Valentine 1 vs. Bel 980

metload1 · 11-30-04, 01:10

Hey,

I've been looking at two different radar detectors. The Valentine One, and the Bel 980. I would like the escort but it's way too expensive. I know a lot of people have the Valentine One, I know someone with one myself, he uses it in his Viper GTS and seems to work good for his purposes. Does anyone know which of these products is better? They seem very comparable, the only major advantage of the Valentine One is the location of radar/laser arrow display. Also anyone with either of these, how do they work for you, ever been pulled over? Any advice would be great. Also I've seen a new product called "veil" anyone tried it yet? I don't know when it came out but it sounds neat. And finally, I saw a site on the internet, radar roy is his name, I think. Is this site reputable? Or a big advertising con?

Thanks

Met

lpquick · 11-30-04, 01:59

I own a V1 and love it, no tickets since, been over a year now! It'll never become obsolete because I can have it reprogrammed. It identifies all the targets and gives directions on the most important threat. I'm thinking of intergrating it into my dash or factory cd player (special option for bimmer owners). Currently I have it hard wired from the sunroof switch.

gto78 · 11-30-04, 02:01

www.radartest.com lots of very useful information, non biased

GearHead_1 · 11-30-04, 02:45

I haven't had a ticket in the past 24 years and it isn't because I hold it down to the speed limit. I've always used a radar detector and have had several brands over the years. I currently have both an Escort 8500 and V1. Hands down I would pick the V1. I've done a side by side comparision over a 300 mile trip and it really wasn't a close race. The V1 always came out on top. I know others that have made similar statements picking the Escort but I am satisfied that I have fairly evaluated the two in identical circumstances. If all other things were equal the location pointer is reason enough to go with the V1, I find it to be a VERY useful tool. My Escort has found a place however, it's in the wifes car.

tom p. · 11-30-04, 03:35

Met, you know the V1 is priced at $400 while the Escort can be purchased on eBay, brand-new, for less than $240?

I've got several Escorts but not the new X50 unit which is supposed to equal or outperform the V1 in all categories except for laser. V1 still holds the top spot in that category.

Aurora40 · 11-30-04, 03:58

I can't comment on other detectors, but I find the arrows on the V1 to be indispensible.

Rune · 11-30-04, 04:17

I, too, recommend the V1.. I've had it for close to eight months, and only have received one ticket. (Laser, coming around a curve, no time to see the guy!

Check www.speedzones.com for another site that compares various radar detectors.

kempie · 11-30-04, 04:21

Just read this test. http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=9090
I have owned Bels for years and just got the new one tested.
They (Bels) have to be the most user friendly detectors going. Great features, price & they work.

cgc2 · 12-01-04, 12:12

FWIW-
BEL....no tickets and I drive above the speed limit on avg. of 300 miles/day.
Been doing this for the past 6 years using BEL dectector(s).

gto78 · 12-01-04, 01:02

is the v1 remote mountable? or is it all self contained in one unit? I'm just wondering how it would compare to the real versions of different companies radar detectors, you know the ones with sensors in the grill, and rear bumpers. Normally those totally blow away the windshield mounted units since they have more space to play with and can use better quality sensors. Another thing I keep noticing is how huge the V1 is. It looks like those old school cb radios, well not that big but kinda clumsy in size.

PrinzII · 12-01-04, 01:41

I recall seeing a remote mountable version of the V1 on their site some time ago.

Accumulator · 12-01-04, 03:10

Unless somebody has come up with something I don't know about, the V1 isn't remote mountable. You can use a separate display for the readout and thus have a non-illuminated V1 hanging there, but it's not a true "remote detector". I sure wish some electronics whiz *would* crack one open and remote the antennas, I'd even provide the V1 for a prototype. Shouldn't be all that hard, but V Research would frown on it when it came time to service or upgrade the thing and they *do* occasionally need servicing.

Can't comment on that model of BEL, but after getting my V1, I gave away my other detectors and bought a V1 for every vehicle we have. Range/sensitivity wise, if it doesn't save you I doubt anything would. The real world of traffic enforcement is *very* different from magazine tests (you can learn a lot talking with LEOs about this stuff

).

Oh, and the latest versions of the V1 are a little smaller than the older ones. Not much though.