RADAR DETECTOR, Is it worth it Options

[aslearvert]

There is a 50% off sale at a large retail store where I live, on i believe it is a Cobra ESD 9117 or something like that. It is $119.99 regularly. Is it worth spending the money on? The sale goes until 8/19/06, So I need opinions quickly. I think Cobra stopped making this model, so that is why they are having the sale.

Thanks for your help

[devilsden97]

i have a cobra..something i forget. Its 9 band. Its really good. U still have to keep your speed in check tho, because if ur going TOO far over, ull never be able to slow down to the speed limit.

[uberschall]

it's always good to have a radar detector. even better when it's a good deal.

long story short, you should really get one of the $40 ones or the $350+ ones. an expensive detector like a valentine one or passport X50 will give you POP protection, which is the biggest concern for highway driving these days. i couldn't tell you which of those two is better. honestly, if you're NOT going to get one with POP detection, the cheap6-band ones are the only ones that are really worth it. they cover the most common 6 bands that cops actually use, whereas the 10 and 11-band detectors have 5 or 6 extra bands you'll hardly ever see.

if this is one of the overpriced 10 or 11 band detectors, i'd just pass unless $60 bucks seems worth it for something you could get for $40. the midrange cobras do have some nicer features alongside the extra bands: mute, display brightness and more secure mounts...but i have used a clearance ($29!!!) cobra 6-band for three years and have been really happy.

50% off does make it a pretty good deal, though...

just compare it to a cheaper one and see which features you want. without POP, they're going to offer about the same amount of protection anyway.

hope that helps!

[bloodrain]

I say go with the valentine 1, they also upgrade your radar detector for free, all you do is pay for the parts and shipping.

[GTS13]

I recommend doing a little research and figuring out whether you actually want one or not. Crutchfield does an awesome job explaining everything you'll need to know.
http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/S-9lj4t7.../car/radar.html

[aslearvert]

Thanks for all the help, I did end up buying it. I guess its better to be safe than sorry. I just have the wire run behind all the trim and down through the a-pillar right now, but im going to hard-wire it into the fuse box later.

-Thanks!