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YOUR RESEARCHDon't Hate Me but it's a Poll on Radar Detectors
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Install v1 and k40 diffuser
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I never had a radar detector before, but my 996 came with a stealth installed V1 and K40 Diffuser.
Leading evidence: 'Install v1 and k40 diffuser' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check into it' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Have also used Escort Solo models for years...never a ticket, always reliable.
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I used a friend's old BEL for a long weekend 1,200mile drive.
Use supplied winshield visor clip, rather than the suction cups
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I use the supplied winshield visor clip, rather than the suction cups on the winshield.
Use windshield suction cup mount, and it works fine
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I use the windshield suction cup mount, and it works fine.
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Suggestion
No, the the type of hard-wire where the detector receivers sit behind the grill, just the kit that allows you to connect it up, say, to your dome light and run the wire out the front of the headliner.
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Suggestion
On any ride on any given day I'll hit 200-250 Kph at the right time and place, the radar detector has never let me down once (knock on wood) but that said I don't speed inside town boundries or on major highways - as that's very unsafe and where they set lasers.
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I went through the search feature and after almost an hour, I got frustrated reading outdated stuff so I decided to post this with a Poll and hopefully it will help other as well.
I would like to purchase a radar detector for my Pcar but I NEED one that is portable so that I can move it between the various cars that I have. Yes, its super annoying to always have to put it on the windshield and I'm sure it pisses off cops when they see it as you pass them by but a hard wired system just isn't in the cards right now, especially for the cost of over a $1k.
From what I have read, talking only about Portable Models, it appears that everyone seems to either love the Escort 8500, Escort 9500 or the Valentine1 but before I part with $500, I want to try and get a decent consensus.
Last but not least, if I decided to go with a hard wired system, which I highly doubt, can anybody recommend a solid shop in Fairfield County, CT?
We are a V1 family. Couldn't live without them. My wife, brother, sister-in-law, mom, and dad all use them religiously.
I'm sure the Escorts are really nice but I have no reason to switch. V1 has been good to me and they last forever!
V1 is my choice. I leave a cradle suction-cupped to the windshield in both my cars, so all I have to do is slide out the detector when I want to transfer it.
Have also used Escort Solo models for years...never a ticket, always reliable. I use the supplied winshield visor clip, rather than the suction cups on the winshield.
Keep in mind that detectors do not replace common sense and situational awareness. Good luck!
The answer depends on where you live. Where I live, the city uses radar to monitor traffic speeds. It's K-band radar, and it is used in varying time intervals depending on the time of day. As a result, there isn't a consistent K-band signal every time you drive by a radar unit. Sometimes it's there, sometimes it's not. This traffic monitoring system renders the V1 useless. It sends up so many false alarms, you never trust it. There's not a way to deal with this issue with a V1.
Escort and BEL are the only detectors that offer something called TSR. TSR is a filter that prevents the unit from giving false alarms in this situation. I've got a BEL RX-65 Driver with this feature enabled, and it's wonderful. New Escort models have it too.
I have nothing against V1. I'm sure they are great. I just can't use them. Also - the arrows don't do much for me. If it alerts me to the presence of radar, I'm slowing down, no matter which way the arrow points.
So I'm a V1 user. And it's been great.
But now all the cops in MA, CT, NY use laser. By the time you get a warning they've already clocked you.
So now I just watch my speed and mirrors.
Where I live, there are just too many door openers, security systems, etc. that give false alarms. Without the GPS filtering, the thing would be beeping constantly, which I hate. GPS was a must-have for me, so I have the Escort 9500ix
How about this for a compromise? You can probably do it with any of the portables but I'm biased to the V1 as I've had mine for 8 years and it still works and looks like it's brand new... Get the detector of your choice and buy a hard-wire kit and mount for each car. No, the the type of hard-wire where the detector receivers sit behind the grill, just the kit that allows you to connect it up, say, to your dome light and run the wire out the front of the headliner. Very easy DIY in most cases. With my V1 mounted above the rear view mirror you can barely see it from the outside unless you're
really
looking for it. This way all you have to do is move the unit itself between vehicles, you'll have no wires hanging down over your dash, and the unit doesn't have to sit in the middle of the windshield where everyone can see it. I think the V1 parts are very reasonably priced...
I have the 9500ix hardwired and tucked up above the rear view mirror where it sees well but is difficult to see from outside the car. I can also move it between vehicles.
Went back and forth between the 9500ix and the V1. Both are excellent detectors, but the GPS filtering and auto sensitivity based on speed out weighed the directional indicators on the V1.
So far I think I made the right choice. It sees a long way, and the filtering works very well. Very few false alarms.
