General

The Whistler XTR 540 radar detector is a great cordless radar detector. If you have been looking for a battery powered, budget friendly detector, you might like the XTR 540. Check out our summary video, and if you have any questions leave a comment here on our radar detector blog, send us an email, or give us a call at: 1-800-584-1445.

In addition to radar detectors, many people find a CB radio a very useful tool for avoiding speeding tickets, traffic, and for even entertainment. We carry an extensive line of CB radios for the starter all of the way up to a professional setup. Before you head out and start using you new CB radio though you might want to become a bit more failure with CB 10 codes.

Ten codes are a traditional way for sending and responding to messages, some of which are very common such as 10-4 for "Message Received". Some of these are used more often that others, and like trucker slang usage will vary by location. However they are a great help if you want to know what everyone is talking about.

The Whistler Pro 695SE radar detector continues Whistler's tradition of building quality, performance radar detectors for a budget price. With a customizable display, voice alerts, and the Signature ID feature, the Whistler Pro 695 SE radar detector may be the radar detector you are looking for.

The Whistler XTR-690SE radar detector is a top budget priced model. The 690SE is part of Whistler's SE series of radar detectors and is a reliable and tested design. It does not offer the top filtering or range you will find in some higher end models, but it is still a very good performer both around town and on the highway.

The Cobra XRS 9970G radar detector is Cobra's top windshield mount radar detector. The 9970G in addition to being able to warn you about police radar, can also warn you of red light and speed cameras. The detector has a full color touch screen interface and all of the features you expect in a top end radar detector.

I once had someone explain that a speeding ticket is just a road tax we all get to pay now and then. Not satisfied with that, I have spent the last 10 years researching technological solutions to avoiding speeding tickets. During this time I have also made a few observations, that when combined with a reliable radar detector will keep you from paying this road tax. Here are some things you can do if you plan on driving fast to minimize your chance of a ticket.

Use a rabbit: A rabbit is a term for someone ahead of you that is driving fast. The goal is to let them attract any attention and be pulled over and not you. The trick of course is not being too close so you end up being caught as well. Following loosely behind a rabbit and using a radar detector will reduce your chance of being pulled over greatly. The rabbit is going to spring the speed trap for you, just sit back and pay attention. If police are using instant-on radar the rabbit will be hit first alerting you in time to slow down.

Stay with the flow: When you find yourself in with a pack of vehicles that are driving fast, try to avoid being in the front or rear. This will keep you from being picked off from the herd and getting a ticket.

Pay attention to oncoming traffic: Many police will follow closely behind another car to hide. If you see what you think are two cars close together in the oncoming lane, there is a good chance the second car is a police vehicle. Several times I have seen the second car do a sudden U-turn and pull the car in front of me.

Watch out around overpasses: Law enforcement loves to lurk up on overpasses, just waiting to swoop down on traffic bellow. When approaching an overpass slow down, especially near state lines.

Slow down in obvious areas: Some areas have a lot of police visitors. Be wary around truck stops, rest areas, and around courthouses (you would be shocked how many people do not pay attention). Also do not speed on the "main road". A lot of cities have a few roads where there are a lot of stores and restaurants. The police have to drive down it everyday just like you do, don't make them grumpy by having to pull you over on the way to lunch.

Do not speed in sensitive areas: I do not care how much of a hurry you are in, do not speed in school zones, construction zones, around hospitals, or near public crowded events. Speeding in these areas means you are an idiot. It is not safe and most likely there are law enforcement in the area looking for idiots.

Perfect speed traps: When you are driving and you think an area is perfect for a speed trap, guess what! There are some roads that are just easy to drive fast on. They tend to be wide, with a well paved surface, and have long stretches with occasional hills or turns to hide around.

That town: Every state has some town that makes all of their money from a speed trap. If you are driving along on a county road and the speed limit drops suddenly to 25 MPH, take it seriously. Feel free to smirk a bit when you pass the cop just around the corner.

Enjoy driving through a park, just do not enjoy it that much: There are some great scenic drives out there in our state and national parks. There are some park rangers just waiting to give you a ticket.

All alone on the road: If you are alone on the highway, there is very little you can do if you are hit by instant-on radar. If there is a cop lurking ahead of you, there is little warning time if the police officer is using instant-on to clock you with a short radar burst.

