Prefered Radar Detector

[bugzy]

Which detector do you think is the best?

[madajb]

Where's the "They are useless gadgets" option?
=)
-ajb

[Brady91GTi16v]

preferred - valentine one

what i use do to budget - escort passport

[ncttrnl]

I have an sr7 but the cops in California seem to assume everyone has one so they make sure they don't give you much warning by not using their radar as much.

[Tom (aka Godzilla)]

I use a combination of situational awareness and my V1............I'm more ticket proof than most, but I haven't been pulled over in months.

[JettaGLI6spd]

I have a K40 with laser diffuser, and a membership to the CHP 11-99 foundation, have only got one ticket in the last few years.

[bugzy]

I guess whatever method that works ;)

[Chip]

My Beltronics has not failed me. It's saved me more times than I can remember during the drives accross the desert to Vegas.

[LVMH_n_GG]

I use a combination of experience, common sense, and my current Cobra ESD9110 (extremely outdated model, the website doesn't even have the ESD9110 on there anymore. LOL.) I'm too lazy to actually update/upgrade. It's not like I've been pulled for speeding since 2002 (knocks on wood). I only get pulled for stupid crap, like no license plate, or ... well yea, no license plate. -_-v.

[3THREE7]

For those of you that know how I drive, you'd be surprised I havent had a ticket in over five and a half years(*knock on wood*), and thats without any devices of any sort. Instinct is your best insurance against tickets.

[LVMH_n_GG]

For those of you that know how I drive, you'd be surprised I havent had a ticket in over five and a half years(*knock on wood*), and thats without any devices of any sort. Instinct is your best insurance against tickets.
You've obviously never been to an DTMpower.net meet & cruise. LoL. Doesn't matter if we were going 35 in a 35, or 85 in a 65, someone WILL get pulled over for SOMEthing. :tdown:

[addicted2thevr6]

i just dont speed, thats how i do it. muhahaha yea right. i am suprised no one had posted that smart ass remark yet. then again its prolly good they didnt since this thread isnt about what do you do to not get tickets.

[cynicalgeek]

I use a combination of situational awareness and my V1............I'm more ticket proof than most, but I haven't been pulled over in months.

Same here. <knock on wood>

There's been a couple times that it saved me from motorcycle cops, so it's paid for itself. In general, I'm a lot more paranoid driving a yellow M3 than I am in the GTI.

edit: damn - just noticed how old this thread is. :p

[wikedgolf]

i just got a Beltronics Vector 965 for my bday...

here's some info about radar detectiors..
http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=1064#howtested

looks like the valanitine isnt all that great

[cynicalgeek]

i just got a Beltronics Vector 965 for my bday...

here's some info about radar detectiors..
http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=1064#howtested

looks like the valanitine isnt all that great

There's bad blood between the man who wrote that, Craig Peterson, and Mike Valentine. This stuff has been going on for years, so don't trust a single source for information. There are lots of other reviews that place the V1 very high. And a lot of V1 owners have owned other brands in the past, and wouldn't go back, myself included.

Regardless, the best prevention is situational awareness, as Tom stated.

[URQ]

My Passport 8500 has not let me down yet :tup:

[ncttrnl]

Regardless, the best prevention is situational awareness, as Tom stated.

I disagree... best prevention is always having your car on blocks :D

followed by situational awareness...

and not speeding I guess

[bugzy]

In my opinion, the fight between Passport and V1 is like this

V1 has the arrows, Passport has better sensativity, but the Passport is cheaper.

So my suggestion is, it you want to get a radar detector, buy the Passport as minumum, if you got the extra cash, get the V1 for the arrows.

But either one is top notch, and if you dont get one of these 2, dont get one at all

[wikedgolf]

we just did a radar test for Motortrend.com

here's out test and out come..

http://motortrend.com/features/consumer/112_0508_2005radar_buyersguide/

[Ghostdog]

V1 bought it and have had other CRAP! This is the best hands down

[ncttrnl]

V1 bought it and have had other CRAP! This is the best hands down

Those are some strong words. You can't just say everything else is crap.

Many people have found the cheaper detectors work out just fine for them. While the valentine has enjoyed a great run as the top detector out there, it seems the other detectors have caught up.

