Radar / Lasar Detectors

Does anyone want to give me any advice about which detector to buy? All info welcome but it really needs to be relevant to UK conditions. Also I would be interested in any experiences in Italy. Thanks in advance!

Get the Valentine. Go on their website and reprogram it for Europe. Apparently the GPS based thing that hooks into your Palm is really good in the UK also, but I haven't been back for a couple of years and forget what it's called.

I agree that the Valentine is tops. The display arrows on this unit that show the direction the radar signal is coming from, and the way it tracks multiple signals put it head and shoulders above the rest, IMHO.

I have the Valentine and Love It!! It ain't stopping Laser though. Just got to be cautious going around the bends and over hills still.

I totally agree...go with Valentine. Their website is <a href="http://www.valentineone.com." target="_blank">www.valentineone.com.</a> I found the cigarette adapter was just a bit long for the 996 lighter and it jiggled a bit making the detector go on and off so I ended up hardwiring from the fusebox so it goes on and off with the ignition.

Does anyone have the new Escort Passport SRX? It is supposed to be similar to the K40 with a laser diffuser and radar detector. From what I understand they are only going to sell them through dealerships

Paul, US radar detectors are no good for Europe, including the Valentine. The frequencies of the K, Ka, and X band are different. Also in England the police is using and extra frequency called the Ku of the MiniGatsos. I.e. you need yo pick up the Ka of the Multanova 6F/9F radars (34.360), the Ku band of the MiniGatso radars(13.450), the K band of the Gatso24 and Mesta 204 radars (24.125 and 24.150) and finally there is the X band of the Mesta 206radars (9.900 10.525) and 9.9410) but these last ones are really old radars and rarely found today and where most of the false alarms are. The only two radars that work for European frequecies are the on dash Bel 550 International (former 990Int.) and the remote model Bel 966R Vector Europa, which is the best (I have both models and the dash version sensitivety is blocked by the wishshield of my Porsche). You can get them at a good price in <a href="http://www.incargadgets.co.uk" target="_blank">www.incargadgets.co.uk</a> Also you can get more information on the frequecies and radar in the Uk and rest of Europe at: <a href="http://www.speedtrap.com" target="_blank">www.speedtrap.com</a> <a href="http://www.speed-trap.co.uk" target="_blank">www.speed-trap.co.uk</a> I�m a speed friek so I�ve done my research Cheers, Carlos from Spain

Carlos, that isn't strictly true. You can reprogram the Valentine to register the additional frequencies used in Europe. Their website tells you how. I agree that the 2 BEL detectors you mentioned are pretty good, but I'd still get the valentine. If you feel like spending more money have the K40 diffuser fitted to the front number plate also (if you can get it over there).

Thanks guys for the advice. Any more opinions before I go and blow my money?

Hi Alan, Yes, its true that you can program the Valentine to pick up the Ku band but it will still not work, except for the Ku band. The reason is because the Ka band is still different, the US uses "Superwide" Ka band (33.4-36.0) and will not pick up the "narrow" Ka band (34.36). The K band is not complete, it misses the European only 24.125. And also the X band frequencies are different. The Valentine picks up the superwidw US Ka-band, the 10.525 US x-band, the 24.150 K-band, and the european Ku-band. The laser is useless because by the time you get the warning they already have a lock on you in a fraction of a second and the is no scatter like radar so you only get warning if they are targeting you. I got three tickets with laser in the states in one year So really, the ONLY detectors that pick up the so called PANEUROPEAN freq�s are the two models that the canadian company Bel especially designed for Europe (Bel 550 Int. and Bel 966R Vector Europa). The are also a brittish brand called Snooper, which are essentially kind of cheaper replicas of the bel models but I haven�t tested them personally. Carlos from Spain 996 C4 Suzuki GSX-R1000 Yamaha YFM-660R

Interesting - it's been a while since I looked at the UK radar situation. I haven't lived there for 5 years, so it's all a bit hazy... I was back there last year, and I can't believe how many GATSOs there are now. Paul - I do know a couple of friends that use the GPS based stuff. Essentially there is a database of all the speed traps around. You download updates periodically. They swear by them for all the fixed stuff, as they warn a mile away (literally) and even at 160 (allegedly) you have time to slow down... Hope that helps.

