The escort passport 8500 x50 is a great detector and can be had for $250 brand new. The v1 is just as good but with arrows (you really need to know where the cop is? I just slow it down if it's warning) and higher cost.
Laser can still get you (as can instant on radar). It has such a narrow beam, you often don't pick up until after you're hit. With that said, I've detected laser while speeding and got on the brakes and wasn't pulled over.
The best defense to laser is a good laser jammer and/or a product called veil (paint your headlights and other shiny parts with it). These cut down the distance the laser can pick your car up. Though you'll still need a good detector to use with these. Also, darker color cars are better than light color cars.
