Here we go .... 40 more posts that are personal opinions ...

Boludo ... go do some research on the Internet .....

 

I have a 8500, very satisfied with it, did you try to custumize the detector, so you won't jump from your seat everytime it goes off, I have min. settings on X band and the rest are optimum.

Passport 8500 saved my life several times, and here in TX, State troopers are something else...

Did not use the V1, but I made an extensive research before I bought 8500 and seemed like the best one.

 

I have the 8500, i love it... The valentine is awesome also... i think they are about the same, except for the cool Arrows on the V1, which are kind of a gimick due to the fact that when i get hit by Ka i slow down no matter what direction it comes from.

I bought my 8500 at Best Buy with a Best Buy waranty so that I can swap it anytime i want within 2 years, so when something better comes out, i can get it....

So unless the arrows are a must have, go for the cheaper 8500 becasye ut has the same level of performance...


Thats my two cents...

 

Let me once more say the K40 Undetectable.

It consists of 2 LED's and 2 peizo speakers (3 if you add the laser jammer/detector). One LED is front, one is rear (and one is laser) (the V1 only has 2 detectors, and lights up the side <-> when both detect). One detector goes behind the plastic of the bumper (or behind a plastic grill, just no metal), and the other behind the plastic of the rear bumper. Because the detectors are not behind the glass (which can contain lead, and weaken detection power), they work better. Because it is hidden, you dont have to worry about theives breaking into your car for it. I've noticed cops are less likely to give you a ticket if you dont have a radar detector as well.

Lastly, cops can tell how fast you are going (within 2.5mph) just by looking at the speed of your vehicle (as anyone who's been to Kilgore PDI), they only use the Radar/Laser to back up their observations.


Also, why not use a blocker if you are intent on speeding so much you need to spend $400+ to help prevent a $120 ticket?

http://www.auto-radar-detectors.com/phazradjam.html

 

Your in the minority religion ...

see https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ginia+speeding

some states have nasty speeding laws.

 

Never owned one. Just curious, how far off can a rader detector detect a cop 'illuminating' your car?

 

it dispersed off the car infront and to the side of me, or I was just going 40km over the speed limit and they decided not to pull me over, hmmmm
[font=sans-serif]Cookie[/font]

 

Seems like there are only 2 choices, V1 and passport. I opted for the cordless SOLO 2 (just like the passport), mainly because the silver case matches the interior trim and I HATE having a long cord dangling all the way down to that useless lighter plug. So far, so good, as long as you use some common sense with it.

 

At that point, it's too late if it's illuminating your car. the detector works on the principle that the radar gun will be used on cars ahead of you and picks up the scatter of that radar pulse.

So if you're speeding by your lonesome and get tagged, the detector will let you know you've been nailed. It's happened to me.

Like Yucca Patrol mentioned, a detector is just another tool available to the driver. The true signal processor is the loose nut between the wheel and the seat. :smile:

Having been one of those nuts with the tickets and high insurance rates to prove it, I no longer use a radar detector in the metro area. I pay attention to the traffic in front of me to notice sudden braking, esp in the left lane. I pay attention to where they sit and take it easy in those areas when I drive by again. I pay attention to cars and suvs that move up quickly behind me esp at night.

When instant on and laser paint you, it's game over, no matter how subtle your braking is if you're moving at a clip. Now if the yahoo in front of you gets painted, your detector will work.

Don't forget about VASCAR. It's a stop watch and a set distance they're timing. Can't get a reading on that with a detector.

Another trick I've seen them do is set up a stationary radar gun "Your speed is..." and sit around the bend to nail you after you speed up.

Now to answer your question, depending on the terrain and background noise, it could be up to a mile if your detector is sensitive and has good signal processing.
_________

"Intellectually, I knew what to expect. Emotively, HOLY SH**!!!!!!!"
-- A friend, after driving my stock 05 MCS for the first time

 

I've had a few cheap (under $100) radar detectors over the years, and got two tickets with them active in the car. I bought a V1 last year, but in retrospect, I would have gotten the tickets with the V1 in the car too because one was instant on with no other cars around (cop popped over a crest and nailed me) and the other one was laser.

