How to Choose the Best Radar Detector

How to Choose the Best Radar Detector

If you are considering getting a radar detector, you want to choose one that will be effective. Here’s a guide to help you choose the best detector.

You know how your heart sinks when you see those blue lights start flashing?

Even if you’re not speeding, seeing the police can often make drivers anxious. That is why it’s good to have a radar detector.

However, not all detectors are created equally. Getting one that doesn’t work well is worse than not buying one at all.

Fortunately, there are a few easy tips to help you select the best detector.

Cost and Performance

One thing to figure out before you begin shopping is exactly how much money you want to spend on a detector. There are many good detectors available at a variety of price points.

Like any electronics, you get what you pay for. The absolute best systems, featuring technology such as band selection or super long range, will cost more than basic detectors.

Choose the right detector by first determining your budget for this purchase.

Avoiding False Alarms

The best radar detectors have a few similar qualities. You want something that lets you know who is on the road before you get there.

At the same time, you want a detector that won’t keep activating due to false positives. Ideally, you also want a detector that keeps people from detecting your own device.

Following these criteria is a great way to choose the best detector.

Detector Protection

Only Virginia and Washington, DC have laws preventing you from using radar detectors. Being caught in these states can often lead to the same kinds of police fines you were trying to avoid.

The main way these police catch you is through Radar Detector-Detector Devices. These help them identify and track down your use of a detector.

Thankfully, many modern detectors offer protection from this. Make sure that any detector you are considering is undetectable before making your decision.

Reliability

Those who have used radar detectors for a long time know how sensitive they can be. This results in things like automatic grocery store doors setting off your detector.

This is annoying due to the sheer amount of automated doors. If your detector is constantly going off, then it defeats the entire purpose of owning a detector.

Choose a radar detector that has been rigorously designed to eliminate false alarms. These should not be features that need to be switched On/Off as you never know where those type signals will be coming from. Some more expensive radar detectors have implemented target counters to let one know how many alerts they are getting. While this does not eliminate the false alarm, the theory is that you will know if a police radar is also in the parking lot; not a very useful function and irritating.

Such a system lets you detect likelier speed traps without worrying about your detector constantly going off in residential areas.

Range

There are many different qualities to look for in a detector. Keep in mind that a radar detector is only as good as its range.

It is very easy to compare the ranges of different models you are considering. You should always buy the model with longer range if the other features are comparable.

If you are replacing an older detector, you may be pleasantly surprised at how long the range of modern models can be.

Non-Detectability

Radar detectors are not entirely foolproof. They typically rely on the police using radar or lasers to target the traffic up ahead of you.

That means that you are out of luck if no traffic is ahead of you. You may have no warning before you are the first vehicle targeted by the laser.

To make things worse, manufacturers of Lidar speed detection devices have improved their detection capabilities. Now it is possible to buy radar detectors with a laser jammer. Most manufacturers add the laser jammer as a separate device; only one incorporates it into the same unit.

Such devices scramble the police laser and make it very difficult to get a reading from your car. This is a very good way to avoid a ticket.

Keep in mind that certain states have outlawed the use of these devices. As with any detector, you should know the law and know your rights before using laser jammers.

Features and Cost

Getting the best radar detector for your money means determining how much you are willing to spend. Getting a detector with all of the features outlined above can be very costly.

Some of the best detectors on the market cost nearly $2,000. While they offer decent protection from speeding tickets, these detectors also represent a significant investment. Only one company incorporates all the detection and jamming into a single device costing less than $400 and backs it up with a ticket rebate if you do get caught.

Do I Really Need a New Detector?

Chances are that you already have a radar detector. A question you may keep circling back to is whether you need to buy a new detector.

The main reason to buy a new detector is that you are keeping up with speed detection technology. If you are speeding and relying on an older detector, you are really gambling on whether you get a ticket or not.

Keep in mind that a single speeding ticket can make your insurance rates dramatically spike up by large amounts. Given a choice between paying more every month or paying once for a new detector, the choice is easy to make!

Ticket Immunity

There are two magic words that describe a good radar detector. These words are “ticket immunity.”

A traffic ticket can easily cost over a hundred dollars. Worse, it can affect your record as a driver and send your insurance rates very high.

The best radar detectors offer peace of mind. They allow you to cruise down the road safe in the knowledge that you won’t be going home with an expensive ticket, unsure of how you’ll find the money to pay it off.

In order to get the peace of mind that comes with “ticket immunity,” it’s important that you pick the best possible vendor to find your detector.

The Bottom Line

There is a lot that is riding on choosing the right detector. Making a good choice helps keep you from getting slapped with hefty tickets. It also prevents your insurance from getting out of control.

How do you pick the best detector, though? Fortunately, you don’t have to make this decision alone.

Here at Rocky Mountain Radar, we are your leading authority on detectors. Be sure to visit our site and find the radar detector that is best for you.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]