Let's talk radar detectors and their setup

[IG.]

Yes, I did the search, and read a bunch of posts. Yes, fallenarch, I saw your past post, too... but I still can't figure it out. Had problem with cops lately, and have a feeling I need to upgrade my old Bell Express cordless which I carry in my pocket.

Here is a set of my requirements...

1. Price - ideally under $300. Even better if under $200. Good stuff is do damn expensive. I am not sure I would care for picking up a signal 8 times the distance of a radar gun. 2 times is enough for me. But maybe I don't understand something. GPS features are nice, and learning about false alarms, but if I get the same signal in the same spot, I could take on such chore myself.

2. Gotta be able to pick up radar from the rear. Yeah, lately this has been an issue. Cops trailing you from the distance. You open up a bit, and Boom! They nail you.

3. Gotta be hidden on the bike. It just doesn't feel right if you get pulled over, and LEO comes by and sees it.

4. Gotta be able pick up POP radars, and be undetectable - so cops don't know you have a radar detector.

5. Reliable audio. Screamer seems like a decent option. visual alerts seems to be useless as your eyes are on the road/surroundings. Not a big fan of in helmet audio/visual - wired, or bluetooth - this is just to much technology.

6. Would be nice to share the same detector between the bike and the car.

Any other suggestions?

Any thoughts on Whistler Crusader? I read reviews - they are somewhat mixed. The reason I noticed it is that it is permanently mounted on the bike, the sensors are installed in suitable locations, and connected to the main unit via wiring. The display doesn't look like your typical radar detector - which I like. It has no audio though as it is, but has audio output so this should work with screamer or alike.

 

[busaziggy]

I use ESCORT REDLINE model.

It meets some of your important criteria -

It will pick up radar up to 10 miles out in optimum conditions.
It picks up from behind.
It is undetectable by radar detector detectors (stealthy )
It will work in your car.
It will pick up "pop". It will pick up LASER. If you are the first vehicle being popped or layered you are TOAST.

It is not under $300.
If you are travelling a speed you need some kind of audio signal to your helmet no matter how loud of a "screamer" you have.

You need a laser jammer too.....not cheap.

Ziggy

 

[1busa]

This is what I run on my busa: TPX motorcycle radar detector 2.0

Been running this for over 3 years now and works like a charm

Key features such as being water proof so no worries about getting caught in the rain. The buttons are large and are illuminated so I can work it with gloves on and see them well @ night. Has an audible alarm which I can hear no problem with helmet on and a visual LED alert that will grab you attention mounted near you gauges. Best part brand new on ebay for less than $300. You can buy accessories like wireless headset alert, blue tooth, and it works in conjunction as 1 system with the TPX laser jammer unit.

It's been proven that radars work the best when they have a clear line of sight. Which is why most mount them on the dash or on the windshield. It'll still pick up stuff in a glove box or on a seat but your range will be greatly diminished. Which is why I mounted mine using an accessory stem mount and a piece of aluminum to mount my radar and rear view camera. Laser Jammers work but they absolutely need 2 be mounted with no obstruction in their range of view. That's why a laser jammer setup usually requires 2 units on a car. One in the front & 1 in the rear of a car. That's gonna be expensive and hard 2 mount on a bike with such limited space.

 

[fallenarch]

I have a Beltronic STI Driver that I upgraded to a Magnum. I'll be honest, I don't think it really does much. I get a warning for the occasional cop but basically it just picks up pharmacies and gas stations. Cops don't ride down the road with the radar on anymore, they are using POP. So half of the time I see the cop before the RD! In VA RD's are illegal so you have to hide it. I have the SENA SH10 thing so I plug the RD into that and the warning is then sent to the headset. I keep it in a safe place but it makes Laser and rear detection pretty much impossible. I have been looking for a better mounting place for years but none yet. considered a remote type where the sensors are permanently on the bike but the technology changes so much I really wasn't willing to plop down $1500 every 2-3 years to be protected. I think you need more than just the remote warning lights, as the STi tells you the band, which basically tells you if the warning is a bank, pharmacy or a cop (you quickly learn the bands). Also, I worry about cops rolling up and switching their radar on and off so they can see the lights too - especially at night.

