About Radar Detector Test Scores My Radar Detector tests are done using "real-world" tests. Virtually all other radar detector tests are done on a set up course over a day or two period of time. We have tested all our detectors in virtually every situation and in multiple states. The test results in the My Radar Detector table is just our opinion on how these radar detectors performed for us over a period of months of testing. We have also included tests from SML and recommend that you study all the tests to determine what detector is right for you.

 

Test Results from the SML 2004 Detector Test Instant On & Constant On Test Results 2½ mile cone 2 mile cone 1½ mile cone Constant Instant Constant Instant Constant Instant X K Ka X K Ka X K Ka X K Ka X  K Ka X  K Ka Bel RX65 N N N N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y YF YF YF Y3/6 YF Y2/6 Escort X50 N N Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y YF YF YF YF YF YF Valentine 1 N N N N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y YF YF YF YF YF YF Cobra 9780 N N N N N N N Y Y N Y Y Y1/5 Y1/5 Y2/5 Y1/5 Y1/5 Y2/5 Silver Bullet N N N N N N Y N Y Y Y Y Y3/9 Y3/9 Y3/9 Y2/9 Y3/9 Y2/9 Whistler Pro 73 N N N N N N Y Y N Y Y Y Y5/9 Y5/9 Y3/9 Y4/9 Y5/9 Y3/9 For the instant on / constant on, test cones were placed at 1½, 2, and 2½ miles from the radar guns. The cone at 2½ miles was slightly over a hill and the test vehicle was out of sight of the radar van. Test vehicles were stationary. Officers triggered the radar guns for less than two seconds in the instant on configuration and for approximately five seconds in the constant transmit position. A MPH K-55 X band gun was used along with a Decatur GHD K band and a MPH Bee III (33.8 GHz). Police officers were in the test vehicles and reported the radar detector results. Radar detector makers accompanied the police officers in the test vehicles. All test vehicles began at the 2½ mile cone and after all detectors encountered all radar guns, two tries each detector, the test vehicles move to next closer cone. "Y" stands for Yes and means the detector correctly reported radar. "N" stands for No and means the detector did not detect radar. Beginning at the 1½ mile cone signal strength was recorded. "YF" stands for Yes/Full and means that the detector correctly reported radar and the detector was in full alert. "Y5/9" stands for Yes radar was correctly reported but only 5 of a possible 9 leds were being illuminated, indicating signal strength. Every detector tested had two tries. - SML 2004 Detector Test (June 11-13, 2004)

 

Test Results from the SML 2004 Detector Test Long Ranger Test   X Band K Band Ka Band Bel RX65 10.8 miles 11+ miles 11+ miles Escort X50 10.9 miles 10. 9 miles 11+ miles Valentine 1 11+ miles 11+ miles 10.8 miles Note: The above test only shows the Bel RX65, Escort X50 and Valentine 1 as these three detectors are the only detectors that have claimed they have the longest detection range. Radar guns are normally used at distances of 1/4 mile or less due to the legal requirements of a valid “visual tracking history.” The Long Ranger Tests are basically for bragging rights but as you can see there was no clear winner so this test was declared a three way tie.