[bugzy]

V1 bought it and have had other CRAP! This is the best hands down
i would never say others are crap

ive had experience with Passport 8500 and find it very good. in comparison when we were on caravan's the 8500 would pick up signals a tad sooner than my V1, but of course the V1 has the direction, so combined, great for caravan's ;)

[Ghostdog]

Thats why this is still America I am entitled to my own opinion......Freedom of speach remember!
I have owned a 8500 and gave it away cause I didn't like it. But buy what you want and use what you will. It's your cash.

[ncttrnl]

Thats why this is still America I am entitled to my own opinion......Freedom of speach remember!
I have owned a 8500 and gave it away cause I didn't like it. But buy what you want and use what you will. It's your cash.

Very true...

Which is why I have an SR7.

[bugzy]

And which is why i got a V1, but i will still recommend to people Passport 8500 ;)

[EDM]

I found the one I am going to get.
http://radar-detectors.com/products/whistler/cruisader.asp

[bronfufu]

hey im selling a passport escort =) brand new! its pretty good as you can tell from the review here.

heres the FS thread
http://socaleuro.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12019

[RaDaRkInG]

The Valentine One is the best radar/laser detector on the market today.
http://guysoflidar.com/shootout05/radartesting.html
http://guysoflidar.com/shootout05/pop.html
http://guysoflidar.com/shootout05/spectre.html
http://motortrend.com/features/consumer/112_0508_2005radar_buyersguide/
"This year, the measurement of the radar and laser detection abilities of each of the over $200 units gives the Valentine One ($400) a small edge over the competing BEL Vector 995 ($260) and Escort Passport 8500 X50 ($300 with red display or $340 with a blue display) units."
V1 is the best in laser detection:
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=4213&highlight=
http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detector-performance/
http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detector-performance/charts-by-radar-detector/
http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detector-performance/charts-by-police-laser-gun/
http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detector-performance/tables-by-radar-detector/
http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detector-performance/tables-by-police-laser-gun/
V1 has the best rear radar detection because it is the only detector with 2 antennas to locate radar:
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=4214&highlight=
V1 is the least detectable detector by RDD's or Radar Detector Detectors in states where radar detectors are illegal. The Spectre III is the most used RDD in the world and it can only pick up the Valentine One if it is 166 feet or closer which is better than the X50 which can be detected 954 feet away.
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=4383&highlight=
The Valentine One which accounts for only .6% of radar detector sales wins every poll when it comes to being the favorite detector. The X50 doesn't even get an approval rating as high as George Bush's worst rating. :lol:
http://www.radardetector.net/The-Ultimate-Poll....-5523t.php
Which of the "Big 3" is really the best overall - in your opinion?
V-1
64% [ 45 ]
RX-65
12% [ 9 ]
X50
20% [ 14 ]
Other (state which and why)
2% [ 2 ]

Total Votes : 70

Here is a poll on a BMW M3 Forum:
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=101220&page=2&pp=10&highlight=valentine
What kind of Radar Detector do you have?
Valentine 1 129 people
64.82%
Escort 8500 47 people
23.62%
K40 4 people

2.01%
Other 19 people
9.55%
TOTAL VOTES 199 PEOPLE

Here is a poll on a LOTUS ELISE Forum:
http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20909&highlight=valentine

What do you think is the best Radar Detector?
Bel Pro RX65 0
0%
Escort 8500 X50 8
16.33%
Valentine One 38
77.55%
Cobra Pro 9780 0
0%
Whistler Pro 73 0
0%
Escort Solo S2 2
4.08%
Whistler 1788 1
2.04%
PNI Silver B. 0
0%

Voters: 49

Here is a poll on another site:
http://www.socaleuro.com/forum/showthread.php?t=987&highlight=valentine
Best Radar Detector?
Escort Passport 6
9.68%
Valentine One 44
70.97%
Cobra 3
4.84%
Beltronics 5
8.06%
Uniden 0
0%
Other 4
6.45%

