Radar Detectors for Photoradar

[MidnightDreamer]

I ran a search for this but the results were a bit confusing... Are the radar cameras continuously on using the Ka band for detection? I also got gunned months ago by fake stalled SUV... I'm assuming I was shot down using the Ka band there too... I had a shitty ass fuzz buster before but I was annoyed by the number of false readings I was getting... Can anyone recommend a reasonably well priced detector that I can get for around $150? I realise that I would be getting what I pay for, but I just can't shell out the 3-500 it would cost for a Valentine or Escort... I don't speed unreasonably, but an 80 dollar ticket here and a 100 dollar there add up over time... In the last 2 years, my dad and I have had over 500$ in camera tickets... I'm accident free and haven't been pulled over once since I started driving... but I am damn unlucky with the cams... My dad is what I would label an inatentive driver... I am clueless as to an explanation for why he hasn't been pulled over in 5 years, or had a faulted accident in 30 years... He does rolling stops... never shoulder checks... and never looks ahead during merges... Anyways, any suggestions would be appreciated... please don't be dumb by telling me to slow down, I'm not speeding unreasonably... 10 - 20 over in 80 zones... I'd do 120 on Deerfoot if I wasn't so afraid of cops/cams there...

[FiveFreshFish]

Photo radar is Ka band and as far as I know, it's on continuously. Since it doesn't have to go far, the signal is weak and you get a stronger reading when they're targeting oncoming traffic.

I suggest getting a used Passport 8500 or Valentine 1 off ebay. Might cost you more than your $150 budget but it's worth the extra dollars for a top-rated detector. I got my used Passport 8500 about 15 months ago for $250.

[Honda_002]

I have the cobra Radar/Laser Detector (Model ESD - 9110) and its solid. It get alot of false alarms but it hasent failed me yet. I think I payed 170 for it but its completely worth it. It has 10 bands and it has really helpful features like intelli mute for example, so it wont beep if your under like 500 - 700 rpm's (depending on how you set it) and its completely legal. I picked mine up at mopac, so check it out man

[MidnightDreamer]

Does anyone have the Bel Express 910?
According to this site it's the best bet... in terms of city use K and Ka band detection... http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleID=2003

Does this site have any merit to what they're saying?

[ryder_23]

Dont' cheap out on a radar detector
get a v1

[MidnightDreamer]

The Bel X 910 seems like it would offer adaquate protection for a driver like myself... I'm not going to be speeding hardcore...

[ryder_23]

in the city, you want adequate laser protection...

K band is useless...all radar that cps rarely uses is handheld Ka band, which is RARE.

Photoradar is a very thin radar beam of Ka band, which is hard to pick up, even with a v1.

I have owned 2 cobras, 2 bels, and 4v1s.

cobras sucked, bels were alright (sucked at photoradar)
and the v1s were the best, only reason i sold was i was in need of money. I have recently repurchased one.

The higher end bels are good, bels are good for rcmp, but anthing less than a mid - high class bel, passport 8500, or a v1, anything else is pretty much useless in the city.

[TRD604]

werd, i wanna get a V1.

[Crasian]

Just do what i do... use your eyes and look very carefully... too bad you have tunnel vision. :rofl:

[MidnightDreamer]

Dude?! Have you no respect for the disabled?! My dissability doesn't make me any less a driver than you or my granny who's 82! Biyatch!

[googe]

your best photo radar detector is not speeding past suspicious vehicles parked on the side of the road. the best detectors all suck at photo because its so short-range.

[Crasian]

Hey i'm a damn safe driver :rofl:
It's ok from now on just follow me... i'm usually ok with spotting cops. I'll be your radar detector (sounds so sexual)

p.s. just wear your damn glasses!! for the safety of us all!

[MidnightDreamer]

Originally posted by googe
your best photo radar detector is not speeding past suspicious vehicles parked on the side of the road. the best detectors all suck at photo because its so short-range.

I got tunnel vision dude... suspicious cars on the side of the road, pedestrians, dogs, and deer I don't see lol.

[kenny]

Not sure why everyone is saying Ka band is very weak and hard to detect. The only reason it is hard to detect is because the beam is typically aimed away from your radar detector. All the Valentine1 owners can probably tell their own stories but when I am driving the opposite direction that the photoradar van is facing the V1 will sound the alert well before the photoradar van is visible.

When travelling in the same direction the V1 usually wont sound the alert until I see the photoradar van myself, or if there is someone in front of me to reflect the radar back towards the detector.

[ryder_23]

^

The good news is that the radar beam is on all the time, not playing hide and seek like instant on, so we have lots of time to find it. The bad news is that it uses a narrow beam aimed diagonally across the road. And it's usually very low power, because photo radar doesn't engage the target until it's within a few hundred feet. So you really need detector sensitivity to pick up weak reflections.

Photo radar Ka band, is weak. Regular Ka (handheld units or rcmp moving radar units) are alot stronger, because they have to shoot great distances.

And yes driving towards photo radar in opposite direction, u get a nice warning, even though its useless.