I used the V1 for a few trips, but ended up selling it. Here in Ohio the highway patrol (the largest per capita HP force of any state the last I heard) predominantly uses laser, and the V1 (or any other detector) offers little to no real protection for laser. I find being watchful and alert here in Ohio is the best protection, no speeding tickets in the last four years and I used to average one or two a year. I usually stick to 9-10 mph over the posted limit though and that is usually safe on the highway. Outside of Ohio, I've been relatively safe at up to 20 mph over as long as I don't do stupid things while speeding.

Another thing that really has seemed to help has come with age. I don't drive bright flashy cars anymore (I've owned two Mustangs, one orange, the other red), and my age/appearance has really seemed to help. When I do get pulled over now (seems to happen 5 or 6 times a year for various things), I don't get tickets anymore for some of the same things I used to 12-15 years ago. I got pulled over in my MC last month, just a week after I bought the car for doing 10 mph over on a state route close to home here (it was dusk, didn't see the cop until too late). It would have normally been a ticket, but I'm convinced that my clean record, my age, my respect for the cop, and the car I was driving kept me from getting the ticket.

-Keith

 

125 Speeding ticket? If that was the only cost you might have a point. Insurance will nail you a surcharge which will make a Valentine 1 seem like a bargain. (Which I picked a used one up here for that $125 )

Laser will get you, but with a jammer you get time to slow down to not get a ticket. Also laser requires work on the polices part, same with instant on. Which woul you rather do, sit in your car and wait for the alarm to go off to catch the speeder in A/C or heated comfort? Or sit outside with your laser gun in the weather aiming and trying to nail speeders?

K40 makes a jammer. Goes on long enough to give you a reaction time. Thats all you need.

Get one of the ones mentioned here. Their pricey but you only cry once at the price.


Paul

 

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Actually, VASCAR is the true killer. No detection. Not much to argue with the Judge. You've had it.

 

Sure is a lot easier and more relaxing to drive about 5 over and let someone else get the ticket. Saves gas too.

 

If I wanted relaxing I would have bought a big relaxing car. Not a fast fun car.

Paul

 

Sorry, I didn't realize going 20 over the limit was required to enjoy a MINI.

 

Huh? Are you Advocating that you HAVE TO SPEED? That you bought a MINI to speed? What are you saying?

 

I was trying to advocate not preaching about how to drive in a thread about "Which is the best Radar Detector".

I didn't buy a Mini to drive "non-sprited". If the driving experience wasn't what I was after I could have spent far less money...

Paul

 

Speed enforcement is generally a combination of several things, public safety concerns and revenue enhancement for the jurisdiction being chief among them. If you would rather not spend your money on paying additional bureaucrats salaries, as well as allowing your insurance agent to get that Rolls-Royce he's always dreamed of, I suggest that you put down some $300 to $400 greenbacks for a quality detector like the Valentine One (V-1) or Passport 8500. I have personally used the V-1 for nigh on a decade and it's kept me ticket free, despite having stumbled into several "speed traps" over that period. I consider these two detectors to be about the only ones worthy of my personal cash outlay as they really do provide positive return on investment. Remember, just one ticket may exceed the radar detector's cost when you figure in insurance premium hikes, fines and potential loss of driving privileges.

I V-1, do you?

 

That comes across better Spirited driving is always welcome. Reckless Driving (which in the case of VA is 20 over the limit) ends up with serious consequences ... or so they say.

 

V1 all da way .....it had save me many times.....only 1 time got tag at 160 mph in my Z8...not enough time to slow down

 

Dude ... have you read this https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...age=guidelines ?

 

V1 because it has arrows that tell you whihc direction radar is coming from. IMO, there is nothing better in radar detection than knowing which direction the police is coming from. The arrows are as the say "priceless"

 

So, how far away can that scattered radiation be detected? (A mile or so? Less?)

 

There are many reviews on the net. Just google radar detector reviews.

It depends upon the band and the curve in the road.

Go read the reviews ...lots of info.:smile:

 

V-1 All the way. On a tangent... $125 tickets? Not in CA... 10-15 over the speed limit is usually $200-$400 depending on the county.