Miata Mailing List: March 1997, Message #69
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   From: (none)

Subject: Re: Best radar detector?

   Date: (none)



At 03:05 AM 3/1/97 -0500, you wrote:

>Is there any concensus on the best radar detector to get? I'm planning to

>drive from LA to Texas next week and would like to minimize my risk of

>getting pulled over.

>

>Thanks,

>

>Bill Wilner

>Santa Monica, CA, USA

>

  The new Car & Driver issue arrived Friday.  Same old same old:  Radar

detector test, Valentine wins, Bel second (distant).  If you can afford 

the V1 ($395 I think) it is the best, with the re-done Ka band circuitry it

REALLY whips the others.  It is now #1 in X, K, Ka, and laser. Don't think

you can get one in time for your drive as they are usually back-ordered.  

The back-order will be even worse after everyone reads the test results.



  I personally prefer to run in "stealth" mode so I use remote mount

detectors.  I have used a Whistler in the past but now I have a Bel.  Should

not get stolen, cops don't see it, never have to remember to mount it or plug

it in.



  An interesting note:  The "Escort" models of late have not faired well in

the C&D tests (this one too) BUT they did re-test an old Escort and a

Passport and found that they are STILL nice units and even giving them a 

score of 0 on Ka and laser they still would "beat" 1 or 2 of the other

detectors "on points".  The new AutoWeek has an article about Cincinnati

Microwave filing for Chapter 11.  Too bad, they USED to dominate the market

and make real good stuff.



  Dennis