Radar Detectors - need advice

Hey guys - wondering if I could get your input on radar detectors, which one is best, what are the costs ,installation, etc. appreciate the opinions!

Don't buy one. I have one and don't use it any more. Drive sensibly and keep your eyes open and alert and that's far better than a radar detector. I have not used my detector this year. I got tired of reacting on instinct every time the thing beeped, rather than just driving naturally. I find that I'm a happier driver if I just watch the road, brake lights and parked police cars, rather than reacting to every beep.

Do a search here for Valentine 1.

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Valentine one (V1). -td

Good question, which is better, Passport or V1? lol....hiding behind the brick wall now. You might want to do a search here, there are countless threads on this subject. J

8500. Non-toaster

I have an 8500 and love it. It's perfect for local roads where the sheriffs drive with their radar on all the time. It prevents me from getting some ticket like "47 in a 40". I live in a somewhat rural area and drive quite carefully, but sometimes I'm a bit over and it's saved me countless times in those situations. Also, I'm probably more likely to be stopped in my Speed Yellow C4S than my black station wagon. On the highway it's a different story. I hope to pick up a signal when the troopers use instant on or I just watch for brake lights of cars in front of me as they near certain areas.

V1, no question. The arrows will change your life (for the better), avoiding the need to look like a bobblehead trying to spot the cop.

thanks everyone - will search

I've had the Escort 8500 for a number of years, and it has saved me quite a few tickets. It's very well filtered, and has excellent range. But I think there is an advantage to knowing where the radar unit is, so I'm ordering a Valentine as well. Rinty

Here is a test from Aug 2007 http://www.guysoflidar.com/august-20...ctor-test.html

Bought a V1 a month ago and has already saved me from getting two tickets...and I have only driven the P-Car 4 times over the month so I would say that it is money well spent...

I have an Escort 8500 and it works very well, esecially if you combine it with 'road smarts' while driving. Many of the local police leave their radar on so it can detect then from quite a distance. I don't drive my Porsche without it.

V1

V1--- it is nice to know even when I am at or close to going beyond 10 mph over.

+1 on the V1. I have another Cobra unit that you can have cheap if interested- just PM me.

I've had a v1 for 3+ years and have no complaints.

I use the 8500 in my car and on the motorcycle. Works very well. I usually sucker someone in to run ahead of me and "shake the bushes" to see if there is a cop coming .

8500 has worked well for years.

This isn't really the best place to be asking your question. Try here . That site has all the RD enthusiasts. Let the people who live for the technology guide you. Would you go to a radar detector site to ask which mods you should do to your pcar? I just got a Beltronics STi Driver based on what I learned there. Since I live near VA and drive in the state frequently there wasn't really another choice for me.

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wow - great link, thanks

And, when you get your V1, here is a link for hardwiring. https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...tine+hard+wire I did this last winter, and really like it.

V1... saved me and others I know time and time again.

Got the nada... having one gives me a ticket in VA.

I love my K40. Has saved me several times. Jay

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Gotta agree with this, I've found the same. However, if you are set on getting one, vist: www.radartest.com for unbiased reviews. The V1 is good, but Bell supposedly has a new one that's even better.

I've used them ALL--Uniden, Bel, Escort, Cobra, and there's no question in my mind that the Valentine 1 is the only one worth even worth a second look. Anyone that claims that the arrows aren't a big deal has never used one.

Remember that guy selling the lazer jammer. Everytime someone quipped up about the K40 he would rant and rant but never say he was an installer of the "other" brand? Geee I don't miss that guy.

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They might be useful if the V1 didn't false so much! And arrows are no substitute for GPS aware Radar units, such as the Passport Mike Valentine needs to stop peddling old 80"s tech, and spend some $$$ on R&D to catch up with Passport and the 21st C

My V1 has paid for itself many time over...

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You gotta use the logic modes. I drive in a city of about 500k, and I've gone days without a single false. And vice versa, but I'll take stick with the arrows. Huh? Mike Valentine was by far the first guy that seemed to understand that software updates were an essential part of owning a detector. I understand that Escort offers them now, but there seems to be no mention of them on its web site.

