Radar detector? If so....which one.
08-21-2016, 09:29 AM
#1
Radar detector? If so....which one.
I just upgraded from a C7 Z51 to a Z06 and the difference is pretty huge in terms of how fast the car is going when you think you are doing a leisurely pace. The M7 Z06 can do over 80 in second gear for crissakes!
Recipe for trouble even if you are not driving aggressively because the car just gets up there so fast that you don't even realize it.
Thinking for the first time since 2008 of getting a Radar detector and considering the Escort Max 2. Would like to hear from others.
Recipe for trouble even if you are not driving aggressively because the car just gets up there so fast that you don't even realize it.
Thinking for the first time since 2008 of getting a Radar detector and considering the Escort Max 2. Would like to hear from others.
08-21-2016, 09:47 AM
#2
Team Owner
My C6 Z06 can hit 90 MPH in second gear, but in 50,185 miles I have never received a speeding ticket in it(I have in my daily driver 4 door sedan that only hits around 50 MPH in second gear and I was doing 65 in a 45).
The cruise control in the Corvette works very well, and is very good at maintaining speeds within the speed limit(if you elect to use it).
We had six Corvettes on a road trip to Utah and I was leading the group(without a radar detector in my car) and we were driving on a nice two lane road in a very remote area of AZ. No traffic, and the speed limit was 65 MPH. I set my cruise on 74 MPH.
After driving for about an hour I see a car coming in the distance. It didn't look suspicious so I maintained my 74 MPH speed.
Then Don, who was a couple of cars behind me, and with a radar detector, said "radar" through our 2 way radios. Just as Don said "radar" I recognized the approaching car as a trooper and he was about 300-400 feet from me. He used instant on radar and no radar detector would have warned me in time to lower my speed.
As he went by, I watched his brakes lights in my mirror, and they never came on, so we continued on at 74 MPH. 75 MPH and above, it might have been another outcome.
The cruise control in the Corvette works very well, and is very good at maintaining speeds within the speed limit(if you elect to use it).
We had six Corvettes on a road trip to Utah and I was leading the group(without a radar detector in my car) and we were driving on a nice two lane road in a very remote area of AZ. No traffic, and the speed limit was 65 MPH. I set my cruise on 74 MPH.
After driving for about an hour I see a car coming in the distance. It didn't look suspicious so I maintained my 74 MPH speed.
Then Don, who was a couple of cars behind me, and with a radar detector, said "radar" through our 2 way radios. Just as Don said "radar" I recognized the approaching car as a trooper and he was about 300-400 feet from me. He used instant on radar and no radar detector would have warned me in time to lower my speed.
As he went by, I watched his brakes lights in my mirror, and they never came on, so we continued on at 74 MPH. 75 MPH and above, it might have been another outcome.
Last edited by JoesC5; 08-21-2016 at 11:16 AM.
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Rd16rr (08-21-2016)
08-21-2016, 11:00 AM
#4
Racer
Member Since: Aug 2016
Location: North Richland Hills Texas
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I bought an Escort Max 360 about 2 months ago. It is hands down the best radar detector I have ever used (and I've used them or tried them all). It's GPS based and can be used in conjunction with Escort Live. The Max 360 automatically locks out false signals after you drive past the same location 3 times (or you can manually mark it). It does a REALLY good job filtering out crash avoidance and lane change indicators in new cars (something that made my Bell V10 radar detector basically useless). You can also mark speed traps. It has a database that can be updated for speed traps and red light cameras. The arrows are similar to the V1 and lets you know where the radar signal is coming from so you don't have to look around to find the threat. The Max 360 has REALLY good range for picking up Ka-band. I turn off X-band since no LE uses it my area. I also love the customization of the display (different color choices and alert features). I like it so much that when my '17 Z06 shows up I will buy another one so I don't have to move it from car to car.
08-21-2016, 11:12 AM
#7
Instructor
My C6 Z06 can hit 90 MPH in second gear, but in 50,185 miles I have never received a speeding ticket in it(I have in my daily driver 4 door sedan that only hits around 50 MPH in second gear and I was doing 65 in a 45).
The cruise control in the Corvette works very well, and is very good at maintaining speeds within the speed limit(if you elect to use it).
The cruise control in the Corvette works very well, and is very good at maintaining speeds within the speed limit(if you elect to use it).
