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Radar detectors have been around for decades, with the first ones developed in the late Sixties and early Seventies. But they’ve evolved exponentially throughout the years, keeping up with the technology around us.
A radar detector typically mounts on your windshield via suction cups, and the traditional reason drivers get them is to alert others of a police presence nearby. But most modern radar detectors can also detect things like speed sensors, red light cameras, even hidden cameras.
Radar Detector Buying Guide
Before going all-in on one, it’s best to familiarize yourself with the basics of what to look for in a radar detector:
Sensitivity: There’s a lot more radar on the road these days than ever before, in the forms of things such as other drivers’ collision avoidance systems (like blind-spot monitoring), and mounted police speed cameras – some which can be hidden in parked vehicles along the road. If you know where a false alert is going to be located on your daily route, like the auto-opening doors of a shopping center, you can teach most units to ignore it each time you drive by. A too-sensitive detector that’s always going off can get irritating really fast.
Range: This is one of the core basics when looking for the best radar detector for you. But even a unit with an impressive range of a mile or two can’t perform without a good clear signal. If you’re doing a lot of driving on curvy backroads with tall trees around, you’ll want a strong detector that can compensate for anything that might be blocking a radar signal’s path. With a flat, open road, this won’t matter as much, but still can’t hurt. Some units also include built-in arrows, to tell you which way the picked-up signal is coming from.
Bluetooth: Another great feature of modern detectors is the ability to pair with a device like your smartphone or tablet. This can add way more functionality to your detector unit, providing a screen that’s full of options which are easy to turn on and off.
Setup: All of these are pretty straightforward, simple to set up, and stick onto your windshield. But the more expensive models can get very complex in terms of what the settings can do, and learning the interface around it. If all you want is a basic detector to pick up potential speed traps, you may not need a high-end one with all the bells and whistles.
Legalities: Radar detectors are banned in Virginia and Washington D.C, as well as on military bases, so check your local laws before getting one and making it part of your car’s setup. Police and authorities also have radar detector detectors, giving them the ability to know if you’re using one where you shouldn’t be – so keep it legal and safe every time you drive.
What are the Best Radar Detectors?
Want an extra set of “eyes” on the road? We’ve rounded up some of the best legal radar detectors you can buy online right now.