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Yup, I used that site when researching my purchase. I bought the Bel RX65 and it's a great radar detector - it really is. It does exactly as it isn't supposed to do and gives you real hits. http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=9090 Here's the problem. Even if you're driving in the flow of traffic and not doing anything that would provoke a ticket, if the detector goes off you are going to react and touch the brakes. That used to drive me nuts. I knew that I was not doing anything outside of what others were doing, but instinct and reflexes made me hit the brakes and slow down further. Now that's all well and good when you don't have that many police around, but in this area it generates paranoia and makes life hell because the police are everywhere. It literally made me miserable to be driving this great car and be so paranoid of getting a ticket, so I simply stopped using it and went back to my usual method of avoiding tickets and relying upon being aware of my surroundings. I still don't get tickets, but I'm a lot happier as a driver. The experience made me believe that unless you're a chronic and compulsive speeder, then a radar detector is a waste of money and will make you miserable. If you're measured and careful in how you put your foot down, then a radar detector is an expensive toy that you do not need.

I'd say Valentine One (V1) is the best for radar. For laser protection thats up in the air.

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There is no protection from laser. You have a hit on laser and it's nothing more than notification that you just got a ticket, but they haven't put it in your hand yet.

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Huh??? It warns me way ahead of this bend in my area that cops are working the area every 0-dark-30 in the morning when I go to work with their stray signal / before they could lock me on in a straight shot comfirmed , you're the only in road read-out. I see than as a fair protection for me in not getting a ticket. This is before I get to the bend. Well enough time for me slow down. I call that protection. Even in long stretches of road. V1 gives me subtle warning beeps way before the patrol car's radar get a positive lock on on me.

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Okay, I'll rephrase my comment, because you're right, sometimes you can get lucky and have advance notice that they're working laser in your vicinity, but it's not reliable. Laser does scatter, but not to the extent and distances that radar does because it is more focused and precise, therefore in many cases the first knowledge you will get of laser is when they hit you with it.

Wellard, I think you misread my post. I was refering to laser protection, not radar. Like I said, for Radar detection,warning, I still consider Valentine One as my number one choice. For Laser protection/shifting, this is the one I see that has the latest technology put into it http://www.escortradar.com/9500ci.htm

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No, I read you correctly. Laser is tough (although not impossible) to get advance warning, radar is easy. My Bel RX65 did warn for laser pretty well, but I remember one particular drive through CT where it was going off every 5 minutes because they were running speed traps all down I-84

here's a review on Laser detectors performance - note the relatively short distances compared with what you would expect for radar detection. http://www.laserveil.com/laser/detec...adar-detector/ ... yes, in those tests the V1 came out best for laser.

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You're confusing radar with laser/lidar. A detector offers PLENTY of protection from radar.

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You see, that's where the V1 starts to fall apart - you need to manually tell it which mode to be in to avoid the false positives - so you dumb down the detector to avoid it bleeping at you as you pass 7-Eleven every day, but then have to remember to manually alter the mode again when you're out on the freeway... Any sort of manual intervention means that you're: a) Going to forget to do it one day and miss that early alert you needed b) Just compensating for the lack of intelligence in the unit by effectively switching detection down/off to avoid the constant false alerts. The arrows were a great gimmick back in the day - but they are long past their sell by date. As for software updates on the V1 - if Mike can squeeze a GPS update into the V1 via software, with real time velocity detection, GPS speed trap location tracking, etc etc - then maybe I'll be impressed. I'm not holding my breath obviously....

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Sorry, I mistyped. My mind was saying laser, but I kept typing radar when I meant laser. I think hope was obvious what I was saying from my posts despite the typo.

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I've been painted with LASER by LEOs, and been able to react and avoid a ticket. First ocassion, they hit me 'early' as I was accelerating out of a slow speed zone heading N out of Vegas - my Passport alerted me, I backed off the throttle and happily passed them by within the speed limit. Second time - they either hit me at long range (outside of opperational range) or I got scatter off the car in front - either way, I was going slow enough when they hit me again to avoid the ticket. Even without arrows - who'd have thought! Latest case was heading along surface streets towards the I5 - early AM - round the corner at the top of the hill, nice empty road, about to cross from legal at 40 mph to considerably more than that - and BLEEP! Cruise down the hill within the limit, and waved at the CHiPs dude under the tree on his motorcycle. He gave me a hard stare - guess he was pissed he didn't get a black 911 as an early 'kill' that morning So - because LASER still relies on the operator - and LEO thinks he can hit you early and often and still bag a kill - a decent LASER detector is a good investment - coupled with some good reaction times and decent brakes.