Voters: 62 people

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?p=42353&highlight=#42353
Radar Roy from Radarbusters.com said this about the Valentine One, "Just spoke with Carl Fors from SML, his website will be going online tonight with the 2005 results. He has declared the V895, 8500 and the Valentine One as the top performers. Motortrend, who was also at the test, will be declaring the Valentine One as the top detector based upon its detection of laser.
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=4696&start=90
Radar Roy said, "There were results that they (Guys of Lidar) got during the test that I was not exactly pleased with, such as the discovery of the Blinder not having Stealth Mode installed and the Valentine beating out the Escort and Bel in the range tests. Even though I don’t sell the Valentine, it does have slightly better range than both the RX65 and the 8500 and I also show this same fact on my site. Would love it to be the other way around."
Here is a link and video of the V1 alerting to radar quicker than the X50 and sometimes the X50 didn't alert to the radar at all. They are quick pulling the radar gun's trigger and the X50 is filtering it out and the V1 is picking it up every time.
http://www.radardetector.net/V1-vs.-8500-X50-instant-on-shootout-865t.php
http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wODUzNDk2NnM0MTNkZmQzMXk1NDE%3D
V1 wins in POP detection:
http://media.putfile.com/JammerTestscom_tests_V1X50_POP
V1 wins because it detects a certain laser gun in stealth mode while the X50 remains silent:
http://media.putfile.com/JammerTestscom_tests_V1_and_X50_stealth

[madajb]

Here is a poll on another site:
http://www.socaleuro.com/forum/showthread.php?t=987&highlight=valentine
Best Radar Detector?
Escort Passport 6
9.68%
Valentine One 44
70.97%
Cobra 3
4.84%
Beltronics 5
8.06%
Uniden 0
0%
Other 4
6.45%

Voters: 62 people


Dude, you can't trust those Euro people, blinkenlights make them feel funny in their happy places...

-ajb

[g60racer]

Valentine one has saved more more than a dozen times in the past three weeks (have put on over 3000 miles for various road trips). Amazing thing, it is. Worth every cent.

[01rdGOLF]

I prefer my Black Widow radar scrambler... only 160 bucks.. 1st takes all! :)

[TOYr32]

I prefer my Black Widow radar scrambler... only 160 bucks.. 1st takes all! :)

FYI . . . if you get caught with a radar scrambler, you don't get put in jail, you get put under the jail. That shit screw with airports and everything. Plus, radar jammers are easier to find then a laser jammer. Radar works all of the time, there is no failure rate, versus lasers only getting a reading 1/4 of the time. So you have a higher chance ogetting caught.

Not that I'm a cop and I'm gonna slap you on the hand, just wanted to share my 2 bits!!

[JETTAone420]

the V1 is tight cuz its got really good front/rear scanners and all kinds of diff freqs....the escort is 2nd best cuz it does all the v1 except doesnt have a rear scanner

[Ivan]

Are these things illegal?
I drive like a grandpa on big streets so I don't need them
or I'd be haveing fun on the free-way all the time. :)


How much is the chp foundation thing?

[tpotp]

they're perfectly legal, it's just the radar jammers that are illegal

[JAY55]

V1 equipped here, saved me numerous times.

[iflyM3]

In my experience...situational awareness is obvisously the best prevention method. However, as far as Radar detectors are concerned I would have to go with the K40 product line. The V1 is a strong prodcut and the ability to tell the direction where the signal is being detected from is an outstanding feature. When push comes to shove, K40 electronics just has a much stronger product line...with laser diffusers, 360 degree detection radius, all band, hidden detectors, bluetooth...I mean their innovation is just a step up from what the company that makes the Valentine 1 offers. In the end, it really doesn't matter what kind of radar detector you use. It all comes down to your own individual impulses, self-control, and situational awareness. As far as myself, I tend to give into my impulses and I just cannot help to hit the throttle once in awhile. Temptation is a bi@tch. hehehe...i vote "Other" as K40 Electronics is not even an option.

[bugzy]

In my experience...situational awareness is obvisously the best prevention method. However, as far as Radar detectors are concerned I would have to go with the K40 product line. The V1 is a strong prodcut and the ability to tell the direction where the signal is being detected from is an outstanding feature. When push comes to shove, K40 electronics just has a much stronger product line...with laser diffusers, 360 degree detection radius, all band, hidden detectors, bluetooth...I mean their innovation is just a step up from what the company that makes the Valentine 1 offers. In the end, it really doesn't matter what kind of radar detector you use. It all comes down to your own individual impulses, self-control, and situational awareness. As far as myself, I tend to give into my impulses and I just cannot help to hit the throttle once in awhile. Temptation is a bi@tch. hehehe...i vote "Other" as K40 Electronics is not even an option.
i like your opinion ... good point

i got a V1, but the radar detector is jsut a tool, its how ya use it ;)

