Curious as to which built in radar you folks think is the best on the market today, along with radar diffusers. The last radar thread is 5 years old and I'm assuming technology has changed.

The car I wrecked had K40 installed, along with a front and rear diffuser. I really liked them and got a lot less false radars than I used to get with my V-1. That said, I only had it 4 months and it came with the car.

Now that I'm about to spend good money installing a built in/concleaed radar and laser diffuser, I'd like input as to what brand, if any, you recommend and how your experience is with the same. Lastly, I'd like to know what it costs.

4/9/2017 11:56:43 AM

i prefer the newer escort stuff with bluetooth. you can crowd source out false alarms. I built mine into the rear center headrest. alerts show up on a phone or tablet in the car, which is hooked up to my speakers. contrary to popular belief, you don't need LoS for radar. laser still needs to be separate and in the bumper area for diffusing.

4/9/2017 12:45:14 PM

so you have a dedicated tablet or have to have your phone out to see/hear alerts?

I want something simple that is concealable and works on its own account.

4/11/2017 9:17:19 PM

no such thing as a radar diffuser. for laser diffuser there it no effective way to do it concealed; for it to be effective you need diodes at least at the headlights, taillights, and license plate(s) and the diodes will be visible.

4/12/2017 11:41:56 AM

Understood.

I want concealed radar (not mounted on windshield) and diffusers - at least 2 on front and possibly 1-2 on rear, depending on cost. Trying to stay under $3K.

4/12/2017 1:26:38 PM

go STI-R + ALPS if its not too much, installation cost may push you over your budget though

4/12/2017 1:47:01 PM

^^^^ my head unit mirrors my phone in one car and in another I use a tablet as a headunit

4/13/2017 9:16:26 PM

Just get an Escort or V1 and put the rest of your 3K budget in an account labeled "speeding tickets".

4/15/2017 10:32:14 AM

Quote :

"Just get an Escort or V1 and put the rest of your 3K budget in an account labeled "speeding tickets"."

I gotta agree. I've had a few relatively quick cars in the last decade and I definitely suffer from impulse control on the street. Between a V1 or my old escort 8500 I've never felt like I was under protected. I just can't see the cost difference if you're comparing the built-in to a hardwired V1 (or similar comp) BUT I'm also cheap by nature so even if I was $balling$ I still wouldn't be spending 3-4k on a radar/diffuser setup because (to me) that money is better spent to make the car go faster.

4/15/2017 1:02:06 PM

I have a V1 which I can get updated. That said, the cigarette plug is in a bad location and I don't like the look of the cord and/or the actual unit on the windshield.

While I understand that it costs $Texas to install one, I plan to keep this car 5-7 years, so I think it is a good investment, plus I pay for everything pre-tax through my business. I like the K40 in that it is clean and easy to operate and the two display diodes are hidden/installed within the dash/tachometer. I don't know the other units (Beltronics STI+R or Escort 9500), but don't necessary want to dedicate a place for display/controls (K40 has a remote that is easy to set up and put away).

I know the Beltronics/Escort can pair with Anti Laser Priority, which is supposed to be the best, but I also don't think that many agencies have adopted the new laser system at nearly $15K/gun.

4/15/2017 6:22:51 PM

Quote :

"plus I pay for everything pre-tax through my business"

Quote :

"Can't wait to grab my ankles and pay uncle sam $Texas next week."

Not as much as you should, apparently.

4/16/2017 12:56:35 AM

^^ i don't think laser is worth it unless you travel to SC a lot (laser jamming is illegal in SC but the penalties aren't as bad as VA), but I was replying to you asking about laser. The K40 has poor laser performance, if you get a K40 its not worth getting the laser option.

The Beltronics is much better than the K40 for radar, the Escort 9500 concealed model is okay but the antenna is a couple generations old (their windshield models have newer options)

It sounds like you already decided you are getting the K40 though so i don't know the point of this thread except to tell people you are spending $3k of company money

4/16/2017 8:20:02 AM

I have a hard wired V1 in my 98-hp Honda Insight. I also mount my iPhone to the dash and use Waze. That's a pretty good solution for $500.

I have gotten lasered, but unless you drive places where it's really common, you'll spend more to beat it than you'd ever spend on lawyers to shitcan/mitigate the tickets, unless it's one of those handful of places that don't reduce tickets.

Also factor in if traffic school is an option where you live/drive. Between that, lawyers, a good detector, Waze. And your eyeballs, it would be tough for a $3k detector to be remotely cost effective.

Also consider that laser has to be stationary, and is fairly short-range. Waze is usually pretty good at these sorts of speed traps.

You are not going to be invincible. The goal is to minimize how much it costs you to drive faster.

4/16/2017 11:13:03 AM