8/14/2010

The declining popularity of smoking is having an unforseen impact on the use of radar detectors: many new cars have no cigarette lighter for a detector's power plug. Even on those vehicles that have power points, the location apparently was chosen by a 19-year-old whose only concern was to power an iPod or cellphone. Fortunately there's a practical solution for this problem: a cordless radar detector.

6/25/2010

For those seeking more protection than a detector can deliver, there's a veritable smorgasbord of gadgets claiming they can cloak your car with an impenetrable electronic shield. Some promise protection from radar, others from lasers; some claim they can defeat both. Another group promises protection from photo radar, the stealthy camera-radar system used in fewer than 35 U.S. cities.

8/21/2009

Beginning in the mid-nineties and as recently as few years ago I was lamenting in print that except for some high-end BEL (Beltronics) and Escort models, and the Valentine One, nobody was offering solid protection against Ka-band radar. This poses a special challenge for radar detectors. U.S.-spec radar guns operate on three narrow slices inside this phenomenally wide radar band. The hard-working radar detector must scan the entire spectrum in search of signals. This takes time, reducing sensitivity (radar-detection range) and occasionally it leads to missed signals. Fortunately for the driving public, radar detectors appear to benefit from a type of Moore's Law: As component costs have fallen, performance against Ka-band radar has gone up. After tests this year it's clear that acceptable Ka-band sensitivity has finally reached the mass market.

8/15/2009

After perennially trailing high-end models like the BEL (Beltronics) RX 65 and Vector 995; the Escort Passport 8500 X50 and Escort Passport 9500ix, mass-marketers Cobra and Whistler continue to whittle away at the performance gap. Along with two BEL (Beltronics) Vector models, each now has one or more models showing perhaps 80 to 85 percent of the range of the big dogs, and this at attractively lower prices.

8/10/2009

If you're plagued by photo enforcement, help is available: the red light camera detector. Late last year I gathered four contenders and tested them over a nine month period. (A fifth model, from Cobra, reached market too late to be included.)

I evaluated their mounting systems, controls and the effectiveness of their displays and alert systems. I also installed manufacturer-supplied software and updated them over the Internet, looking for any show-stopping glitches. And I logged a few thousand miles encompassing three states and 14 urban areas, checking the accuracy and currency of their databases. Here's what I found, the results listed alphabetically.

2/13/2009

If you’re looking for a custom-installed remote radar detector system – complete with front and rear laser-jammers - the number of contenders is pretty small: four. That’s double the number available at the time of my last remote test five years ago, but hardly what I'd call an overabundance.

2/1/2009

If the claims of their makers are to be believed, each GPS-enabled radar detector is the best of breed. Maybe. To find out which features matter and which are marketing fluff, we evaluate each model's most-mentioned features and rate their importance.

12/11/2008

Okay, you've bought a radar detector and are about to use it for the first time. Don't make the mistake of just slapping it onto the dash and cruising off. Improperly used and without knowing exactly what information it's trying to deliver will make it worse than useless. Here are my top 9 secrets to getting the most out of your detector.

12/8/2008

11/14/2008

11/13/2008

If you've been waiting for a GPS-enabled radar detector wearing the Beltronics (BEL) brand, it's here. The Pro GX65 ($469.95) occupies the BEL lineup that's roughly opposite the equivalent Escort dash-mount GPS radar detector, the Passport 9500ix. With genome shared with this Escort, and priced only thirty bucks less, it would be natural to expect few differences between the two. But like a lot of assumptions, that one's a bit off the mark. There's a range of subtle differences in appearance, operation and features that gives each detector a unique personality.

10/2/2008

Jaguar of late has experienced a fading market for nostalgic sedans, clearly its motivation for focusing so heavily on the all-newness of the recently-arrived XF model. And from the exterior, it's anything but reminiscent of its predecessor, the S-type. Graceful proportions, flowing lines and muscular, bulging fenders give it a thoroughly contemporary and handsome presence. Many onlookers pegged it for a Maserati, hardly a bad thing. The interior is a similar departure from Jaguar's traditional emphasis on lavish use of Old English wood and leather. Like the bodywork, interior design is contemporary, a pleasant mix of textures, materials and hues. The XF Premium model test car did sport some burl walnut trim for the dash and console, but it was used more as an accent to the tasteful brushed aluminum and contrasting leather surfaces.

