Does anyone have any recommendations for a good radar detector? From looking around it looks like Bel and Escort are the top contenders. Opinions? Also - has anyone had the remote radar detectors installed (or installed themselves) such as the Bel STI-r or the Escort 9500ci? They're pretty expensive but the idea of having them stealth and permanently installed sounds tempting...
I have a Beltronics Vector LR model 975. and am quite happy with the results, it is built in, which I mounted and wired myself a very simple install gtss
Depends on your budget. Go to radarbusters.com and read up, its a real informative site. They review each radar detector and give reports and star ratings. I was looking for a decent one without spending $400. After much research, I went with the Whistler XTR-690. I got it for about $120 on eBay and it works real well. Its kind of the top of the mid-range detectors, I wouldn't bother buying anything rated less. If you got $400 then Bel's, Escort's, and Valentine tend to be top of the line. Make sure it has POP detection, otherwise it should be used as a paper weight. Even older Bel's and Escort's may not have POP. Also remember that if they are using Laser on you, I don't think even a Bel or Escort will help. You don't get any reaction time with Laser. Need Laser Jammer. That I don't know much about.
You need to remember in general that Laser is a LIGHT. Meaning that in bad weather conditions it does not work as well. In rain it tends to reflect off the rain and isn't as effective. Either way, if you get hit with laser, you're screwed. Also, I agree that the 9500i by Escort is one of the best if not the best. I absolutely love it and it has saved me more than a few times
I have the Escort 8500 and hardwired it myself (easy). The wiring kit comes with a remote power LED and mute button which I installed in my overhead console. The power cord for the detector comes down from the headliner so I don't have any wires coming up the windshield from the dash. Hardwiring saves the annoyance of having a curly cord hanging down from the detector to the power point. Also, I wired it so that it turns off with the key (the powerpoint is always "on"). I might consider swapping it out for a 9500 which I understand can be trained to ignore repeat false alarms based on their GPS position. I've found most of the false alarm locations on my normal routes but still have to hit the mute button manually. If I had it to do over again, I'd spend the extra $$$ for the GPS feature.
