chalkeater

SFzip,

I'd recommend you take a look at the Bel RX 65 or the Escort 8500 X50. My personal preference is the RX 65 (please read my previous post as to why).

Cordless is convienent, no doubt about, but you are giving up performance as the result. I can't say for sure, but I'd bet your Solo S2 does NOT detect the new POP radar gun and if it does, I can guarantee you it won't detect it even 30 % of the time.

As far as laser detection goes, no laser detector will give you adequate warning each and every time. A general rule of thumb: always follow the lead car by at least 300 ft. Hope that your detector will pick up "scatter" and alert you. Plus, always be alert. Chances are, your eyes are better at detecting a police officer shooting laser, than your detector picking up the lidar signal. I've owned a V1. It does NOT detect laser from around the corner. NO detector will. Trust me. My only complaint with the V1 and it laser abilities was that is falsed every single time I pulled up behind a Chevy Trailblazer. Every time. I believe it has something to do with the Trailblazer's paint.

I sold my V1 yesterday and I am driving around with both the RX 65 and X50. I'm having a hard time adjusting to life without the directional arrows (as found on the V1), but the features, cost and sensitivity far outweigh the lack of performance in detecting the POP radar gun that the V1 had could not do.

Hope this helps.

Chalk

jjay

those who pick valintine have never owned both, valintine and 8500, let me put it this way i sold my valintine, my toyota 4by4 is way to slow to deserve that...not as many false alarms and my x and ka band witch is what most police use i think is better in my 8500...ps im not sure if the new valintines are upgradable mine was not the 8500 is

Shemp

Every Valentine 1 is upgradeable per the V1 website (provided the serial number hasn't been removed/altered). Of course, what they do is send you a new (current) unit in exchange for your old one and $189. However, it's still a reletively economical way to get protection that's at or near the top of what's currently available. Personally, I recently did the V1 upgrade with my 5 1/2 year old unit and I'm happy with the result. Practially speaking, I'm sure there are corded models from other manufacturers (like the Escort 8500) that work just as well.

DoubleV69

j so are us ayin the valentine was better or the x50 casue u said ur 4 by 4 didnt diserve the v1 or something.

Also anyone kno why they charge 40 bucks more for the blue color on the x50

partagas

Once you've had arrows and a bogey counter, you can never go back. Damn, the arrows help.

`ill*tl

Where'd you get that statistic from? .. obviously you pulled it outta your ass. All versions of the Valentine (even the first models) can be upgraded. I have both the 8500 and V1..and personally think that the V1 is better. I was loyal to 8500 for 2 years until I decided to try the V1 for myself. Around my area, when I leave it on Advanced Logic Mode, it falses less than the 8500. And if you think you can "upgrade" your current 8500 to the X50..then think again buddy. The X50 runs on new hardware..so upgrading is outta the question. And I also called Escort asking if you could send in your previous 8500 model for a trade..can't do that either. Escort requires you to buy another 8500.. great upgrade eh?

Both the 8500 and V1 are great radars...can't go wrong with either one of them.

"Advanced Display" mode on the 8500 works just like a bogey counter..able to track *at most* 3 X-bands, 2 Ka-bands, and 2-K bands.

brahtw8

My V1 hasn't failed me yet, knock on wood. Moving radar is a non-issue. Stationary Laser and Ka will be picked up in time if there are other cars that trigger them.

You can usually protect yourself from Laser and Ka by slowing down when you come over a hill or around a blind corner. (We don't have Ka photo in Wisco.)

Ultimately the detector is a supplement to your own active visual scan. It gives you the freedom to explore that long stretch of open road once your eyes have given the all-clear.

