So, I figured this would've been discussed extensively here, but for some reason, a search is showing zero results.

Does anyone have an opinion on the pros/cons of various radar detectors? I'm really not sure what to look for, and a lot of them look very similar or the same for very different prices.

I've seen some references to the Valentine 1, but I'm not sure I want to spend that much. Can something decent be had for, say, under $100?

Thoughts?

 

Under $100? Probably not worth owning.

Look, it's your money, but just think how much a speeding ticket will end up costing? First there is the cost of the ticket. (I was issued one while I was riding my bike, $505.. if I were to pay it.) Then there are the insurance surcharges for the next 3+ YEARS...

I'm not saying a detector will prevent you from getting a ticket, (that's absurd, only you can prevent getting a ticket), but a detector gives you a leg up on protecting yourself from what is now becoming revenue generation.

Some of the new detectors are GPS enabled and can store or have a database of speed cameras, and traps.

One is even a combo GPS/radar detector (Passport IQ)

All of the ones worth owning cost over $400. (some much more)

I've got a V1, had it for at least 10 years. (send it back every couple of year to get updated and refurbed.)

like the guy said, "Speed is a question of money, How fast do you want to go?"

 

I've had a V1 for over 10 years and it's paid for itself at least five times over. It is really useful information to know where the signal is coming from. If I was going to buy another one, That's what I would get again.

 

Tried 3 different Passport, Bel 985 and the V1. V1 is my choice. The arrows dont fool you. It has saved me a bunch on Tickets.

 

Valentine One aka V1

I had a Fuzzbuster in the '70s; an Escort in the '90s; and a V1 for about 8-10 years. IMO, the V1 is by far the best. Like others (but since I live 40 minutes from the company) I take mine in when there in an upgrade. A few months ago I took it in to have an upgrade to avoid "Falses" due to the traffic radar they are putting up around Cincinnati.

I am not a flagrant speeder, but I have been known to go a little over the limit at times. Of course I have always considered the "speed limit" to be the minimum. and I do try to drive very carefully. The arrows are extremely helpful as there is nothing sneakier than a police car coming up from behind.

I mounted mine above the rear view mirror and wired it into the upper console using the adapter from Valentine. It is up high for good reception, does not block my view, yet is very close to my line of sight.

It can be seen from the front outside, but it is not obvious. I slip the visor clip under the inside windshield trim. It is a neat and clean installation and if need be, I can quickly unplug it and slip the V1 out of the bracket.

 

I have three V1's; one in each car. If I travel, I put it in my suitcase for use in a rent a car. I think the high end Escort is probably just as sensitive, but does not indicate the direction of the threat; being able to know if the threat is coming up from behind, is hiding in a cross street, or is up ahead is a really big plus.
Don't waste your money on a $100 cheapy.

 

Haven't used a radar detector since the early 90s when I got 3 tickets in four years, while using a radar detector.

I had a false sense of security the the radar detector.

And unless officers have become less smart or detector technology has become magical, how do you defend against radar that is switched off and then on, just as you pass by it ? Every time I got nabbed, the detector went from silent to "oh **** mode" in the matter of a milisecond.

 

i have been running a passport escort for probably 4 years now, its not i licence to speed but it has gotten me out of 20+ tickets since i have had it.... i paid about 350 for it and it works like a champ. gps stuff is neat but unnecessary. the V1 is good but the only thing it dose different i know of, is if shows the direction of the signal, and that seems pointless to me as well.

cruising down the highway with another car going 85-90, i start picking up a signal and slow down, then watch the other guy keep going and get pulled over in front of me.

but nothing can help you if the cop doesn't turn it on till you are in view, or if he is using laser, if one of those happens but the time your detector makes a noise its to late.

 

I got a Bel GX-65 Pro last year.
Pretty similar in construction and performance to the Escort Passport 9500ix.
In addition to good radar performance, it has an updatable GPS database that
shows you when you're approaching red light cameras and photo radar sites.

 

I have gotten two tickets (luckily the officers didn't put it as speeding), both times I would have been saved if I had my radar detector installed at that time...

They are expensive, but as many people have said, they are worth it.

Not only are speeding tickets expensive, but the points on your license don't help either as well as raised insurance premiums.

 

Valentine all the way. Been using their product for almost 20 years. Send it in every 3-4 years for an update. Paid for itself ten times over with me.

 

Valentine 1 is a really good investment, and can be upgraded for life. I've had mine since 2002 and it's a great tool. If nothing else, it's nice to know what's going on around you.

 

Trust me that the technology has progressed in the last 20 years. The V1 is light years ahead of your old Fuzzbuster. And much better than the Escort Passport.

Bite the bullet and get a V1. It works and pays for itself over and over. That is unless your top speed is 55 in which case you don't need anything.

Rich

 

I have both the latest V1 and also a Escort 9500ix I have in 2 different MINI's and another one of my cars.

I have to say that both are a very very worthwhile investment! The Escort is an amazing radar if you don't want false alarms too often, the V1 is the same but just goes off a bit more.

Owning both I am satisfied with the performance of both, the Escort goes off only when it needs to while the V1 offers the arrows but it throws a lot more false alerts.

