Stereo & Electronics - Best radar detector?

I am just starting to do my research before I buy a radar detector. Can anyone point me in the right direction with a couple recommendations? I have never had one before, and I think its about time to get one.

Thanks.

I've always like the Valentine arrow pointers, gives you an idea of where to look for the bastards.

Also, any recommendations where to buy one at the best price?

Got everything i need to know from searching except where the best place to buy one. Help me out with that and I'm all set.

You can always get one off ebay...

You can always get one off ebay...
I was just about to say that. Got mine for 125 shipped, I think they are normally close to $400

ebay is kinda gay when it comes to electronics. What if they send you a broken unit and you get busted by the cops cuz of it. Better off geting it new.

if you are still open to suggestions the beltronics pro units are very nice and you can buy them off their site. i have the rx65 and love it. just not a big fan of the size of the v1. looks like something from the 80s. my friend has one so I know they work but i dont think its the end all be all. the only other one i would consider is the escort with the blue display. i cant see the red led on a bright day

I've had my V1 for over 3 years and never had any issues with it except I had to buy a new cord thats about it, go to their web and order you one, I haven't had any tickets with it either for 3 1/2 years now, I love it

Moved to proper forum which isn't Gen LSX.

Yeah i'd say your best bet is either the Valentine 1 or the Passport Escort 8500 X50. i have a cobra but if i had the money id get either of these 2

anyone think its too soon to get the escort passport 9500i? think they have worked out the bugs yet? I read a few reviews, the GPS feature seems awesome. I dont really mind spending a lot since it can be transferred to any car i get in the next few years.

If you have the money get the new escort 9500i. If you dont want to spend $400-$500 one get a bel pro rx65, same as the escort 8500 x50 BUT, the display is easier to see and it is louder and has voice alerts, and you can turn the volume up/down with the smart plug, not just mute it. Bel>passport 8500 x50. No one can say otherwise. I've owned both.

My Bel Vector 965 was cheap and kicks butt. If I could get a Valentine for 125 bucks I'd be all over that.

I Have Cobra Xrs 9930 ...and Have It For Almost A Year ...works Great ..saved Me $ On Tickets ..plus It Has Auto Power On Off...so I Dont Worry About Plugin In And Out Everytime I Drive My Car.

V1 all the way. I've had mine in service now for over 7 years with only one problem. One night on the way home it was going off for almost 10 minutes straight. Arrows were pointing front then side then back then side then front... it was all over the place. I thought for sure the po-po's were closing in on me for racing. I finally just turned it off for a few seconds, turned it back on and it went back to normal, never did it again. Also, there are a couple of spots on the cord that are split, but the wiring insulation inside is still intact and I haven't had any problems with power loss. Overall a great piece. I've also had (prior to the V1) several Bel's and Escorts. No competition. Period. "Once you've lived with the arrows... you'll wonder how you ever lived without 'em."

'Los

I just got a 8500 x50 for $247 shipped off of ebay. brand new. I'll look for the link for ya. I got that, the invisicord, and a mirror mount all for less than the radar by itself at a local store.

here

http://cm.ebay.com/cm/ck/1065-29392-2357-0?uid=212426527&site=0&ver=EOIBSA080805&lk=ItemDescriptionANDimage&Item=260143954534

Bel>passport 8500 x50. No one can say otherwise. I've owned both.
Though they are essentially the same detector -- I have heard that instant on detection is a little better on the X50. I think the rest was near identical... Other than that -- the stuff you mentioned are luxuries that do not effect performance.

But what really does make the Bel version better is the ability to detect Ku (an older band) used in other countries....however I remember asking before and someone told me that it's used a lot in Texas...so it is out there in the US.

But what really does make the Bel version better is the ability to detect Ku (an older band) used in other countries....however I remember asking before and someone told me that it's used a lot in Texas...so it is out there in the US.

Ku is all over the place here in Houston, Texas. The other thing I forgot to mention is the "Bogey Counter". Great idea. Very useful. The are several spots between home and work (80+ mile round trip) that always have false signals (usually from auto-opening doors at shopping centers). I know how many signals to expect on a regular basis while passing these areas. Just a few weeks ago I was passing an area where I always have "1" K band alert. That night the V1 was telling me there were "3" K band alerts straight ahead and I slowed down. Sure enough the were two Precinct 4 Constables just over the hill. This is just one of MANY times the Bogey Counter has saved my a$$.

'Los

V1 is the superior unit indeed but for hte money a Passport 8500 X50 is hte way to go. I have one and it works like a charm.

I'm sick of my detector going off all over the place in town because of all of the auto opening doors. I wish they could come up with some technology to get around that better than what's there now. I guess that's what city mode is supposed to do. It doesn't help much.