You got lucky, because laser is an immediate and accurate hit - you're talking about a pin-point dot on the car - if their aim is good and they hit your car, then they've got you. If he hit you and got your speed, then he must have made the decision not to pull you over.

Lots of logical discussions here . . . There is also a certain "fun factor" with a RD. If locals are using constant on Ka, you can pick the traps up a mile or two in advance. I have both Escort and V1, and have to admit it feels pretty odd not to have the arrows when I use the Escort. Again, not a logical argument, but i do have a P-car so you can see what I think of logic

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So two points on that: 1) The operational range (ie range in which they get a lock) is short - but the LASER can still hit you at a greater distance giving you warning time 2) LEOs have a habit of hitting cars early, i.e. before you have accelerated past the limit, or ahead of the lower speed limit zone for example - They don't know you have a detector, so figure they'll just start hitting you until they get a kill - this gives you warning and time to react.

For an ex LEO view of V1 Vs Passport http://www.radarroy.com/archives/254 Note the following section from this review:

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Point 2 I'll agree with. Point 1 I'm not sure I am interpreting your comment correctly, as the laser can lock onto the target at long and short distances - it's all in the skill of the operator on ensuring they're hitting their target.

I have been using the Whistler Pro3450 for about 4 yrs and love it. I cost under $200 and installs remotely so all that is in the car is the small display. I installed my display above my right knee so I am the only on that sees it; perfect for when I have to drive on a military base. http://www.whistlergroup.com/print-pro3450.html

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They can hit you with a LASER at a far greater distance than they can legally obtain a speed lock, and hence a ticket. So due to either poor training, or over zealous LEOs - they tend to start hitting your car long before you are close enough for them to lock and ticket you. So you have a 'warning' and time to brake

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Ahhh. I know it varies from state to state - I hadn't noticed that some states limit the maximum distance for their use. I do not believe that rules are uniform across the country. The main problem is that laser has a "spot" size of 18 inches at 500 feet. Unless your detector falls within the spot, then your detector stands a low chance of alerting, as scatter is low and weak. I agree that them being over zealous is just about the only chance you have of avoiding the ticket if they're out and using laser guns. I mentioned that drive through CT where my detector was alerting every 5 mins - that was because they were out in force zapping everyone... it really gave the game away.

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<shrug> I leave mine in the "middle" logic mode all the time. There's a statute of limitations on knowing the direction of the radar source? I've no idea why it would be any less useful now than when it first came onto the scene, and I think we all know why the V1 is the only detector with the arrows. Let me ask you this: if the other manufacturers were allowed to put the arrows on their detectors, do you think they would do so? Obviously a SiRF Star chip can't be delivered with a software update, but GPS doesn't get rid of the whole "head swivel" routine every time the detector goes off. If there's something you shouldn't be doing while speeding, it's having to look in 360 degrees of rotation to find the source of your "beep".

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That's why you mount your LASER detector low on the windshield - so you have a chance of catching the LASER. Mount it up by the visor and you are severely limiting your chance of early detection.

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When you have reliable alerts, all you need to be doing is braking.

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yup - mine is (when I use it) mounted low. I'm just glad that the majority of states have not yet migrated onto laser, otherwise we would have more tickets being handed out. The one speeding ticket that I have had the joy of receiving was from a laser. I was not happy.

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All too common here in California I'm afraid - the CHP have them, as do local law enforcement in some cities. I saw a trap on I15 south of Temecula, where the CHP had a car under an overpass running radar, which was hence easy to detect and avoid - and then a mile or two up the hill where you'd naturally pick up your speed again, they had a motorcycle on side of the road with LASER. So they trick you into speeding back up after you've avoided the RADAR, and then get you on LASER - B@ST@RDS!!

