OFFICIAL: Best Radar Detector/Comparison Thread
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Texas
Im still trying to figure out whats OFFICIAL about this thread. I have learned nothing from reading it. Check out http://www.radarbusters.com
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From: Miami, FL
Originally Posted by 2MuchRiceMakesMeSick
Im still trying to figure out whats OFFICIAL about this thread. I have learned nothing from reading it.[/url]
Agreed. I hate these discussions, mainly because as has been mentioned, everyone generally defends their own purchase. Pick one from the "big 3" that fits your budget and be happy with it. Even the best radar detector won't save you if you drive like an a**hole. 
TECH Addict
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From: Seattle, WA
Originally Posted by TX Tahoe Z71
And also, does the V1 have a mute feature? My friend has it, and I thought I remember it not having one.
The reason some tests do not score the V1 so high is because the people conducting the tests don't know how to use it. For example, there is no "city/highway" button, rather it uses "logic/advanced logic" to filter out the obvious bogus radar. If you run on advanced logic mode all the time then you are not going to have the same alert range as if you were in logic mode.
Escort is a VERY good radar detector. It was, after all, designed by Michael Valentine. And everyone knows that you make a prototype before you make the final product
.
Originally Posted by 2MuchRiceMakesMeSick
Im still trying to figure out whats OFFICIAL about this thread. I have learned nothing from reading it. Check out http://www.radarbusters.com
i'm a bigger fan of that one since they rate strength as opposed to detectability on a yes/no basis. like i already showed with the rx65, a 2 band alert is nothing.
The reason some tests do not score the V1 so high is because the people conducting the tests don't know how to use it.
I think that alot of those tests are biased and/or "bribed" by manufacturers to "sway" the test.
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From: Seattle, WA
Since the price of the Valentine is not that much more than the Escort (less, in fact, if you buy it in a store) I am not buying that they throw it out based on price. And if you look at some of the first tests done with a V1 they did give it a poor rating (but maybe I'm showing my age now ). But the fact of the matter remains after all these years that the operation of a V1 is a bit esoteric.
). But the fact of the matter remains after all these years that the operation of a V1 is a bit esoteric. So what about shotgunning? That's what it's called around here anyway. Is that what some of you are calling pop radar? I'm talking about when the cop has his radar off and then turns it on when your right there and bam, your busted. Correct me if I'm wrong, but NO radar detector will save you from this correct?
Originally Posted by BriancWS6
So what about shotgunning? That's what it's called around here anyway. Is that what some of you are calling pop radar? I'm talking about when the cop has his radar off and then turns it on when your right there and bam, your busted. Correct me if I'm wrong, but NO radar detector will save you from this correct?
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Originally Posted by BriancWS6
So what about shotgunning? That's what it's called around here anyway. Is that what some of you are calling pop radar? I'm talking about when the cop has his radar off and then turns it on when your right there and bam, your busted. Correct me if I'm wrong, but NO radar detector will save you from this correct?
Instant on radar is a gun that stays on and warmed up but doesn't emit a radar signal until the LEO presses the trigger. If you are alone on the road and get hit with instant on radar then there's nothing you can do about it. But they don't often set up radar traps on deserted roads because there's not enough ticket income to be had. So, your radar detector will normally pick up the instant on signal when it is being aimed at somebody someplace in front of you. That should give you sufficient warning to slow down before you become the target.
BTW, I have the BEL RX75 remote detector which is a virtual copy of the Passport SR7. It is the best radar detector I've ever owned and I've had some of the best over the years (K40, Bel, Escort, etc.)
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I have been very happy with my V1, it has saved my butt many times. And since I live in VA where they are illegal I love the remote display. No bright LED's hanging on my window for the cops to see. I have even been stopped with it in the car and it was never noticed.
Ed
Ed
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Texas
Originally Posted by black02-z28
I have been very happy with my V1, it has saved my butt many times. And since I live in VA where they are illegal I love the remote display. No bright LED's hanging on my window for the cops to see. I have even been stopped with it in the car and it was never noticed.
Ed
Ed
What is this remote display?
Do you have any pics you can show me?
i like my 8500, its saved my *** quite a few times. like someone said in this thread, take one of the top 3 that fits your budget, has the features you like the most, and buy it. either way, its just a tool to help you keep the Man off your back....if you drive like an ******* you're gonna get fucked. thats how it goes.
it's also true that a lot of people prefer the more expensive over the less, thinking the more expensive unit must have the advantage. otherwise, why would you be paying more? i'm not saying this is the case, but i did buy my x50 for $250 shipped brand new, and i don't think you can find valentines for under $400 new, can you? surely you're not paying $150 for v1 arrows and a v1 that detects Ka band 1/2 mile later than an escort, are you?
from www.speedzones.com,
1. Bel RX65
2. Excort X50
3. Valentine One
Ka band
Constant (2.5 miles)
1. No
2. Yes
3. No
Instant (2.5 miles)
1. No
2. Yes
3. No
from www.speedzones.com,
1. Bel RX65
2. Excort X50
3. Valentine One
Ka band
Constant (2.5 miles)
1. No
2. Yes
3. No
Instant (2.5 miles)
1. No
2. Yes
3. No
Just got my Valentine 1 in the mail today. Sold the Escort 7500. I couldn't justify speeding if I wasn't sure my radar detector couldn't cover my butt in ALL of the situations I might come across. I did get two speeding tickets using the 7500 (both less than 20 over), which is two too many. And yes, I agree, $400 is a lot of money for a radar detector, but you have to figure in that in 5 years, you can still sell it on ebay for $300 or more. Try to do that with any other detector, not to mention their upgrade policy. So, I look at it as a $100 rental fee for however long I use it.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Downers Grove, IL
I own an escort 8500, and I'll tell you what, it picks up radar on the highway amazing distances away. I swear by it, and it has saved me countless times since I drive I 57 from champaign to chicago all the time. Plus I love the mute button on the power plug. Puts it a lot closer than having to lean up to the windshield. As for POP, I am not sure if the 8500 detects it since it is almost 2 years old now. If anyone has information on that i would be thankful.
Another escort 8500 owner, has saved my *** so many times I've lost count, it has more than paid for itself in avoided tickets 
. Had escorts from the time they were book sized, and they've always worked well for me, so I see no reason to switch
Pure I don't think the 8500 detects the POP, but the V1 and the new 8500 (X50 IIRC) does, time for a new one maybe, I know I'm thinking about a new one
. Had escorts from the time they were book sized, and they've always worked well for me, so I see no reason to switchPure I don't think the 8500 detects the POP, but the V1 and the new 8500 (X50 IIRC) does, time for a new one maybe, I know I'm thinking about a new one
Originally Posted by TX Tahoe Z71
cover my butt in ALL of the situations I might come across.
you're just asking for a ticket if you think any detector is going to offer you that.like i've shown already, the 8500 x50 picks up radar bands farther away than the v1, and that's a cited statistic. if you want to say the v1 is a better detector, you can't say that's so because it detects better than the 8500 x50. if you are going to say that, you're going to need to do your own statistics to prove it.
i'm still pretty confident that all of the good detectors are going to roughly be the same, but i just don't see where some of you people get off by saying that the v1 is going to: (see above quote)...? that's being naiive and once again, pushing the money ahead of the game.