does anyone know a good (works accurately) and inexpensive radar detector, somewhere around $50-100... my friend spent $400 on his, i thought that was too much for radar

 

You get what you pay for. To answer your question, there are none that work in that price range. Spend the money and buy a V1, and yes they are $400.00

 

 

There are two Escort 8500 X50s for sale in the classifieds here for $175-190ish shipping included. Txs2knoah has a blue one fs and another guy had a mint condition red one also. Youre not going to find a better price for a better detector.

Escort and V1 are the only ones I would spend money on.

 

You won't find one for that cheap. Quality brands start around $150+. I got a Beltronics Vector I940, and found that it works very well--saved me from numerous speed traps in a small suburb of Albuquerque where cops have nothing better to do. My only complaint is that bright, direct sunlight often sets off a "laser" alert, if it is near sunup or sundown.

 

I also have a bel, v995, but the 940 is awsome for the price.

 

beltronics is pretty good too.

i got my 8500 x50 for like 175 shipped on ebay

 

Check out Guys of Lidar. They've done a comprehensive test on a few common radar detectors back in August.

http://www.guysoflidar.com/august-2007/rad...ector-test.html


Cliff Notes:
Best performing was V1, then Escort 9500i, then BEL STi.

 

I used a lower end Beltronics (it cost me a little under $200 iirc, it was a Vector 940 but does not look like the current version. Mine looked like this http://www.allsecurity.ro/produse/Detectoa.../Vector940.jpg) for about 5 years. For the most part it worked pretty well; it did save me a few times however there were instances where it would pick up the radar signals just barely in time for me to slow down. I switched to a V1 last year and it picks up signals from WAY FURTHER than my old Bel did and I have absolutely no regrets switching to the V1; it's most definitely worth the price of admission.

 

8500x50 is the cheapest one i'd get. they work well.