10/1/2008

In a Corvette ZR1 I was given the fastest lap I've seen at Road America, the 4.05-mile-long, 14-turn and very fast road-racing circuit near Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. I was riding with John Heinricy, Corvette assistant chief development engineer, on a shakedown lap. Later that day I drove the same car for several laps but was well off Heinricy's torrid pace--and without showing nearly his level of panache. That was 1995. At GM's recent media introduction of 2009 models, Heinricy colleague Jim Mero took me on some hot laps in the supercharged, 6.2-liter, 638 hp ZR1 Corvette. By contemporary standards the 405 hp 1995 ZR1 was quick. In comparison its 2009 namesake is blindingly fast. Some 3.4 seconds' worth of first-gear acceleration will see 60 mph from rest; the quarter-mile mark flashes past in 11.3 seconds at 131 mph. The last C6 ZO6 I drove, with 505 hp from its 7-liter LS7 engine, covered the 0-60 sprint in 3.7 seconds and quarter mile in 11.7 seconds at 125 mph. The gap widens even further in the upper speed ranges. The difference between the previous Corvette top dog, the ZO6, and the ZR1 are apparent even to bystanders. Eyes closed, anyone of average hearing can readily tell them apart. For that matter, so can those suffering from partial deafness. At wide-open throttle a ZR1 rushes past with a gut-punching, visceral shriek of supercharger whine and hammer-heavy exhaust blast. A ZO6 is almost as loud but lacks the soaring alto note from the four-lobe Roots-type blower. On the race track, their style of power delivery is equally distinct. Despite its smaller displacement and with an additional 170 pounds to motivate, the ZR1's LS9 V-8 has substantially more power on tap from 2500 rpm to its 6600 rpm redline. A wafer-thin air-liquid intercooler is mounted above the engine, lowering charge air by some 140 degrees. The resulting hood bulge, though almost imperceptible from a distance, is one of the few visual distinctions between the ZR1 and the ZO6. Making use of the Peterbilt-like 604 lb-ft of torque, Chevy engineer Miro, using the Bondurant School of High Performance Driving road course outside Phoenix, needed even less rowing of the beefed-up Tremec six-speed than is needed in the already torque-laden ZO6. Instead of a three-two downshift to accelerate through the flat-out left-right kink, the ZR1 could be short-shifted instead, relying on its huge swell of torque to negotiate the corner in third. It was like that everywhere on the course. Not surprisingly, the ZR1 receives useful upgrades to accommodate the power infusion. Brake diameter grows from 14.0 to 15.5 inches in front, clamping pads twice the size of the ZO6's. Rotors are a Brembo ceramic-silicon-carbide design, reinforced with carbon-fiber material for low mass and high resistance to heat and wear. Chevrolet says they're good for the life of the vehicle. Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension, optional on the base Corvette and unavailable on the ZO6, is standard. As on other GM vehicles, these shocks deliver surprisingly compliant ride motions while holding tight rein on body roll. The tail can readily be rotated under braking or power but like the ZO6, the ZR1 fairly begs for a long-radius curve or a straight to put down its retina-detaching level of power. The ZR1's handling seemed fairly neutral, an observation confirmed by Miro. Michelin Pilot Sport 2 run-flats, size 285/30ZR19 in front, 335/25ZR20 in the rear and developed specifically for the ZR1, are given much of the credit for the ZR1's more buttoned-down handling qualities. They're mounted on new 20-spoke alloys, also ZR1-specific. Inside, the familiar cockpit is little changed from that of the ZO6 other than a boost gauge and digital boost readout in the head-up display. Subtle ZR1 logos are to be found on sill plates and headrests. Two variants are available. The RPO 1ZR, base-priced at $105,000, gives you the standard ZR1. Tick the $10,000 RPO 3ZR option and you get heated seats, side air bags, Bose sound system, nav system and leather on the dash. Only two other options are available: chrome wheels ($2000) and paint upgrades ($300 to $750). That's it. Mindful of future collector value, ZR1 models carry a unique VIN plus a sequential build number. For instance, a ZR1 with a VIN ending in -0150 would signify that it was the 150th ZR1 built that model year. Nice to know when you're buying the least-expensive supercar on the planet.