Bottom line is RD is not the cloak it used to be and frankly, I would probably spend the money elsewhere if I was buying now. Our joke on our rides is "wow, RD saved us from that Pharmacy". It's gotten to a point where the RD cuts into the music as you pass non-target RD and it's actually annoying! I installed a switch so I can just shut the thing off completely (helpful with cop stops too). Now, I pretty much ride the legal limits and keep my illegalities to the back roads, where cops rarely travel. Even with red light cams, who on a motorcycle runs red lights (not being funny - this is asking for an eternally comfortable spot in a casket)?

 

[GNBRETT]

2. Gotta be able to pick up radar from the rear. Yeah, lately this has been an issue. Cops trailing you from the distance. You open up a bit, and Boom! They nail you.

thats them tracking you with a calibrated speedometer. although, they car surely get u from behind if stationary as well. well, they can get with radar moving too but that pretty rare but it is possible.

I have that feature in my Radar unit but never use it. I don't know one single trooper around here that has that function in his Radar unit to track you from behind so the its not the Radar unit gettn u its the cop simply pacing u. id be more weary of soft unmarked cars then anything.

that whistler is a pretty kool unit tho. I doubt any cop wud see that and think its a Display unit for a radar. they wud think its some sorta logger or somthn for ur bikes electronics.

 

[fallenarch]

So GNBRETT, do RD's really work anymore? Sometimes I drive right by cops and it doesn't even sound an alarm. What is different?

 

[1busa]

Around my way they use VASCAR..... it's 2 painted white lines and they basically clock you from the time you enter and then leave the designated area. then the machine calculates your speed based off when you entered & exited the lines. It's not radar and undetectable. It's all mathematics and holds weight in court, as they say "Numbers Never Lie"

In Ohio they have mobile radar. They can drive around and it will allow them to see the speed of oncoming traffic or they can ping you from behind as well. They only use this method of radar in a few select states. 1 cop told me they typically get out of state drivers cause they have no idea mobile radar exists so they blow by them going the opposite direction on a road thinking they are safe and a few minutes later their ticket proves otherwise

Thats why I keep my radar on my bike, even though mostly in PA they use that vascar method it still gives me a heads up when I'm in OH or an occasional blind turn when a state boy might be camping out

 

[IG.]

Thanks for all detailed responses. Let me tell you about my most recent encounter. I was doing a measly 70. saw a SUV way back in my mirrors, and although the thought crossed my mind, it didn't seem like a police car. I accelerated to pass another car, and then something told me to back off. So, I passed that car, moved to the right in front of the car and continued at a measly 70... After the cop pulled me over, he said he clocked me doing 80 while I was passing a car. I am pretty sure he used radar, but because I carry my Bell Cordless Express in my front jacket pocket, it only picks up radar from the front. Yeah, he gave me a bit of a break and wrote me for 70/55, but still... The highway was relatively empty, so he had no trouble keeping his radar ON. Also, when riding on country roads, local cops rarely just sitting in the bushes (unless they set up a road block or something). Almost every time I saw an oncoming cop, my radar would go off.

I never trust a RD 100%, only about 30%. As you guys point out, your eyes, common sense, and awareness play more important role, and this has been working just fine for a number of years... until recently. Within a short period of time, I got one in a car, then on the bike, and then another on the bike. Don't know - maybe the government needs more money.

I did catch cops trailing me in the past, and was doing the speed limit at those times, until they give up. But now, it's getting impossible.

I really like TPX 2.0 or Whistler Crusader because they don't look like your typical RD, although TPX cannot be mounted in the dash and it can be easily detected by cops (i.e. does not have anti-RDD features, but neither does Crusader, with its useless anti VG2 which no one uses these days). I probably would end up having a power switch anyway, so I would just turn it off if being pulled over. Other options are more expensive, and other RD's are just huge.

