Radar detectors have come a long way since they first hit the scene back in the 70’s. If you’ve found yourself getting too many speeding tickets, and leaving 15 minutes earlier isn’t an option, then choosing the right radar detector for you is the next step to take. There is a wide variety of radar detection equipment on the market.
The cost of radar detectors is usually a huge deciding factor for most people, but as with everything else, you will get what you pay for. There is a wide selection of detectors that cost around $99. These models are fairly basic and will give an array of lights to show activity with alphanumeric reading and some of them will offer your choice of voice or tone alerts. They don’t have many extras. Going lower in price will get you the lower end models with the most basic surveillance, detecting police signals at a 360* radius, usually with an alarm only to warn you.
Brands like Bell, Cobra, Escort, PNI or Whistler make models that have the connecting power cord, those that are cordless, and ones that are wind shield mounted or concealed. In this mid-range price bracket there are more features added to the basic model, such as silent mode, audio/visual control, English/Spanish, VG-2 alert and detection, just to name a few.
The high performance radar detectors run $200 and are top of the line. Their detection range is farther, and they can detect up to 8 bands of radar in the area. Some come cordless with power cord optional, carrying case, auto on/off, auto display lights, adjustable audio controls, a year warranty - just to name a few of the features. Technology has brought the radar detectors a long way in 30 years so that you don’t need to get that speeding ticket, but they are not guaranteed to keep you ticket free – that is your job.