Look behind you: Always keep a watch of what is going on around you. If you see sudden movement of a car turning around, or accelerating towards you it might be a cop. Not all police have their radar on constantly and if they see someone that looks like they are driving fast they will come after you. You will get no warning even with a radar detector (because they are not using one, or are getting closer to hit you with instant-on).

Turn on your radar detector: I think some of you would be surprised by the number of people that get caught with a radar detector unplugged or turned off.

Don't be an idiot: Many police, particularly city cops are not out to pull everyone they encounter. They are looking for people that are breaking the law in multiple areas. So do not drive a car that has an expired inspection sticker, no license plate, busted taillight, and one working headlight while not wearing a seat belt and talking on the phone. This also goes for soccer moms and dads that should be driving not texting and yelling at the kids and not paying attention to the car they almost hit.

Don't be an ass: If you tailgate and change lanes constantly you will attract attention.

On the way to the beach: The roads to popular tourist destinations are often heavily monitored. While some places tell their police to take it easy on visitors, the next county over you have to drive through will have no such concerns.

Fast lane, slow lane: Police expect people in the passing lane to speed. If you are just passing someone they may ignore you, but if you are cruising faster than everyone else you will attract some interest. The same goes for large multi-lane highways. The far lanes on each side are watched closer than the middle lanes. Try to keep to the center lanes except to pass someone.

Everyone is slowing down: Chances are there is a cop ahead or a known speed trap. Check your speed and if you are not certain what the speed limit is, you might want to fade in with everyone else.

Check out my other articles on What to do When Pulled Over by the Police and How to Avoid Being Noticed by Law Enforcement.

I hope this helps save some of you from speeding tickets. If you have any comments please feel free to let me know what you think here on our radar detector blog. If you have any questions about radar detectors, laser jammers, or other defensive devices please give us a call (1-800-584-1445) or send us an email. Be a smart, protected and safe driver. - Danny

The other day we were talking about the best radar detectors for the money. Which ones in their price range offer the most usable features and are excellent at detecting police radar. If you are a frugal shopper, what radar detectors are honestly the best? Danny narrowed down our selection to the four radar detectors that he feels represent the ideals of a true "best" radar detector based on different budgets.

We then made a video on why they are great radar detectors. While not ideal for everyone, they are a frugal deal and excel at offering the most for the money. Every radar detectors is built by recognized, quality manufacturers which take pride in the radar detectors they build. Like all of you we want to shop smart, get the most for our money, and buy reliable gear from reputable companies.

We even have a quick video summary for each of these radar detectors on their product page:

Whistler Pro 68 SE radar detector

Beltronics 955 radar detector

Beltronics RX65 radar detector

Escort 9500ix radar detector

If you have any questions about a radar detector or other defensive device, give us a call at 1-800-584-1445 or send us an email. Being a smart driver means being protected from everything you might encounter, and being a smart shopper means getting the best for your money. We are pleased that we have been able to offer quality products from respected manufacturers since 2002.

The Whistler Pro 68 SE radar detector is perhaps the best radar detector available for under $100! The Pro 68 SE is based on a tested platform and delivers great budget performance. This Pro 68 SE is one of our favorite radar detectors, and is perfect for frugal shoppers! If you want to protect yourself from speeding tickets but do not want to break the bank, the Whistler Pro 68 SE may be what you have been looking for!

We consider the Escort 9500ix radar detector to be one of the best models around. Compared to other top end models, this is the only radar detector that offers so many useful features balanced with such high levels of performance. While others in the same price range exceed it in one or two areas, none of them offer such a complete package. With excellent radar detection range and reaction time, red light and speed camera notifications, software updatability and phenomenal filtering, the 9500ix offers the most for the money compared to its competition.

The Escort 8500 X50 radar detector offers great performance, and it comes loaded with some very useful features. The Escort 8500 is available with a stylish blue display or an intense red display and comes with a SmartCord and travel case. The 8500 is a radar detector for serious drivers, so please show a bit of respect.

UPDATE (1/6/2012): This article previously referred to the original Escort Passport 8500 X50. This model has now been updated and replaced with the Escort Passport 8500 X50 Black.