Probably a silly question for a diesel forum but.......
 

Does anyone know of a good, relatively inexpensive radar detector? I was driving from New York to Binghamton this weekend on Rt.17 (for those of you who aren't familiar with NY, it's a nice long 170 mile stretch of open road, speed limit: 55) and saw 6 state troopers at various spots laser/radar gunning traffic. I'm not really a speeder (and not just because it's a diesel) but I like stupid little gadgets like radar detectors. It'd be a neat thing to play with.

There are so many out there and they all claim the same results, so I ask you guys if you've ever had experience with any of them. Maybe you can recommend a good general brand or something. Thanks a lot for humoring me.

Alex

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-performance-paddock/25422-radar-dectectors.html?highlight=radar

Has a lengthy discussion and hints about radar detecters,

What a GREAT road, beautiful this time of year too. I've doubled the speed limit a time or two between NY and Binghamton near Deposit :) If you want a truly excellent (best) detector money can buy, get a Valentine One.. $400 but worth every penny. Saved me countless times.

Yes, the Valentine One is the best you can buy, and there are pleanty of advertisements for them in most automotive magazines, though are a bit pricy.

Adam

Thanks for all the links to the various sites. Everyone seems to love the Valentine but the test report that Skalie posted seemed to favor the Bel980 and the Escort 8500. Both are just out of my price range (so that definitely disqualifies the Valentine) so does anyone here have any experience with cheaper more basic models? If Escort makes the best higher end model, does that mean that a lot of the features that matter are in their cheaper ones? Thanks

Alex

i didn't do my research and bought one that I *didn't* like. It picks up too many false signals and random interference, and doesn't pick up radar until they're within visual range anyway. I'll get it out of the glove box when my wife gets home and post the brand & model.

- Nathan
'83 240D "Steiner"
'00 New Beetle TDI