Radar Detector Comparison - Driving Countermeasures

Out of a possible 86 points, here's how the units scored:

Beltronics STi Driver--77 points
Valentine One--75 points
Passport 8500 X50--73 points.

Since RDD performance is important primarily to long-haul truckers who are prohibited by law from using radar/laser detectors, SML considered eliminating the category. But since detectors are used by drivers in states (and countries overseas) where use is prohibited and as the manufacturers tout their RDD performance in advertising and packaging, clearly mentioning the RDDs they score well against, SML decided to weight the scores with a factor of 0.5, with a maximum point total of 80 (instead of 86). Here are the results:

Beltronics STi Driver--71 points
Valentine One--71 points
Passport 8500 X50--70 points

While all three detectors turned in fine measured performances, on purely objective terms, the Beltronics STi was the winner by a small margin--as it should be, given its highest price overall. For those who can't live without the Valentine One's directional arrows, the choice will be clear and on a purely price-versus-performance basis, the Passport 8500 X50 represents great value.

Because lasers work at the speed of light and can target a vehicle instantaneously, a laser detector-no matter how sensitive it is-offers little real-world defense. Unlike radar bands, which cut a wide path and bounce off other cars and other reflective surfaces such as road signs, laser detectors almost never provide advance warning. So a laser jammer needs to be part of your arsenal.

In SML's tests, one unit stands above the rest: the Laser Blinder X-Treme (blinderxtreme.com). The basic M-20 model ($350 plus installation) includes two modules, mounted on each side of the front plate. They will jam laser signals aimed at a front plate or reflector headlamp assemblies 100 percent of the time. Against the six most widely deployed laser guns, this is an impressive performance. For even more protection from behind, Laser Blinder offers the M-40 package ($600), with two additional modules for the rear. A car equipped with the M-20 or M-40 package, used with any of our three top-rated radar/laser detectors, is as close as it gets to running under the radar and avoiding all but the most cleverly concealed traps.

The Passport 8500 X5 and a Laser Blinder X-Treme M-20 at $650 plus installation should be the minimum level of protection a serious driver should consider. If your tendency is to drive fast, especially with a high profile car painted in Arrest Me Red, a Valentine One or the STi Driver, with the front and rear M-40 installation, should be strongly considered.