| Though many of us would love to move at | | | | populated areas.Passport's most popular model, |
| supersonic speed, evading those who desire to | | | | the 8500 X50, detects K band and Ka band |
| slow us down, we can't. But we speed demons | | | | radars and comes with a myriad of features: a |
| and electronic enthusiasts alike can enjoy evading | | | | 360 degree radar and laser detection radius, |
| the radar gun with popular detectors from | | | | advanced reprogrammable digital signal processing, |
| Whistler, Escort, Cobra, BEL, and Valentine.With | | | | an Auto Sensitivity mode to automatically reduce |
| over 12 models, including one for European | | | | false alarms, three high resolution meter modes, |
| models, Whistler is a viable option for a great | | | | an ultra bright matrix display with 280 LEDs, |
| detector. The under $100 DE 1734 features mute, | | | | multiple high performance laser sensors, and a |
| manual mute, and settings memory. With four | | | | built in earphone jack. Immune to VG 2 systems, |
| operating modes, two which effectively limit urban | | | | this Escort has nine menu options, offering |
| false alarms, this model has excellent audio and | | | | adjustability and excellent signal processing.Another |
| laser sensitivity. Though not a leader in its class, | | | | under $100 model, the BEL 925 offers one of the |
| Whistler definitely meets up to its low cost | | | | best price/performance ratios of all detectors. |
| expectation. It has fallen short in a couple of | | | | Owners can adjust volume easily thanks to BEL's |
| realms, however: like many models, inVG 2 | | | | radio sensitivity. With a variety of settings for |
| detection. The DE 1734 will detect VG 2, the fuzz | | | | driving environments, users can program this |
| will have detected this buster far beyond the | | | | model easier than earlier BEL models by using the |
| Whistler's detection capabilities.The popular Cobra | | | | seven user selectable options. By pressing a pair |
| detectors utilize a high sensitivity feature while in | | | | of buttons simultaneously, the user can enter the |
| the "highway" mode. Though Cobra claims to | | | | program mode quickly, and then utilize one button |
| produce few false alarms, engaging this feature | | | | to scroll through menu items.Popular among |
| takes time, and even then, it does not always | | | | detector veterans, Valentine has fallen among |
| work. This product clearly has imperfections, for | | | | disrepute for rookies for a few reasons. Many |
| example immunity from VG 2 systems have | | | | have difficulty discerning the difference between |
| failed with the Cobra XRS 9300.The newer styles | | | | the signals for K and Ka bands. Additionally, the |
| feature 11or 10 band extra sensory radar and | | | | Valentine lacks text display, voice alert, and a |
| laser detection, a 360 degree view, and 8 point | | | | tutorial mode. Users also report a high number of |
| electronic compass. Cobra also claims that it can | | | | false alarms and many become confused by the |
| detect X band radars, K band radars, and Ka | | | | outdated user guide. So why get a Valentine? It |
| Super wide radars. The newer models promise | | | | still has two to three times the detection range of |
| better features with relative proximity to the | | | | other brands.Gregg Hall is an author living in |
| radar along with the option to select operating | | | | Navarre Florida. |
| modes, thus reducing false alarms in densely | | | | |