Best Radar Detector Reviews 2017

Best Radar Detector Reviews 2017 with Review Summary

When selecting the best radar detector for you, your first choice is to determine if you want a radar detector to mount to your windshield or a radar detector that is built into your car.

• Windshield-mount radar detectors are easy to install and move from car to car
• Windshield-mount radar detectors or more affordable
• Radar detection performance improves as the radar detector antenna is mounted higher

One common question we are asked is “are radar detectors legal?”

These rankings are somewhat dated in 2021, to read our most current list you can read the following: Best detectors of 2021, ranked by RadarBusters.

Best Radar Detector Reviews of 2017 Summary with Rankings

Windshield Mounted

Rank #1: Uniden R3 – Best Seller!

• Currently holding RadarBuster's best radar detector ranking
• Advanced Digital Signal Processing (DSP) for extreme range performance
• Exceptional at detecting instant-on police radar
• Excellent Traffic Safety Rejection (TSR) filtering
• K narrow and Ka narrow sweeps for improved performance with less falsing
• GPS enabled
• Full Color OLED display
• Small size
• Comes with two windshield-mounts, one conventional dual suction cup mount and one large "sticky-cup" mount
• Comes with USB smartcord with push-button muting
• Firmware and Photo Enforcement database are both user upgradable
• Better value than Escort's top-of-line detectors

• Does not come with USB to Mini-D cable

Rank #2: Uniden R1 – Best Seller!

• Advanced Digital Signal Processing (DSP) for extreme range performance
• Exceptional at detecting instant-on police radar
• Excellent Traffic Safety Rejection (TSR) filtering
• K narrow and Ka narrow sweeps for improved performance with less falsing
• Full Color OLED display
• Small size
• Comes with two windshield-mounts, one conventional dual suction cup mount and one large "sticky-cup" mount
• Comes with USB smartcord with push-button muting
• Firmware and Photo Enforcement database are both user upgradable
• Better value than Escort's top-of-line detectors

• Does not come with USB to Mini-D cable

Rank #3: Passport Max 360 – Best Seller!

• All-Digital Signal Processing (DSP) for extreme range performance
• Exceptional at detecting instant-on police radar
• Good Traffic Safety Rejection (TSR) filtering
• BEST Anti-Collision Sensor Rejection filtering
• Escort Live! ready
• GPS enabled
• Builtin Bluetooth for wireless pairing to your smartphone
• Bi-Lingual Voice Alerts - English & Spanish
• Firmware and Photo Enforcement database are both user upgradable

• Larger footprint
• Does not come with USB to Mini-D cable
• Most expensive windshield-mount detector

Rank #4: Radenso XP – Best Seller!

• Excellent range performance on K and Ka-bands
• Best-in-class anti-collision sensor rejection filtering
• GPS enabled /w Photo Enforcement Database
• Ka-band segmentation
• Narrow K-band sweep setting for improved performance and less falsing
• Great price for performance & features
• Software updatable
• Free photo enforcement database updates
• 2 year warranty
• 1 year ticket guarantee

• Somewhat reduced X-band performance (for NJ & OH drivers)

Rank #5: Escort iX – Best Seller!

• Features Escort's superb quick-release magnetic windshield mounting bracket
• Next Generation Digital Signal Processing (DSP) for extreme range performance
• Excellent Anti-Collision Sensor Rejection filtering with Escort's new IVT filter
• Good Traffic Safety Rejection (TSR) filtering
• New AutoLoK filter for reduced K-band sensitivity when driving around town
• Supports Ka-band segmentation for improved Ka performance
• Escort Live ready with built-in Bluetooth
• GPS enabled with class leading Defender photo enforcement database
• Firmware and Photo Enforcement Database is user upgradable
• Bi-Lingual Voice Alerts - English & Spanish

• Does not come with USB to Mini-D cable

Rank #11: Escort X80

Review Summary:

The Escort X80 is Escort's best entry model detector below $300. This is because it has over 4 times the capture distance of a police radar gun, good filtering characteristics, and has an internal Bluetooth chipset enabling you to connect to the Escort Live! community.

Pros:

• Digital Signal Processing (DSP) for midrange performance
• Good Traffic Safety Rejection (TSR) filtering
• Escort Live enabled
• Bluetooth to support Escort Live!

Best Suited for: City Use/Light Highway Use

Retail Price: $299.95 - Before your special VIP Discount

Rank #12: Whistler CR93

Review Summary:

The Whistler CR93 is a GPS enabled radar detector that has 3.5 times the capture distance of a police radar gun and is our pick for the best performing detector under $200.

Pros:

• Digital Signal Processing (DSP) for minimal performance
• Quick detections to instant-on police radar
• Very good sensitivity to police laser
• Low Traffic Safety Rejection (TSR) filtering
• GPS Enabled
• New Field Disturbance Sensor Rejection
• Very readable OLED display
• Very user customizable

Best Suited for: City / Light Highway Use

Discounted Price: $188.95

Rank #13: Whistler CR88

Review Summary:

The Whistler CR88 is a Whistler CR93 without GPS. It has the same 3.5 times the capture distance of a police radar gun and is our pick for the best performing detector under $200.

Pros:

• Digital Signal Processing (DSP) for minimal performance
• Quick detections to instant-on police radar
• Very good sensitivity to police laser
• Low Traffic Safety Rejection (TSR) filtering
• New Field Disturbance Sensor Rejection
• Very readable OLED display
• Very user customizable

Best Suited for: City / Light Highway Use

Discounted Price: $178.95

Rank #14: Adaptiv TPX Pro

Review Summary:

The Adaptiv TPX Pro is rated as having 4 times the capture distance of a police radar gun and is specifically designed for motorcycle use however it can be accessorized as a windshield mounted detector.

Pros:

• Good range
• Good false alert filtering
• Motorcycle ready

Best Suited for: Motorcycle User
Retail Price: $299.95 - Before your special VIP Discount

Rank #15: Cobra DSP 9200 BT

Review Summary:

The Cobra DSP 9200 BT is rated as having 4 times the capture distance of a police radar gun and comes equipped with a Bluetooth chipset enabling you to connect to the iRadar social app.

Pros:

• Digital Signal Processing (DSP) for high performance
• Good Traffic Safety Rejection (TSR) filtering
• iRadar Community

Best Suited for: City Use

Retail Price: $339.00

Rank #16: Escort Solo S4

Review Summary:

The Escort Solo S4 is a battery operated cordless detector.

One of the main concerns manufactures have when designing battery operated detectors is battery life, the overall performance of a cordless detector is typically 75% less then that of a corded detector.

Because of this major drop in performance, you should consider selecting a corded detector over a cordless model.

Pros:

• Battery operated, cordless detector
• Best of class
• Comes with cigarette lighter plug power cord

Cons:

• Performance doesn't improve when plugged-in
• Not as sensitive as conventional detectors
• Not as fast at detecting I/O
• Only cosmetic changes made since the Solo S3
• Not as effective at filtering out falses as other Escorts

Best Suited for: City Use or Light Highway Use or Frequent Travelers using Rental Vehicles

Retail Price: $299.95 - Before your special VIP Discount

No Rank: Rocky Mountain Radar D495 Radar Scrambler

Review Summary:

Since 2005 Radar Roy has offered a $50,000 reward to ANYONE that can show him a Rocky Mountain Radar scrambler that works as they advertise and NO ONE has ever taken him up on his offer.

Best Suited for: Trash

Retail Price: $329.95

No Rank: The Ghost Pro

Review Summary:

Radar Roy has rated the Ghost Pro as the WORST radar detector he has ever tested.

Best Suited for: Trash

Retail Price: $269.95

Remote Custom Installed

Rank #1: Escort Max Ci 360

Review Summary:

The Escort Max Ci 360 is Escort's most expensive detector and jammer system, ever. At $3495, before custom installed, the Escort Max Ci 360 is Escort's most expensive radar detection and laser jamming system ever. It is the successor to the Escort Passport 9500ci comes equipped with the Escort Laser ShifterMax capable of defeating variable pulse laser guns..

Pros:

• Digital Signal Processing (DSP) for extreme range performance
• New M7 platform which is superior to their previous M3 designs
• Front and rear facing radar antennas and laser jamming heads
• Directional Arrows
• Traffic Safety Rejection (TSR) filtering
• GPS enabled – Photo enforcement camera database & GPS filtering
• Stealth to all SPECTRE radar detector detectors
• Escort Live! compatible

Cons:

• Expensive!
• Must be installed by an authorized custom installer (RadarBusters is authorized installer)

Retail Price: $3495 Plus Installation Cost

Rank #2: Escort Max Ci

Review Summary:

The Escort Max Ci is Escort's second most expensive detector and jammer system. It is identical to the Escort Max Ci 360 except it doesn't come with a rear facing system.

Pros:

• Digital Signal Processing (DSP) for extreme range performance
• New M7 platform which is superior to their previous M3 designs
• Front only radar antennas and laser jamming heads
• Traffic Safety Rejection (TSR) filtering
• GPS enabled – Photo enforcement camera database & GPS filtering
• Stealth to all SPECTRE radar detector detectors
• Escort Live! compatible
• Can be upgraded to a Max Ci 360 with a separate rear system

Cons:

• Expensive!
• Must be installed by an authorized custom installer (RadarBusters is authorized installer)

Retail Price: $2995 Plus Installation Cost

Laser Jammer Ratings

Police lidar enforcement is different from radar enforcement as instead of using microwave radio signals, which can be, detected miles away; lidar uses a narrow beam of light.

This beam of light at 500 feet is only 18” wide and when an officer targets your car his aiming point is typically your front license plate, a headlight of your car, or another reflective area.

So unless your detector was within this 18” circle, it may never alert you that you’re being shot by a police lidar gun and if it does, its too late, the officer has already captured your speed.

So because of this if you also need protection against this type of technology it is recommended that you install a laser jamming system into your car or truck.

Rank #1: Blinder HP-905

Review Summary:

The Blinder HP-905 is very effective in jamming most police lidar guns used in the USA, with the exception of the Dragon Eye.

Pros:

• Various configurations and accessories offered
• Small footprint

Retail Price: $449 to $899 - Before your special VIP Discount

Rank #2: Escort Laser ShifterPro

Review Summary:

Escort’s Laser ShifterPro is actually manufactured by Laser Interceptor and they have not offered any updates to this system in over 2 years.

Because of this it is unable to jam many of the newest police lidar guns that have come on the market since, including the Dragon Eye.

Pros:

• • Most affordable laser jammer offered today

Retail Price: $549 - Before your special VIP Discount

Need More Assistance?

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