:facelick:

DoubleV69

so for those with the x50 or the old 8500 how do u guys have it mounted and where do u have it mounted....like do u have the wire hanging down or did u directly conect it?

jjay

f--- i had no idea my v1 was upgradable i cant speed in my toyota so the person i sold my jetta to also bought my valintine, i got three tickets in two months so i bought the valintine and plugged it in it worked fine, nowhere in the advertising did i see upgradable, i guess this was 98 or 99 not sure, when i was looking at a new detector i saw on a websight the 8500 did some research and got it so far so good...although the lazer warning sounds like an old ringer style phone,,,, scares the shi- out of me later ya'll gotta eat

overlook2k

Why did no body look at the Rocky Mountain Radar detector/scramblers? I have the
RMR-C450 and it works against everything. http://www.rockymountainradar.com/pr...36f1654842443a
· Detects all Radar Bands (X, K, Ka, SuperWide, Instant-On, Pulse)
· Detects All Lidar guns (LTI 20-20, Pro-Laser, Laser-Lyte, Stalker)
· Scrambles All Radar Bands (X, K, Ka, SuperWide, Instant-On, Pulse)
· Scrambles All Lidar Guns (LTI 20-20, Pro-Laser, Laser-Lyte, Stalker)

chalkeater

No offense, but Rocky Mountain products are junk. Read the results at www.speedzones.com or www.radartest.com .

The scrambling, to put it simply, does NOT work. And the radar detection part, trails every major manufacturer in all bands.

Do yourself a favor, don't worry about trying to jam a radar or laser signal. Get a good detector, either the V1, Bel RX 65 or the Escort 8500 X50. You'll be glad you did.

Hope this helps.

overlook2k

On your test site they only tested RMR DLS 102 and the RMR D 250. Thoes are the detectors....not the jammers.

jdone

Mostly because they don't work. If they did work they would be illegal. Over the years C&D, MT, and R&T have run tests and, you guessed it, the things don't work.

zeezz

radar jammers are illegal in CA :P

`ill*tl

www.radartest.com = Bias towards their opinion on radars. I believe this site is owned/managed by Escort.

copter

DON'T SPEED!!!!! :cop:

BolderKeith

I voted for the V-1 even though I use the 8500 because I would like to know where the radar is. If it is off to the side I would ignore the signal. Recently while I was doing 90 the 8500 picked up a lasar, and I had plenty of time to slow down before coming to three highway patrol cars just over a hill.

TLXLR8S

doesnt make sense, but ok

Raheel

COBRA IS A BIG NO NO!

MikeRadio

Does anyone have those license plate cover thigns that stop photo radar from taking a clear picture.. and does anyone know if theya r elegal in VA MD or DC?

Xpditor

And why is that? Because it doesn't cost $300? Quote from the SML testing:

"Cobra 9870, Cobra 9210, and Passport SR7 reported the most important band, Ka, at 2.0 miles, seven times the normal targeting range of radar guns and PNI's Zodiac B cautioned to X band use. The "Failsafe" point for a detector to be acceptable is 1.5 miles from the radar gun, i.e. five times the normal targeting distance of radar gun of 1/4 mile. All detectors successfully reported both instant on and constant on X, K, and Ka band transmissions at 1.5 miles, five times the normal radar gun's targeting range..."

Many detector users don't speed intentionally (>8MPH over limit) and do not require cutting edge technology, detection at more than 2.0 miles, or the big-bucks that the super detectors cost. I have friends who routinely drive 90 on Interstates and they might require those super detectors because it takes so long to slow down from those speeds.

That's not me. Neither do I like the falsies that always accompany hyper-sensitivity. If it goes off all the time, you start ignoring it.

BolderKeith

Specically what doesn't make sense? The fact that I use an 8500 doesn't mean that I can't recommend a V-1 (I like the arrows). I am not brand loyal so if something works better than what I use I will recommend it.

DoubleV69

whers ur guys radars mounted at the escort ones

s09073

after not driving stick for 15 years, the MT has slowed me down a bit in normal driving. anyone else feel this way?
how about a radar detector and lazer jammer linked thru bluetooth to the navigation screen, like when the phone rings?

SparkAF

Hands down...Valentine 1

MyJohnson

In the Motor Trend Article, the V1 and Escort 8500 are neck and neck. Here's the write up:

Escort Passport 8500
(94.9 points)
Top Protection Dashtop Radar/LIDAR Detector

The Passport 8500, with its high-sensitivity, state-of-the-art POP mode capabilities, small size, and high-quality construction, remains at the top of the pyramid for overall radar and LIDAR detection. With its optional ZR3 laser shifter ($500 MSRP), it's the lone high-end detector offering the ability to legally interrupt most laser guns, making it the choice in laser-rich driving environments.

