To me the best bang for your bunch radar detector is the BEL 955, for $160 at RadarBusters.com. The BEL 955 is not the best but it is certainly up there with the top 4 radar detectors [Escort 8500 X50($310), Escort 9500i($450) 9500xi($500), BEL RX65 ($340), and Valentine 1($400)] I personally have a BEL Vector 995($230) and Valentine 1($400) and their is only a slight difference in detection range. I like both detectors equally due to their unique features.
The BEST radar detector is relative to the features you like/need.....There are 5 radar detectors with equal performance in most respects and will save you tickets contrary to what some will tell you. The Top 5 radar detectors are (in no specific order) the:
-BEL RX65 (Top level performer, that you can use it Europe)
-BEL STi (Invisible to all police Radar Detector Detectors, handy for using radar detector in Virginia or Washington DC where radar detectors are illegal)
-Escort 8500 X50 (Most affordable top level detector)
-Escort 9500i(GPS capability to lock out the false radar signals)
-Valentine 1 (Most sensitive dash mount radar detector which will detect radar sooner than any other dash mount radar detector, but their good detection does make the V1 alert to false locations, has arrows to tell you which direction the radar is coming from, Euro mode, Best POP radar detector available)
I personally use the Valentine 1 as well as the BEL Vector 995 both have saved me huge fines when dealing with police radar. But for dealing with Laser you really needs a laser jammer (illegal in some states) I use a Laser Interceptor laser jammer on my car.
For those that say a radar detector is just a ticket notifier obviously don't have experience with a top level detector. Ask any of my friends that ride in my car. My detectors both sniff out cops easily and give me plenty of time to slow down when usually going 10-15mph over the limit.
For test results of pretty much all laser jammers and radar detectors....Check out these links:
http://guysoflidar.com/testing.html
To see videos of these stealth measures in action go here
http://www.radardetector.net/forums/detector-counter-measure-videos/
Radar detectors are only illegal in Virginia and Washington DC.
Stay away from Cobra's that are overpriced and offer little to no detection