Carlos and Alan I have had a response from a dealer who says he gives impartial advice and judging by his website I would say he does. This was his message: From: [email removed] Dear Paul, Thank you for your email. We do tend to recommend the S5 over the Bel 550. Yes the Bel 550 has a bit more range and few other features like a spoken warning but in terms of getting the job done they are both more or less the same. Both will cover Europe and you could save yourself some money with the S5. However if you have the money for a Bel 550 I would suggest to you the GPS devices (Road Angel or Origin blue i) as something to consider if you do a lot of driving in london. The reason is that radar detectors do get false warning as all traffic management systems use the same set of frequency bands so red light cameras, pedestrian crossings, bus lane cameras and traffic light monitors will all give you a warning. Also laser is used by automated doors so you will get warning from supermarkets and petrol stations with such doors too. Because the GPS based devices work of a database there are no false warning. However I realise you also mention driving abroad and the GPS systems will not cover you here so perhaps I have just given you more of a dilemma. Just to add something else I would mention that I know these systems are illegal in France and the police will wave their guns at you and make you drive over them so if you do purchase a radar detector then hide it whenever approaching a toll. Your peers on the message board my find our comparison chart useful. <a href="http://www.radardetectors.co.uk/radar_detector_comparison.htm" target="_blank">http://www.radardetectors.co.uk/radar_detector_comparison.htm</a> This is something no other site/dealer has. Thanks Steven I'm getting nearer to a decision and may just go for the Origin Blue i GPS - I've only had personal experience of a radar trap 3 times (that I know of!)and only got caught once, about 10 years ago but those damn gatso cameras are a real pain once or twice a day! Otherwise, maybe I'll get GPS and a Bel 550 or S5 and line them up on the dashboad!

Interesting read. I'd go with Carlos, Paul. In your shoes, I would rather get a unit that was specifically designed for European use such as the Bel, rather than one that needs to get tinkered with to work such as the Valentine. The newer Bel units are excellent performers. Check out the websites <a href="http://www.speedzones.com" target="_blank">SpeedLabs</a> and <a href="http://www.radartest.com/DS4HEM.html" target="_blank">RadarTest</a>. IMHO, the Valentine is way over-rated, and I find their sales pitch somewhat arrogant. To claim that they will work in Europe when they most likely won't given Carlos from Spains's input makes their credibility questionable. I myself recently bought the Passport 8500, with the Bel as a very close second choice. Have had no regrets.

Oooops. We must have posted at the same time, Paul. FWIW, I think you have hit on a great plan. Having two units on the same windshield may interfere with one onother, though, so it's best to check that out as well.

Thanks Palting If I do go with the 2 device idea I will certainly take your advice. And how about I top it all off with cruise control! Or a chauffeur!

I don't know about the UK but here in the USA I swear by my Valentine 1 .

I agree with the dealer except that he forgets to mention the best one! the Bel966R. This one is the one that has the antena installed behind the bumper hiden away(in the 996)so you can travel around europe and not worry about being caught like the on-dash detectors. I have not tested the snooper models personally (since I have read mixed reviews) but if I were you its not worth risking it for a few bucks savings, the Bel ones I personally tried and work and gets always the best ratings in the magazines in europe. In regards to the false alarms I would not wory too much because most of them are in the X band which you can disonnect since it practically no longer in use for radars. The rest are in K band and easily distinguished. The bel966R also is the only one that has a chip that eliminates interference and false signals from movile phones. I would not get the dash Bel550 because I found it to be hindered in some way by probably the windshield type of my Porsche 996, or maybe it the PCM with the movile phone. I have lent my bel550 to a truck driver (they are the best testers) and worked great for him. I suppose other on-dash detectors will have the same problem in europe in other 996 like mine. Bottom line, get the Bel966R Vector Europa (its proven the best and its hidden) and the GPS detector since you drive in the UK. If I drove in the UK I would get both, speed traps are ridiculous there. Here in Spain my mayor wory is the moving radars that take you picture as you overtake them in the highway (these are all Ka band) the good part the 966R gets them in plenty of time so I can cruise at Porsche speeds without worry. Saludos, Carlos Silva.

Guys, thanks for all the messages and info. Really well thought out and a special thank you to Carlos from Spain. FWIW I've decided to go the GPS route initially because (to date) Gatsos are by far and away the biggest problem in the UK and then add on the S5, the Bel550 or the Bel966R when I have nothing else to spend the money on! <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />