Best Radar Detector Reviews 2017 with Review Summary
Updated: 6-23-2019
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.
Some of the advantages of choosing a windshield-mount radar detectors:
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
The main reason you may choose investing into a concealed radar detector is that they such radar detectors are hidden from view, reducing the chance of theft or discovery by a traffic enforcement officer.
Yes, radar detectors are legal in the USA with the exception of Virginia, the District of Columbia, on all military bases and in all commercial vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds.
To enforce radar detector laws in Virginia and by commercial truck inspection officers, police use a device called the Spectre RDD that is able to sniff out 99% of all the radar detectors made.
Now if you live and/or drive where police laser enforcement is commonly used, you may also want to scroll down to the bottom of this page to our Laser Jamming Reviews section to check out those rankings and reviews.
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
The Uniden R3 provides extreme range and Escort Redline-like performance but also includes GPS capability and a photo enforcement database. Similar to the $550 Escort Redline, the Uniden R3 is undetectable by the Spectre RDD and provides excellent K-band rejection from today's collision avoidance systems. At only $399, this detector offers an exceptional value at a savings of $150 to $250 over Escort's top performing detectors, making it one of the very best values available.
Pros:
Currently holding RadarBuster's best radar detector ranking
Advanced Digital Signal Processing (DSP) for extreme range performance
The Uniden R1 provides extreme range and Escort Redline-like performance. Similar to the $550 Escort Redline, the Uniden R1 is undetectable by the Spectre RDD and provides excellent K-band rejection from today's collision avoidance systems. At only $299, this detector offers an exceptional value at a savings of $250 to $350 over Escort's top performing detectors, making it one of the best values out there.
Pros:
Advanced Digital Signal Processing (DSP) for extreme range performance
The Escort Max 360 provides full 360 degree protection with colored directional arrows along with the advanced ability to filter out most of the false alerts caused by the Anti-Collision sensors installed on new cars today. It is also a GPS enabled detector and rated as being both a city and highway detector as it has nearly 8 times the capture distance of a police radar gun.
Pros:
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
Already a big hit, the new Escort iX is a GPS enabled detector and rated both a city and highway detector as it has approximately 8 times the capture distance of a police radar gun. The Escort iX replaces the Passport 9500ix--Escort''s best-selling detector of all-time.
Pros:
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
The Radenso SP is a Radenso XP without GPS and rated both a city and highway detector as it has over 8 times the capture distance of a police radar gun.
The Escort Redline has more than 8 times the capture distance of
a police radar gun is stealth to all radar detector detectors including
the Spectre RDD. Given the Redline's extreme radar sensitivity is rated as being best suited for highway use.
The Redline is the detector
of choice for use in Virginia, the District of Columbia or other
countries where the use of radar detectors are illegal as well as commercial truck drivers.
Pros:
Unique dual front facing antenna design
Excellent sensitivity to police laser
Exceptional detection to instant-on police radar
Digital Signal Processing (DSP) for extreme range performance
Good Traffic Safety Rejection (TSR) filtering
Stealth to all radar detector detectors
Cons:
Not as effective at filtering the latest K-band radar from vehicle collision avoidance systems.
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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)
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.
Do you need more assistance to help you select the top speed
counter measurement device that is just right for you or that special
someone?
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About RadarBusters
Unlike the other review websites out there, RadarBusters was founded by Radar Roy, a retired cop and certified traffic radar instructor with over 40 years of experience. Luxury Automotive was so impressed with Roy’s high standards and qualifications that they dubbed him the “General Schwarzkopf" of the countermeasure industry.
To learn more about Roy, read our detector reviews and learn about ticket avoidance tactics, or download our countermeasure eBook (a $39.95 value) yours free as our gift.
Return Policy
Dash Mounted Detectors, Accessories, Mounting Systems: These products come with our 30-day money back guarantee provided that they are returned in
resalable condition. This requires that all parts, accessories, warranty
cards and packaging are returned.
Installed Products: Any detector/jammer product that requires installation is exempt from our 30-day return policy if the product is removed from the packaging and/or if the buyer installs
and/or attempts to install the product on a vehicle it becomes a
nonreturnable product.
This exception includes all jammers, installed detectors, and the Veil Stealth Coating.
Unlike the other review websites out there, RadarBusters was founded by Radar Roy, a retired cop and certified traffic radar instructor with over 40 years of experience. Luxury Automotive was so impressed with Roy’s high standards and qualifications that they dubbed him the “General Schwarzkopf" of the countermeasure industry.