Radar detector reactivity tests of the best radar detectors

Speed over sensitivity, wins the day

Originally Published: 7/3/23, Updated: 7/17/23  by Veil Guy

Radar detector reactivity & responsiveness tests

Introduction

Ever since I discovered the speed detection benefits of Ka-band segmentation in 2008, I’ve put more emphasis on a radar detector’s alert reactivity to instant-on radar, distant brief detections to approaching constant-on radar, and quick-trigger (very quick I/O operation) than on raw sensitivity.

Reactivity & Latch Time Performance Review

We test three top-rated radar detectors–the Uniden R9, the Valentine V1G2, and the Escort Redline 360c–for responsiveness and latch times on Ka-band.

 Originally published: 6-30-23, Updated: 7-16-23  by Veil Guy

Ka-band Reactivity & Latch Time Performance Test: Uniden R9 vs Escort Redline 360c vs Valentine V1G2

This article is part two of a two part series.

As we have maintained over nearly five-decades of driving with radar detectors, we continue to believe a true measure of what makes a radar detector the best, is not its sensitivity or if it alerts at the longest distance to constantly transmitting (C/O) police radar, on an isolated closed-course test.

Reactivity & Latch Time Performance Review

We test three top-rated radar detectors–the Uniden R9, the Escort Redline 360c, and the Valentine V1G2–for K-band responsiveness and latch times and the results are very telling.

Published: 6-30-23, Updated: 07-16-2023  by Veil Guy

K-band Reactivity & Latch Time Performance Test: Uniden R9 vs Escort Redline 360c vs Valentine V1G2

As we have maintained over nearly five-decades of driving with radar detectors, we continue to believe a true measure of what makes a radar detector the best, is not its sensitivity or if it alerts at the longest distance to constantly transmitting (C/O) police radar, on an isolated closed-course test.

Uniden R9 Review

Uniden’s Game Changing Remote is Set to Shake The Industry Up…Again

Originally published: 6-21-23, updated: 7-16-23 by Veil Guy

Uniden R9 Review

Uniden R9 Review Introduction

The Uniden R9 is Uniden’s first custom installed radar and laser system.

Long before we started driving with and testing the Uniden R9 on our recent road trip, we’ve driven with other radar detectors since the late ’70s.

No other radar detector review site can even come close to making this claim.

What does this mean in the practical sense?

TMG Alpha-17 Laser Jammer Review

The TMG a-17 laser jammer performs extremely well with only two standard jamming heads

Updated: 07/16/2023 by Veil Guy

TMG Alpha-17 Laser Jammer Review Summary

Pros:

• Best performing 2-head laser jammer we’ve ever tested
• Very high performance consistency with 2-heads
• Connecting cables are thick, durable,  and allow solid connections to the laser jamming heads
• Cables support connecting two heads requiring only one cable (for the non-VPR standard operating heads)
• Supports up to six heads (four standard and two VPR)
• CPU control module has been upgraded for reduced RF and improved electronic stability over the TMG Alpha-15
• Higher current fuses
• System can be powered three different ways
• Audi alerting volume is terrific
• Bluetooth support allows for easy firmware updating and control via Apple of Android smartphone apps.
• Configurable jamming duration
• Reasonably priced and less components required as compared to the ALP laser jammers to achieve similar performance

Cons:

• No parking sensor mode
• Head placement can be tricky when mounting the VPR head
• CPU and control module are one in the same requiring more cables to fish through the firewall and connect to the CPU
• No separate control module
• CPU module is not designed to be installed under the hood
• Tolerances could be improved with the CPU module to allow easier dip switch changing
• Difficult to remove cable connections from CPU without a small flat-head screw driver
• Cable jacket connection point to control module could be jacketed better
• Connections of jamming heads to the control module requires paying close attention to details
• No system self-check at startup to indicate a failed connection or jamming head

Introduction

Overview of the TMG Alpha-17 Laser Jammer

Facets TMG, a Taiwanese electronics manufacturer came on the US scene several years ago with their Alpha-15 laser jammer.

RadarBusters & Veil tested the 2-head laser jammer with good, but not consistently exceptional results.

Whistler Titan Review

High performance DSP makes the Titan the best radar detector ever offered by Whistler which can run with the big dogs.

Originally published: 08/21/2020, updated: 7/16/23 by Veil Guy

Introduction

This Whistler Titan review has been a long time coming.  I expected to publish it at the end of 2020, but as the COVID pandemic evolved into causing worldwide disruptions of supply chains, especially semi-conductor production, the Whistler Titan has been delayed for nearly two years!

TPX Laser Jammer Review & Test

This Adaptiv TPX jammer manages to hit a grand slam home run at its first at bat.

Now, we are ecstatic that Adaptiv has introduced their TPX laser jammer for automobiles.
 

Updated: 08/14/2023, by Veil Guy

TPX Laser Jammer Review Summary

Pros:

• Best performing laser jammer right out of the box
• High powered VPR head included as standard
• Very high performance consistency
• Flexible head placement
• CPU can be mounted under hood requiring only one cable to the control module to pass through the firewall
• USB type connections to control module very desirable allowing for easy connection and disconnection of cables
• Uncomplicated system making installation and operation a snap even for novices
• Audi alerting volume is terrific
• Parking sensor mode
• Reasonably priced and less components required as compared to the ALP laser jammers to achieve similar performance

Cons:

• Bluetooth support would be nice for operation, control, and firmware updating
• Short auto jamming operation of three seconds (unless in manual JTK mode)
• Cable jacket connection point to control module could be improved and be more durable
• No system check at startup to indicate a failed connection or jamming head

Introduction

Adaptiv Technologies has been around a long time in the industry and while many of you may not know their name, Adaptiv is very well regarded in the motorcyclist community.

Uniden R8 Review

Supercharging the Uniden R7 makes the Uniden R8 the best directional radar detector we’ve ever driven with.

The Uniden R8 is Uniden’s current top-performing windshield mount radar detector and is currently the best performing detector on the market, bar none.

This Uniden R8 review is based upon personal driving of many thousands of miles and lots of real-world police radar encounters.

Uniden R8 Review Introduction

For the last several years I have been crisscrossing the country every three months as I am participating in a clinical trial located on the opposite coast.  The total round-trip mileage often exceeds 6000 miles each trip.

Uniden R4 Review

A supercharged Uniden R3 with some impressive new capabilities

Updated: 7/16/2023, by Veil Guy

Uniden R4 Review Introduction

Back in September of 2021, the owner of RadarBusters and I recently went on a 16,000 mile road-trip throughout large parts of the United States to the Eastern provinces of Canada.  Victoria and I had been recently vaccinated so when the prime minister of Canada re-opened its borders to vaccinated citizens with proof of a negative COVID test, we jumped at the opportunity to visit.  I’ve been to Canada a good number of times, but for Victoria, this was her first trip there. The provinces we visited included Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and ultimately Newfoundland.

Best radar detector review: what are the best radar detectors in 2020?

Radar detector reviews of the best radar detectors available on the market in 2020 from Cobra, Escort, Radenso, Uniden, Valentine, and Whistler.

For the latest information and rankings, read our updated radar detector review.

Radar detectors have evolved more in the last several years than they did for the last several decades.  For much of this time there were effectively only two means of measured traffic enforcement in use, police radar and police laser.  In terms of police radar, there have been three radar bands to measure speed: X-band, K-band, Ka-band.  With police laser, it’s been infrared light at a wavelength of 904nm.  Since these remained the primary methods of measuring speed, radar detectors didn’t need much changing or updating.