Whats the best radar detecter?
04-27-2005, 10:46 PM
#21
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Originally Posted by thunder550
http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleID=9090
Actually looks to me like the V1 is the oldest and has the fewest number of features of the three tested.
To summarize the article....
Best overall performance............BEL Pro RX65
Best instant-on performance.......Escort Passport 8500 X50
Best POP-mode performance.......BEL Pro RX65
Best windshield mount...............Valentine One
Best visual displays...................BEL Pro RX65
Best audible alerts....................Escort Passport 8500 X50
Best laser performance..............Valentine One
Best price/performance ratio.......Escort Passport 8500 X50
"The Valentine One is a highly sensitive radar detector--good enough that we declared it the winner of our 2000 Automobile Magazine shootout--but it's no longer top dog. The world has changed since it was designed in 1991. The Apple IIsi also was hot stuff that year but Apple knew better than to continue peddling the same box. They replaced it with smaller, faster, user-friendlier models packed with advanced features.
Valentine and their V1 seem locked in a time warp. Even the owner manual reflects 1980s thinking, replete with wildly outdated statements such as “X-band [is] most common for moving and stationary [radar].” Huh? 47 of the 50 state highway patrols abandoned it years ago and the remaining three are dumping theirs as quickly as they wear out, replacing them in the meantime with the latest in Ka-band moving radar.
With an increasingly wide gap in the V1’s level of sophistication compared to modern designs--not to mention a minimalist feature set, quirky ergonomics, an exceptionally chatty nature and stiff price tag--the competition has clearly passed it by. Small wonder that Valentine’s market share continues to shrink, down to an estimated 0.6 percent and falling. Time for a new model, guys."
Actually looks to me like the V1 is the oldest and has the fewest number of features of the three tested.
To summarize the article....
Best overall performance............BEL Pro RX65
Best instant-on performance.......Escort Passport 8500 X50
Best POP-mode performance.......BEL Pro RX65
Best windshield mount...............Valentine One
Best visual displays...................BEL Pro RX65
Best audible alerts....................Escort Passport 8500 X50
Best laser performance..............Valentine One
Best price/performance ratio.......Escort Passport 8500 X50
"The Valentine One is a highly sensitive radar detector--good enough that we declared it the winner of our 2000 Automobile Magazine shootout--but it's no longer top dog. The world has changed since it was designed in 1991. The Apple IIsi also was hot stuff that year but Apple knew better than to continue peddling the same box. They replaced it with smaller, faster, user-friendlier models packed with advanced features.
Valentine and their V1 seem locked in a time warp. Even the owner manual reflects 1980s thinking, replete with wildly outdated statements such as “X-band [is] most common for moving and stationary [radar].” Huh? 47 of the 50 state highway patrols abandoned it years ago and the remaining three are dumping theirs as quickly as they wear out, replacing them in the meantime with the latest in Ka-band moving radar.
With an increasingly wide gap in the V1’s level of sophistication compared to modern designs--not to mention a minimalist feature set, quirky ergonomics, an exceptionally chatty nature and stiff price tag--the competition has clearly passed it by. Small wonder that Valentine’s market share continues to shrink, down to an estimated 0.6 percent and falling. Time for a new model, guys."
Wow...interesting info...thanks as it does make me think...
The article however has errors as to the operability of the V1...
It does have user programming preference, and the article stated it did not...
Also, you can change the settings on the V1 from different logic modes which is the similar as the highway/city modes on other detectors...which decreases the false signals dramatically...as with the A (All radar mode) detects every radar signal that exists and the Logic and Pro Logic modes filter out even more.
The mute button on the concealed display is easily accessable...though auto feature could be a nicety...one could also play devils advocate and say that auto mute could also lose the attention from a driver of a radar signal as one gets use to it.
I've been in the Air Force for over 22 years and would have to say that the arrows are a great asset...as with aircraft...a signal can be pointed out as to where it is coming from and let the operator know of areas to be aware of...
In other words...it has helped me to find the sped trap hotspots, where the signal is coming from after I have slowed down and how many of the radar signals I am receiving is also a plus.
I'm not trying to build up anything, nor state that the V1 is better in any way...as I see a lot of great assets in all of the tops detectors...just wish we could put them all in one and get the best of all worlds.
All in all, I will say that I still like the V1 as it has seaved me from a lot of tickets...(especially since I forked out over $400.00 for it)...and will be talking to them about this issue...to see what there comments are.
Let's just see if they can live to their claim to fame...or if they are all talk...
04-27-2005, 11:01 PM
#22
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Yeah, that was just one review I found, I'm sure a different one would have slightly different info. I was thinking about the Auto Mute on my 8500...I never use it anyway. Like you said, each one has their strengths, and it would be nice if someone would come out with something that was the best of all worlds.
