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

jlaw

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.

howierd42

Yes, the V1 has a mute mode.

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 .

tuffluck

iTrader: (4)

www.speedzones.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.

i don't think i've ever seen a test with the v1 getting poor filtering ratings. the v1 never gets rated poorly, or at least i've never seen it get rated poorly. most just claim it's too expensive, and the escort can usually detect bands farther away than the valentine.

well, that could very easily go in the other direction, and the tests could be swayed by valentine also.

howierd42

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.

BriancWS6

iTrader: (18)

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?

tuffluck

iTrader: (4)

just about all of them detect POP these days, but POP is a form of instant on radar, so yeah, it's kind of tough to avoid a strong pop from a POP. still though, cops aren't *supposed* to use POP to issue tickets.

WhiteBird00

iTrader: (4)

No, "shotgunning" or instant on radar is not the same thing as POP radar. POP radar is a low power extremely short duration radar signal that is designed to alert the operator (LEO) that a vehicle is speeding and that he should clock it with regular instant on radar. The POP radar can't be used in court to support a ticket because even the manufacturer won't say it is accurate enough.

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.)

black02-z28

iTrader: (8)

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

BriancWS6

iTrader: (18)

Thanks for clearing that up.

2MuchRiceMakesMeSick

What is this remote display?

Do you have any pics you can show me?

cyphur

iTrader: (10)

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.

TX Tahoe Z71

iTrader: (28)

Just placed my order for a Valentine. My Escort 7500 is on ebay now, PM me if anyone's interested.

TA Dave

I have a New V1 in the TA, with the remote display, I love it!

I have a new Escort 8500 X50 in my wifes car, no problem with either.

BTW, Bell and Escort are now owned by the same company.

tuffluck

iTrader: (4)

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

Race Car Driver

I've used Escort 8500 for years with no tickets and lots of speed.

TX Tahoe Z71

iTrader: (28)

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.

PureWS6

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.

2K2WS6TA

iTrader: (2)

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

tuffluck

iTrader: (4)

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.