47

hangon:

and driving at 120km/h won't save you much time compare to 100km/h, you do end up paying a lot more for petrol

Of course it'll save time, after an hour of 120km/h I'll be 20km ahead of the person doing 100km/h .. it'll take them 12 minutes to catch up, enough time for coffee and a cake!

;-)

tanivula

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#1089915 16-Jul-2014 13:00

Wading in to this discussion... I've had an Escort 9500ix and it was pretty awesome. With built in GPS, it had the fixed camera positions and you could lock out K band falses (automatic opening doors at BP etc). Also, when driving slowly, ie not the open road/motorway, it would reduce its sensitivity so you get even less falses.

hangon

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#1089922 16-Jul-2014 13:10

Mark:
Of course it'll save time, after an hour of 120km/h I'll be 20km ahead of the person doing 100km/h .. it'll take them 12 minutes to catch up, enough time for coffee and a cake!
;-)

longer trip yes, short trip nuh

part of reason I had a bel rx-65 back in the days i had long trips each weekend

i'd "drive to the condition", focus more on the road rather than whether the speedo is 109 or 111, or higher..

MikeB4

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#1089929 16-Jul-2014 13:19

The best device I have found to avoid speed cameras etc is the Cruise Control. Already paid for and available at the push of a button.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

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