He I know that place, they know what they're talking about.

I have a V1, it pays for itself about once a week. As far as the "best" detector it's going to be a matter of finding one that suits you.

As far as most sensitive, right not the leader of the pack is the Escort Redline, followed by the V1, followed by the Escort 9500 platforms, and the Belectronics STi systems, then the Escort 8500 (non x50) series, Beltronics V995 and Escort x50s). However Escort adds filtering in a way that means against instant on radar and quick trgger radar, the Escorts can have a delayed to total failure to alert, the 9500i/ix/ci have a GPS option, called true lock and autolearn, which can learn where the falses are on routes you frequently drive eliminated much of the chatter other detectors have, but technology being imperfect, you can run the risk of true locking out police radar; for many that drive in areas that a chatty detector wouldn't be used at all this is a very valid systemto warrant the risk associated. The V1 is very sensitive, and frequently is undisputed as the most sensitive detector, however it's antenna design has an Achilles heel in that one specfic frequncy (35.5) and so therefore brand of radar gun (Kustom Signals) suffers reduced sensitivity in comparison to the Escorts. The Bel STi series detectors are the only truly detectors immune from radar detector detection, which is only an issue if you're driving a truck in VA or much of Canada (mainly eastern) or Europe.

So that answers your question a little bit to which is best, they each have characteristics that suit different drivers, locations and philosophies.

Now it seems you've got a budget, so we're going to spend a little time on the sub $200 detector. I'll warn you straight up right now anything under $100 will not provide adequate protection against any speed trap where the officer applies themselves toward thwarting people using detectors (they say it shows intent and tend to look for detector users if they've seen quite a few cars going the limit, feeling that their hand has been tipped).

You're options in the Sub $200 range, I'd say the best value for money is the Escort 8500 (non x50); it uses the old Escort S7 antenna design that is more sensitive than the M4 platform utilized in the x50 models. Next would be the Beltronics V9xx series (number varies depending upon who is having a sale at the moment higher the better) these are very similar to the Escorts (basically the same company rebranded with slightly different pacakaging and interfaces) The other in this general Bracket would be the Whistlers, the Pro78se is a fantastic budget detector that comes in at just above $200, save up the little bit or find it on a good sale.

You should avoid the following, Cobra, Rocky Mountain Radar and K40. The Cobras leak RF interfere with other detectors and suffer from poorly designed small antennas that have very limited range. RMR and K40 are merely boxes with flashy lights, that do not function in the slightest bit as advertised.

You should also note that all of this is discussion of RADAR, when it it comes to LIDAR, more commonly referred to as Laser, you need a Jammer to have protection, Veil assists jammers but cannot protect you, and alerts offered by the above detectors are merely notifications the officer just got your speed and you've been had. There is one exception to this it is called "laser scatter" and is a rare occurrence (less than 1%), however I do have a video with two instances of this that I am yet to finish editing.

Mount your detector high, center and level for best preformance; and if you go the V1 route the cheapest proce and newest units are ordered direct, the Escorts/Beltronics lose warranty if not bought from an authorized reseller or direct (the 8500 refurbs on ebay from Escortradar are factory direct and warrantied)

 

I sold it with the older program and went with an old escort 8500. Upgraded to a newer escort solo unit and then sold it for a newer v1. Had the v1 for 2years until the 9500 ix came out. The bels I had before all of those. First radar was a cobra I had for 3 months lol

You can also mute the weak warnings for k band its just not an easy menu to work with.

 

V1.

 

V1's in each of our vehicles. Can't beat those direction indicators, especially with multiple radars in the area.

 

Yeah those $100 are probably mostly junk, you are gonna have to fork it over for a good detector like Valentine, Bel Sti, or Escort.

 

Yes but the upgrades are so pricey that it pays to sell your old one and buy a new one. That said I have had a V1 since they were first available and have not upgraded yet. And it works perfectly. Great range and good accuracy.

Sure, no laser but with laser it is mostly too late anyway if the cop gets it right. But I have found that when the laser guy is around on my way to work, he has the radar in his car on too. Not that there are not enough speeders to snag within a couple of minutes anyway as it is a downhill 35MPH zone. I think they buy the lasers because the like the toys.

But hands down the V1 is the only way to go. If you like to drive your Mini the way it was intended to be driven, the cost is minimal.

Rich

 

I have been using radar detectors since I could first drive....1981. I think I have caught more police with my naked eye than the machines ever have

 

Which Machines?

(skip ahead through the extra 1 mn leader)

 

I have had a line of ESCORT Passport radar detectors. First one was a 8500 X50, said service required right after the 1 year warranty. I had the Best Buy warranty and upgraded to a 9500i. That one then had a faulty speaker after about 1 year. Replaced under new Best Buy warranty. Onto third 9500i now and no problems yet (crosses fingers). Other than the hick ups I have had, they are amazing. Expensive, but amazing. Saves me a lot. Thanks, ESCORT.

