hey
is there a big difference from the good radars compared to the cheaper ones. Like as in the passport 8500 compared to a $60 1 u get at like bes buy. what are the major differences and do the cheaper 1s work good?

 

Check out this link...

Radar Detector Comparasion Chart

Once again, V1 is rated the best...oh yeah, Passport 8500 came in second :p

 

thanx 4 da reply but does any 1 else have ne more input?

 

www.radartest.com

 

You should read this before and after you to to Radartest.com:

Some info about Craig Peterson, the man behind the testing in Radartest.com

 

In response to your question, yes, there is a big difference between cheap detectors and high end ones. The major differences can be seen in how well they performed in testing, i.e. sensitivity, etc. The more expensive ones pay for themselves rather quickly, especially if you are prone to speeding a lot. A lawyer can easily cost you around $500 in total to get you off of a ticket...which is more than you would spend on a detector.

Even with a detector, it is still highly possible to get a ticket, but your chances are still better of not getting caught than not having one. A cheap one will work, but won't give you the coverage that a more expensive one will, which means you will be more likely to get caught.

 

I'd put more credability in the article if it didn't come from Mike Valentine.

Criticism of a reviewer from a reviewee is hardly objective.

 

Point taken, which is why the Car and Driver test results are posted as well. As for Valentine's article, he is basically defending himself.

How would you react if someone started bashing your own product?

Yes, Valentine does "attack" Peterson's credibility, but also offers counter points to Peterson's statements. Valentine offers facts that contradict Peterson's. True, there are some opinions, but Valentine also offers some pretty hard evidence.

If you read the article closely, I think that Valentine does a pretty good job of responding to Peterson's allegations against the V1 and proving that the V1 is the best RADAR DETECTOR out there.

Now is it the best VALUE? Maybe, maybe not. It is hard to justify spending 25% more for the Valentine when the Passport 8500 performs almost as good, but I have yet to come across a speeding violation that was less than $100.

 

I agree with all your points. Specifically to Peterson's comments, I don't agree that the arrows are worthless, but I couldn't justify spending the additional money for the V1. I ended up paying $270 for my Passport 8500 and the V1 would have cost me an additional $130. I agree with you that from a pure detection standpoint, in real world conditions, both detectors are comparable. The V1 has the arrows, they both have indicators showing the number of signals caught, and the 8500 can show you the strength of each of those signals.

I've owned many different brands of detectors in the 23 years I've driven, most recently (last nine years) I've owned Passports. It was twelve years ago since I was last pulled over by a cop who clocked me with a radar gun (knock on wood ). The only other time was by a cop who paced me, but eventually let me go. I attribute this to common sense, a good radar detector, and luck (in that order).

Would I love the arrows if I had decided to spend the extra money on the V1? I'm sure I would have, but after living with the 8500 for the past 5 months, I gotta say that I love this detector. I don't think I compromised one bit in terms of detection sensitivity, and I saved myself $130.

Those who compare the 8500 with previous Passport models are making a mistake. I had an older 4500 before (which I loved by the way) and my wife has a 6800 in her Land Cruiser. The 8500 absolutely smokes those two in terms of long range detection and hardly any falsing.

You can't go wrong with either detector, it just comes down to how much more you want to spend for the arrows.

 

Don't forget about the optional remote display($50) for the V1!

It is definitely worth it!

 

I think the remote for the 8500 is $30!

 

The V1 is over-priced a lil' bit but I just got the 8500 and it works fine. The one good quality of the V1 is that the software is upgradable.

Another thing, does anyone have a tutorial on how to hardwire your 8500? hehehe, i'm a n00b.

 

The 8500 is upgradeable too.

I just ordered the hardwire kit ($10) since it already has an inline fuse. I wrapped the positive end around one of the prongs for the power outlet fuse and grounded the other wire to the body.

This way, I still have the coiled cord if I want to use it in another car.

Check this thread.

 

Ordered? You mean it doesn't come with it? Man, even the V1 doesn't charge for that...

 

you know... like goaub said, he got paced one time. I mean a detector is usually useless at times like this. And also instant ons and also lasers. now, why the heck wont someone integrate something like the bearcat scanner with a radar detector? Scan for police frequencies and like if the signal is strong, point an arrow that way? Figure if a copcar is near or not. Is this illegal?

 

I agree with you 100% miwa. Also, don't forget about police using VASCAR. Totally sucks

 

Yeah, I'd like to have a good radar unit myself so I can mess with all those cars with radar detectors...

j/k--I knew you meant radar detectors...

 

hahaha :thefinger

 

radar detectors is one category that you can't cheap out in..either get a quality detector like the Valentine One or just save your money because anything else, besides the V1, is just a BIG HONKIN waste of money..and i speak from experience because i had all the other brands and everything is crap compared to V1.