I hadnt heard much about the 'bogey counter' but I like the sounds of it. I was leaning toward shelling out 450$ for the escort 9500i because I wanted to be able to mute out certain spots with false alarms.

Thanks for the opinions tho, its a lot easier to decide based on feedback from people who have used them, rather than websites that who knows how biased they are.

If anyone wants to pull me one way or the other, its between the V1 and the 9500i.

Though they are essentially the same detector -- I have heard that instant on detection is a little better on the X50. I think the rest was near identical... Other than that -- the stuff you mentioned are luxuries that do not effect performance.

But what really does make the Bel version better is the ability to detect Ku (an older band) used in other countries....however I remember asking before and someone told me that it's used a lot in Texas...so it is out there in the US.
I agree, but those luxuries are pretty important. Just two days ago I was stopped doing 84 in a 65 because I couldn't hear the escort going off. I was pissed but I pulled over before the cop even pulled out or put on his lights (i knew I was caught) so he let me off with a verbal warning. :) I was shocked. This was my second time only I had ever been pulled over. (got a ticket the other time :bang: )
I'm sick of my detector going off all over the place in town because of all of the auto opening doors. I wish they could come up with some technology to get around that better than what's there now. I guess that's what city mode is supposed to do. It doesn't help much.
Sounds like you have a cobra or some other cheap detector. Time for a belscort or v1... I love how quiet the belscorts are, even in highway mode.

I've got a Bel Vector 945. Its great for picking up cops. City mode or city x mode are crap though

good thread, I've been contemplating a detectorfor a while, what a helpful site!

Passport or the Valentine fo me! :drive:

Try www.guysoflidar.com and read their 2007 detector shootout. These guys don't sell detectors, they just test them. The detectors with the best range are the Beltronics STi and the V1. The new Escort 9500i is pretty good. But range isn't everything. The sattelite technology of the 9500i makes it a cut above the others, and its voice alerts let you turn of the light display at night so it doesn't bother your eyes.

If you can wait, there is supposedly a new STi coming out with sattelite technology and a remote. Stealth is the way to go because several states have equipped their patrol cars with SPECTRE radar detector detectors. Virginia has outlawed detectors and uses Spectre. Believe me, this thing detects every detector BUT the STi, and you will not get any breaks from the cops if you're speeding with an RD in your car. The less they know the better.

Try www.guysoflidar.com
Thats a good site thanks.

Looks like it's the valentine one, for me :judge:

Ordered up a 9500i on friday, it will arrive on wednesday. Cant wait to play with it. NEW TOYS!!! :)

i own a 8500 X50 and that thing is a CHAMP on the highway!!!...Im in the military and i drive twice a year back to SC from littlerock....this past time w/ me goin home was my first real use of the detector and lets just say i would have been screwd w/o one....damn thing went off 14 times...and half of em were in TEN. :eek2: ...NONE WERE FALSE....and excellent distance

I just ordered a V1 today while i was at work. :) Hopefully it comes in soon.

Id go with one of these. their just a bit pricey :jest:
http://www.radar-detector-superstore.com/newberxpropl.html

Id go with one of these. their just a bit pricey :jest:
http://www.radar-detector-superstore.com/newberxpropl.html
I have that Bel Pro RX75 remote detector and it's great (of course, I didn't pay anywhere near what that site is selling them for). It is completely stealth - you can't tell there's a detector in the car unless you know exactly what to look for. It has the bogey counter and all the other features of the V1 except for the arrows. The V1's arrows are just a minor convenience anyway - if you are familiar with using radar detectors then you can tell what direction an alert is coming from just by the pattern of the alert.

just purchased a V1 from a member here on ls1tech .. will be in on thursday !!!

yeah when i get one i want to go remote since their illegal here in virginia, they also seem like they offer more protection. I just dont need one now cause it would tempt me to speed all the time.

yeah when i get one i want to go remote since their illegal here in virginia, they also seem like they offer more protection. I just dont need one now cause it would tempt me to speed all the time.

Supposed to be a new STi coming called the STi-R that is remote, undetectable, has sattelite tracking, voice alerts so you can turn the lighted display off at night, and it tells you exactly what type of radar is hitting you (33.5ghz, 33.8ghz...etc.). This way you will know exactly what radar is hitting you (moving, stationary or instant-on) so you will know how to react. Right now I use the STi and I blow past SPECTRE equipped police cars laughing. :lol:

Yeah i'd say your best bet is either the Valentine 1 or the Passport Escort 8500 X50. i have a cobra but if i had the money id get either of these 2
I got the passport escort 8500 x50, its paid for it self and some already. No complaints at all! :judge: :judge: