Radar detector recs?
#1
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Radar detector recs?
Ok with picking up my 04 TL lastnight I am finding that the "car" just seems to go way to fast. Can you guys recommend any good radar detectors?
#2
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The best is valentine1 (but its expensive).
http://www.valentine1.com
I wouldn't use anything else. It has more than paid for itself.
http://www.valentine1.com
I wouldn't use anything else. It has more than paid for itself.
#7
In recent studies the Escort 8500 beats out the Valentine 1 by a little. The only thing the Valentine 1 has over the Escort 8500 is that it has arrows. Im not going to pay an extra $150 for arrows...
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#12
I own a Passport 8500 and love it. But honestly, I think you can't go wrong with either the V1 or Passport. It's more about personal preference than one being "better" than the other. They both have strengths and weaknesses. For example, the V1 (if I remember correctly) is slightly better at picking up laser signals, but the Passport has less false alarms.
#13
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Can't go wrong with either the 8500 or V1. Both are great radars...from personal experience...but the arrows of the V1 do help a lot by giving you some knowledge of where the signal is coming from rather than you guessing where it's coming from.
#15
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Originally posted by daikon38
Just curious: Does the Passport 8500 have 360 degree detection?
I have it and love it, but I'm not sure.
Just curious: Does the Passport 8500 have 360 degree detection?
I have it and love it, but I'm not sure.
#16
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Originally posted by `ill*tl
I believe the V1 is the only radar w/2 radar sensors..which is patented..hence the Ahead & Rear arrows...The Passport only has a rear Laser sensor (The sensor that's located on top, to the left)...but the 8500 will pick-up signals from behind and ahead..if that's what you're asking.
I believe the V1 is the only radar w/2 radar sensors..which is patented..hence the Ahead & Rear arrows...The Passport only has a rear Laser sensor (The sensor that's located on top, to the left)...but the 8500 will pick-up signals from behind and ahead..if that's what you're asking.
I always thought the thing on the top left was for aircraft, since there are signs on some roads that say "aircraft patrolled."
Oh well, guess not.
#17
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Originally posted by daikon38
Ah, I see. Thanks for the info!
I always thought the thing on the top left was for aircraft, since there are signs on some roads that say "aircraft patrolled."
Oh well, guess not.
Ah, I see. Thanks for the info!
I always thought the thing on the top left was for aircraft, since there are signs on some roads that say "aircraft patrolled."
Oh well, guess not.
I have both V1 and Passport 8500. I like the V1 better, but the Passport is excellent also. Passport automute is nice. We use it in the other car.
#18
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Originally posted by UminChu
Aircraft don't need to use radar, they simply time you between markings that are a known distance apart. They calculate your speed from the time and distance measurements, and notify waitnig patrol cars to pull you over.
I have both V1 and Passport 8500. I like the V1 better, but the Passport is excellent also. Passport automute is nice. We use it in the other car.
Aircraft don't need to use radar, they simply time you between markings that are a known distance apart. They calculate your speed from the time and distance measurements, and notify waitnig patrol cars to pull you over.
I have both V1 and Passport 8500. I like the V1 better, but the Passport is excellent also. Passport automute is nice. We use it in the other car.
#20
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The 8500 in my TL picks up radar from all around, and gladly has done so when I didn't even know smokey was behind me. Of course the detector must be mounted where it has a clear view out the rear window. It has picked up ka radar in Wyoming so far ahead that I actually drove slow longer than necessary, but better safe than ticketed. After spending $30,000 the difference in price between the V-1 and the 8500 doesn't mean much; I believe the V-1 is about $100 more.
#21
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Originally posted by UminChu
Aircraft don't need to use radar, they simply time you between markings that are a known distance apart. They calculate your speed from the time and distance measurements, and notify waitnig patrol cars to pull you over.
I have both V1 and Passport 8500. I like the V1 better, but the Passport is excellent also. Passport automute is nice. We use it in the other car.
Aircraft don't need to use radar, they simply time you between markings that are a known distance apart. They calculate your speed from the time and distance measurements, and notify waitnig patrol cars to pull you over.
I have both V1 and Passport 8500. I like the V1 better, but the Passport is excellent also. Passport automute is nice. We use it in the other car.
I too have both the 8500 and V1..but I favor the V1 a little bit more since the range on it seems to reach further than the 8500..and the arrows! Its sad that I have to let go of my V1...its for sale in the For sale/wanted section.
#22
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how much you willing to spend? this is what i plan on getting in the near future for whichever car i have http://www.escortstore.com/srx.htm
#23
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Originally posted by `ill*tl
The AutoMute feature is nice but is it really that hard to push the vol. knob on the V1?
I too have both the 8500 and V1..but I favor the V1 a little bit more since the range on it seems to reach further than the 8500..and the arrows! Its sad that I have to let go of my V1...its for sale in the For sale/wanted section.
The AutoMute feature is nice but is it really that hard to push the vol. knob on the V1?
I too have both the 8500 and V1..but I favor the V1 a little bit more since the range on it seems to reach further than the 8500..and the arrows! Its sad that I have to let go of my V1...its for sale in the For sale/wanted section.