Used to be a Escort guy, the 8500 was a little better at long range bogey detection on a wide open highway.
But the V1's accuracy and ability to tell me where it's coming from (and bogey count) fars outweighs the range capability of the Escort.
None of the above. Now, I haven't needed to shop for a radar detector for over 10 years, but the Bel's I own (3 of them) have never let me down. I tried Passports and Escorts and wasn't happy with them. I hear nothing but good things about Valentine though.
I've had a V1 for 10 years and it has been very good in most cases. There is no defense against instant-on laser. That's why they invented ticket lawers. Try not to be the first car going into known speed traps locally. If they shoot the cars ahead of you, you have a prayer. You will get the over-spray and hopefully hit the brakes in time. Mine is portable for same reason as most - multiple cars.
Wow, interesting. I have been a faithful Escort user for many, many years. The 9500i worsk flawlessly. Yes, it is a PITA to move it form car to truck to car, and the suction cups fall off the window when the window and suction cups are cold. BUT, won't drive without it. A few years ago I was hustling through Vermont. I was the leader of the pack, came around a bend, BLaaaaaaaaaaaaa, I saw the trooper's car's nose drop, he faded to the shoulder and did a ewe-turn (country humor). Not a nanosecond to shave some speed. I got the ticket, but beat it in court. Other than that situation, never has failed me. GL with your choice. The new Live Escort sure sounds interesting, kinda social media as cop finders, braodcast to your smartphone? If I didn't own the 9500i, I would be tempted. I think there was even a PCA "deal" if you deciced to buy. Check into it.
One thing that annoys the hell out of me sometimes with the V1 is the laser detection and Infiniti's/etc with their laser proximity detection/etc. Scares the crap out of me.
I use an Escort Solo II and move it between my two sport bikes and the car (though the speeds of the car can never approach the bikes). On any ride on any given day I'll hit 200-250 Kph at the right time and place, the radar detector has never let me down once (knock on wood) but that said I don't speed inside town boundries or on major highways - as that's very unsafe and where they set lasers.
My experience is sport bike riders would speed far, far more often than any Porsche driver I've ever come across. Don't take this the wrong way but most 911's I come across are just slow targets - sorry boys but thats the truth!!
I never had a radar detector before, but my 996 came with a stealth installed V1 and K40 Diffuser. Now I would feel naked without it. I can't comment on the others as I have no experience with them.
We are a V1 family. Couldn't live without them. My wife, brother, sister-in-law, mom, and dad all use them religiously.
I'm sure the Escorts are really nice but I have no reason to switch. V1 has been good to me and they last forever!
I've had a V1 ever since I got my C4S. I leave the suctions cups in it and my Audi, then just swap it back and forth. I used to use an 8500, but the wife now uses it in the minivan. I really like the directional aspect of the V1.
Yep, now I just look for the Infiniti badge (some MB's have it too) when there is a laser hit. And right after that if I don't see one I look at my speedo to see how bad the ticket might be.
Unless you have a laser diffuser (illegal) you are screwed anyways if you get lasered.
I've been both lucky and unlucky with lasers though... if you're close enough another car you might have an argument.
If you're on a lot of open highways hands down the escort has more range, I've caught signals from literally miles away, and I feel silly for driving so slow for so long until I see the officer pass by (unless of course it's following you, which "looks" different on the passport than one that's in front of you).
It's not hard. It takes about 15 minutes, a Torx driver and a plastic paint scraper to completely conceal the wire and tap into the power. Actually 10 minutes of that was figuring out the best way to route it.
Last weekend my wife was following me home from our Bayhouse in her GL450. I kept getting laser hits and couldn't figure it out. She has that laser guided cruise control option.
I drive in NY and CT and have yet to have any laser detections go off - not one - as far as I have experienced they are mostly still using Ka on the highways and x in NYC. Like all detectors, if your the first one they shoot, your toast regardless of whether its Ka or laser - that's why you always make sure someone else is visible on the horizon in front of you.
I use the Escort x50 -no issues and has saved me many times - I may try the V1 as I like the directional feature - not sure why Escort doesn't use this as well.
Escort 9500 ix. It's my first detector on 15 years or so. Suctioned to my windshield. It works when they're running radar, but yesterday situational awareness would have worked had I used any. As good as these things are they don't cure stupid.
Wow, didn't know that highway patrol was using laser down in the city (I grew up in Queens).
Up where I am, Putnam County, my take on a radar detector is that it is probably not going to save me on the highway (they're using laser and K) and usually if I'm paying careful attention I'll see other cars hitting the brakes as they pass known areas, so I know someone is there.
Where it really helps is on the local roads where the sheriffs and MTA (yes the railroad) police drive around with K on all the time.
