Hi,

i would like to ask... what is the best radar detector... i live in SoCal.... Los Angeles... so any suggestions... what are the pros and cons?

 

I have an Escort 9500 and am totally pleased with its performance. I love the GPS capability for locking out known spurious signal sites and for also warning of known speed trap sites. Easy to install with power cord to cig. lighter socket or you can hard wire. See the discussion for hardwiring to the fuse box with an "Add a Circuit".
My good friend has a Valentine, which also works very well. However, we both notice that it picks up many low grade and spurious signals. It lacks the GPS functionality of the Escort 9500. Also, the Valentine does not offer a "Smart Cord" that allows you to mute the signal without having to reach to the unit itself that may be mounted arms length away.
This is only a users perspective and both websites, Escort and Valentine have much information. Hope this helps

 

I love my V1. Once you have arrows, you never go back.

 

Valentine One. No question.

Edijak, your friend needs to read the manual to find out how to disable the spurious signals being picked up. There's also some info online at the V1 site. That can be very annoying and distracting, but the capability to adjust the sensitivity is there. The V1 does offer a remote display that lets you mute without having to reach to the unit itself that may be mounted arms length away. I got one for that very reason, since I was taking my eyes off the road to mute. The V1 can be hardwired in with the same Add a Circuit method. http://www.xse.com/leres/z06/v1.html V1 site also has a hard wire kit for sale.

V1 does not have GPS, but I bought a cheap Mio C220 separately for that, mounted on the left side of my dash.

 

Not from Valentine, but you can purchase them on ebay for the V1. ( I have the left unused button on my 2-spoke MFSW wired to mute the V1, I don't even need to take my hands off the wheel!)

 

I have seen both. I ended up getting the Escort 9500i. The GPS speed is awesome especially in a car where the speedo is off. Also I REALLY like the functions of GPS marking the speed traps and being able to tell it to ignore signals that I know are from airport radars, stores, etc...

The V1 users love the arrows. To me those were pointless because if I get a hit I slow down. Doesn't matter if its from in-front of me or behind me. I also would say I have an above average scan and SA so I generally I can figure out where the cop is within a couple of seconds if the cop is within sight. So to me the arrows didn't matter.

What does matter is which picks up the police quicker. That is where it counts! The rest is just icing on the cake or personal preference.

 

That is awesome! Good mod

 

If they are within sight, there is no need for a detector in the first place. Having the arrows lets me figure out where they are while they are out of sight.

The 9500i sounds really nice with the GPS. If it was out when I bought a V1 12 years ago I might have gotten it instead. One major drawback to the Passport is the lack of upgrading available. With the V1 you get upgrades, some free, some at a discounted price. I upgraded an 8 year old V1 to the latest model for way less than half price. If some other technology comes out, the V1 will be upgradeable to it. Passport doesn't offer such a service. I can live without GPS features. I'd rather decide what is a cop and what is a false signal. I like the sensitivity the V1 has.

Either the V1 or a 9500i is your best choice today. 9500i you get GPS, V1 you get upgrades and directional indicators. It's up to what features you want.

 

The Passport can be upgraded. If not they lied on the the box! If memory serves correctly you use a usb or something. I need to check on my manual and then I will report back to make sure I am not spreading lies!


Agree on the V1 or 9500i.

 

I just checked and you're right, the USB allows software upgrades. I couldn't find any info on whether or not Passport will give you a discount on upgrading when hardware changes are needed.

 

Glad you found that because I couldn't find my manual. I think its back in Texas! or in my garage... hmmm

 

The Valentine 1 is good; however there customer service is terrible.

 

I have and COBRA 12 bands thay work very good..68$ dollard at brand smart usa ... model is 9330..

 

Really? What kind of bad support have you gotten from them?

Nothing but good things here with mine. I've talked to Mike a couple times when I called with questions. I also had no trouble with the 3 or 4 times I've sent it in for updates. Always was returned with 2 day shipping and took less than 1 week total.

 

I have never had bad customer service from Valentine... I have ordered a few units at various times for different cars and they are always ultra helpful...

 

Have had the 9500 since 3/07. It has the USB capability but have not heard of any updates and have not questioned pricing for same. Got me thinking however that maybe I should check. I guess it time to RTFM, again even though its only 30 little pages.
9500s are warranteed for a year. How long for the Valentin?

 

Could not find a reference for software upgrades in the manual nor on the website. It seems as though the USB port allows the user to backup TrueLock data and "other software functions".
I am going to contact Escort and determine exactly what the "other software functions" are and why I would want to back them up in the first place. Maybe to reload after an upgrade?? Maybe there is an upgrading capability??? I guess if you can back up to a computer you can download to the detector. Time will tell.

 

If you happen to be from virginia, and reading this thread, a canadian company called beltronics mnufactures a vey pricey model which cannot be seen by radar detector deectors due to a special housing. It is marketed toward truckers who legally cannot carry a radar detector and has tested closely with the V1 in detection abilities. Just an fyi...

 

Isn't it a felony to have a radar detector in Virginia? I heard somewhere it is something gawd awful like that...

 

Depends on why you want one.

The V1 will always give you more information hands down. However depend upon your driving style and why you want a RD that may hinder more than help.

Any of the upper Escorts will get reception on par with the V1.

For me the whole purpose of a RD is increased situational awareness, they are not cop detectors or licenses to speed. The V1 tells me where, what type and how strong radar signals are in relation to me and locates those sources. It also does an amazing job of picking up laser scatter off other vehicles on busy highways.

The V1 is also highly customizable, not only in programing from the factory but also in options available (displays audio controls remote audio 3rd party displays etc.) However it is also an exemplary instrument straight out of the box, an awful lot like the MINI.

With a driver that responds to information from radar detectors they usually pay for themselves pretty quickly, the V1 accomplished that within a week, before the month was out it had paid for itself over again in saves that required providing information that no other non-modular permanent install detector could provide.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=125979

http://www.radardetector.net/viewforum.php?f=23

 

No, it's a traffic violation, no points, but they will confiscate the detector. I just moved from Norfolk after 4 years (gee, guess what I do) and I've seen many a detector get taken. Some of the police units have radar detector detectors. Some people have developed radar detector detector detectors! It gets pretty ridiculous.

The "godawful" you have heard of is the "Abusive Driver Fees", which very recently got repealed due to their obvious unconstitutionality. These are the laws where a turn signal violation (yes, not using your turn signals!) will get you a $1000 fee, tacked onto the ticket. This fee cannot be waived or reduced by judges, and is mandatory. Basically, everything above simple speeding (which is <20mph over, <80mph) gets you anywhere from $1000 - $3000 in fees.

But - and here's the rub - it applies only to drivers LICENCED IN VIRGINIA. That meant that anybody with a non-virginia licence could blow through as fast as they wanted and not get hit with these fees, while us poor schlubs that live in the communistwealth get screwed. This is the reason it was unconstitutional, and the reason it got repealed.

Now you know... Basically, stay the hell out of virginia if you can. It's not a friendly state to motorists.

 

V1

 

V1

 

I have this model. It is the Bel STI Driver and it works great! I also drive a truck for a living, but don't use it at work because our trucks are speed governed. The only reason I have this model is it was a Circuit City display they sold for $350 with an extended warranty. So far so good.

 

Agreed. I've only dealt with them once, but it was a good experience.

In my case, I had a V1 break on me that was several years out of warranty. They fixed it for free and shipped it back to me on their dime.