To the OP, there are three camps in the radar detector debate. If you run a search you will see there are several threads where people disagree about which is best.
One group is very, very loyal to the V1. I have not personally owned a V1, but the guys that do really love them.
The Escort group is a bit more confusing. I have a 9500i, a Max1 and a Max360 and I am a big fan of the GPS based escorts. I tend to ignore the detector if it goes off all the time. The Max 360 is my clear favorite, but it is expensive. The 9500i is really good, but it is beginning to pick up on lane detection systems more and more and it is beginning to drive me crazy.
The last group likes the less expensive detectors. If I remember right, there is a Uniden that these guys like very much.
You just need to decide what you are willing to spend and which one is best for you. Of my 3, I like the Max360 the best.
08-21-2016, 11:29 AM
#8
Race Director
Member Since: Nov 2000
Location: CA
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2017 C5 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '08
I bought an Escort Max 360 about 2 months ago. It is hands down the best radar detector I have ever used (and I've used them or tried them all). It's GPS based and can be used in conjunction with Escort Live. The Max 360 automatically locks out false signals after you drive past the same location 3 times (or you can manually mark it). It does a REALLY good job filtering out crash avoidance and lane change indicators in new cars (something that made my Bell V10 radar detector basically useless). You can also mark speed traps. It has a database that can be updated for speed traps and red light cameras. The arrows are similar to the V1 and lets you know where the radar signal is coming from so you don't have to look around to find the threat. The Max 360 has REALLY good range for picking up Ka-band. I turn off X-band since no LE uses it my area. I also love the customization of the display (different color choices and alert features). I like it so much that when my '17 Z06 shows up I will buy another one so I don't have to move it from car to car.
I've been running the 360 for the last 8 months, Much better on all accounts then my V1!
08-21-2016, 11:57 AM
#9
Racer
I currently own a V1 and a Passport Max. I've also previously owned a Passport 360, Passport Solo, and several Belltronics devices.
I keep my V1 in my truck and my Passport in my Z06. Based on this, you might imagine, which I prefer.
My first hand experience is as follows:
- The Passport alerts quicker and the direction indicators seem to be more accurate/responsive
- The V1 has way more false positives when not connected to a mobile app (I use YaV1)
- The YaV1 allows you to lock out false positives, but only works if it's on and connected to your phone
- Consequently the V1 needs your phone to have the same set of capabilities the Max has out of the box
- The YaV1 app is clunky and slow, but better than the V1 app you can download
- Both are large boxes (bigger than my Passport 360 and my old Solo)
- The new Passport Max is super simple to use, or you can switch to "advanced" and get more out of it
- The ability to double click on the Passport Max power button and lockout signals is much better/easier than the V1 (via YaV1)
- The Passport "auto locks" out signals once you've driven by false positives repeatedly
- The Passport has an app (passport live), which correlates alerts to GPS and feeds them back to you (similar to Waze) but isn't widely used by other people in my area, creating minimal benefit
Bottom Line:
Passport Max is better, faster, more accurate, and easier to use, with similar direction indicators. If you happen to use your mobile device for Waze, Maps, or other applications, the Passport not require a 2nd or 3rd application, and consequently, less drain on your mobile device. Both devices are great, but one is definitely better than the other in my opinion.
Good luck with your choice...
I keep my V1 in my truck and my Passport in my Z06. Based on this, you might imagine, which I prefer.
My first hand experience is as follows:
- The Passport alerts quicker and the direction indicators seem to be more accurate/responsive
- The V1 has way more false positives when not connected to a mobile app (I use YaV1)
- The YaV1 allows you to lock out false positives, but only works if it's on and connected to your phone
- Consequently the V1 needs your phone to have the same set of capabilities the Max has out of the box
- The YaV1 app is clunky and slow, but better than the V1 app you can download
- Both are large boxes (bigger than my Passport 360 and my old Solo)
- The new Passport Max is super simple to use, or you can switch to "advanced" and get more out of it
- The ability to double click on the Passport Max power button and lockout signals is much better/easier than the V1 (via YaV1)
- The Passport "auto locks" out signals once you've driven by false positives repeatedly
- The Passport has an app (passport live), which correlates alerts to GPS and feeds them back to you (similar to Waze) but isn't widely used by other people in my area, creating minimal benefit
Bottom Line:
Passport Max is better, faster, more accurate, and easier to use, with similar direction indicators. If you happen to use your mobile device for Waze, Maps, or other applications, the Passport not require a 2nd or 3rd application, and consequently, less drain on your mobile device. Both devices are great, but one is definitely better than the other in my opinion.
