help me choose a radar detector

accordmaniac · 12-21-04, 06:35

i want to get a radar detector but i don't know which one to get. these are what i have found so far:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MEWA:IT
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT
which one should i get? i know someone is going to lecture me about just driving speed limit and all i have to say is i try.

thaar · 12-21-04, 06:53

I have a V1 and love it. Once you have the directional arrows and bogey counter, you can't use anything else. A while back, one road I used to drive on had a speed machine on it to try to get people to slow down. It was unsuccessful, so one day they put a cop about 1/4 mile down the road. My V1 told me that there were two bogeys so I made sure to slow down while others got popped. Just my $.02

armoredsaint · 12-21-04, 07:14

I have the Escort S2 cordless and if given another chance I would have purchased the V1 instead. The arrows and counter is a neat feature, but they really need to redesign the exterior, it's almost 10 years old now.

Setec Astronomy · 12-21-04, 08:01

V1 is great, mounting isn't as good as the old Passports IMHO (no symmetrical mounting groove on the bottom to allow you to use the visor clip on your dash, if you have a dash like mine...they really want you to mount it up high, anyway).

tom p. · 12-21-04, 08:43

I just purchased the latest V1 last week. It is my 3rd. They're great units but do tend to false more than some of the competition. The V1 is the only "open-road" detector I would consider. If you do a lot of driving in busy, built-up areas, you may want to select another unit. I have many detectors..I've tried all the big players.

BTW, drive fast, don't slow down!!

Accumulator · 12-21-04, 09:03

Another vote for V1. I have one for every vehicle. The falsing is something you get accustomed to and learn to interpret, at least in familiar areas.

Oh, and they did redo the exterior, but only slightly. I have a older one and it's a bit bulkier than today's model. I sorta hope they *don't* change it too much, I like my familiarity with the unit and don't want to relearn anything that I don't have to.

wlhump · 12-21-04, 09:36

Another vote for the V1!
The bogey counter has saved me at least twice when the Texas DPS has setup a trap with a backup 1/4 mile down the road. The detector was still going off when I passed the trooper on the side and normally would have thought I was safe, and was just picking up the first one, when I noticed the arrow still pointing forward and the counter saying "2"
Kept the speed down and avoided the second catch.
I had an Escort and loved it, but the V1 is much better.

bunmango · 12-21-04, 10:16

V1 =

although I'd like to borrow a Passport 8500 sometime to compare...

dashotgun · 12-21-04, 12:01

here are a bunch of sites who independently test radar dectors. In a recent test the escort 8500 beat out the valentine this will bring up a #@#*# of criticism I am sure in particular check out the speedzone site

http://www.radar-detectors.com/suppo...ts/Default.asp

http://www.speedzones.com/

http://www.radar-detectors.com/suppo...re/Default.asp

http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=9090

NYV6Coupe · 12-21-04, 12:36

I just picked up a BEL Pro RX65 & I'm thoroughly pleased, it's saved my bacon a couple times on the NYS Thruway.

I was going to spring for an Escort 8500 X50 (the X50 & RX65 were ranked top 2 in radartest.com) but the RX50 came out on top for detecting POP radar.

V1 is tops for detecting laser but it didn't detect POP radar at all .... probably needs a freshening or an upgrade.

The RX65 has a SmartCord similar to the Escort's, many user-programable features, is upgradeable when new radar gun's are developed, and has excellent selectivity without compromising sensitivity.

dashotgun · 12-21-04, 12:56

in fact escort owns Bel and the internals are the same with a few different bells and whistles

Interspy24 · 12-21-04, 12:58

I'm the lone ranger on this one, but consider a k40. I've had it for two years with no problems. I generally travel about 15mph over on the highway and I've never had any problems. They'll actually pay for your ticket(s) the first year too. I know a guy who got tagged going 120mph and they still payed for it.

In the city it gets set off around hospitals and a few other places, but I don't speed in the city. My best friend has a escort 8500. On the highway, I pick up the signal before he does. He gets less false alerts and has a better interface, but I have him beat on range. Btw, I bought mine brand new on ebay for $175, and list price is around $325.