1busa, let me ask you about TPX. Does the unit itself has the front radar sensor and the front laser sensor? What about the rear? Is visual alert (they mention 3-led's) bright enough to notice if I am not looking down, and is it included or do I have to buy it separately? Audio alert - does it come from the unit itself? Will I hear it at 100? At 150? At 200? I do wear 33 db ear plugs. Oh, I am only asking about those speeds to get a sense of audio capabilities. Everyone knows that a motorcycle cannot travel that fast.

 

[GNBRETT]

So GNBRETT, do RD's really work anymore? Sometimes I drive right by cops and it doesn't even sound an alarm. What is different?

yea they still work. remember if the cop is lazy he will leave his Radar unit ON vs. STAND-BY. in stand-by its powered up and u just hit a button and it sends a signal out. if its in simply ON its emitting a signal all the time and therefore the radar unit can pick it up.

the radar detector is NOT faster then the radar signal when picking it up. meaning, if ur coming down the road doin 80 and I turn the unit on it will pick up ur speed before u have time to take ur foot of the pedal or throttle. especially if its a KA band unit. we did several experiments with 3 different radar detectors and none of them picked up the signal before it read on the unit.

remember ur perception reaction time on average is 1.6 seconds. meaning, once u perceive either a danger or an alert from the detector it takes ur brain on average 1.6 seconds to react and take ur foot off the pedal and apply the brake. some will be quicker and some will be slower but on average 1.6 seconds. that speed is already registered on the cops radar unit by the time u say "oh shiit".

but remember not all cops have radar units in their car and if the do the antenna may be pointing in the opposite direction so no signal is being picked up by ur radar detector

 

[1busa]

The unit detects radar and laser but it isn't a laser jammer. So if the cop is smart and turns it on just before he uses it you'll still get popped but that's the same with radar too... I've picked up radar in front and behind me with just this 1 unit. Like I said it's mounted on a stem mount and has a clear view in front of me and I guess it's sensitive enough 2 pick up radar. Behind me as well. Not nearly as far in front but somethings better than having no warning. Nothings guaranteed these days but like I said for me it's just a little added insurance when I've been riding 4 a little while and maybe get a little too comfortable or in a new area where I don't know the typical spots where they camp out.

The visual alert is noticeable 4 me. It depends on where you mount it. It pretty much emits a light similar to a rev limiter. So if mounted in front somewhere on your dash it should grab your attention. Same with the audible alert. I have no trouble hearing it bike running helmet on and other cars etc. Around. It has adjustable volume as well as adjustable LED brightness on the buttons. As soon as it goes off you can mute it and still see the visual alert. You can also hold in the power button and turn it off in less than a few seconds.

Haven't tested it at xtreme speeds because honestly it won't do you any good..... your flying down the road @ breakneck speeds by the time you slow down from the warning your probably still gonna be well over. I bought this radar 2 prevent me from getting the bullchit tickets 10-15mph over. Everybody who rides a busa knows how smooth and comfortable it rides so 60 feels like 40 and vice versa. For some odd reason PA likes to have multiple speed limits signs on the same few miles of road? No lie..... the speed will go from 55 to 40 to 25 & 35 within a 5 mile stretch of road!!! No schools or city type traffic, 1 red light for miles and miles. Doesn't make sense but them cops will sit there and catch people not noticing the signs and it's a real quick easy ticket

 

[kromdom]

I have been a happy user of the Passport 9500iX (blue lights) ...and use it between cars and bikes. Not cheap but works for me. This site might help you look at other options:
http://www.radarbusters.com/

 

[kromdom]

I have been a happy user of the Passport 9500iX (blue lights) ...and use it between cars and bikes. Not cheap but works for me. This site might help you look at other options:
http://www.radarbusters.com/

ESCORT also sells a handlebar mount (I have a similar set up from gpscity)

 

[nitro71455]

I have been a happy user of the Passport 9500iX (blue lights) ...and use it between cars and bikes. Not cheap but works for me. This site might help you look at other options:
http://www.radarbusters.com/

ESCORT also sells a handlebar mount (I have a similar set up from gpscity)

I second this, it's what I use and its saved me several times. More than paid for itself at this point. I have it setup with fixed mount on the bike that allows me to move it back and forth as well.

