2015 Radar Detector Thoughts / Opinions

That is a Ram suction mount. Sticks like cement. I did add a tether to it just in case but have not needed the tether. Picks up radar signals front and rear and is kind of inconspicuous.
 
Just my opinion, given the current state of technology, the cops hold all the aces. Too many false alarms, they have 360 degree, instant on, low power modes, ability to pull the fastest vehicle out of the pack, and more and more agencies going to laser. They give SL plus 10 (mostly) so that's 80 on the interstates, just how fast ya need go?
 
BamaRider said:
Just my opinion, given the current state of technology, the cops hold all the aces. Too many false alarms, they have 360 degree, instant on, low power modes, ability to pull the fastest vehicle out of the pack, and more and more agencies going to laser. They give SL plus 10 (mostly) so that's 80 on the interstates, just how fast ya need go?
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+10 in parts of Texas is 90 mph and on one road in Texas 95! :D
 
Once I swap the Adaptiv for a better detector (V1 or Escort) I think I'll have most of the bases covered, short of a jammer. This is what I'll be running for defensive gear this summer. For radar detection is the Adaptiv TPX mounted to the left on the dash. The warning LED is mounted high in the center and is VERY effective at getting my attention. Add to that the TPX is tied into my Sena SM10 for audio warning as well. In the center is an LG G PAd 7" tablet running Waze. I've been experimenting with Waze every day in the work van and it seems to be just as effective, if not more so, than the detector. One won't replace the other, however- while Waze is great at showing where revenue collectors are parked doing a speed trap, the detector is better at the moving officers that don't show up on Waze.

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+10 in parts of Texas is 90 mph and on one road in Texas 95!

Texas is so awesome. I recall riding west Texas on whatever highways that lead down to Big Bend, non freeway, and the SL was 70! Which really means I'm gonna do 80!

Later on I was on I-10 around Ft. Stockton and SL was 85, so I just hung out around 93. Met a state trooper and deputy at 90+ and they didn't bat a eye.
 
I'm using Escort Max in my car, on bike and bought for my son one as well. It's an excellent detector- saved me so many times. I do updates thru their software for red light cameras etc. and when I go over speed limit, it tells me via Bluetooth thru my iPhone, warns about police spotted ahead. I don't drive without it.

Mark
 
I have had my adaptive for about a year . No problems . The main reason I bought it was that it connects to a BRIGHT LED Light that gets my attention . I bought the add on wireless speaker that attaches to the side of my helmet but I find it does electrically interferes with my bluetooth intercom system and starts to beep false alarms , when I turn off my intercom the radar warning speaker stops false beeps.
So I tend not to use the wireless audio alert and rely more on a visual alert. I have a Valentine 1 for the car . The V1 gives about a 10%-15% faster warning. On saying that would I use a V1 on a motorbike ...NO ! The adaptive is waterproof, easy to adjust with gloves on , has a better visual alert and the 10%-15% difference is really not noticed at 120kph as you are braking anyway and the real difference would maybe a second. The adaptive picks up radar spread well if the law enforcement officer is locking on to someone else. Like all radars if he has his gun off and suddenly zaps you, you are going to stuffed anyway !
 
BODIE37 said:
I have had my adaptive for about a year . No problems . The main reason I bought it was that it connects to a BRIGHT LED Light that gets my attention . I bought the add on wireless speaker that attaches to the side of my helmet but I find it does electrically interferes with my bluetooth intercom system and starts to beep false alarms , when I turn off my intercom the radar warning speaker stops false beeps.
So I tend not to use the wireless audio alert and rely more on a visual alert. I have a Valentine 1 for the car . The V1 gives about a 10%-15% faster warning. On saying that would I use a V1 on a motorbike ...NO ! The adaptive is waterproof, easy to adjust with gloves on , has a better visual alert and the 10%-15% difference is really not noticed at 120kph as you are braking anyway and the real difference would maybe a second. The adaptive picks up radar spread well if the law enforcement officer is locking on to someone else. Like all radars if he has his gun off and suddenly zaps you, you are going to stuffed anyway !
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That second you talk about could be the difference between a ticket and not a ticket. You can't beat the arrows on the V1, knowing where the radar is tells alot. You can't rely on visual warning on a bike or in a car. No detector is foolproof, you must also rely on your own visual, paying attention to your surroundings is sometimes way better than any detector. Waterproof box is the answer to the V1, but again there is always personal preference.
 