[EDM]

My friend has the K40 Undetectable in his BMW and he loves it. Everything is hidden and you have two lights that tell you where the radar is coming from.
http://www.k40.com/othe_unde_main.html

[iflyM3]

i think this poll should be re-done with K40 electronics added... i know K40 gives Valentine an adequate challenge, perhaps people don't know enough about K40.


http://www.k40.com/othe_unde_main.html

[iflyM3]

i like this thread, it is interesting to know everybody's opinion... i just wish K40 Electronics was added...

[CanyonRabbit]

Dude my boy has the V1 and it blows I don't know about you but its always going off and yess we know how to work it. It is too tempermental.

[TOYr32]

Hmmmm . . . Passport 9500i (http://www.laserveil.com/escort/passport/9500i/)

Bell STi out performed the V1 (http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=100542)

[RaDaRkInG]

The Valentine One is still ranked #1 according to the latest independent unbiased radar detector test.

http://guysoflidar.com/august-2007/radar-detector-test.html


Hmmmm . . . Passport 9500i (http://www.laserveil.com/escort/passport/9500i/)

There are big problems with the new Escort 9500i and the majority of people are returning them because of less range than the Valentine One and the 8500X50.

They are locking out signals from door openers and the 9500i is not alerting to cops that shoot radar in that area. Owners of the 9500i are also complaining that signals that they lock out are not staying locked out from the day before. They also say that their Sirius/XM radio is cutting out because of the 9500i and its GPS function.

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=23027
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=23178
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=23183
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=23036
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=22800
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=22900&postdays=0&postorder=asc&sta rt=0
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=22824
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=22762
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=22803
Are you satisfied with your 9500i or returning it?Satisfied with 38% [ 21 ]Returning 61% [ 34 ]Total Votes : 55


[quote=TOYr32;268060Bell STi out performed the V1 (http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=100542)[/quote]

Radartest.com is run by a guy named Craig Peterson who works for Bel and Escort so he bashes the V1 every chance he gets and promotes Bel and Escort products. He got busted trying to sabotage the Guysoflidar.com 2007 radar detector test and he will probably have to part with a couple thousand dollars on top of the $1000 radar gun that he hid under camouflauge on top of a mountain to throw off the testing.

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=20201&highlight=biassed+biased

http://www.guysoflidar.com/march-2007/sabotage.html

[CALL AAA]

There was a write-up in a recent Autoweek about some deal where speeders and cops get together and try out their equipment on neutral ground. It then got into how each one performed, pros, cons etc.

[Ivan]

You've obviously never been to an DTMpower.net meet & cruise. LoL. Doesn't matter if we were going 35 in a 35, or 85 in a 65, someone WILL get pulled over for SOMEthing. :tdown:

Rice the enemy.

[BLACK 1.8T]

I've got an Escort Passport 8500 X50 in my X5. I paid $250 shipped for mine back in August of this year and it has already paid itself off. It might not be as straight forward as pointing out your threats like the V1, but it still gets the job done well.

[Lilvr6]

i have a cobra and it beeps alot but it also beeps for speed traps and around my house thats what saves you from the motorcycle cops..and the toll road

[Para]

I have a Passport 8500 x50 in my wife's Pathfinder and a Passport SR7 with ZR3 shifters (stealth mounted laser shifters) on my M3 - both seem to do the job very well.

[ChriS4]

I had a V1 in my last car and loved it. It more than paid for itself with saving my ass from cops.

[M55555]

For those who have the V1, where did you purchase? Straight from Valentine or other source? ;)

[Southpaw]

i have an 8500...(got it as a gift) but i wish i got a V1...

[Para]

i have an 8500...(got it as a gift) but i wish i got a V1...
You'll love the 8500. My wife and I just drove from SD back to Texas with hers and it saved us several times.

[Schneller]

For those who have the V1, where did you purchase? Straight from Valentine or other source? ;)

If you want it new, you can only really get it from Valentine...otherwise you're paying more from a re-seller, which aren't authorised...

[A4effort]

never had one, I use common sense on when and where to speed, I do have a lead foot
but have been lucky for the last 8 years as far as speeding goes

knocks on wood