Radar Detectors

Guess My Name · 10-02-01, 02:38

Do you have one?

Do you like it?

Do you trust those tests in magazines?

I have a Valentine VR1 and I do believe it is the best. Simple and great range of detection. I know it is pricey but it has saved me more times than I wash my truck!

What about Laser?

Ever talk your way out of ticket?

Any tips to get out of a ticket in court?

tom p. · 10-02-01, 07:20

its the V1 for me too! Awesome unit.

I have many detectors (

) and have an Escort 7500 in another car. It has some really nice features to customize the operation but pales in comparison to the V1's sensitivity.

I have not sampled Escort's new 8500 which is supposed to be improved but am really waiting to see a legitimate test by someone other than the biased Craig Peterson. I no longer see any credibility in his reviews.

James A · 10-13-01, 04:45

There are two books out now on fighting tickets, you can find them on Amazon using a search, I forgot the names. I fight every ticket even if i lose the SOBs had to spend more getting my money than they get!

Tom F · 10-14-01, 12:18

I bought a Corbra EDS-9100, paided about $100, in the city mode very few false alarms. I know it only takes one.

There's no comparasion to the models like Valentine or Escort.

If you don't want to spend alot, you can consider this model. Then too my CR-V doesn't go that fast anyway.

Tom F.

tom p. · 10-14-01, 02:11

None of the bogus "tests" I have read have proven otherwise.

Save up your $$ for the V1...you won't be dissappointed.

sunstar · 10-14-01, 06:12

I don't know if I would go that far although it is definitely "one of the best". I currently own a V1 (about 3 years old) and an 8500 (about 10 months old). The main reasons for purchasing the 8500 were better aesthetics (V1 looked good in my old Durango but imo not so good in the new S4) and less false alerts. I must say that I have been very pleased with the 8500. It does not false as much as the V1, this I can definitely attest to.

V1 users wonder if I miss the directional arrows and rear radar antenna of the V1. Most of my driving is done in PA where radar can only be used from a stationary vehicle. The rear detection in the V1 never saved me from a speeding ticket. I need to know about the source before I get to it, if I pass the source and am targeted the end result would be a speeding ticket. Now my opionion might be different if I lived in a state where police used radar from moving vehicles. Still I have seen a test that stated the 8500 could detect a source from the rear at a distance of about a mile, the V1 detected the rear source at about 2 miles. The source of this info is from RadarTest.com and I know many feel Craig Peterson is biased. Still I have not missed rear detection or the directional arrows. Actually one feature I love on the 8500 shows you the band (X, K or KA) and signal strength on up to 8 signals simultaneously. The V1 indicates multiple signals but only gives the strength of the strongest one.

As far as tests I only know of radartest.com and speedzones.com and both have rated the 8500 over the V1. Speedzones.com claims that the 8500 is "the pick of the litter" although the V1, 8500 and 980 each have their stongpoints and could each be considered "best in class".

I have heard that Valentine is coming out with a new detector that is smaller and better than the V1. If I was in the market for a detector I would definitely investigate the new Valentine.

Don2000g · 11-11-01, 12:23

What are the prices for the V1 and 8500. Thanks in advance.

TortoiseAWD · 11-11-01, 03:04

Quote:

Originally posted by Don2000g
What are the prices for the V1 and 8500. Thanks in advance.

Price for the V1 is $399. See http://www.valentine1 for their products and pricing, as well as gobs of info about radar and the V1 detector in general . . . sorry, don't know about the 8500.

Tort

puterbum · 11-11-01, 03:48

Perhaps you meant http://www.valentine1.com . Here's a link to their online store.

BTW, the 8500 is $300 from http://www.escortstore.com/8500.htm

Dan E. · 11-14-01, 05:45

Quote:

Originally posted by Guess My Name
Do you have one?

Do you like it?

Do you trust those tests in magazines?

I have a Valentine VR1 and I do believe it is the best. Simple and great range of detection. I know it is pricey but it has saved me more times than I wash my truck!

What about Laser?

Ever talk your way out of ticket?

Any tips to get out of a ticket in court?

The one i currently have is a Bel 880. I hate it, it sucks! So many false X and K band alarms. I also hate the voice alert, its so annoying.

Laser protection is OK, detected it long enough for me to slow down, but not the guy in front of me.

I've talked my way out of 2 tickets so far. One for improper lane change and going 40 in my neighborhood.

martini · 11-19-01, 04:55

Honestly, I think the Valentine 1 is the best. But I still think it leaves much to be desired. Call me silly, but I would like to be able to configure my radar detector. I Want it configurable like the 8500, but I want the directional, and remote antenae like the V1, I want it to be consealed, and hard wired..And I want it to look better than the V1.

Some other features would be nice, like the Uniden GPS-RD, that you can mark certain locations that you KNOW have false alarms, and it won't alarm you the next time you drive by.

So all in all, I want a combination of a V1, Escort 8500, and the Uniden GPS-RD.

*sigh* Maybe I should get into the radar detector business. :P

bigboyhf · 12-02-01, 04:38

I have an Escort 8500 that I picked up about a week ago after getting nailed..

I don't think directional arrows are necessary with this kind of sensitivity. It will pick up radar from behind as it gets reflected from other objects. It has fewer false alarms than the V1 so side detection arrows are not that important. Basically, when I get an alert, I check my speed. The patern of the alert and the strength will almost always tell you where the signal is coming from. As long as I am getting an alert that is worthy of attention, and for a few minutes afterwards, I will drop down to the speed limit whether the signal is coming from ahead or behind.

Both the V1 and the Escort are very sensitive. The extra millisecond one way or the other is almost always irrelevant. If the radar source is instant on and you are the first to be targeted, you will be nailed with either one. And if you are experienced at patterns, you will be alerted far in advance with either detector. Almost any other type of radar other than instant on, is strong enough that either detector will alert you well in advance. Laser detection is a toss up depending on the way vehicles are being targeted.

I guess its a matter of preference on looks, price, directional arrows if you don't think you can learn patterns, and falsing supression.

I was on the fence for just a little too long ($175 ticket) so I went with Escort, which I have had previous good experience with.... So far so good.

H