I 'm running the 8500. It's worked well and saved me a few times. I picked it because the release date for the firmware and hardware are later than the V1. I have heard great things about the V1 and would like the directional arrows, however no mater what direction the detection is comming from, the reaction is the same. Hit the binders.
I've got the hardwire kit in my C4S and in my Cayenne. That way, it's very easy to switch the unit between vehicles. I use the windshield suction cup mount, and it works fine.
One nice thing about the 9500ix is that you can plug it into your computer and download the latest firmware updates at any time. It will also backup the location data you have collected and provide any location updates from Escorts DB.
I agree for the most part....but every once in a while my V1 tells me when I'm passing by something unseen. It's also great when the threat comes up from behind you.
Thanks for the solid response and my take away is that the Escort 9500ix and the Valentine are both excellent but the Escort gets the advantage because of its GPS and the capability to mark non-threats such as banks, etc.
I have one follow up / final question. How widely used do you believe Laser is in the Northeast on the highways? I-95, Merritt, Route 8, I-84, etc.
I've got a serious question for you V1 guys. How do you deal with nuisiance alarms?
On my daily commute and around routes that I occasionally travel, I have all the nuisance alarms (shopping center door openers, etc.) marked with my 9500 GPS filtering. However, last week I was driving through a nearby city that is new to me, and the radar detector was beeping constantly. If I had a V1, I'd have to deal with that noise every day, right?!
Does this happen to you? Do you just turn it off, or do you keep hitting "mute"?
I'm not a V1 basher; I know it has some advantages, and I'm not looking to start a debate. I just want to understand how it works in the real world.
I honestly only get a few and I know where those are so I just mute and move on. For me the directional arrows are absolutely necessary so I'll deal with the false alarms.
Oh and if its in a parking lot or shopping center I'll just turn the volume down because its not like I need the detector there anyway. Honestly I have had one nearly my whole driving life so the sound doesn't bother me at all.
I know a lot of people that have gotten tickets because they ignored the alarm from what they thought was a door sensor at the mall. The cop that day was stationed by the mall. With a V1 the threat counter would have said there was an additional radar source.
RE: the highways in the NE, I drive BOS<->NYC once a month. Most of the highway troopers are all using laser guns now on 95, Merrit, 84 etc if they have setup a speed trap to stop people and really want to nail you. If they just want general traffic to slow down they just leave their KA gun on because they just want people to slow down, not actually pursue someone.
I used a friend's old BEL for a long weekend 1,200mile drive. Worked like a charm. I used the same guy's V1 a year later and got popped by a laser head on on day one of a three day trip. Damn! All the V1 did was alert me to pull over, which I did.
Are there any Cobra detector users out there? Or are all 911 drivers big spenders?
whoops. Did I say the wrong thing? Seriously I just ordered a cobra radar detector xrs 9970g....
I suppose only time will tell. When I am in a built up area I try to keep below 45mph anyway in 3rd or maybe 4th gear. I would like a detector when I am on the 76, 283, 222, I15 and the likes when my right foot seems to get a 'bit heavy'.. I am not originally from the States and wondered about these un marked police cars which cruise the fast roads. If I am overtaking one (or before I over take) does a radar detector let me know its a cop car?. I mean does the unmarked vehicle transmit a signal that any detector would 'home in' on. The unmarked car is the one I fear most. Do I look for 2 aerials off the back or something to identify an unmarked cop car? Any 'tell tale signs' would be a help here I think. Thanks in advance.
I don't think there is any detectors on the market that can pick up a signal from an instant-on laser gun before the trigger is pulled. If there was, we'd all be sporting one. I spent $400 for my V1 and don't think that any of the other brands out there are that much better to make me want to re-invest. The GPS function sounds cool but I don't mind a few "falses". I know where the usual ones on my normal route are and the counter will let me know if a trooper is lurking within that area. Most of my speeding is done on the Florida Turnpike. It's a toll road and somehow seems to be a non-trap zone. I've gotten signals from cruisers stopped on the side of the road but they don't seem to be busy spotting speeders.
My local small-town police department still uses X-Band radar. No kidding. Be careful where you turn off the X-band, expecially in unfamiliar territory.
That's why I like the 9500. Doesn't beep at the mall, but will beep if there is a cop at the mall. It separates the two. The 9500 has a threat counter as well (and will show signal strength for each signal.)
Sure wish it had the directional arrows though. That would be a nice add. I guess they are waiting for Valentine's patent to run out.
Overall, the detector is nice to have, and has saved me a few times, but laser is definately becoming more prevalent. I'm not ready to invest in a laser jammer at this point (too much $$$), but maybe someday.