Price: $299 (manufacturer direct)
Escort: 800/433-3487

WHAT'S HOT · Available optional plug-in laser countermeasures, with POP mode protection
WHAT'S NOT · X-band performance falls just a bit short of leader
BOTTOM LINE · Remains the gold standard in radar/LIDAR dashtop detectors







Valentine One
(94.8 points)

Although the external case has remained basically the same through the years, the Valentine One V1 is a top-flight instrument to detect all bands of radar as well as LIDAR. Owners swear by the effectiveness of its front-panel direction arrows. While it offers the highest level of sensitivity, its level of user-friendliness, overall protection, and value falls just a bit short of competitive units.

Price: $399 (manufacturer direct)
Valentine One: 800/331-3030

WHAT'S HOT · Designates direction of the threat; high sensitivity in all bands
WHAT'S NOT · Less POP mode sensitivity, size of case
BOTTOM LINE · Great protection overall, but at a premium price.

Notice the V1 scored virtually the same as the 8500.

I've owned a V1 for a year and wouldn't trade it for the 8500, but I think the 8500 is still a good choice. You can still be picked off by instant on and LIDAR. Don't know much about POP mode (though V1 site talks about it) and don't have photo Radar where I live.

my 2 cents

żGotJazz?

Hmmm. Got any proof before you make a statement like that?

It does seem that the author is slightly biased toward Escort, but not hugely so. He gives quite a lot of Kudos to Valentine and BEL as well.

NICEUP

This Might Be A Dumb Question But, Are Radar Detector Legal And If They Are What Would Be The Fines If You Got Caught With One?

I Am Interested In Getting One.

Xpditor

I believe they are illegal in NC and VA. I think they're OK anywhere else. In those states mentioned, they WILL confiscate your detector if it comes to their attention. They have radar detector detectors (VG-2) but my detector has a radar detector detector detector. It's like missiles, anti-missiles, anti-missile-missiles.... it just keeps going.

claud

Detector is not illegal in NC. We just have to disconnect and stow it away in Va.

MyJohnson

detectors are illegal in DC and VA, thats it. VA will definitely confiscate. When I was in medical school in the DC area a friend and I stopped at an accident to offer help. The individuals involved were not hurt (we were just in medical school, what did we know!) but the only thing the VA police commented on was that my friends Radar detector was illegal and he would confiscate it. He was a real hard ass about it and a real jerk. We took it down and he let it go (we also didn't know at the time that it was illegal in VA). Happened on the Beltway in '88.

żGotJazz?

Here's my Escort 8500 x50 Installation, done for $25 at Best Buy:

`ill*tl

Ask the guys over at a-cl.com

BolderKeith

On the advice from the largest radar supplier on the internet who tests and sells several different brands of radar: "mount the detector as low as possible to provide the best possible lasar detection. Be careful that it is not behind the wipers." He explains that the spred angle of lasar (about 7 degrees) is much smaller than radar, and if the detector is at the top of the windshield it may be above the lasar field. Cops usually aim the lasar at the license plate which of course is low on the bumper.

SFzip

BolderKeith,

I like where żGotJazz? has it mounted, high up and out of sight. To your point, however, would it be possible to tilt the detector downward from that high position, say 20-30 degrees? I'd imagine you'll lose rearward detection on all bands and reduced forward detection on radar bands, but will this improve laser detection?

MyJohnson

Hey GotJazz,

The wood accent shown in the picture looks darker than the usual TL wood accents. Did you use aftermarket, or is it just the lighting?

How do you like all the aluminum with the wood and parchement interior (lease I think its parchment from the picture).

DC

jdone

Where do they aim in places like Kentucky where we don't have front plates?

eaRL

Anything on the front of the car that is highly reflective will do just fine. The headlight cluster would probably be their second choice. But, even in states without state-issued front license plates, many car owners add custom license plates on the front, a bad idea if LASER is used a lot in your area.

BolderKeith

Tilting it down won't improve lasar detection because the field would still be below the detector. I would like my detector to be out of site also, but I have it mounted on the center of my Cherokee dash. It detects front, sides and rear, but it is visible though not as bad as sticking it to the windshield. I wonder if the remote sensors that are in the grill detect 360 degrees; I don't see how they could?

BolderKeith

Good question, and I don't have a clue. I believe that there also other states that don't have front license plates.