Radar Detector Recommendation

Any suggestions for best radar detection devices?? Got my first ticket in my pcar. It was for a U turn on a side street, but it made me think that I should get some radar protection. Considering the way I drive the thing, I am surprised I haven't gotten a speeding ticket, thus I wasn't so upset with the cop giving me a ticket for something so simple likely because it was a porsche.

the guys here recomend valentine one.

i dont know?? most of the Porsche guys that have detectors run the V-1 and highly recommend them, i am also looking to buy one soon too. the tests he (mike at V-1) mentions where he trounced the the Passport 8500 was like many years ago. not so long ago his advertisements always mentioned pop mode, now he doesnt even mention that anymore and in the lasts few magazines the only thing that is highlighted is his double warning gimmick, nothing mentioned about performance. i would guess that the passport 8500 is his closest competition.

second the V-1.

Beltronics 995 and Escort 8500 X50 are the best performing detectors sold currently. Beltronics and Escort are sister companies and they currently hold 80% of the technology patents in the industry. V1 is/was a good detector, but technology has passed it by. If you want laser jamming as part of the package, the Beltronics unit has an LP901 and the Escort has the SR3 as add-ons to the above units. With those add-ons, you have the best radar technology combined with front and rear laser jamming. Disclaimer, I do not work for either Beltronics or Escort. However, I do sell the Beltronics units and am very imformed on current detector technology. For roughly $100 less than the V1, the above units outperform the V1 everytime.

I got a Bell tronix....came out as best in tests....bought it new on ebay for 230? I think but if a cop car is just following you a couple of cars behind, with no radar on..you are still going to be busted!! You got to have eyes in the back of your head and smell the cops.....

I just drove up to KC from houston on saturday with a V1, and I would highly recommend it. That detector is absolutely amazing. I went through a construction zone with those signs that tell you how fast you are going (via radar), and when i exited the construction, the V1 started to pick up the radar for the traffic going the other way. I went 3 miles past the sign before the detector stopped going off, way out of sight of it. In texas alone, I must have gone through nearly 2 dozen speed traps between houston and dallas, and it amazed me how far of a warning it gave me. Granted, that 250 mile stretch of so of highway was so congested, I don't think we got above 70.

I agree. No substitute for attentive driving. With smart driving habits you can avoid 80% of the tickets you might get. The best detector in the world wont save you everytime.

another vote for the V-1

V1 ... It has saved me many times

I will look into the Beltronix as well as the V-1. Maybe it's a good idea to create a list of smart driving habits so that we can all benefit from the unfortunate experiences of others.....

V1 in all my (3) P-Cars.......Better to know where they are and how many ......that alone is worth the money if all else were even.....and I don't think the V1 is lacking in range.....

I know the V1 is the crowd favorite here, but I've been happy with the Passport 8500, combined with heads up driving.

V1 is the way to go. Passport/Bel have an advantage in that they won't go off as much, but they also don't pick up as early either, so it's a bit of a tradeoff. IMHO it's better to think there is radar when there isn't than to think there isn't when there is. If you want laser jamming don't bother with anybody buy Blinder. Unlike with radar detection there is one brand ahead of everybody else and that is Blinder. Laser jamming isn't legal in quite a few states however. IIRC the information on Blinder and on legality of laser jamming can be found on www.radarbusters.com . There is also a radar/laser forum over at www.radardetector.net .

According to www.speedzones.com the best 3 are Bel Sti, Passport 8500 x50 and V1. Each does better than the other in certain categories but you can't go wrong with any of the three.

V1. Once you have the arrows, you can't go back. Even if another detector slight edges them out in range, the V1 typically goes off so early you'll have plenty of warning. The arrows are so helpful in determing where the cops are at, or if it's just a false. I had an alert once that started with a front alert. Then a side alert. Then shortly thereafter, a rear alert. I was totally scratching my head because I was on the highway in the middle of no where. Kept scanning the rear view. The cop had backed his car in behind some trees off on the side of the road. Couldn't see him till you passed him, and even then it was tough. Never would have figured that one out with a standard detector.

Yeah but with the v1 you still slowed down when you heard it beep..

absolutely. the V1 has saved my butt on many occasions. doesn't help much with laser though. the two times it went off, it was a nice way of scaring me to death with that laser alert, to let me know that i'm about to get pulled over skated on both

1 it's a radar detector not a cop detector 2 read up on sites that are non-biased. there are forums out there that are like the rennlist of radar detectors and from what i gather, V1 is the top choice (i ended up buying one a couple of months ago) 3 it's saved me 1 time since. the arrows are a cool, cool feature that i can't imagine being without. it's almost an entertainment piece 4 The V1 is only $100 more than the competition and it's better than the competition. up to you if it's worth $100 more. it comes with all the stuff you need to hardwire whereas some of the other detectors you need to look for it yourself (time is $$$) 5 laser is always the tricky one

I can't recall a recent test that I read (i.e. in the last year or two) where the V1 beat the 8500 X50, but last time I recommended it I got laughed at by the V1 crowd. Lets face it, if you only have 1 you will always think yours is best. So buy the X50 and V1 and judge for yourself, or read as many reviews as you can and go with the most recommendations (X50).