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Not true. I do a lot of Interstate driving...based on the arrows and strength of the signal, it's usually pretty easy to figure out whether the officer is heading towards you or coming from behind. If there's traffic ahead of me and the signal is low to moderate, I gradually slow down (or don't at all, depending on the speed of traffic). Same thing with a signal from the rear...there are any number of reasons I don't bother to slow down even when I get a reliable alert that there's radar in the area. Also, when the detector goes off and I see a cop, I actively watch the V1 to make sure the arrows change as I go by--I'm looking to see if he's just a decoy for the actual radar source over, say, the next hill. If the detector just beeped, I'd have no real way of knowing exactly where the radar is coming from. I don't mean to be rude, but dismissing the arrows as a gimmick is simply burying your head in the sand. Again, we all know why the Valentine is the only one with the arrows, and it was clearly something of a coup on Mike Valentine's part when he came up with them. Would a GPS chip be helpful? Ideally, sure it would, but I've used detectors for so long that minor false alarms are really not an issue. A radar detector is just a tool to locate certain radio waves, and learning to use that tool is the most important part of all. What I most certainly do NOT want to happen is what wellardmac speaks of--you know, that "hear a beep, hammer on the brakes" type of speeding. I occasionally hear the V1 beep, I glance at the display to see where the arrow is pointing, and within about a half-second I can figure out what's going on and how to react. Simply nailing the brake pedal every time ANY detector sounds an alert is a poor way of using one...hell, on the rural Interstates around here, it's not uncommon to pass a cop not using radar and going the other direction while I'm traveling 95-100 mph. Speeding is kind of an "art"...too many people think you just floor it and nail the brake pedal when the detector sounds any alarm--that's dangerous, if you ask me.

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Unfortunately, I'm seeing this tag team approach becoming more common. They know the reality and are using it to their advantage.

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So the modern Passport detectors have a true muti-band, multi radar display that shows in real time, multiple sources including multiple radar units on the same band. That's far more useful than an arrow. I get signal strength for each and all of these real time triggers, and can judge is the signal is close or far, whether it's increasing in strength (getting closer), and adjust my driving style accordingly. Nobody said anything about hammering on the brakes - braking wasn't a binary operation last time I looked. And out this way, the cops have openings in the central divide to turn around and come chase you after you've shot past them - and they do - so any trigger is taken seriously. The arrows have had their day, but they are just so far behind modern technology and intelligent systems design. Mike should have spent some of the millions he's made from dedicated Porsche drivers, on staying ahead of the game with his detector. I can guarantee you he's busting his gut right now to do a GPS version of the V1 - and judging by the increased frequency of his ads in the Porsche mags, his sales must be suffering pretty badly right now. The only burying of heads in the sand is from the loyal V1 crew - hanging on to their once great detector when technology has clearly passed it by.

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I agree, which is why I stopped using my radar detector. It's ridiculous to be braking on reflex when others are traveling far faster than you are. It's not a matter of slamming on the brakes, but braking on reflex even if you know that you're not running at high speed. The detector rules you, rather than the other way around. The Bel RX65 I have has multiple frequency warnings and intensity readouts, but honestly, it's easier to brake on reflex and look at the threat later because you know that most of the time the threat is real and imminent. Unfortunately, you and I live in different realities. We're discussed this before - the profile of speed enforcement is vastly different in highly populated areas like the NE corridor than Iowa. They really cannot be compared. Enforcement is higher profile and more aggressive here. Populated areas offer more police, more false alarms from buildings and more areas for police to hide. If you're doing more than 73 mph on I-276 they will ticket you if they see you. If you're doing more than 78 mph they will give you a ride to see a judge. If you speed by a cop going the opposite direction here, he will spin around and pull you over, even if he was not running radar. PA state troopers don't use laser, but they do use instant on radar and your warning time can be less if they're sitting there waiting for cars that are going faster than the flow of traffic. The biggest issue here in PA is that the local police are not allowed to use radar and use VASCAR - that's a pain in the *** because we have white lines painted all over the roads and you really can't see if a cop is sitting there until you're in the trap... I'd take radar any day over those things.

I love my V1, with one exception that I'd doubt any other laser detector can solve. I seem to get many false laser detections whenever I pass or have behind me the Lexus/Infiniti SUV's with Laser Cruise Control. Anybody else get those false laser alerts - what a PITA.

I love my V1, with one exception that I'd doubt any other laser detector can solve. I seem to get many false laser detections whenever I pass or have behind me the Lexus/Infiniti SUV's with Laser Cruise Control. Anybody else get those false laser alerts - what a PITA. I always wondered why I got those Laser chirps from the Valentine showing a rear approaching vehicle. Otherwise it's an excellent detector.

