I see that everyone here likes the V1, however, I am not in the market for something that exotic or expensive. I just don't drive enough.
What other brands do you guys like out there? Any particular model?
Just looking for that plug-in or battery type. I will spend a couple hundred if necessary.
Thanks for your help.

 

Escort 8500 X50,,,,great write ups ,,,,about $299. info at http://www.escortradar.com/

 

Beltronics BEL 985, in my opinion is the best radar within $200 range...

 

No offense but you're better off waiting and saving for the V1

 

I bought a new Escort X50 with the blue display for $279 shipped on Ebay. So far, I've been pleased with the performance although I really only use it on the highway.

 

ive had both the V1 and the BEL 995 (currently own). I can say from my experience that the BEL is MUCH better. Although there are no arrows, the BEL is much more better at filtering. the V1 went off every 5 seconds and it got REAL annoying real quick. The Bel however sounds once in a while and is pretty accurate less some K band false alarams from automatic doors at stores and stuff and w/ the X band off. So personally I can say from my experience that the BEL is better and is more bang for the buck.

 

Soljc:
That's the one I think I want, especially because of the blue display...
Was it new?

 

I've had the BEL 980 for goin on probably 5 years.. never had a ticket since. Turned off X-Band it's not in use anymore, that cut way down on the falsies. Pretty much now if it announces "K-Band" or "Ka-Band".. i know there's one sniffin around.

True it doesn't have the arrows, but again the old theory applies.. just slow down ANYWAY till it's clear.. hell if you know if it's behind or in front.

And I've not noticed that the rear detection was diminished at all by my 20% tint.

 

Unless you have metallic tint your radar detection will not be reduced but regular tint will reduce laser detection.

 

I do have metallic tint. I spent around $250 for this job, came out excellent, and I didn't want the fade to purple like dye-based ones do.

Only odd thing on this tint job is there are like.. red and green iridescent patches evenly cubed in the tint, kinda looks strange sometimes looking thru it. I don't know if that's the metallic stuff polarizing or refracting the light.

But it's 99% UV rejecting, and stays generously cooler, I learned that when I had the 2 loaner TL's w/o tinting, noticed I was much warmer in those.

 

Sherlock,

You may get that if you are wearing polarized sunglasses. I'm not sure how it works - maybe both the tint flm and your glasses are polarizing. See if you get it with sunglasses that you know are not polarized.

 

I have had 3 V1's, and swear by them - best made, best overall performance, and as an EE, I respect the design - plus I like being able to have it upgraded. The arrows are very useful. This goes in thre cars that can get me into major trouble (like the Cobra and the S2000). The TL "merey" got an new Escort Solo2. I like the ease of shifting it around the other cars, it performs well, is unobtrusive, and the peformance is a solid B behind the Phi Betta Kappa V1 - but still quite good. I bought a big box of Varta "AA's", so I should be in business for a while. And oiver the years, every time someone "catches up" to the V1, Mike Valentine one ups them. But all the units mentioned are first-rate.

 

STOP!!!!!!!! Spend the money!!!!! It will pay for itself! Buy the V1 PLEASE!!!! I love this radar detector so much that I would ALMOST pay for half of it for you! Dont give into immitations!!!!! Just look at it this way..... The V1 is so perfect because it is upgradeable and durable! Dont be silly get the V1.

 

The V1 is the only way to go. Once you have the arrows you will never live without them!!!!!!!!

 

you can buy a V1 "open box" (one which has been returned within 30 days and tested) for $349. Best way to go (even has Ku band...).

-josh

 

I've had both the Passport 8500 and the V1. They're both very good. If you don't want to spend $400, definately go for the $250 8500. Do NOT get cordless. They've been proven to be quite a bit less effective against the corded counterparts.

 

I currently have a BEL 946 (Express) cordless. It is acceptable for what it does, but I wanted to get something with better sensitivity. I finally settled on the V1 myself and plan to sell my BEL on eBay (I can still get $50-100 for it, making my final V1 purchase price only $300-350).

 

Really!?
http://www.radar-detectors.com/suppo...ct-tests/2.asp

Solo2 does not look too shabby.

Another test:
"The Solo S2 is unquestionably the most sophisticated, high-performance cordless radar detector on the planet. But having witnessed the lackluster Ka-band sensitivity of its forebear, the new Solo would need to deliver better performance--by an order of magnitude--to win us over.

After a week spent field-testing these cordless models, we'd say it's succeeded. Compared to the old Solo, X-band performance is up 194 percent and K-band by 236 percent. In the Straightaway Test where the old Solo totally failed to notice Ka-band radar, the S2 spotted it from 5,325 feet away. And its laser scores led the field. This would be superior performance for a corded model; for a cordless detector it's little short of an engineering miracle."

 

GET THE V1...it's worth it, it's professional, it WORKS, it's SICK. I've had mine for 4 months, i'd never go to anything else.

 

I received my V1 from Valentine yesterday. They're just downstate from me, so I was able to pay for 2-day shipping and get it the next day.

This puppy is SENSITIVE. It catches EVERY X-banded door opener in EVERY shopping center, from 3/4-1 mile away from the shopping center. I had to shut off X-sensitivity; I'll turn it back on when I go on my long trip in a couple of weeks. The BEL 946 was not nearly so sensitive, as it would go crazy only next to the shopping center.

The main street into my neighborhood is a hilly two -lane road. This morning, I got a Ka "brap" at intensity of 2 dots, in front of me, then the sound stopped. 30 seconds later, a local police car passed me in the opposite lane. Good thing I'd slowed to the speed limit! The BEL isn't nearly as sensitive on that particular street.

Still in the process of testing, but I think the V1 will be a keeper.

 

Have you tried "l"and "L"?

 

Yup. (Though I realize that the "I" and "L" settings only decrease that sensitivity). I had considered leaving it on because there are a few police depts here in Ohio that love to use X-band radar guns, but with every automatic door using X-band, I'll just have to take the risk.

 

I bought a Bel rx-65 on ebay and should be getting it this week. I'll let you know how it works for me.