#25
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I too have it hardwired. Check the pic. below...
And as for the display on the V1..yes, it could use a face lift but it isn't too bad. All you need to do is remember how each band (X, K, Ka) chirps. Also, you can re-program the V1 as well..not as much options as the 8500.
Here's the link: http://www.valentine1.com/lab/MikesLabRpt3.asp
The only thing I re-programmed was the Ka sensitivity to be wider.
And as for the display on the V1..yes, it could use a face lift but it isn't too bad. All you need to do is remember how each band (X, K, Ka) chirps. Also, you can re-program the V1 as well..not as much options as the 8500.
Here's the link: http://www.valentine1.com/lab/MikesLabRpt3.asp
The only thing I re-programmed was the Ka sensitivity to be wider.
#26
Passport 8500 or the Solo 2, unless you want a microwave hanging form your windshield, go with Brand X (Valentine 1)
I'm actually wanting to upgrade my 8500 to the Solo2 so mine is potentially for sale...
I'm actually wanting to upgrade my 8500 to the Solo2 so mine is potentially for sale...
#27
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Originally posted by bdowell
Passport 8500 or the Solo 2, unless you want a microwave hanging form your windshield, go with Brand X (Valentine 1)
I'm actually wanting to upgrade my 8500 to the Solo2 so mine is potentially for sale...
Passport 8500 or the Solo 2, unless you want a microwave hanging form your windshield, go with Brand X (Valentine 1)
I'm actually wanting to upgrade my 8500 to the Solo2 so mine is potentially for sale...
#30
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I have a V1. I don't keep it in the TL, because it makes me misbehave. That is not what I am looking for in a daily driver.
You don't want to go the well too often. It only has to come up empty once. Trite and cliche, but true.
I believe the V1 has better range than the Passport 8500. I believe the Passport 8500 has less false alarms and better filtering on the X band. I choose better range over less false alarms. I think either is a legitimate choice.
You still have to drive with an active visual scan, but you don't have to worry as much about a surprise.
X is pretty much dead in my locale and most of the country. You will pick up moving K-band a good two miles away around a corner on the interstate.
My only concerns are stationary instant-on Ka or Laser. As long as you don't come over the hill at an imprudent speed, you should be fine (assuming no VASCAR or other alternative methods). You can usually pick up a beam bouncing off a car in front of you.
You don't want to go the well too often. It only has to come up empty once. Trite and cliche, but true.
I believe the V1 has better range than the Passport 8500. I believe the Passport 8500 has less false alarms and better filtering on the X band. I choose better range over less false alarms. I think either is a legitimate choice.
You still have to drive with an active visual scan, but you don't have to worry as much about a surprise.
X is pretty much dead in my locale and most of the country. You will pick up moving K-band a good two miles away around a corner on the interstate.
My only concerns are stationary instant-on Ka or Laser. As long as you don't come over the hill at an imprudent speed, you should be fine (assuming no VASCAR or other alternative methods). You can usually pick up a beam bouncing off a car in front of you.
#32
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V1
Like many others our family has both the V1 and 8500. The V1 stays in my TL. Just feel the arrows give me a little more info on where smokey is hiding.
I did have to mount the V1 high (next to rearview mirror). When the V1 was in the middle of the windshield the power cord was pulled tight across the radio controls and kept changing settings.
I did have to mount the V1 high (next to rearview mirror). When the V1 was in the middle of the windshield the power cord was pulled tight across the radio controls and kept changing settings.
#33
I purchased a Bel Vector 960 for my TL. From the research I did on the web, it's almost as good as Valentine and Escort Passport at half the price. I have had it for 2 weeks and am very pleased. The Vector 940 has the same detection capability with a couple of less features and even costs less.
#34
Originally posted by bdowell
Passport 8500 or the Solo 2, unless you want a microwave hanging form your windshield, go with Brand X (Valentine 1)
I'm actually wanting to upgrade my 8500 to the Solo2 so mine is potentially for sale...
Passport 8500 or the Solo 2, unless you want a microwave hanging form your windshield, go with Brand X (Valentine 1)
I'm actually wanting to upgrade my 8500 to the Solo2 so mine is potentially for sale...
#37
For you guys that have the 8500 and hardwired, where did you mount the detector? I'm thinking in the upper left hand corner of the windshield, but the crappy suction cups and where it attaches to the detector makes the detector "hang". Why couldn't they have made the clip/suction cups attach to the middle of the detector (like V1), instead of the front?
#39
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I have an 8500 and a Solo 2. Put the 8500 into the wife's CR-V and mounted the Solo behind the mirror in the center of the windshield. It's sensitive enough for me and not far from the 8500. As for which is better the V1 or 8500, its a toss up and personal preference. Both a great units.
I just had enough wires and the Solo is quite good on batteries and a cinch to install.
I just had enough wires and the Solo is quite good on batteries and a cinch to install.
#40
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One of my neighbors told me that he was coming home from Denver International at about 2:30 AM, and got a strong laser signal. Slowed down from 90, and about a mile ahead over a low hill were three CHP cars. Had the 8500. Fairly straight interstate roadway.