I have been looking at a K40 radar detector. Model UN 700 SW.With a laser diffuser.They are about $800.00 installed. Wondering if they were worth the money. Any imput would be apperciated. Thanks. Bob.

 

I have had a cheap little Fuzz Buster for 2 months that has saved my tail three times, that I know of. It is a 360 degree detector with radar jammer and it is accurate 6 ways from Sunday from what I have seen. I know that a certain Valentine model is about 1100 installed and they will pay any ticket that you get. I am happy with what I have. I can think of other things to spend 800.00 on but if you have 800 to spend...
CA

 

I put a K40 in my truck in July right after I got it and have yet to get a speeding ticket(I never do the speed limit). It does cost a lot of money, but I think it is well worth it. Most of the time I will have at least a 1 mile warning and not too many false alarms.

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2000 White Lightning
PSP 4Way Chip
PSP Air Intake

 

Radar detectors are handy to have and will save you from time to time but I can tell you from first hand experience that you can still get a speeding ticket, even when the detector is on and even if it's an expensive one. Do yourself a favor and buy a cheaper model and spend the extra on something else. You might even want to save the extra to pay for a speeding ticket.

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Rick

White 00 #2236 of 4966

My Mods & More

 

Wow, and I thought my V1 was expensive... Anyway, the V1 is one of the most sensitive radar detector on the market and the bogey counter have saved me from at least 2 speed traps over the years. But FWIW, any good quality radar detector *and* paying attention while you are on the road is the best way to stay ticket-free.

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Francis
'00 Lightning, S/C 5.4
'93 Mustang GT, N/A 5.7
'00 T-Maxx, N/A 0.15

 

Here is a site with reviews. It covers the K40, V1, and Escort Passport 8500. The K40 scores miserably on this one. Does anybody else have links to legitimate radar detector head to head reviews?

http://www.radartest.com/

 

The K40's display kinda bites, but its radar coverage is okay. Its getting a little dated these days.

If you are looking for a stealth-installed radar detector, go for the Escort Pasport SR-1, it has a better display (multi-bogie) and slightly better range statistics.

The best radar detectors are still the three kings, Val-1, Escort 8500 and Bell 935(950?). Any of those three will do you just fine.

I have a Escort 8500 hardwired into my overhead console, works like a charm. I was considering the Pasport-SR1, then when thinking about it, realized we are in a REGULAR CAB truck...there is plenty of clearance for winshield mount radar dectors.

The only grill mount unit I'd get would be a LADAR jammer, but I would NOT get K40's diffuser...there are far better units.

Daniel

 

A couple of years ago when i went to buy a radar detector, i marched right into an electronics store and asked a whole series of questions about different features and whatnot. The salesman politely answered all my questions and explained all the tech-speak. When i was finished asking him these questions i put him on the spot and asked "So, which one is the best one to buy?" to which he replied "The best radar dectector is always the one on sale!" I left that store with the cheapest model they had and it's worked nicely ever since. No speeding tickets. Now it would be just plain silly for anyone who owns a Lightning to sing the virtues of fiscal responsibility, but 800 bones for a radar detector seems awfully high to me.

 

Radar Test does have a review on what I think is the best Radar Jammer... the Lidatek Laser Echo...very nice unit.

Fortunately for me, there is no laser rader in NJ...still against state law.

X and Ka are our most common radar signals.

Daniel

 

I have been debating the Escort Passport 8500 and the Bell 980. I talked to my friend who owns a car stereo place, he told me to get the Escort. He used to sell Bell but stopped because he had to send allmost all of them back.

I have read a few test on these two units. In some the Bell scored higher and in others the Escort scored higher, but it was allmost a tie in all of the tests.

I ordered the Escort Passport 8500 on Wednesday, I was hoping it would be here today, but guess I will have to wait till monday. For $ 300.00 direct from Escort I don't think it is to bad of a deal, and if it saves me a ticket it will pay for itself.

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SILVER 2001 LIGHTNING
Built 02/14/01
Picked up 03/03/01
Sportmasters tonneau
Bedrug

http://members.tripod.com/donf150/Welcome/id7.html

 

Don C, Let us know how the passport 8500 works out. The pawn says he installed it above the rear view mirror. Says it works out real well there.It would be hard to see it from the outside looking in.And that would be a good thing. Bob.