Good luck with your choice...
08-21-2016, 12:14 PM
#10
The good ones are all good (Valentine, Escort/Passport) and the cheap ones all, in my opinion, false too much.
I have had all types over the past 30 years. It's worth spending the money to get a good one; once you learn to read them they will all save you. I currently use Passport Solo S2 because it is wireless and I have a number of cars and hate messing with wires. I also live in VA where they are illegal, so I only use it once I cross a state line (which is often). It is well known that the wireless S2's and S3's are not as good, rangewise, as the V1 or other escort models. That having been said, when I use it, it gives me plenty of warning unless it is an "instant-on" situation. With instant on, no matter what detector you have, either you pick it up when they are zapping the guy in front of you, or you are toast.
I have had all types over the past 30 years. It's worth spending the money to get a good one; once you learn to read them they will all save you. I currently use Passport Solo S2 because it is wireless and I have a number of cars and hate messing with wires. I also live in VA where they are illegal, so I only use it once I cross a state line (which is often). It is well known that the wireless S2's and S3's are not as good, rangewise, as the V1 or other escort models. That having been said, when I use it, it gives me plenty of warning unless it is an "instant-on" situation. With instant on, no matter what detector you have, either you pick it up when they are zapping the guy in front of you, or you are toast.
08-21-2016, 12:54 PM
#11
Le Mans Master
I have a V1 which I like but for the last couple of years have been buying the 9500ix, which I like a lot. The only downside is (besides the lack of arrows I guess) is the layout of the mute button, which used to be alone on the front but is now part of the button pack on top.
Still a great unit though!
I have no been pulled over (or obviously ticketed) since 1987. No joke, next year is 30 years and I drive almost exclusively 500+ hp cars. Granted I don't speed a lot either, but... when I guess I have the 9500ix seems to help, at least based on my own success!
Still a great unit though!
I have no been pulled over (or obviously ticketed) since 1987. No joke, next year is 30 years and I drive almost exclusively 500+ hp cars. Granted I don't speed a lot either, but... when I guess I have the 9500ix seems to help, at least based on my own success!
Last edited by davepl; 08-21-2016 at 12:56 PM.
08-21-2016, 01:15 PM
#14
Melting Slicks
9500ci is dated compared to the Max360. The Max360 is unreal. Love it. The arrows are great. Rarely falses and locks them out when it does. Fantastic radar. Would never buy a V1 that never shuts the f up.
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pelotonracer2 (08-21-2016)
08-21-2016, 02:18 PM
#16
Le Mans Master
I did have to turn K band off on my V1 to reduce the number of false alarms. Fortunately most of our police use Ka for actual enforcement, so it's not bad here, but I wouldn't want to live with the V1 in a place that I had to have K on and not map out falses with a GPS.
08-21-2016, 02:25 PM
#17
Why not do a built in unit with laser diffusers? All of my vehicles have AL Priority shifters and either BEL STI-Rs or Net Radar. Always on without having to worry about mounting/dismounting/hiding or announcing to LEO that you are using countermeasures.
If you're stuck on a dash mounted unit and aren't going to bother with laser diffusers, get one of the escort units with GPS lock-out for false alarms. They will give you plenty of protection (you don't need 5 miles of range before a radar source), allow you to segment Ka detection for even better response, and learn quickly to ignore shopping center falses.
If you're stuck on a dash mounted unit and aren't going to bother with laser diffusers, get one of the escort units with GPS lock-out for false alarms. They will give you plenty of protection (you don't need 5 miles of range before a radar source), allow you to segment Ka detection for even better response, and learn quickly to ignore shopping center falses.
08-21-2016, 02:35 PM
#18
SUBVETTE
I did have to turn K band off on my V1 to reduce the number of false alarms. Fortunately most of our police use Ka for actual enforcement, so it's not bad here, but I wouldn't want to live with the V1 in a place that I had to have K on and not map out falses with a GPS.