 

[IG.]

Thank you guys. Very informative. Can't afford more expensive units at this time, and need something hidden.

I just stumbled upon Motor-Raptor.

Do you know anyone who had experience with it? It's pretty inexpensive (used to be $299 when it came out, but now $120-$130). Has some neat features. Main module is hidden inside, has wireless connection to the headset which has both audio/visual alarm. It doesn't have the rear detection, but for this price I can just buy two of them (although I suspect the wireless headsets will be "confused" which main module to connect to).

 

[TallTom]

+3 For the Escort.

P.S.

RD pick up stray signals sent out at other vehicles as well. The whole signal does get bounced off a target only a portion of it does. The rest gets sent past the target into the air and you can pick up a pre target warning like a mile out under good conditions. Well ahead of where they will be measuring you. The more signal picked up, the more lights you get. They are pretty sensitive to the presence of microwave, no matter the source of it. A small amount of MW gets amplified in the RD circuitry. It is hopefully going to warn you as they are painting targets ahead of you, thus giving you plenty of time to haul it down before they are looking at you for a target. But therein lies the false alarm aspects. City vs Highway settings help but you still have to learn the difference between a static MW signal report vs a Radar issued one. It tries to cancel out all static non Radar MW signals but in reality you want more reporting than less reporting. They will err on the side of caution in what they report to you.

If you are the only lone target, they are gonna get you if your hauling. And pop you harder if they see a RD.

 

[Cantab]

I have a bar mounted Bell RX65 i switch between ute and bike, it picks up behind almost as well as infront, ive disabled K & X bands as thats what the automatic doors use down here. Some cops are lazy and have there radars on all the time (which is awesome) others instant on you and your stuffed, if your lazered your screwed no two ways.
Anyway on the bike i dont leave home without it, i use a cord from the radar to a small speaker in my helmet.

 

[fallenarch]

Thank you guys. Very informative. Can't afford more expensive units at this time, and need something hidden.

I just stumbled upon Motor-Raptor.

Do you know anyone who had experience with it? It's pretty inexpensive (used to be $299 when it came out, but now $120-$130). Has some neat features. Main module is hidden inside, has wireless connection to the headset which has both audio/visual alarm. It doesn't have the rear detection, but for this price I can just buy two of them (although I suspect the wireless headsets will be "confused" which main module to connect to).

Is the unit waterproof? If the helmet speaker is Bluetooth can it connect to another headset like a SENA 20S? Are there any independent tests available on the unit?

 

[1busa]

Good question Fallen, I know the TPX has those features

Biggest problem with using a car radar is they were designed 2 be used inside a car..... so they won't fair 2 well against the elements rain, dust, condensation etc. Can't really mount them out of plain sight like in the hump cause once they lose line of sight the range drops down 2 almost nothing. I've been caught in rainstorms that came outta nowhere more times than I can count. Which is why I always ride with a ziplock bag 4 my cell phone

 

[RedBusarider]

Thank you guys. Very informative. Can't afford more expensive units at this time, and need something hidden.

Just remember that you get what you pay for most of the time.

You say you can't afford it - can you afford a big ticket and court costs and points?
If you want to play you need to pay - ever heard that?

So If you buy a cheaper unit and it doesn't work and you get a ticket etc. will that be better
than spending $500 on a good RD and not getting tickets?

Of course it's your choice - just seems like this might not be the best area to go cheap on.

 

[busaziggy]

Escort Redline. No Bells and Whistles. Just the longest range out here. I have had my Redline pick up cops from behind and out to the side ( i.e. parked on a side road facing west when I am riding in from the north ). It has a bar graph showing signal strength. When I get a low signal that then goes away and comes back and gets a bit stronger usually that means a cop is behind me.