Yet, you will not be 100% safe, you can easily still be lasered or paced, investing in K40 Jammers or the Escort Jammers is a wise idea as well if it is legal in your state/or if you risk running them.

 

Sheesh guys! I thought everyone knew that mini's don't need no stinkin' radar detector. They're so small that they travel UNDER the radar!

 

+1 Bought my first in '97, and another for the wife a few years ago.

I don't drive as fast as I used to, but it's both helpful and entertaining to watch the V1 tell you who is where. Used it with friends on road trip to CO and back. I left them (and the V1) in CO - they said it came in handy on the way back. As has been said, with laser you're basically screwed, but the vast majority of hits aren't laser, and it's fun to watch the Ka light up, then see the trooper hiding out in a depression or over a hill.

As for a $100 detector, you can find plenty of those. But sometimes cheap is cheap.
You can call V1 and get a reman unit for a few bucks (10%?) less than new, or find them on ebay at a bit of a discount.

 

A good, sensitive detector can pick up the "burst mode" signal when it is activated against a vehicle down the road ahead of you. It has a distinct pattern when detected, often seen as an intermittent signal that is relatively strong each time it is picked up. Now, I guess if you're the only car on the road or happen to be the very first vehicle illuminated, you may be screwed - and also very unlucky.

During a recent MINI convoy down to the Ozarks, I was leading the pack with my new V1 while the guy behind me had an older model Escort. At our cruising speed I was typically picking up bogeys 10-20 seconds earlier than he was. The whole group was usually able to settle into the posted speed by the time he got his first sniff. We observed some amazing hiding places for radar traps that we never would have even seen if we'd not known that we were being painted by radar. That one trip alone sold me on the value of the V1.

 

I have sold my radar detector. Here's why...

Radar is unreliable. Its too easy to fight in court and win. In my state, Maryland, they don't even use radar anymore because judges will almost always give the benefit of the doubt to the driver. Radar is too sensitive to interference. Things like other cars, street signs, and even some of the new tech that's on cars (back up sensors that use radar). There have been numerous cases of radar guns clocking completely stationary objects at over 100mph.

What we do have to deal with is Lidar, or laser guns. That's why I sold my radar detector and got a laser interceptor system. Its easy to update your self via USB, and it not only detects the lasers and warns you, it jams the laser preventing the cop from getting a reading. I have a couple of good friends in the state police and we tested it out, and as of a month ago the jamming works 100% against Maryland guns. Now, they may update, but LI is generally pretty quick with updates to counter. They are decently expensive, but totally worth it IMO

 

I went online and did some research, and watched some video's from Radar Guy. I have a Escort REDLINE it has been tested and has picked up radar to 14 miles away!! This did do better than the V1 in his tests.
It has the bonus of being invisible to radar detector detectors for the states that they are illegal.
I'm very happy with mine,it is not cheap though around $500.00 for this one, but it is worth it.
It will also pick up laser ahead if it has been shot at another car.
Check out the Escort Redline performance.

 

I have 2 RX65's, now called the Beltronics 300 Pro. I love the unit, for around $300 you get great performance and quick signals being picked up. I wish it was a GPS unit to program in the known false alerts of my drive, but saving ~$200, I am ok with it beeping more often it needs to. My furthest pickup of signal has been 11-12 miles, twice now. It has paid for itself a few times

 

1. I agree that radar is unreliable. Many years ago, I had just arrived in Virginia from overseas, and was stopped by an Arlington cop while merging onto the Shirley Highway. I was not even speeding, but the delivery truck that I had slowed for to let pass was. I'm pretty sure the cop picked up the truck on his sidelobe, and I told him that when he ticketed me, but he ticketed me anyway. I knew I should fight it, so I did. But I lost. Welcome to Virginia. (I know, even a radar detector wouldn't have helped me on that one, since I wasn't even speeding.)

2. Lidar jammers are illegal in many states, including mine. Check your state's vehicle code.

 

Used to be the Valentine was the best, no question. Not any more. Escort and Bel both make top notch detectors that will even outperform the Valentine. For me, it just comes down to features, the user interface, and price. I have two Escort 8500's. I'd only consider those three brands and no, you're not going to find anything decent for 100 or less. Expect to pay 250 or more. And yes, they can save your butt but they aren't perfect either.

As for the direction indicators that the Valentine has, I think they're highly over rated. If you get a warning of a Ka signal, are you going to slow immediately or are you going to first see where the signal's coming from and then make your decision? If I get a Ka hit, I'm going to react immediately and then I can easily figure out where the signal is coming from by the change I see in the strength as I motor down the road.

 

Does anyone recommend the Escort Passport 9500ix? I'm going on a 3,000 mile trip next week and after reading this thread I'm really thinking about buying one.

 

Or just do a stealth install =)

 

Radar is actually quite reliable as long as the officer using it does so
according to the standards and procedures he learns in the mandatory
training.

As far as laser jammers, the officer is trained what to look for
when clocking a vehicle and after the vehicle has been stopped
to determine if a jammer is being used. You can't hide the jammer heads
as they have to be out in the open to work.

...ED