vothsc

After many years of relying on my 6th sense about speed traps I've decided to get a radar detector because I find myself zipping around at 80 to 90 because my Tl is just too smooth and has no sense of speed. I'm leaning toward a Escort Solo2 because I don't want to deal with cords but don't know how much of a hit I'll take on sensitivity as compared to the corded Passport 8500. Before you start - I don't want the Valentine One because it's $100 more and who cares where the radar is coming from - you still better slow down.

Thanks

vothsc

Anyone ???

ranberndt

V-1

All others pale in comparison.

Price shopping detectors definately gets you what you pay for.....

RB

Jss1

I have a Solo 2 and it is great -NO WIRES! Also compared to the Bell stealth wired one I had before I see no difference in sensitivity and have not come across a speed trap I didn't know about. I also have the cord that plugs into the power outlet but I couldn't be bothered. The batteries lasted 6 months. It stops working when the battery level gets to a certain strength not to compromise accuracy. Also it fits perfectly on the driver side windshield just above the tint line so the antenna is just below the line. The visor still works.

Best of all I bought a bunch of extra window cups and I can take it from car to car really easily.

Bear2Day

V-1

soljc

For around $50, you can hard wire the Escort 8500 and not have to sacrifice any loss in sensitivity.

abcdefhg

I agree. . I hardwired my 8500 and it is incredible. When it was stolen out of my car I had bought a new one that day! I would recommend the 8500 any day. The fact that you can shut off X-band is such a useful feature and the detection distance is incredible.

smak01

try looking into a BEL Vector 985. I have had it for over a year now and it is great. Very good range and accuracy.

2k4TLkev

definitely v1 or passport 8500

tpark

It is definitely Valentine. Once you live with the arrow to show where it is coming from, there is no way going back. I used this for more than 1 year, but it is superior to others I had in past including passport.

SFzip

I cannot recommend the Solo S2, because it cannot see photo RADARs and LASERs. The sensitivity on the X, K and Ka bands is not bad, but my part of town is densely populated with motorcycle units equipped with LASERs. I've gotten painted quite a few times driving within the posted speed limit w/the S2 on watch, and each time the S2 remained silent. I've moved the S2 from the high mounted position (near the rearview mirror) onto the dash so that its line-of-sight was just above the hood, but the result was the same. In both cases, the S2 was set to Hwy, which is the most sensitive mode.

Yes I understand that if you get tagged by a LASER, it's too late. However, I'm disappointed that the S2 is blind to LASER, which eliminates the "possibility" of picking up indirect, scattered signals from the targeted cars ahead.

My recommendation is to get a hardwired unit like the 8500 X50 or V1.

vothsc

Are you using the visor clip or the suction cups? - Escort advises against the visor clip because the tint on the window blocks the signal. I like the portability but am concerned with the signal loss trade off. I don't want to be bothered with wires hanging all over the place plus dealing with possible theft of a wired unit. Thanks for the response.

zippys2k

V-1

Jss1

I use the suction cups. They hold really well and are easy to take off and move. I don't like the visor clip as the antenna is above the tint line which would affect the signal and you can't use the visor when it is on. The detector has a quick release so it slides really easily on and off the windshield suction cups so you can leave the suction cups in place. It comes with a case that fits perfectly on the driver door space. If you forget to turn it off it does it itself after 20 minutes as it has a motion sensor in it. I always slide it off and keep it in its case.

I'm sure there are some better detectors but my main demand was NO WIRING as I have been through that way too many times before and never again.

vothsc

This sounds promising - Where did you get yours? Bestbuy has them "on Sale" for $329 through Saturday. I know this is regular price but with shipping it works out almost the same as with tax plus i can use my rewar zone card and pick up a lot of points. The only thing I was concerned about is I wasn't sure if the BB ones come with a case because the box looks pretty small. The Escort site shows them in a case so I'd like that to keep everything together.

Thanks

vothsc

That isn't a problem in PA because our State cops don't use moving radar - of course they can still time you from behind or more likely from a plane or chopper. It is more likely that they are hiding off the road in places and I've gotten by for 20 years without a ticket basicly knowing their hiding places on the roads i travel and sticking to the speed limit in unfamiliar territory. I also don't think they use laser around here much although i heard they were playing around with it. I used to have a state cop in my RC airplane club and got a lot of useful info from him (plus real accurate speed numbers on our planes) but he moved across the state. The problem is with this car if that is a problem is that 80 feel like 55 in another car so i find myself ripping around a lot and I just want the detector as a wakeup call - not to actively see what i can get away with. I don't want it perminently mounted because of theft so the Solo fits the bill well.

Jss1

This is where I bought mine. Service was great. The cops don't have many laser units here and its more for catching the ones hiding as I don't usually speed. I do however like to know where they all are.

I found if you have a hard wired one if you are stopped you basically are out of luck. With the Solo 2 I can have it in the case and off the windshield in a few seconds. Convenience is my main issue besides you can take it with you in any car.

Wired is forever.


www.radarbusters.com/products/escort/solo_2.asp

chalkeater

The SOLO S2, from what I have read about it, is well ... not junk, but close to it. You are giving up performance when you go cordless. The reason why the batteries last for a while is because the radar detector is in "sleep" mode. You will NOT receive an advanced notice (when compared to other detectors) with a cordless detector.

I've owned the Escort 8500 X50 and the Bel RX65. I've sent both of them back (each offered a 30 day money back guarantee). Both of these new detectors detect the MPH Bee III POP radar gun, which is the reason why I sold my Valentine 1 (MPH Industries model BEE III has a POP mode in which it’s undetectable, according to Mike Valentine). I did a little testing myself, after I had returned the Escort 8500 X50 (had just the Bel RX 65 - thought I was going to keep it). I own 2 radar guns (Kustom Falcon and Kustom HR-12). I would transmit a signal for approx. 1 second to see if my radar detector would pick it up (within a 1/4 of a mile) ... no detection, but I was able to obtain a speed reading). I suspect the reason why I did not receive any notice using my RX 65 is because of its selectiveness to determine which is a false alarm and which is not a false alarm. In these instances, the RX 65 let me down and would continue to do so again in the future. So back it went to where it belongs ...

I've also come to realize this ... I cannot live without the BOGEY COUNTERS and the DIRECTIONAL ARROWS. For those of you who criticize the V1, try it, they offer a money back guarantee ... I guarantee you will wonder how you drove around so "blindly" before the V1.

My only complaint with the V1 is this ... when are they going to upgrade to a newer version? Current version is 1.8, I believe. I sold mine version 1.7 for $15 less than what I paid for it (brand new) and used it for just over 6 years ... I called V1 twice and once I was told a new upgrade is in the works and the other time I was told nothing is planned in the near future. So which is it? I am now driving around with nothing, but after having the RX 65 and 8500 X50, I would rather drive around with nothing (well maybe not, but you get the point here) ... I want to buy a new V1 again, but I don't want to buy now and then 45 days later have them come out with a new V1 and I have to pay for the upgrade price.

If anyone else knows about the V1 future upgrade, please do share.

Thanks.