Have any of you been using radar detectors and have success with any particular brand/model? I have seen varying opinions on the Valentine 1 and the new Escort models and don't know if there is a clear favorite. One that can clearly detect all the police radars (& their new technology) and give warning adequately in advance.

 

i hear V1 is the best. but i honodtly dont believe in them. i see my friends pass cops all the time and they do nothing

 

I hear the biggest problem with the V1 is all of the falsing.

I am considering pickup up the top of the line passport with the GPS feature that tracks falsing and blocks it out.

I really would like the V1 for the directional support being able to see where the signal is would be very helpful, but the falsing would drive me crazy, especially with no mechanism to block it out.

 

V1 saved me last night on the way home from work

I like it over all others for two reasons.

1. Directional arrows tell you where the radar source is coming from. Front/Back/Side.

2. It tracks up to 10 sources.

Last night I was on the turnpike in an area that has one of those K-band radar speed signs on the side of the road which the V1 picks up all the time. If you know it's there you don't slow down. In this case there was also a cop a about 1/2 mile beyond that sign shooting Ka-band. The V1 showed that it was tracking 2 sources, one K-band and one Ka-band. It also lit two arrows, one front and one back with the front one flashing (stronger). Seeing this I realized that there was a cop and not just the sign so I backed off 10mph in time and
cruised by him. I also have it hardwired into the power window on/off switch so no cords.

It's saved me more than once so has paid for itself many times over. I have mine mounted up on the right side of the rear view mirror with about half of it actually behind the mirror. Only the rear sensor sticks out on the right side. I have the remote display unit mounted on the left side of the instrument cluster on the plastic part right in front of the "8" on the tach.

 

Mike,

Is falsing a problem with your V1? I am on the fence right now looking at the 9500i and the V1.

I like the blocking feature of the 9500i via satellite, and I like the directonal arrows on the V1 so I am torn atm.

 

don't get 9500i. i just returned that yesterday. it hasn't picked up any police signals in 3 days.

 

9500i is to gimmicky (sp)

V1 / Bel / Escort imo

 

Is it true that the V1 is still the only detector with 2 antennas?

 

once i got my V1, i will never go back to anything else...

 

V1's the best. I've run them for over 10 years. Very important feature is the arrows. When new technology hits the streets, you can return the V1 to get an upgrade. It does false sometimes, but you grow to "read it" to know what is false, and what is not. You can change its sensitivity with a touch of a button to reduce the falsing, if you wish. I leave mine on "all bogey" alert. Most false signals start reading out as "J" for "junk" within a second of picking up the signal.
Lastly, cops like to hide in areas where false signals are commonplace. The V1 can pick up 9 or 10 bogeys at once. So if you are in a familiar area that always shows you 1 bogey, and suddenly one day it reads 2 or 3, you might have a smokey waiting in ambush. Check out:
www.valentineone.com

 

It does false on things like electronic road signs but like the guy said above you learn to read it and a lot of times it immediately displays the "J" for Junk signal and stops beeping. The other features far outweigh the falsing in my opinion.

 

Valentine One.


Then there is the rest.

 

I love my V1 (so does my wife- she keeps stealing it)

 

escort 8500. the arrows are just a gimmick. if you hear it go off you slow down anyway and still look around for the cop. not saying the V1 isnt great i would use it but my gf bought me the 8500 for my bday. and the 8500 picks up different signals at the same time. you just have to put it to that settting that has the diff readouts. every band also comes with a different sound. for the money the 8500 is the way to go. only wish there was something to keep you from getting hit with POP, thats the only one that if your all alone on a road you have not a chance in hell. other than that ive been ticket free and i drive rather quickly. here is a list of the best radar detectors in my mind and not in any given order. hope this helps

Bel Pro RX65, Bel STi Driver, Cobra R9G, Escort 8500 X50, Escort 9500i and the Valentine One

 

You have obviously never used a Valentine One. Once you do, you Will be out of denial, and never go back to anything less.

 

they should sell V1 @ circuit city. Which retail stores sell V1 'cause i wanna try it out first

 

^ they do. I wanna just test it out and see how it works and if i dont like it i just return it..

 

Buy direct from Valentine. You get a 30 day money back and no questions asked if you want to return it. You won't.

If you ask for a returned Valentine One you get one for 10% off. And it is in essence a new unit with all the latests and greatest features.

 

I'm a fan of installed rader detectors. Many are not for cost and performance reasons. Yes higher antennas work better at receiving signals further down the road. And V1 and other very good ones can be purchased and used right away for $200-400 last I checked.

I've put installed radar detectors in my last two new cars. I like them installed so they are concealed from (a) thieves and (b) cops who walk up beside me if they get lucky. More the first than the second. But more than one policeman has told me "if I see a radar detector, it's an automatic ticket b/c I know they're a speeder". I don't defend them, that's just what they said.

Given the price tag of the TL, and the cost of insurance surcharge in MA if I get bagged, I consider radar detectors a good investment. I bought the RX75 Pro Plus ($590) new on eBay and had it installed custom ($500) at the local high end auto electronics shop. No way the Best buy/Circuit City guys were touching my new TL. It was worth the money to me. Install looks mint.

The antennas are located both forward (grill) and aft (under fender). The Plus model also comes with laser diffusers that go active to try to defeat inbound laser guns. Not sure if that works, but I thought I'd try.

How has it worked? We'll so far great. Not even close on a ticket with both street and highway driving. When I have need to hit 90+ on the highway I do so with confidence. And the install is completely hidden from outside view - both crooks and cops (see pics). So peace of mind is great.

Hats off to the Acura engineer who designed in those open bays under the nav system. Makes for a great conceal for the display/brain unit. And the plus model comes with audible alerts so I can hear what signal is inbound even with the bay door closed. The speaker is hidden in the vent, and the audio defeat button is mounted out of sight below the steering wheel.

If I can fiure out the UI for this board I'll try to post a few pics for those who might be considering this option.

Best,
P