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There can be few more irritating experiences in modern life than receiving a speeding ticket, mainly as many of us believe that the police could be engaged in more important business! Unfortunately, the continual monitoring of vehicles is now a fact of life, and this means that many motorists have the desire to stay one step ahead of law enforcement agencies.
One way to do this is with a radar detector, an electronic device that informs the driver of a vehicle when it is being monitored by a radar gun. These are perfectly legal devices and can actually be excellent investments for anyone that racks up a considerable amount of road mileage, particularly on highways and other roads with elevated speed limits. A radar detector will undoubtedly give drivers a better understanding of what’s happening around them.
But in common with most consumer electronics devices, radar detectors are plentiful in number. This means that making a purchasing decision can be rather tricky, particularly if you haven’t been acquainted with radar detectors previously. So here is our guide to some of the best radar detectors you can spend your money on. We’re sure you will find one that fits your budget.
Those who are unfamiliar with the radar detector market will soon realize that Escort is a market-leading name in this field. And although the manufacturer produces a raft of different detectors, the Escort Redline 360c is unquestionably the best device made by Escort, and for that matter, the absolute top unit available on the market.
While other radar detectors may only have a single antenna, the Escort Redline 360c comes with one rear-facing and two front-facing antennas, and having three antennas allow the device to get top-notch range. You can rest assured that you will get accurate alters with this detector because it’s equipped with multiple laser sensor diodes.
The Escort Redline 360c features a Blackfin DSP processor, which is powerful enough to give you alerts at impressive speeds. No one around you will really know that you have a radar detector because the device has a Stealth Mode. The device comes with a built-in GPS, so it will accurately know where you are. Some of its most notable features include an updateable IVT Filter, Escort Live connected driver network, and GPS Autolearn. Downloading the Escort Live app on your mobile phone allows you to interact with a community of drivers who regularly share alerts about live traffic, police radars, speed camera locations, and more. Upon purchase, customers will get a travel case, SmartCord USB, and EZ Mag Mount suction cup.
Accurate alertsBuilt-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPSPowerful processor1 rear-facing and 2 front-facing antennasStealth ModeUpdateable IVT FilterExcellent companion app
PriceyThreat definitions and custom alerts aren't easy to set upNot the best windshield mount
The Valentine One V1 is arguably the most important device in the history of radar detection, having been one of the best performers in this market since the 1990s. The One V1 was responsible for pioneering several aspects of radar detection that are now considered standard, with its dual-antenna setup hugely influential within the niche. The Gen 2 model of the device is now available, and there’s no doubt that it’s one of the best you can purchase today.
But most consumers have little place for sentimentality and nostalgia in their purchasing decisions. So does the Valentine One V1 Gen 2 stand up against the best radar detectors today?
Firstly, the design of the Valentine One V1 Gen 2 is still pretty basic, but this aesthetic issue shouldn’t be considered particularly significant; after all, detectors are always judged on their performance.
And the detective qualities delivered by the Valentine One V1 Gen 2 are more than adequate, with the dual-antenna system providing an impressive range. The directional notifications included here, which were at one time patented by Valentine, are arguably the stand-out, enabling drivers to rapidly comprehend precisely which direction a particular alert is coming from.
The Valentine One V1 Gen 2 is a huge improvement compared to its predecessor because you now get a multi-color OLED display, K-Verifier technology, Red Light & Speed Camera Alerts, Speed-based Auto Mute, and Bluetooth connectivity. You can expect the device to scan the Ka, K, and X police radars quickly. It can also detect and magnify weaker signals at greater distances because of its new Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) technology.
The detector still doesn’t come with built-in GPS, but its Bluetooth capabilities make up for it. You can easily pair the detector with your mobile devices and use different third-party apps, whether you’re an Android or Apple user. If there were an area the Valentine One V1 Gen 2 was lacking, it would be the inability to detect the MRCT/MRCD photo radar guns that are becoming more and more common in the United States.
