Windshield Mounted
As the name suggests, a windshield-mounted radar detector clings to the windshield with suction cups. Its chief advantage is versatility. It can be easily moved among vehicles and powered by a cigarette lighter or power outlet. Not surprisingly, most detectors sold are windshield-mounts.
On open roads, long range is crucial. It can make the difference between getting nailed and driving ticket-free. But only a few radar detectors deliver the range to spot police radar soon enough.
High performance doesn't come cheap. The most desirable models are all four C-notes or higher. Among windshield-mounts, high-performance models include the Escort Redline 360c, the Escort Passport Max 360c and a couple of models from Radenso and Uniden.
High performance doesn't come cheap. The most desirable models are all four C-notes or higher. Among windshield-mounts, high-performance models include the Escort Redline 360c, the the Escort Passport Max 360c and a couple of models from Radenso and Uniden (mentioned below). For Escort fans the Escort Max 3 is an alternative, priced much lower than the Redline 360c or Max 360c.
Red light camera protection isn't a big deal unless you drive in one of the 22 states with photo enforcement. But relief from the increasing number of false alarms makes GPS models worth the price regardless of where you drive.
GPS-enabled
GPS in a radar detector won't keep you from getting lost. But it can keep you from getting nailed by a red light camera. With camera location GPS coordinates stored in the detector's database, a GPS-enabled radar detector will alert as you approach a camera.
Escort models with GPS constitute the upmarket segment and include the Redline 360c and Escort Passport Max 360c. The Redline 360c is unique in having three radar antennas, two facing forward, one toward the rear. This enables it to let you know if the threat is in front or the back.
The Max 360c's antennas point fore and aft; like the Redline 360c, it has arrows that point toward the threat.
Conventional detectors alert on K band every time you cruise past the local Walmart. Those with GPS let you lock out the signal, telling the detector to ignore it and stay silent on future trips.
High-end Escorts have a feature called AutoLearn. Cruise past the same non-police radar signal three times and the signal is automatically locked out.
High-end Escorts also regulate sensitivity automatically, lowering it at low speeds to cut false alarms, something called Speed-variable sensitivity. It tracks vehicle speed and dials back sensitivity when it isn't needed. It also lets the user adjust the onset of red light camera alerts, so the driver won't be pestered prematurely.
The better models also depict what type of camera is being encountered: red light or speed.
An Escort displays the distance to the camera, counting down in hundred-foot increments. When linked to the optional Escort Live system it also shows the posted limit.
The Radensos, give the speed limit via voice alerts. Since many red light cameras also generate speeding tickets, knowing your speed can be useful information.
