OFFICIAL: Best Radar Detector/Comparison Thread
TECH Addict
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,563
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From: Seattle, WA
So you know, cordless radar detectors are not really the safest way to go. They tend to save battery life by going into a "sleep" mode where they actually stop detecting distant radar if there are no signals for a few minutes until, in most cases, it is too late.
As far as patents go, big deal. Intel has more patents than AMD but anyone who knows anything about computer hardware will tell you to get the AMD. To give you all a bit of radar detector history, the radar detector was invented by the same guy who invented the radar gun. Escort, known as Cincinati Microwave at the time, was the best radar detector money could by when they were as big as a house and you had to replace your sun visor every other year because the detector was so heavy that it ruined the hinge. Back then, THAT Escort radar detector was invented and designed by none other than the same guy who invented and now sells the Valentine1.
As for price, as with all electronics, you get what you pay for. How much are you willing to INVEST in not getting a ticket? I can sell my Valentine on a certain e auction site for EXACTLY the same price I paid for it a year ago. How about those BELs or Cobras? I can send my Valentine back to the company for upgrades if a new mod comes out. Does BEL or Cobra offer such things? (I actually think Escort might also - I know they USED to.)
Enough said. I will get off my soap box. (and yes, I have owned many different Escort modles over the years but the Valentine I have now blows them all away.)
As far as patents go, big deal. Intel has more patents than AMD but anyone who knows anything about computer hardware will tell you to get the AMD. To give you all a bit of radar detector history, the radar detector was invented by the same guy who invented the radar gun. Escort, known as Cincinati Microwave at the time, was the best radar detector money could by when they were as big as a house and you had to replace your sun visor every other year because the detector was so heavy that it ruined the hinge. Back then, THAT Escort radar detector was invented and designed by none other than the same guy who invented and now sells the Valentine1.
As for price, as with all electronics, you get what you pay for. How much are you willing to INVEST in not getting a ticket? I can sell my Valentine on a certain e auction site for EXACTLY the same price I paid for it a year ago. How about those BELs or Cobras? I can send my Valentine back to the company for upgrades if a new mod comes out. Does BEL or Cobra offer such things? (I actually think Escort might also - I know they USED to.)
Enough said. I will get off my soap box. (and yes, I have owned many different Escort modles over the years but the Valentine I have now blows them all away.)
Originally Posted by howierd42
So you know, cordless radar detectors are not really the safest way to go. They tend to save battery life by going into a "sleep" mode where they actually stop detecting distant radar if there are no signals for a few minutes until, in most cases, it is too late.
As far as patents go, big deal. Intel has more patents than AMD but anyone who knows anything about computer hardware will tell you to get the AMD. To give you all a bit of radar detector history, the radar detector was invented by the same guy who invented the radar gun. Escort, known as Cincinati Microwave at the time, was the best radar detector money could by when they were as big as a house and you had to replace your sun visor every other year because the detector was so heavy that it ruined the hinge. Back then, THAT Escort radar detector was invented and designed by none other than the same guy who invented and now sells the Valentine1.
As for price, as with all electronics, you get what you pay for. How much are you willing to INVEST in not getting a ticket? I can sell my Valentine on a certain e auction site for EXACTLY the same price I paid for it a year ago. How about those BELs or Cobras? I can send my Valentine back to the company for upgrades if a new mod comes out. Does BEL or Cobra offer such things? (I actually think Escort might also - I know they USED to.)
Enough said. I will get off my soap box. (and yes, I have owned many different Escort modles over the years but the Valentine I have now blows them all away.)
As far as patents go, big deal. Intel has more patents than AMD but anyone who knows anything about computer hardware will tell you to get the AMD. To give you all a bit of radar detector history, the radar detector was invented by the same guy who invented the radar gun. Escort, known as Cincinati Microwave at the time, was the best radar detector money could by when they were as big as a house and you had to replace your sun visor every other year because the detector was so heavy that it ruined the hinge. Back then, THAT Escort radar detector was invented and designed by none other than the same guy who invented and now sells the Valentine1.
As for price, as with all electronics, you get what you pay for. How much are you willing to INVEST in not getting a ticket? I can sell my Valentine on a certain e auction site for EXACTLY the same price I paid for it a year ago. How about those BELs or Cobras? I can send my Valentine back to the company for upgrades if a new mod comes out. Does BEL or Cobra offer such things? (I actually think Escort might also - I know they USED to.)
Enough said. I will get off my soap box. (and yes, I have owned many different Escort modles over the years but the Valentine I have now blows them all away.)
