Radar detector recommendation?

MarekRozanski · **Posted:** Sun Mar 12, 2006 11:02 pm

I've never owned a radar detector, having always relied on the "nine you’re fine, ten you’re mine" rule, but my foot seems to be gaining weight lately. Can anyone give me a quick primer on the current technology? What features to look for? Which are useless marketing gimmicks? Better yet, what are some recommended models? (I don't want to spend too much.)

TIA

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

Valentine One (V1) is the best. Spend the extra dough.

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Sun Mar 12, 2006 11:17 pm

All you need:

http://www.valentine1.com/

It's saved me several times and the arrows actually work because there are front and rear sensors. Just make sure to mount it high on the windshield for best detection.

Eric Peterson · **Joined:** Mon Sep 01, 2003 10:24 am **Posts:** 494

V1. Plus, they have a great repair and/or upgrade policy, they sent me a brand new unit for half the price of new one when mine went on the blink a few years ago.

Eric

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

^^^ What they said!

MarekRozanski · **Posted:** Mon Mar 13, 2006 8:05 am

What about the Escort 8500 X50? It seems to be getting great reviews. Is Valentine One really worth the extra $100?

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Mon Mar 13, 2006 9:04 am

MarekRozanski wrote:

What about the Escort 8500 X50? It seems to be getting great reviews. Is Valentine One really worth the extra $100?

Absolutely. If you know anyone in the consumer electronics industry, you can probably get the Escort for around $200, but I wouldn't simply because the V1's upgradability and service.

The simplicity and ergonomics of the V1 are great IMO. Did I mention the arrows?

My thinking was that the V1 is simply a pre-paid speeding ticket. You make the initial $400 investment and if you get nailed on I-40, sell it on ebay for $350-$375 (they hardly depreciate) and buy a different system.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Mon Mar 13, 2006 9:20 am

Another vote for the V1. There's a reason it costs more. Their website explains EVERYTHING as well.

Keep it mind that ANY radar detector is just a tool. Use it right and you'll be fine. Use it wrong and you get screwed. It's NOT a get out of jail free card.

David Spratte · **Posted:** Mon Mar 13, 2006 11:07 am

Just to buck the trend:

I picked up the Escort Solo S2 when I had the Miata. The reason being it was a cordless detector that was worth a damn. So it was just one thing to grab and go when the top was down.

I've been really happy with it. Plenty of warning. Bogie counter, divided by band type. Plenty loud etc.

Like Vincent said, it's a tool. The S2-and being deligent-has covered me well.

Carl Fisher · **Posted:** Mon Mar 13, 2006 12:18 pm

Put me in the Valentine fan club as well. Driving with other detectors now leaves me feeling pretty vulnerable. The first question I have when the detector goes off is, "where is it?", and that's exactly what no detector besides the V1 can tell you. It's the most important feature IMO.

If you do get a V1, a word of caution: Be prepared for information overload. It's not immune to falses, and it reports *everything* by default (there are some configuration options). In the first week I had it, when I'd come past a shopping center and all the lights are lit up, some flashing, and it's going "beedee-boo, beedee-boo" and the counter is climbing up to 8, I was wondering if I was going to be able to stand it.

But really, the first step in using a new detector is to learn the environment you travel in, and this is what the process is like with a V1. Now when I notice an extra radar source, or an unexpected direction indicator, I'm more informed than other detector users. I run in "little L" logic mode that presents sources that the V1 thinks are falses at the muted volume setting. You can have it not alert you at all if you'd prefer.

Marek, I can bring in my V1 user's manual for you to look at if you like. Let me know.

BretLuter · **Posted:** Mon Mar 13, 2006 1:09 pm

Another vote for the V1. I found one lightly used one locally for less than $200 recently- it was NOT hot, the guy was in a pinch and needed rent $$. It's the latest version (v1.

and it works great. Like others have said, do your homework to understand the different warnings and you'll love it.

They sell on Ebay all the time for close to full retail. I've heard that you can get "used" units from Valentine for a little less than new- these seem to be mostly returns that people have used on a trip or something, then taken advantage of the return policy to get their $$$ back.

The way I look at it, I could pay the $$$ now for some protection, or pay it later when I get caught. And I really don't drive that fast on the street anyway.....no, really.........

Bret.

DanDurusky · **Joined:** Sun Apr 10, 2005 7:31 pm **Posts:** 686

i've had very good luck w/ my V1 for years and love it to death.

but even the mighty V1 is no match for instant on as i found out today.

so it helps as much as any radar detector can, but it can only help as much as any radar detector can...

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

Y'all do know that NC is doing an Operation Slow Down on 85, 95 and 40. It was even on the news.

In particular, watch out for the bushes on 40 near the Gorman St. exit, from what I've heard. I've also heard that the troopers are putting unmanned pulse units around the Triangle too, just to get people that have detectors to stop worrying about the boy crying wolf. Until Johnathan Q. Law decides to man the unit, that is.

David Spratte · **Posted:** Mon Mar 13, 2006 3:08 pm

And 540 between 40 and 70 has become it's own Trooper substation.

MarekRozanski · **Posted:** Mon Mar 13, 2006 6:55 pm

Carl Fisher wrote:

I can bring in my V1 user's manual for you to look at if you like. Let me know.

Thanks, Carl. I actually found a PDF version on their site.

Sounds like the Valentine is the way to go.

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Radar detector recommendation?

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