9/18/2008

Two new radar detectors, the Cobra XRS 9950 and Whistler XTR 695, are taking aim at the class-leading Beltronics Vector 955. All three are street-priced between $159 and $199 and the Cobra and Whistler models both claim to equal or exceed the BEL in

8/28/2008

The query we get at Radartest.com most frequently: What's the best radar detector? That's tough to answer because the first step in formulating a response is to define that term. And before we start, are we talking dash-mount, cordless or remote models? Okay, let's focus on dash-mounts.

8/12/2008

If you were expecting the Altima Coupe to be nothing more than a two-door version of the Altima sedan, forget it. Body panels save for the hood are different, wheelbase is clipped by 4.0 inches and overall length is trimmed by 7.1 inches. In the process of shedding two doors and gaining attractive new clothes, the coupe has a unique personality. It’s also fun to drive.

8/12/2008

To those who feel the need for a built-in detector, highly resistant to theft and, equally important, to official notice by uniformed gents packing guns and badges, there's no substitute for a quality remote model.

8/8/2008

I chose a route through Arizona’s Mazatzal Mountains to test the Audi A8L. But I remember less about the mountains than the actions of my front-seat passenger. As I sliced through the canyons, probing the big Audi’s handling limits in high-G sweepers, he sat hunched over his MacBook Pro - burning music CDs.

8/6/2008

Adaptiv Technologies, has introduced the TPX motorcycle radar detector ($394 as tested). According to the Adaptiv Web site, the TPX is "designed by motorcyclists for motorcyclists".

7/11/2008

Whistler XTR-695, Cobra XRS 9950 and BEL (Beltronics) Vector 955: Which is the best radar detector under $199?

7/10/2008

In case you haven't noticed, there's been some bad news the past few years for chronic scofflaws. The BEE III radar's POP mode has proven capable of outwitting most radar detectors, and the Spectre radar detector detector this year can ferret out the few models that it couldn't last year.

6/23/2008

You may not have heard yet, but there's been some significant news from Cobra Electronics and Whistler Group: Each claims they've introduced their best-performing radar detectors ever.

6/14/2008

6/11/2008

The high-performance coupe market is small, but it's important to manufacturers. This is their opportunity to dazzle with bodywork too svelte, too targeted for practical sedans, while offering the promise of performance and handling to match. After a longish absence for this segment, with the new 2008 A5 and S5, Audi again has an entry to go toe-to-toe with the other premium brands. (Also see my reviews of the 2008 Audi S8 and 2008 Audi RS4.)

4/22/2008

3/31/2008

11/25/2007

These special radio receivers come in several flavors but all enable you to listen in on public service channels, including those employed by police and highway patrols. Had I been packing a scanner I'd have heard the Arizona Highway Patrol dispatcher putting out a BOLO (Be On the Lookout for) advisory on my vehicle - an unmarked police-package Ford, no less - and I'd have had ample time to disappear until things cooled off.

1/23/2007

Any discussion of radar detectors invariably produces the question: What's the best radar detector? Tough call, particularly without first defining the term “best.� But the best radar detector for the serious driver is the one that's most proficient at keeping your license ticket-free.

That translates to performance, another name for radar-detection range. More is obviously better. But high performance doesn't come cheap. A Valentine One, base-priced at $399 plus shipping, can cost up to $540 when ordered with the optional accessories preferred by discriminating drivers.

8/1/2006

One of the best-kept secrets of the radar detector industry has been the substandard performance of most new detectors--regardless of brand or price--in countering the latest police radar. The new radar guns share three characteristics which, together, have been causing endless headaches for detector designers--not to mention lead-footed drivers.

7/18/2005

It's no secret that police lasers can get confused. Generate enough ambient light and they can have some problems in picking out their own return signal from the clutter. An alternative strategy: find a way to reduce the amount of light reflecting back from a target. The laser has the same problem and needs more time to get a lock on the target, reducing range. That's exactly the phenomenon Laser Veil seeks to exploit.