Look. I'm not arguing about the V1. In my opinion IT IS THE BEST YOU CAN GET. All I was trying to say is that for people that don't have the money for it; there are alternative Better then just Going Without one.
All I was Doing was Validifying the BEL's and Cobra's for people that can only afford the lower line ones.
V1 here.
i can't imagine having a radar detector without arrows now. it has spoiled me
not only will it tell you which way the radar is coming from, but it also tells you how many radars and there.
by the way, it was 500 brand new also. it may be possible to buy it cheaper on thier site, but i guess i missed out.
very expensive, but i can't imagine having anything else.
i have a good friend with the new escort 8500. he really likes it also, but will always be wondering which way the radar is coming from.
i can't imagine having a radar detector without arrows now. it has spoiled me
not only will it tell you which way the radar is coming from, but it also tells you how many radars and there.
by the way, it was 500 brand new also. it may be possible to buy it cheaper on thier site, but i guess i missed out.
very expensive, but i can't imagine having anything else.
i have a good friend with the new escort 8500. he really likes it also, but will always be wondering which way the radar is coming from.
I"m going to have to go with V1 as well. Saved my butt many of times. I love the arrows and I don't know how people live without them. V1 has a great warranty program, and they are upgradeable, just send it in and they'll send you the lastest version. Just sent my 1.7 in for 1.8 with POP mode. Can't wait to get it back. Well worth the money IMO.
Launching!
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 203
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From: Stranger in a Strange Land
When I bought mine only Bel RX65 and Escort 8500 offered the POP detection.
It is a must here in Vegas.
So I bought a Bel RX65
I'm sure the arrows help a lot (I wish I had them) but if there's cops around (if it goes out) I just slow down.
I never regreted my decision.
Whatever you buy check before if cops using POP mode where you live.
If they use it and your radar detector can't detect it (don't have the POP feature) you won't even know that there are cops around.
Here are some link - test Guys.
http://www.radarbusters.com/
http://speedzones.com/
It is a must here in Vegas.
So I bought a Bel RX65
I'm sure the arrows help a lot (I wish I had them) but if there's cops around (if it goes out) I just slow down.
I never regreted my decision.
Whatever you buy check before if cops using POP mode where you live.
If they use it and your radar detector can't detect it (don't have the POP feature) you won't even know that there are cops around.
Here are some link - test Guys.
http://www.radarbusters.com/
http://speedzones.com/
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Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
Originally Posted by TOMMY BOY74
When I bought mine only Bel RX65 and Escort 8500 offered the POP detection.
It is a must here in Vegas.
So I bought a Bel RX65
I'm sure the arrows help a lot (I wish I had them) but if there's cops around (if it goes out) I just slow down.
I never regreted my decision.
Whatever you buy check before if cops using POP mode where you live.
If they use it and your radar detector can't detect it (don't have the POP feature) you won't even know that there are cops around.
Here are some link - test Guys.
http://www.radarbusters.com/
http://speedzones.com/
It is a must here in Vegas.
So I bought a Bel RX65
I'm sure the arrows help a lot (I wish I had them) but if there's cops around (if it goes out) I just slow down.
I never regreted my decision.
Whatever you buy check before if cops using POP mode where you live.
If they use it and your radar detector can't detect it (don't have the POP feature) you won't even know that there are cops around.
Here are some link - test Guys.
http://www.radarbusters.com/
http://speedzones.com/
http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=9090
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
Originally Posted by wvaboy
yes, the new v1 radar detector DOES have pop detection.
"After five years of devoting a considerable portion of his corporate Web site to tell the world that POP mode can’t possibly work, won’t be supported by the courts and isn’t worthy of their attention, Valentine has quietly removed his POP ranting and added POP detection to the V1 with no public announcement."
Sorry about that
Originally Posted by Richiec77
In almost all Radar detector tests for the last 6-7 years the Valentine 1 is the Best Radar Detector you can Buy.
from Speedzones - "The “Top Dog” of radar detectors in the Over $300.00 price category goes to Escort’s X50"
from Motor Trend - "In the over-$200 category of high-end radar/laser detectors, the nod goes to the Passport 8500."
from Automobile - "The Valentine was trounced by the Escort model in Ka-band, which is growing in popularity."
from RadarTest - "The new Passport 8500's leading edge technology raises the bar another notch - the World's Best."
Originally Posted by 1fastV8
I went with the BEL RX65..And dont regret it....Rated #1 for a reason..Check radarbuster.com
moral of the story: firstly, i own a passport x50 because it's gotten the best raves. but FYI, the #1 detector will probably never save you in any situation where the #2 or #3 detector would not. the top ones are pretty much equal in the radar-needing situations a driver faces day to day. just buy one you want, and don't ever say, "the #1 instead of the #2 detector would have saved me here," if you do get a ticket in the future, because that probably won't be true.
Last edited by tuffluck; Feb 21, 2005 at 02:28 PM.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 1
From: NW Houston/Nacogdoches, Texas
Originally Posted by tuffluck
that's not true at all. are you hearing this stuff by word of mouth, or are you actually reading the results?
from Speedzones - "The “Top Dog” of radar detectors in the Over $300.00 price category goes to Escort’s X50"
from Motor Trend - "In the over-$200 category of high-end radar/laser detectors, the nod goes to the Passport 8500."
from Automobile - "The Valentine was trounced by the Escort model in Ka-band, which is growing in popularity."
from RadarTest - "The new Passport 8500's leading edge technology raises the bar another notch - the World's Best."
check speedzones where they actually measure strength, not just distance. speedzones says that with an oncoming X/Ka band from 1.5 miles away, the rx65 only gives a strength of 2 bars. 2 bars is ignored by most drivers. hell, automatic doors can go up to 4 bars on my escort. seems a little risky if you ask me. radarbusters never tested the strength at which a band can be detected from a certain distance, just the distance on a yes or no basis. that's not accurate results at all.
moral of the story: firstly, i own a passport x50 because it's gotten the best raves. but FYI, the #1 detector will probably never save you in any situation where the #2 or #3 detector would not. the top ones are pretty much equal in the radar-needing situations a driver faces day to day. just buy one you want, and don't ever say, "the #1 instead of the #2 detector would have saved me here," if you do get a ticket in the future, because that probably won't be true.
from Speedzones - "The “Top Dog” of radar detectors in the Over $300.00 price category goes to Escort’s X50"
from Motor Trend - "In the over-$200 category of high-end radar/laser detectors, the nod goes to the Passport 8500."
from Automobile - "The Valentine was trounced by the Escort model in Ka-band, which is growing in popularity."
from RadarTest - "The new Passport 8500's leading edge technology raises the bar another notch - the World's Best."
check speedzones where they actually measure strength, not just distance. speedzones says that with an oncoming X/Ka band from 1.5 miles away, the rx65 only gives a strength of 2 bars. 2 bars is ignored by most drivers. hell, automatic doors can go up to 4 bars on my escort. seems a little risky if you ask me. radarbusters never tested the strength at which a band can be detected from a certain distance, just the distance on a yes or no basis. that's not accurate results at all.
moral of the story: firstly, i own a passport x50 because it's gotten the best raves. but FYI, the #1 detector will probably never save you in any situation where the #2 or #3 detector would not. the top ones are pretty much equal in the radar-needing situations a driver faces day to day. just buy one you want, and don't ever say, "the #1 instead of the #2 detector would have saved me here," if you do get a ticket in the future, because that probably won't be true.
With V1 vs. the Escort, it's a driver's race.
Originally Posted by mongoose
i'm originally from va and never used a radar until i moved to ga. now when i go back to va, i leave it on. do police have radar-detector-dectectors?
and another vote for the 8500
and another vote for the 8500
Originally Posted by Slammed-am
Don't belive all the **** you read.
With V1 vs. the Escort, it's a driver's race.
With V1 vs. the Escort, it's a driver's race.
that's where you are probably going to both hear and "believe all the **** you read" about a given product. come on!and as to your second comment, i don't even know what that's supposed to mean.
Escort vote... been very pleased with mine. It has saved me from countless jams, except the one time I got busted for 88 in a 55 (it was in my Bronco, on 35s). It was with POP radar; my 7500 picked it up about 100 yards before so I got on the brakes and dove into the slow lane, but it was too late.
And also, does the V1 have a mute feature? My friend has it, and I thought I remember it not having one.
And also, does the V1 have a mute feature? My friend has it, and I thought I remember it not having one.
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 1
From: NW Houston/Nacogdoches, Texas
Originally Posted by tuffluck
i beg to differ. reading some "****" and reading some reviews from people that test radar detectors are two different things. you can deny comments, but you can't really deny tests unless you just want to, at which point the whole issue becomes a little ridiculous. if you don't believe the tests, what are you going to believe? the manufacturer's comments??? that's where you are probably going to both hear and "believe all the **** you read" about a given product. come on!
and as to your second comment, i don't even know what that's supposed to mean.
that's where you are probably going to both hear and "believe all the **** you read" about a given product. come on!and as to your second comment, i don't even know what that's supposed to mean.
My second comment:
A driver's race, as in the two products are equal. (metaphorically)