Cheap Detectors - Smokin' Ol' Smokey... Cheaply???
Nov 19 '03
The Bottom Line Go more expensive... But otherwise, read the review.
If you ask people how much they are willing to spend on a radar detector, most will say that spending even $100 is TOO MUCH. Well, if you look at it from an economic perspective, the consumer surplus you get from a detector can be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars from saves from getting tickets and then costly increases in car insurance premiums. Well, some peoples' opinions still can't be swayed, and they will still want to purchase a cheap detector. Here are some things to look for:
-The Display Says...-
*There are a couple different kinds of displays. There are the text-LED screens which show you a very nice display of what band is being used, strength, and what not. Then there are the cheaper ones that have the little lights that light up. They are usually found on the cheapest possible detectors. Usually, an LED screen is easier to read, and can tell you more. Plus text messages can be pretty cool and helpful.
-Sensitivity VS. Features-
*What a lot of detector makers these days do are make funky looking detectors with silver finishes and LED screens. Then they also make them have features such as SWS, voice alerts, compass, etc... However, no matter how much some companies add to a detector, its sensitivity can still be poor. This is clearly evident in Cobra's ESD series detectors which look sleek and sexy, have features such as voice-alerts and compass, but they are very lacking in performance. Valentine One for example which offers their product at $399 gives only the features that you would need to survive in the crazy world of cops.
-Ka... A Fine Line Between Trash And Saviors-
*The bands currently in use by cops are X, K, and Ka. Ka is the newer band, and is much wider than K-band. Ka is also harder to detect than K, and this is what divides the trash detectors from the ones that will actually save you on the road. I have known many people who had very cheap detectors that got pulled over via Ka-band, and they usually got almost none, or even none warning! Uniden and Cobra offer very weak Ka-band performance, while Whistler does have the ability to save you in some instances. However, if you want exceptional performance for Ka-band, you'd have to at least be paying about $200 (The Bel Vector series).
-So... What Can These Cheap Detectors Actually Offer?-
*These cheaper detectors offer significantly worse sensitivity than the big players in the market, such as Valentine One, Escort, and Beltronics. You have to think to yourself, "Do I want to risk getting pulled over?" You should think about how muchy money a ticket and then insurance premiums can end up costing you. A ticket alone will cost you more than a cheap detector, and the premiums will cost probably as much as a remote unit (OR MORE!). However, a lot of the cheap detectors still offer good X-band performance, but most cops don't use it anymore. Then they offer fairly decent K-band performance in some cases, and that is the most widely used radar band. But, when it comes to instant-on radar, the lack of range will screw you over. And like I say, "I'd rather drive detector-less than to drive with a cheap detector." Someone may say, "Hmmmmm... This Cobra ESD-6060 which goes for $39 has X, K, Ka, and Laser, and this Valentine One which goes for $399 also has X, K, Ka, an Laser, so WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE? Well, it can be the warning time that you get to slow down, and that's all that matters. Forget all those gimicky things, and just figure out what you need.
-To Date... Recommended Cheap Units-
*There are two brands that make cheap radars that I can actually recommend. Receiving my highest marks, I'd have to give them to the Beltronics Express series, which when I used them, they were by far superior to those of Uniden or Cobra which are much better performers as door-stops than radar detectors. Whistlers have exceptional performance for the price, and most people that I know which own them seem to be pretty happy.
-In Conclusion-
*I personally wouldn't go for a cheaper unit. Most of them offer horrible sensitivity, but offer pretty cool looks and features. However, looks and features are meaningless, and especially when tehre's a Trooper pulled up behind you with its lights on. It's worth paying the extra money for a great product, such as a Bel Vector, Escort Passport 8500, or Valentine One. But if you can afford only something cheap, I'd say go for a Bel Express, that's your best bet. But if you're looking at very cheap Cobras and Unidens, it's better to drive detector-less than to have a VERY false sense of security.
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