A radar unit is used by law enforcement to measure the speed of a vehicle. A radar detector was created for the purpose of checking if a radar unit is monitoring your speed. This is an electronic device that some motorists keep handy in the event that they know they will be speeding or just simply to determine if a radar unit is monitoring their speed at a certain time. If you are one of those motorists who need that kind of information, then radar detectors are for you. But then again, having a radar detector is not a license to speed.

Once you have determined your need for a radar detector, the next question would be if radar detector could be used in your area. There are some countries and areas that prohibit the possession of a radar detector and people who would like to avail it should take this into consideration. In some places, possession of a radar detector is considered illegal and could result in fines or confiscation and even both.

Possessing a radar detector (especially in a moving vehicle) is illegal in the following countries: Australia (in all states except Western Australia), Belgium, Canada (in all states except Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan), Finland, Germany, Malaysia, Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland, and United Kingdom. On the other hand, it is known to be legal in Middle Eastern countries, especially in UAE, Jordan and KSA.

As for the United States, radar detectors are legal in private vehicles under the Communications Act of 1934, but then again the law varies from state to state. It would help if you find out first if it would be legal in the state where you will be using it. A radar detector is specifically illegal in all vehicles in Virginia, Washington,D.C. and in U.S. military bases. It is also illegal in commercial vehicles in: Illinois and New York. Under state law, commercial vehicles are those that are over 10,000 pounds while all other vehicles over 18,000 pounds. There is some states where it is known to be indirectly illegal such as: Minnesota and California. Indirectly illegal means that a radar detector is illegal if it is hanging from the windshield while it could be legal if it is mounted on the dashboard or visor.

When you are ready to purchase your own radar detector, you must consider the ones that have good feedback already. There are top three radar detectors that have received the highest ratings in reviews. They are: the Escort Passport 8500 X50, the Beltronics Professional RX65 and the Valentine One. There is no one radar detector that we can say is the best, because there are certain trade offs that we have to consider. For example, if you consider the cost, Valentine One is more expensive than the others although it is known to be better at detecting laser guns. However, the Valentine One is not advisable to be used to avoid a ticket because by the time it alarms, it would be too late already.

Before you purchase any radar detectors, it would help to read reviews about it. Learn about its specific functions, compare its prices and check its quality. There are lots of different radar detectors in the market and it is a matter of finding the right one that would work for you based on your needs. You also must keep yourself informed of the legality behind it that could vary from place to place. That way you could maximize its use without getting into any trouble.