...

Ok...I'm no expert and not going to get into the "if it works" debate, but I have the Belltronics STI driver with magnesium case and it an awesome detector. But no detector is fool proof. Use your head.

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Always good to see you posting Riad.

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[Image-only post; no author-written text. Original image references:] https://rennlist.com/forums/graemlins/roflmao.gif

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You still haven't shown how this is true. Claiming that "the arrows have had their day" but are behind modern technology is a lot like saying that steering wheels are an antiquated method of positioning an automobile. Sometimes the best answer is the most obvious, and short of the car's computer flashing the location of the radar on the nav screen, I can't imagine a more logical way to locate the radar than arrows pointing in the direction it's coming from. The usefulness of the arrows isn't going to change with time--it's going to change with the invention of a more accurate way to locate the radar source, and we don't have that yet.[/QUOTE]

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[/QUOTE] They being Valentine. if you can't see that the use of GPS to: 1) Automatically provide Variable-Speed Radar Performance 2) Automatically mark regular radar alert signals on your route and mute them 3) Allow you to GPS mark speedtrap locations of your own 4) Give you an automatic heads-up of your speed when RADAR is detected 5) Give you automated warnings of every red-light and speed camera in the US gives you far more protection than the 17 year old technology of the V1 - then I can't help you. That coupled with 3-5 seconds earlier detection for more reaction time, and a 5-1 ratio when it comes to false positives, should make the case for anyone rational. http://www.radarroy.com/archives/254 And then we can get into LASER shifting etc etc at another point if you like...

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Sure, but the part you keep leaving out is how a GPS chip invalidates the usefulness of the V1's arrows, i.e. they're not mutually exclusive ideas. You seem to be wanting to prove that the inclusion of GPS negates the need or desire for the arrows. I'm simply saying otherwise. My V1 is the current model with the latest software; I'm not sure where you get the "17-year-old technology" thing--Valentine invented the idea of upgradeable detector software. In my case, I'd rather start with a detector that's got a proven record with its sensitivity and worry about the other specific features as a secondary function, which leaves me being very satisfied with the V1. YMMV.

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While your arrows are still pointing at false positives - the latest tech has already perhaps decided you're going below the current speed limit so you don't need alerting, or has noted that it's the 7-eleven you pass every day, and decided not to alert you. Just because Mike patented arrows, doesn't make his detector a good buy in 2008. His technology and design is 17 years old (he left Passport with it to develop it himself) - and his case design could do with an update as well. He's implemented changes in detection methods via software, but has hung on to his arrows idea rather than pushing forward (as other manufacturers have done) with more advanced detection systems. Arrows might be a nice to have, but when weighed against the current features of a modern detection system, they just don't stack up as a good reason to spend your $$$ on the V1. Which way back when, was the original question posted here I believe!

Gents, Check out this chart and see which one is the most sensitive, Green is good. http://www.laserveil.com/laser/detec...ice-laser-gun/

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And if you're going to point people at laserveil.com, you're going to want them to read their comments on the long term V1 test. These echo the points I've made above.

Bought the 8500 back in '02 to go with my then new C4S. When I bought the 987S in '05, with all the hoopla, I bought the V1 to go with it. Ugly, with a ton of false alerts, even the brake lights of certain cars set it off, for crying out loud. Sold the V1 after several weeks and replaced it with a new 8500. Couldn't have been happier. I still use my 8 year old 8500 in the C4S. Still saves my butt, even once recently. The only thing good with the V1 is that there are a lot of people who buy the hoopla of the arrows and it is easy to sell off when you find out it sucks.

Sorry Gents just stating the facts here. But my experience is the opposite. I bought the Passport 8500 little over two years ago and its laser rear facing sensor mounted on top of the unit did not work for me cause my install is under the visor(it was being blocked). Anyway I bought the V1 week later and had them side by side for 2 weeks in the car and V1 CONSISTENTLY gave me warning first before the 8500. I sent the 8500 back. Aditionally the 8500 weighed substantially more, i guess because of the V1s magnesium case (and like I said earlier the rear laser sensor was on top of the unit so installing under the visor wouldnt work for me). Plus the arrows let me know specially in long open highways that after passing a patrol unit(thinking that was it), arrows showed(not just beeping) that there's another unit ahead.