As a driver, staying aware of your surroundings and avoiding speeding tickets is important. One tool that can help with this is a police radar detector. These devices alert you when law enforcement radar guns are being used nearby, giving you time to check your speed and avoid a costly ticket.
But with so many options on the market, how do you choose the best police radar detector for your needs? Here are some key factors to consider:
Detection Range and Accuracy
The most important aspect of any radar detector is its ability to accurately detect police radar from a distance, giving you ample time to adjust your speed if needed. Look for a detector with a long range on all the major radar bands used by law enforcement – X, K, Ka, and laser.
Many high-end detectors now have dual antennas (front and rear) and digital signal processing to improve range and reduce false alerts. GPS is also very helpful for locking out false signals from things like automatic door openers.
Filtering and False Alert Reduction
Even the best detectors will occasionally be set off by signals from other vehicles’ blind spot monitoring and collision avoidance systems. More advanced detectors have better filtering capabilities to intelligently analyze and reject these false sources.
Some key false alert filtering features to look for:
- GPS lockout
- Frequency rejection
- Traffic sensor rejection
- Automatic door opener rejection
Ease of Use
You’ll be interacting with your detector every time you drive, so it’s important that it is intuitive and easy to use. Look for a model with:
- Bright, easy to read display
- Clear voice alerts
- Simple controls
- Magnetic mount for easy installation and removal
Smartphone Integration
Many modern detectors can pair with your smartphone via Bluetooth to access the power of real-time, cloud-based threat sharing. This allows you to benefit from alerts reported by other detector users in your area.
Some detectors also have their own apps which allow for easy configuration and firmware updates to keep the device’s detection capabilities current.
Price and Features
Radar detectors are available at a variety of price points. While you generally get what you pay for in terms of range and features, there are great values to be found.
| Price Range | Features |
| Under $100 | Basic detection, city/highway modes |
| $100 – $300 | Longer range, GPS, false alert filtering |
| $300 – $600 | Very long range, directional arrows, Bluetooth, multicolor displays |
| Over $600 | Extreme long range, dual antennas, integrated dashcams, updatable via WiFi |
My top pick for a balance of performance, features and value is the Uniden R7. It has extremely long range, arrows, GPS, and great false alert filtering. For those on a tighter budget, the Uniden DFR7 packs in a lot of performance for the price.
When shopping for a police radar detector, prioritize the key performance attributes of range and false alert rejection. Look for a model that fits your budget while still offering good performance and the features you value.
With the right radar detector as your copilot, you can drive smarter and safer, avoiding tickets and staying more aware of your surroundings on every trip. Drive safe out there!
