I'd like to buy a radar detector, but I've got a few "wants." If you guys could make recommendations, that'd be great.

1) It would be nice if the detector were small/slim enough to fit up against the glass between my rear-view-mirror and the headliner....and have the display not be obstructed by the mirror arm, etc. So, small and visible.

2) It would be nice if the detector had a text-matrix display (instead of a single LED lighting up) stating the type of signal (X, K, Ka, etc.) detected, as well as the strength of the signal.

3) I have seen that some have compasses built in (it'll just say N, *, SW, etc. on the display), and since I've only got an SE, it'd be nice to have that as well.

4) Red display would be fantastic.

If you guys know of any that fit this description, please let me know. If you can't find one with all three, please let me know of some that have at least 2 or 3 of those features.

Thanks a bunch!

theres one advertised in Road and Track all the time that has some of those features, cant remember what is was called though. you might also wanna check if theyre legal in your state or you may not care.

http://www.escortstore.com/8500.htm

My whistler has all of those qulaifications except for the compass....

I do believe they're legal here in Indiana.

I think I can get ahold of a friend'* Uniden LRD777. From what I can find, the only thing I'm not sure about is its size. I know it has the other 3 features that I mentioned above.

I imagine all radar detectors are about the same size...at least the full-featured ones like the LRD777 and the 8500. I just hope they're slim enough to fit between the mirror and headliner. Thoughts on that?

Another thing: I know that mounting the detector that high up would not make it effective at catching signals from behind, but would the blue tint stripe at the top of the windshield make the detector any less effective from the front, etc?

Thanks for any information you can give!

i have mine above the rear view mirror...seems to work fine.

i've heard very good reviews about the passport 8500, and i have a couple friends with them.

Speeding rural minnesota punks..

ehhh more metro / twin cities miles

i usually go 70-80 mph where its 55 on 35 w
ehh..if u r with traffic, there less of a chance of getting picked up
never any cops though

In canada here, there trying to pass a bill of new camera'* on posts which check your speed and snap your plate. You wont be able to speed at all. Thats stupid considering ppl will be racing on the side, less safe streets = more death. Government doesnt care though, they need the money......

I've had a Bel-tronics(Bel 840i)for several years now.It does a good job at detecting all radar bands in use(distict sounds and/or digital voice for each)as well as Laser,and from WAY far enough distances to let you know you've been targeted,.....has VG-2 Guard,making it undetectable to the Interceptor VG-2(Radar Detector Detector),...'Safety Warning System',detects encoded signals fron SWS transmitters and provides a distinct alert and 60 voice messeges for various 'road'messeges(construction zones,highway hazzards,weather related hazzards,travel information,etc,etc),has several different run-modes(city-highway,audio mute mode,visual display,dim,dark modes),has a memory retention feature when you turn the unit on,off,then back on ...fairly compact(5.3" long/3.1" wide/1.8"high,weighs 9 oz.)and fits well along side of rear-view mirror.Pretty sure it cost me just somewhat over $100-150(bought it through some online warehouse located in Colorado).