Multi-color OLED displayBluetooth connectivityExcellent magnesium casingK-Verifier technology, Red Light & Speed Camera Alerts, and Speed-based Auto MuteLow Noise Amplifier (LNA) technology
No built-in GPSPriceyNot everyone will like its basic designCan't detect MRCT/MRCD photo radar guns
We believe the Uniden R7 is worth the investment because of its industry-leading performance. The device features dual antennas and promises 360-degree protection, so it can detect threats from any direction. It has a larger OLED display and directional arrows that will tell you where the threat is coming from, and you’ll even get to tell the signal strength and band of each. The display can show up to four signals at the same time.
The device won’t give you any false alerts thanks to its Advanced False Alert Filtering, and its built-in GPS is intelligent enough to remember your routes and common false alerts and mute them. The Uniden R7 gets database and firmware updates regularly, so it will always let you know where the current red lights and speed cameras are.
If you’re the type of driver who hates taking their eyes off the road, you can turn on the device’s voice alerts. These voice alerts are fully programmable, but you also have the option to toggle the Quiet Ride (Speed-based Auto Mute). The Uniden R7 comes with a single and dual suction bracket, a carrying case, and a cigarette adapter with a USB jack and mute key.
User-friendlyImpressive signal strengthBuilt-in GPSAdvanced False Alert Filtering
Still pretty priceyNo Bluetooth connectivityLarger than other radar detectors
Another fantastic option from Escort is the Escort MAX 360c. This device has numerous qualities, but perhaps the most impressive is the sheer depth of features included. Every base has been covered by Escort with this release, with digital signal processing, directional technology, smartphone connectivity, and social sharing all strongly supported.
One downside of the MAX 360c is its recommended retail price, with Amazon currently offering the detector at about $577. Of course, it is reasonable to point out that this is beyond the budget of some consumers, and they would be recommended to shop elsewhere. But those wanting the best equipment in the business should look no further than this Escort release and certainly not be dissuaded by the hefty price.
The Escort MAX 360c features built-in Wi-Fi, so you will get updated in real-time about speed limits, police radars, camera locations, red lights, and more. It can intelligently sense everything around it because of its forward and rear-facing cameras. You don’t have to worry about false alerts from the device because it promises top-notch accuracy thanks to its IVT filtering, AutoSensitivity, and GPS Intelligence. Users are advised to download the Escort Live App to maximize their experience. The Escort MAX 360c comes with a SmartCord USB, an EZ Mag Escort Radar Detector Mount, and a travel case.
Front and rear-facing antennaBuilt-in Wi-FiIVT filtering, AutoSensitivity, and GPS IntelligenceHandy appComes with a SmartCord USB, an EZ MAG Escort Radar Detector Mount, and a travel case
ExpensiveRear-range could be better
The Whistler group is involved in both radar and laser detection and mobile technology, and the Z-19r+ is a more affordable device intended to combine functionality with a price suitable for many pockets. And some aspects of the performance of this unit are indeed impressive.
For example, the Z-19r+ is able to detect all radar and laser frequency bands currently used by law enforcement agencies. Its range and accuracy can be deemed well above average, not merely for detectors in its price category but for the entire genre.
This radar detector has no GPS, so you won’t have access to low-speed muting or custom location alerts. You won’t have to look at your mobile devices to read the alerts because you’ll see them on the OLED screen of the device. If the green light is too bright, you have the option to go on Dim/Dark Mode. Users can even turn on voice alerts, which can be in either English or Spanish. The device won’t give you false alerts because of its Field Disturbance Sensor Rejection. Its other notable features are its Total Laser Detection with LSID, Traffic Flow Signal Rejection, and Disturbance Sensor Rejection.
The fact that this device has no Bluetooth connectivity must be a massive black mark against it. This means that community sharing is impossible with the Z-19r+, meaning that drivers are effectively on their own and not able to benefit from real-time updates.
There are plenty of features to compensate for this oversight. The Z-19r+ has been armed with an outstanding portfolio of alert features, which would be more associated with the most expensive radar detectors on the market. But without the ability to connect to Bluetooth, it is impossible to highly recommend this radar detector, although the Whistler Z-19r+ is undoubtedly worth seeking out if other superior devices are not available.
OLED displayVoice alertsMore affordable than rivals
No GPS or BluetoothUsers reported that they still got false alers at times
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