What makes the best radar detectors for Australia? What are the best radar detectors for Australia? Where can I buy the best radar detectors for Western Australia? Radar detector reviews conducted in the USA do not apply directly to Australia. Some equipment and some frequencies used in Australia are not used in the USA. We have tested the top 3 radar detectors side by side here in Perth under normal driving conditions. The full review and supporting videos is found online at; MULTANOVA DETECTION RANGE: | | Whistler Pro-78 | Valentine One | Beltronics STI | | Multanova 1 | ~320m | ~320m | ~240m | | Multanova 2 | ~320m | ~300m | ~150m |
Multanova cameras are very difficult to detect. Only the best detectors give any advanced warning. Multanova operate on a European frequency of Ka 34.3 that is NOT used in the USA. Multanova detection range can vary from day to day and camera to camera and is impacted by temperature, humidity, configuration of the camera, obstacles and other traffic on the road etc. Range can be very short or very long on different occasions. However, the new Whistler design appears to be more consistent and more reliable and now includes a EURO / MULTANOVA mode for ~30% increased Multanova detection. RETAIL PRICING: | | Whistler Pro-78 | Valentine One | Beltronics STI | | Price | $595(XTR $495) | $895 | $899 |
Retail price is one consideration to the customer and dealer. Another consideration for the dealer is a MARGIN. Whistler detectors offer an attractive retail price and profit for the dealer too. It is hard to justify a higher price tag and also a lower margin. WARRANTY | | Whistler Pro-78 | Valentine One | Beltronics STI | | Standard Warranty | 3 years | 12 months USA customers only | 12 months |
Whistler radar detectors have the longest and most comprehensive standard warranty, an incredible 3 years warranty and support. Whistlers that can not be repaired in Australia are typically exchanged for a new detector. No more waiting 3 months for a product to be returned to Canada for a warranty repair. NOTE: Valentine One ONLY offers warranty and service for clients actually located in North America only. There is no Valentine One warranty service in Australia or factory support. USABILITY & PROGRAMING | | Whistler Pro-78 | Valentine One | Beltronics STI | | Usability | Very easy | Very Complex | Easy |
Whistler radar detectors are very easy to configure and also come pre-tested and pre-programmed right out of the box. Features are easy to enable or disable via the onscreen menu. Beltronics is similarly easy to configure, however the double use of some buttons can make it slightly more difficult for the average user. Both Whistler and Beltronics have voice alerts and Safety Warning Alerts. It is easy to differentiate K and Ka band alerts. Valentine One radar detectors are extremely complex to program correctly. Many of the options are not explained in the user’s guide and it is very easy to incorrectly program a Valentine One radar detector. There is also no simple way to tell how a Valentine One radar detector is actually programmed. Valentine One do not offer voice alerts, it is extremely difficult (if not impossible) to hear the difference between a false K band alert and a Ka Multanova alert. The display on the Valentine One can be very confusing to use and the “bogie counter” and “threat direction arrows” are extremely problematic and confusing to use. FALSE ALERT REDUCTION | | Whistler Pro-78 | Valentine One | Beltronics STI | | False Alerts | Very high | Poor | Average |
The Whistler Pro78 and XTR690 have been independently reviewed as the “quietest radar detector ever seen.” Meaning through smart algorithms it automatically filters many false alerts making it much quieter than all other non GPS radar detectors. Compared side by side, Whistler radar detectors have 1/10 the false alerts of a Valentine One and 1/5 less than Beltronics STI or XR-70 when all detectors are in Highway mode. RELIABILITY WHEN USED IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA | | Whistler Pro-78 | Valentine One | Beltronics STI | | Operating Temp | 80 degrees | 70 degrees | 70 degrees |
Whistler radar detectors are manufactured from the same plastic used in car dash boards. It is tested up to 110 Celsius and only starts to melt at 115 Celsius. Whistler operating temperature at 80 Celsius is a full 10 degrees higher than both Beltronics STI and Valentine One that are only rated to 70 Celsius. Beltronics and Valentine metal cases quickly become VERY hot in direct sunlight and can even burn fingers when removing from the windscreen. “Escort / Beltronics has said 95% of SERVICE REQUIRED messages are directly related to temperature or voltage." An internet forum posting. "If you leave it on (Beltronics STI) for a while with the heater blowing near or in the direct sun, it will get really hot and flash "service required". I just unplug it, let it cool under the a/c for a few minutes, and it works fine." An internet review. “Only thing about Valentine were the reports of the chip breaking when exposed to summer heat in the car. That would be a problem in Houston." An internet forum posting. SO, WHAT IS THE BEST RADAR DETECTOR FOR WA? We think the following criteria supports the Whistler XTR690 and Whistler PRO78 as the best radar detectors for use in Western Australia. - Lower retail pricing; easier to sell, no need to discount
- Higher dealer margins; more profitable to sell
- Longest warranty available as standard
- Longest and most consistent Multanova detection
- Less false alerts than other brands
- Easier to use and also easier to program
- More suited to climatic conditions in WA
- Largest and most reputable manufacturer
A recent independent test substantiates our results seen here in Australia. Some suppliers continue to show out of date and widely inaccurate results using misleading scales to zoom to a small section of results. Below are tests from a recent US based test. 
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| Pictures of radar detectors; What does a radar detector look like and what will it look like on your vehicle? Take a look at some of our recent installations. read more > |
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| Order securely online for Australia wide delivery; Order your radar detector from the largest and only trusted full time radar detector superstore in Australia. All major brands on display backed by full time sales and support staff. read more > |
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