DaveM said:
That second you talk about could be the difference between a ticket and not a ticket. You can't beat the arrows on the V1, knowing where the radar is tells alot. You can't rely on visual warning on a bike or in a car. No detector is foolproof, you must also rely on your own visual, paying attention to your surroundings is sometimes way better than any detector. Waterproof box is the answer to the V1, but again there is always personal preference.
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+1 on the V-1's arrows!

I found that a waterproof enclosure for my V-1 was hard to find at a reasonable price so I made my own.
 
There was a few times on my ride that I received "multiple signals detected" from my 9500ix and I wished for the Valentines bogey arrows but overall, I was very satisfied with its performance. One little quirk about a detector that warns you about red light cameras, Florida has quite a few of these at the intersections under highway overpasses. The detector will warn you about the red light camera, even if your on the interstate! Somewhat surprising to be alerted of a "Red Light Camera Ahead" when your cruising at a "spirited" pace on the interstate!
 
I'll put in my latest experiences with the Adaptiv TPX. Stay away. FAR away! When I originally bought it, it lasted just a few hours in the rain. Not what is expected for a detector designed for motorcycles, claiming to be waterproof. I sent it back for repair or replacement. That turned into a two month ordeal, which involved them claiming to have sent a replacement, which I never received; then they sent me back JUST the detector (claimed it was a new one), but not the wiring, mounting plate, instructions, etc. which I had sent back (they had requested that EVERYTHING be sent back- which meant waiting until I had time to pull tupperware off to get the wiring harness off). That wook at least 20 phone calls and several e-mails to finally get the point across that all I had was the detector, and they had to send me everything else. They finally sent me MOST of the stuff (not everything) but I had the mount & wiring, so I installed it. It worked for my 250 mile shakedown run.

Then I set out on the way to NY for the start of the Cape Fear rally. On the way the detector shut down and wouldn't turn back on. At a rest area I played with it- it was getting power through the harness. I wiggled the wire going into the detector and it turned on. Wiggled it again and it turned off. I had to tape the wire to hold tension on it so it would stay working.

NOT impressed with the quality, and especially NOT impressed with the customer service. Keep in mind I sent it in to them in February. I just got it back a couple weeks ago. If you you can depend on...try another brand.
 
I can only provide my own experiences. I have used both the old and new versions of the Adaptive TPX (first purchased in 2005 or 2006). Ridden in all kinds of weather and both units still operate. That does include heavy rain. As for range, the range is slightly less than some other detectors but my experience has been it is designed for the bike and handles inclement weather.

I have about 5,000 miles in the new one I purchased in February of this year.

I don't have experience with customer service though...
 
I fixed the wiring issue so the TPX worked again. Now, 2500 miles after the Cape Fear rally trip...it has started leaking. The display is full of moisture. I'm posing pics to the Adaptiv facebook page, then throwing it out. No more wasted time. I guess I should have sold it as soon as I got it back.
 
Here is my Wing setup. I hard wired the Redline on this bike too but added the idiot light/mute/alert module (Smartcord) for more info as it is directly in the line of sight.

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I also run a ground loop isolator now (addresses mono to stereo issues) between the external amp/sound system and the device. I use the Escort accessory but there are cheaper versions available which I am sure work just as well. Recently I have also the mounted RL unit/RAM on the bike/cowl instead of the handlebars. This means I do not have to worry about the swinging arc of the install.
 
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