V1 here. I only use it for long distance trips. I will say this: A radar detector is only as good as you want it to be. Although the V1 has alerted me several times, I do admit that I keep a constant vigil every time I drive. Checking far into the distance for cops in medians, checking for sudden brake lights from cars up ahead and consistently looking for crown vics/impalas/camaros etc. in my mirrors as well. I do my best to stay aware of my settings at all times. I prefer the V1 because it does have the directional arrows. it just adds to my sense of security.

I recently had a K40 Calibre installed in my 01. I really like the concealment (only two blue LEDs in the dash beneath the tach) and the voice prompting. The LEDs (as well as the voice feature) act like the V1's arrows. I also got the laser diffuser installed with it. So far, I've been saved one ticket (in excess of go to jail speeds). We'll see how well it works as I continue to gain experience. For those in Houston, I highly recommend Houston Cartronics for the install.

In North Carolina, on IH-85, they also have a black Chevy Suburban that gets a lot of use and has surprised many a driver.

My V1's LIDAR alert saved me from a ticket. I was traveling about 20 mph above the limit when it went off and I immediately hit the brakes slowing down about 15 mph. I saw the deputy about 50 yards down the road and he glared at me as I drove past. I surmise me didn't get a sufficient read for court purposes so he did not write a citation.

With superior braking in Porsches you can essentially 'break lock' with some radar guns. They transmit pulses and the return doppler shift is compared to subsequent returns to see if it is 'logical.' If you have a deceleration rate that is considered outside the logical by the unit, it will dismiss it. For example, if the first return shows you at 90 mph, and the next shows you at 68 mph, it will reject it. This is one of several filters built into these things. The trick is (1) early warning and (2) serious deceleration (braking). But the early warning is critical. Dan

Interesting. I do brake hard when i see a patrol car. not that i brake so hard that i'm nose diving but enough to get me into the safe zone. but i do get annoyed when i pass by them and they (trooopers) look like their doing their bills instead of paying attention. The worst is those dummy vehicles. one portion of Maryland's I95 used to always have a patrol vehicle and a dummy in it (trooper hat and all!). You gotta hate that!

Dummy police -- is that an oxymoron?

Passport. It's 'da best .

My K40 calibre is as good as my V1 and difuses lazer=buys you a few more seconds to slow down. I had both in my car for 3 months. The blue leds are your arrows, front or rear. When the V1 sense returns from both front and rear the side arrows light up. I do not like to leave anything in the car that invites break in and I am too lazy to screw around with those suction cups all day. $1600 dollars versus a trip to court etc. No contest as far as I am concerned. Steve

Very true! The Patrolman may still pull you over but more than likely wont give you a ticket if you don't admit guilt when they ask "do you know how fast you were going?"

Passport SRX Costly, but very good, concealed, and Lidar jamming to boot

I had a Beltronix and ditched it in favor of my current V1. I just drove from San Diego to San Antonio and back at 95mph the whole way, and the V1 saved me FOR SURE 4 times and possibly a couple more times. Get a beltronix or passport if you want to hit the brakes every time you hear a beep. With the V1, I would hear an alert, and usually keep on going because it wasn't a threat to me. With a V1, you can go thru a speed trap and know that there is still another cop up ahead- but with other detectors you will think you are clear of danger just because you saw that you passed a cop on the side of the road. With the V1, it'll point to where they are, so you'll know there is still another one up ahead. Other detectors just go beep and you have to slam on the brakes with every alert.

I have 2 V1's. One is over a decade old and still working like it is new. I can't think of any other electronic device I have ever owned that is still working and yet not obsolete after such a long time. 2 other reasons I like Valentine: 1) My 2nd V-1 started acting up after the warranty expired. I sent it back and it was repaired free of charge. That is customer support I can live with. 2) I don't have the latest V1, but if I wanted one I can upgrade my old unit for less than cost of a new unit.

I have the latest solo, saved me many times. I like it.

Well, not exactly an oxymoron... more like a redundant statement!

I have the Passport SRX, it really is amazing and concealed. INSTALL PICS The only problem I have with the V1 is the damn size of it, it's like having a toaster oven on your windshield.

Been considering the Solo II. I like the cordless aspect of it. Any thoughts?

I have the Solo II and like it a lot. It is not as sensative as it runs on batteries but I like the size and the fact that there are no wires. I would buy another Solo. Adam

Riad, nice install! anyone have the V1 rearview mirror display?

I find the V1 to be light and small.

Compared to what, a microwave?

hahahahah! The v1 is big, but works well according to friends. My solo2 is great! Easy to hide or remove!

V1 You need the arrows to help locate the fuzz

V1...I have them in 2 of my cars...hasn't let me down yet....

Love my V1. Helped me land my fiance - he figured if I had a V1, not only did I have good taste but was serious about my driving. Riad - the display which you have mounted on the face of the cupholder - is it wired to the sensor/jammers in the front & rear or is it wireless?

anyone know the range difference b/w the Escort solo II and the 8500? I love the look and size but I understand the range differnces is fairly significant.

I actually removed the cup holder completely. The Passport interface that connects the radar under the front bumper and the laser jammers in the back and front bumpers is sitting in the front cup holder plate. We cut a hole in the cup holder plate and the interface is sitting inside it. I have a mute button located to the right of the gear shifter as well.