 

Man, you guys must have lots of cops in your area. Around Portland, I see a cop scanning people about once or twice a month, if that. I've never had a ticket, and drive about 10-15 over most of the time - no machine.

 

Thought I would save some money so I bought a cheap radar detector that went off at everything to the point that it was not usable. Saw a V-1 on the marketplace so went ahead and purchased it used then found out you can turn off the X band so with that gone all was good. Arrows tell you where to look and when traveling the open roads have seen hits from a CHP officer pulled over directing traffic from 7 miles away. Several times it has saved me already and with it hardwired in above my mirror it is out of sight and taking care of business.

Anyone need a cheap radar detector let me know it will go off almost constantly but at least you know that it is on that way

 

It's the V1 for me although I hated paying for it, with my driving style it is well worth the cost.

 

My v1 went off at every toll booth...any one else have that problem?

 

Radar detectors should be like Windows software -- they should get regular updates to their operating systems. Lacking that, you can never be truly certain that you are covered, and the only thing the arrows may tell you is where to look for the blue lights.

The problem with any device like this is that the people who make radar also have product development departments who constantly come up with newer and better stuff. If you are not on their product development mailing list, you may miss a new and excitiing upgrade.

If you put your money into a radar detector, the best you can hope for is to be protected till the next product development cycle for the boys in blue.

You can quickly wind up with a drawer full of expensive gadgets that are no longer useful after the local gendarmarie gets their March 2010 update.

It appears to me that to avoid having to buy the latest and greatest rdar finder each month all you can really do is just say no and keep your spped to a reasonable level (we seldom see anyone getting stopped for speeds that are within 10 or 15 miles of the posted limit (except on the Pennsylvania Turnpike where .5 mph over will get you an opportunity to see a radar gun up close and personal) .

It appears to me that I'd be better served to use my money to upgrade my wheels and tires rather than to buy a new beeper that is obsolete the minute I plug it in.

Oh, and I own an Escort 8500, and a whole drawer full of others. I gave up when Escort told me that I needed a 9500 and to send another $600 bucks immediately.

 

V1 ++++++

 

Mine goes off when I go through any toll booth that uses an EZ Pass, but it doesn't go off when I pass them on the highway. Must have something to do with the equipment that scans the passes as you go through the toll booth. They may also be checking your speed as most of those are posted for 15mph.

 

The toll booth alerts are from vehicle height/size measurement devices so they can tell if they should charge a car, truck, SUV with trailer and so on.

There's 3 radar bands, and laser, there hasn't been "need to upgrade" for several years now, it's more just adding features and honing of equipment.

 

My 9500ix goes of maybe 1 out of 10 passes through the Illinois open road toll booth.

 

Valentine used to be head and shoulders above all the rest on basic performance. Not true any more. The top units from Escort and Bel are for all intents and purposes equal. It really comes down to features. I run an 8500 on my bike and in my Mini. My wife has one as well. I've been tempted to get a 9500 but really don't need the extra features. As for the Valentine's arrows, I think their value is overated. Are you going to delay slowing down while you check to see where the arrow is coming from? Probably not if you're smart. You'll slow down immediately and if you don't have the arrows, the warning will diminish and disappear or get stronger and then you'll see what it was. No big deal not having the arrows.

Stay away from all the other brands. Cobra and especially Rocky Mountain.

 

Oh, and check out these links:

http://www.radarbusters.com/

http://www.radartest.com/

 

And read this review: http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=9090

Like I said, Valentine used to be the best. That's no longer true. It's bested in a number of catagories by the top of the line Escort and Bel and the Valentine has no where near the features. And it's not as user friendly. Also, in the Valentine part of the review, read the bit about the false alarms and the arrows hunting around. For 100 dollars less, you can get an 8500 that will out perform it and is much easier to program and use.

 

If I know it is slowly coming up behind me, I'd consider speeding up instead of slowing down. Slow down and let the cop who is only going 1 or 2 mph faster than you eventually catch up and then you go slow with him until he decides to pull someone over? I don't know about that. If he's coming up from behind and you know it because you have the arrows, there are other options to consider.

 

I read the review. He rags on it for still talking about X-band and not having all the "features" of the others. To that I say: So what and so what? Those "features" seem mildly amusing at best and certainly not helpful. User-friendly? What else do you want it to do? It's a radar/laser detector! It maybe takes 2 seconds to program once, and then it is as "easy to use" as any other.

That part about the false alarms: what made the alarm false? Was it NOT detecting radar? And the arrows hunting around: In an area with lots of reflective surfaces (ie buildings downtown) you wouldn't be going over the speed limit anyway (I'd hope).

 

Sounds risky to me. How do you know he hasn't already got a bead on you? He could be closer than you think.

 

True, when you get down to it and they're both programmed, it's about performance. And the Escort beats or equals the Valentine for 100 dollars less. I just don't see the arrows being of any real significance.