To me the best bang for your bunch radar detector is the BEL 955, for $179 at RadarBusters.com. The BEL 955 is not the best but it is certainly up there with the top 3 radar detectors [Escort 8500 X50($300), BEL RX65 ($329.99), and Valentine 1($400)] I personally have a BEL Vector 995($270) and Valentine 1($400) and their is only a slight difference in detection range. I like both detectors equally due to their unique features.

The BEST radar detector is relative to the features you like/need.....There are 5 radar detectors with equal performance in most respects and will save you tickets contrary to what some will tell you. The Top 5 radar detectors are (in no specific order) the:
BEL RX65
BEL STi
Escort 8500 X50
Escort 9500i
Valentine 1

I personally use the Valentine 1 as well as the BEL vector 995 both have saved me huge fines when dealing with police radar. But for dealing with Laser you really needs a laser jammer (illegal in some states) I use a Blinder M20 and Anti-Laser laser jammers on my Volvo along with VEIL stealth coating and LaserShield plate cover.

For those that say a radar detector is just a ticket notifier obviously don't have experience with a top level detector. Ask any of my friends that ride in my car. My detectors both sniff out cops easily and give me plenty of time to slow down when usually going 10-15mph over the limit.

For test results of pretty much all laser jammers and radar detectors....Check out these links:
http://guysoflidar.com/testing.html
http://www.laserveil.com/radardetectorsb uyersguide/
http://www.laserveil.Performance com/laser-detector- /.
To view this video in the stealth measures to here.
HP http://www.radardetector.net/viewforum.p? f = 20.

Radar systems only illegal in Virginia and Washington DC.

I bougth the Cobra xrs-9430. The detector works great. The alarm goes off and says all these at different times; X Band. Ku Band. K Band. Ka Band -- Wideband (Ka) Radar Sometimes right after i will indeed see a police officer or highway patrol. My question is what do each of those codes mean so i will have a better understanding right when an alarm sounds. Thanx a lot guys. Carson

The radar bands (frequency) are not used exclusively by the police. In fact supermarket door openers (motion sensors) use the same band (frequency) as police X band. So it is very difficult for a simple machine to decipher which is which.

That is why you have HWY switch. On the HWY it is less likely you will pass a super market and get false X band reading. So the HWY setting is more sensitive.

The various K bandS are harder to detect so when you hear an alarm for K bands you need to take action immediately. With X band you will probably have anywhere between 15 second (1/4 mile) to 1 minute (1 mile) advance notice. With the K bands you might not get more than 15 second notice.

Also the K bands are more like a spot light and does not follow the curve of the hills and curves. So the police often hide around the curve or over a hill and nail a car, but the car just behind might not get an alarm. But the X band is more like radio transmission and they are easier to detect around hills and curves.

http://www.radarbusters.com/helpfulinfo. cfm