04-28-2005, 11:42 AM
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I have just reviewed bith sides of the V1 issue and here are some other things to keep in mind. As statistics go...they are not accurate unless in a controlled environment...especially controlled to a point where there are no bias opinions. The tester needs to know how to accurately use each radar detector and understand it's capabilities.
As I stated in my post above, the article was very inaccurate in the desription of the V1 and its capabilities, here are some corrections that need to be said:
Here are some more errors in the article: the V1 has limited capabilities as it has no dimmer switch, gives false K-band signals constantly, Nor is there selectable band defeat, the ability to shut off one or more radar bands and there are others but I'll start here...
The V1 has an auto dimmer switch that changes with lighting conditions, the false signals are are eliminated if they would have changed it to the Advanced Logic mode (which the article says it has something to do with the X-band---wrong) and you can shut off any band signal you want as you can personnaly program it to what you want.
Juts a note: a lot of other detectors have bells and whistles...and if we could incorporate all of them, it would be great...but ask yourself, what is really needed and used for a daily driver, and what is a nicety that really never gets used...i.e. the aouto mute feature..
Anyway, just some info I though I'd pass along...
As I stated in my post above, the article was very inaccurate in the desription of the V1 and its capabilities, here are some corrections that need to be said:
Here are some more errors in the article: the V1 has limited capabilities as it has no dimmer switch, gives false K-band signals constantly, Nor is there selectable band defeat, the ability to shut off one or more radar bands and there are others but I'll start here...
The V1 has an auto dimmer switch that changes with lighting conditions, the false signals are are eliminated if they would have changed it to the Advanced Logic mode (which the article says it has something to do with the X-band---wrong) and you can shut off any band signal you want as you can personnaly program it to what you want.
Juts a note: a lot of other detectors have bells and whistles...and if we could incorporate all of them, it would be great...but ask yourself, what is really needed and used for a daily driver, and what is a nicety that really never gets used...i.e. the aouto mute feature..
Anyway, just some info I though I'd pass along...
04-28-2005, 12:01 PM
#25
The automute feature is something I would hate to be without (Bel RX75 remote). It allows me to leave the detector volume turned up to alert me without having to listen to a constant alarm when the source is behind me going the same direction or in traffic or a parking lot where there's an automatic door opener.
On the other hand, the arrows are a "nice to have" feature that really doesn't concern me. I really don't need to know what direction the signal is coming from - besides, I can usually tell whether I'm approaching, pacing, or moving away from the source by the way the alarm responds.
On the other hand, the arrows are a "nice to have" feature that really doesn't concern me. I really don't need to know what direction the signal is coming from - besides, I can usually tell whether I'm approaching, pacing, or moving away from the source by the way the alarm responds.
04-28-2005, 01:24 PM
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i have an escort, and i turn POP off. i think it's an annoying feature. it's a lot like the old detectors that used VG2 protection and reminded you everytime it went off - when you get in a city with a lot of false alarms, the VG2 and the POP go off a lot - too much, in fact.
i turn X band off as well, mostly useless.
the only complaint i have with escort is that it's not loud enough for us aftermarket stereo guys. i wish i knew a way to resolve this problem.
the escort has an amazing button for auto mute, which is a button about the size of your thumb right on the front of the detector. it takes all of a breath of air to depress it too; it's the simplest automute button i've ever had on a detector.
the arrows are a commodity, not a necessity. i, too, see no point in having them, but i'm sure if i had them it'd make things more fun.
i turn X band off as well, mostly useless.
the only complaint i have with escort is that it's not loud enough for us aftermarket stereo guys. i wish i knew a way to resolve this problem.
the escort has an amazing button for auto mute, which is a button about the size of your thumb right on the front of the detector. it takes all of a breath of air to depress it too; it's the simplest automute button i've ever had on a detector.
the arrows are a commodity, not a necessity. i, too, see no point in having them, but i'm sure if i had them it'd make things more fun.
04-28-2005, 05:41 PM
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Here's a more unbias website to look at--I think it can help one decide which may be the better radar dectector for them...but all-in-all, what is best for one may not be best for another...so you decide.
However, unbias reviews sure are better than a bias website that wants you to buy their product/s or are marketing a product for a company.
Anyway, I hope this helps, but it still would be nice to have one with all of the best features in one package.
http://search.ecoustics.com/Consumer...lpha-Name/All/
However, unbias reviews sure are better than a bias website that wants you to buy their product/s or are marketing a product for a company.
Anyway, I hope this helps, but it still would be nice to have one with all of the best features in one package.
http://search.ecoustics.com/Consumer...lpha-Name/All/
