Just out of curiousity since I've never used the directional V1, you would only know which side of your car the cop is on, right? You wouldn't necessarily know he/she is on the other side of the highway, right. One thing you V1 folks are not pushing, which I think is also big, is the number of radar sources in a location. i.e. a cop is sitting next to a gas station using k band, while the gas station also triggers alerts.

 

Very cool.

 

No, it will not tell you it's on the other side of the road, but if you are picking up radar from the front, which is getting stronger quickly, it's a good bet where the cop is. You have to get used to the nuances of the alerts. A great example of both direction and number of alerts occurred this morning. At a particular location, at a school, the detector always picks up a low power alert coming from the side (at the school). I just happened to receive my upgraded V1 last night and put it in this morning. On the way to work, at the typical location, the bogey counter counted 2 alerts instead of the normal 1. Also the arrows showed both radar from the side (which I always pick up) and from the front. Sure enough, police radar was posted ahead. Had I had a non-V1 detector, I would not have known of the additional radar and probably would have ignored the alert.

 

If you don't get either a V1 (my far away best choice), a Passport 9500 or 8500, or top line Bell, no matter what you pay, you don't have a worthy detector.

 

I have had many, many different types of radar detectors at different price points. The Valentines, Escorts and Passports are great and on the big $$$ side of the spectrum (although from the forums it looks like certain Escort models do have a problem from MINI electrical interference). If price were no object the V1 is what I would purchase. However, they have a number of drawbacks as well. They are power corded (not wireless). Therefore, IMHO they are best for a hard wire job.

The Cobras seem to give way too many false alarms, although I have never gotten a ticket when using one. They are, however, much less expensive than a V1 but do not show the direction from whence the radar or laser come. They are not wireless so unless you do a permanent install you'll have that power cord hanging or wrapping around somethng. Most also do not have voice commands.

Wireless detectors generally do not have the range of a corded detector when used wireless. However, with new batteries or a fuil charge they can come pretty close. They are much more portable and do not require hard wire mods.

For me, I have found the wireless PNY Sensoro to be fantastic. I easily take it car to car, and can hide it in the glove compartment when I leave the car. It also has a motorcycle headjack. It provides voice cues as to the type of signal and voice highway alerts. It also has four sensitivity levels and automatic shut-off to save batteries when no signal is detected for 45 minutes. While it may not show the direction from which a signal comes, it does show signal strength and gives audio and visual cues. When corded I have tested it against a V1 and the signal distance is comparable. When it is fully charged and wireless it was nearly as good as the V1 with regard to range. However, it cost less than $100.00.

It is really a choice that should be based on use, utility and cost.

 

thanks for the input everyone! i truly appreciate it! still awhile before i go out and buy, so feel free to add your dos centavos!

 

I have seen the 9500, 8500, x50 in MINIs without issue.


The bogey count on the V1 seemed a really helpful feature, and my initial reaction to Wendy wanting one was get the V-1... then I checked out the Passport site to see if there was anything new...and got sold on the 9500.

9500, V-1... no matter which way you go you're going to have a good unit. I would stay away from whistler, cobra, and the like... just seems you get what you pay for.