7/18/2005

A battery-powered detector isn't for everyone but if you switch cars often or use rental cars regularly, it's a godsend.

New cordless models appeared recently and we tested them. We were particularly scrutinizing their radar detection range, a chronic shortcoming in many cordless units.

That's because cordless models typically have a duty cycle, shutting off for milliseconds-long periods to extend battery life. The downside to this energy-conserving strategy is lower sensitivity.

We tested three models: the PNI Silver Bullet, PNI Steel Eye and the Whistler 1788. Here's what we found, listed alphabetically and each one rated 1-5 stars with 5 being the highest.

7/18/2005

After a longish wait, some good news. Several new detectors have finally arrived. Five of the newcomers carry suggested retail prices in the $149 to $199 range, a segment that's seeing a marked increase in competition lately.

Curious to find out if these entries are just pretty faces or whether they have better performance to boot, we purchased samples anonymously at different retailers and ran them through our full battery of tests.

7/15/2005

The bulk of all radar detectors sold today goes out the door for under a C-note. You see them hanging from display racks in plastic clamshell blister packs, adorned with breathless advertising hype extolling their virtues, both real and imagined. How to choose? Actually it's simple: Buy the most performance you can get for the money

5/11/2005

Heard about photo lidar? We didn't think so. But it's been in service for over a decade, exported around the world by Laser Technology, Inc. and Kustom Signals, two major U.S. players in the speed-enforcement equipment business.

Instead of radar, a fixed laser is linked to a digital camera, in turn linked via the Internet to a central station. Run a red light or blow past at extra-legal speed and the violation is recorded and a ticket dispatched to your mailbox--at nearly the speed of light.

Now it's appearing here. Test programs have been running for many months, primarily on the East Coast. And with the rapid spread of automated speed enforcement, you can bet photo lidar will come along for the ride.

And let's don't forget about the hand-held laser, an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 of which are to be found on city streets and state highways across the nation.

This begs the question: Exactly what's available to even up the odds against lasers?

3/20/2005

There's nothing like a built-in remote detector for low-profile radar and laser detection. The best can cost up to $1,600. We test two less costly alternatives. But can they measure up?

1/1/2004

Ever wonder why so many high-end cars appear to lack radar detectors? Think about it; when's the last time you saw an S-class Mercedes, BMW M5, Audi A8 or some tricked-out Hummer H1 cruise past with a detector hanging from the windshield?

9/5/2003

Over a dozen years ago we achieved instant notoriety by virtue of conducting the first of many detector tests for Automobile magazine. The test itself wasn't an issue but our selection of models certainly created a furor among the manufacturers. That's because rather than concentrating solely on high-end units we chose instead to evaluate models with retail prices at $99 and below.

4/1/2003

Not everyone is willing to put up with the hassle of a power cord. Fortunately, there are some cordless alternatives, some of them with outstanding performance. We gather up all three available cordless models to answer the question: Which one is best?

1/1/2003

Count yourself lucky that the speed laser is more expensive and tougher to use than a radar gun. For if police used lidar (Light Detection And Ranging) technology as widely as they now use radar (there are about 100,000 radar units in the U.S. versus perhaps 15,000 lasers), the number of tickets issued each year would likely make a steep spike upward.

1/1/2003

Our Opinions: Favorable and Otherwise. Part 4 of 4

1/1/2003

Our Opinions: Favorable and Otherwise. Part 3 of 4

1/1/2003

Our Opinions: Favorable and Otherwise. Part 2 of 4

1/1/2003

Our Opinions: Favorable and Otherwise. Part 1 of 4

1/1/2003

Lately we've been receiving inquiries about a number of products from Rocky Mountain Radar. A typical inquiry, this one e-mailed from John Cassell, asked: "I was wondering if you've tested the new RMR-C212 Rocky Mountain Radar. Apparently, it's a scrambler of laser and radar. Do you know if it's better than the Passport 8500?"

Past radar detector reviews

Radartest.com index of radar detector reviews (current production models)

Complete index of reviews: radar detectors, laser jammers, laser detectors, Laer Veil and other products