opinions needed on radar detector
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 51,896
Likes: 39
From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Can 'o worms.... the Detector Wars will begin... again!
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 563
Likes: 1
From: Mission Viejo CA
I am no expert but about 3 months ago I got a ticket by a cop using instant on laser. After he wrote me the ticket we talked about the new instant on radar and laser detectors and bottom line is they do work the only problem is by the time they warn you it's over and they have you. While you will no doubt hear stories about how they saved many from tickets I'm not sure that they still have as much value as they use too. Someone prove me wrong please, if I thought for a moment that they truly did give you enough warrning to adjust your speed I would be the first to buy one. I live in Mission Viejo which year after year is rated as the safest city in America, that's becuase there's a cop every 100 feet or so and they all seem to have radar/laser guns pointed at you. My city is so over patroled it's not funny. 
Last edited by Honez; Jan 1, 2006 at 02:33 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,515
Likes: 17
From: Keller, TX
St. Jude Donor '07
Most will suggest the Valentine V1 as the most accurate/sensitive. People that own them swear by the arrows that indicate the direction of the radar.
Passport 8500 is probably the next most popular. It's smaller and cleaner in design, but lacks the arrows. Cheaper also. Pretty close to V1 in performance depending on what test you read.
If you need portablilty, the Solo II, hands down. Not as sensitive as either of the above, but very convenient to switch between cars (I drive rental cars nearly every week).
I have the Solo II and the range/sensitivity is acceptable for my use, although if I were a hard core speeder, I'd probably use the V1 even though it is a big and unattractive unit IMO.
edit to add instant on comment:
Instant on radar is easy to pick up if you have traffic ahead and the LEO zaps any of them. If you get 'cherrypicked' you are toast.
Passport 8500 is probably the next most popular. It's smaller and cleaner in design, but lacks the arrows. Cheaper also. Pretty close to V1 in performance depending on what test you read.
If you need portablilty, the Solo II, hands down. Not as sensitive as either of the above, but very convenient to switch between cars (I drive rental cars nearly every week).
I have the Solo II and the range/sensitivity is acceptable for my use, although if I were a hard core speeder, I'd probably use the V1 even though it is a big and unattractive unit IMO.
edit to add instant on comment:
Instant on radar is easy to pick up if you have traffic ahead and the LEO zaps any of them. If you get 'cherrypicked' you are toast.
Last edited by TripleBlackxTwo; Jan 1, 2006 at 02:33 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 242
Likes: 1
From: Boulder, CO
Originally Posted by TripleBlackxTwo
Most will suggest the Valentine V1 as the most accurate/sensitive. People that own them swear by the arrows that indicate the direction of the radar.
Passport 8500 is probably the next most popular. It's smaller and cleaner in design, but lacks the arrows. Cheaper also. Pretty close to V1 in performance depending on what test you read.
If you need portablilty, the Solo II, hands down. Not as sensitive as either of the above, but very convenient to switch between cars (I drive rental cars nearly every week).
I have the Solo II and the range/sensitivity is acceptable for my use, although if I were a hard core speeder, I'd probably use the V1 even though it is a big and unattractive unit IMO.
edit to add instant on comment:
Instant on radar is easy to pick up if you have traffic ahead and the LEO zaps any of them. If you get 'cherrypicked' you are toast.
Passport 8500 is probably the next most popular. It's smaller and cleaner in design, but lacks the arrows. Cheaper also. Pretty close to V1 in performance depending on what test you read.
If you need portablilty, the Solo II, hands down. Not as sensitive as either of the above, but very convenient to switch between cars (I drive rental cars nearly every week).
I have the Solo II and the range/sensitivity is acceptable for my use, although if I were a hard core speeder, I'd probably use the V1 even though it is a big and unattractive unit IMO.
edit to add instant on comment:
Instant on radar is easy to pick up if you have traffic ahead and the LEO zaps any of them. If you get 'cherrypicked' you are toast.
What he said. 
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 0
From: Ocean County NJ
Unless you go with cordless, the install is going to be the same (easy to hard-wire to accessory plug in passenger footwell fuse box...I think the orange is the accessory line you want to tap into but double check that). I keep the V1 above the rear view behind the tint bar on windshield. Cannot be seen from outside the car and works great. Plus your eyes are trained to look that way periodically for the rear view anyhow. I ran the wires inside windshild pillar and trim and totally hidden.
The V1 arrows are great since you will know when you have passed the radar threat (arrows will go from in front to side and then finally to rear). Also helps in various other situtations (such as radar approaching from behind, multiple threats, etc). My .02, happy new year.
The V1 arrows are great since you will know when you have passed the radar threat (arrows will go from in front to side and then finally to rear). Also helps in various other situtations (such as radar approaching from behind, multiple threats, etc). My .02, happy new year.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 1
From: Longview Texas
Although many police departments are moving towards the instant on equipment, it'll take time (and money). As they make the switch, it takes them to that new level of technology and a step ahead of the detectors. I just drove from Texas to Arizona Thursday/Friday and I'd say about 30 or 40% of the radar hits I got were the instant on ones. And with the holiday week, there were plenty of hits.
Don't know much about the radar "blockers" but I've heard folks swear by them. Prices are coming down as more people are buying them, but still high. You might do some research on them. Maybe something to help level the playing field again?
Good luck .......
Don't know much about the radar "blockers" but I've heard folks swear by them. Prices are coming down as more people are buying them, but still high. You might do some research on them. Maybe something to help level the playing field again?
Good luck .......
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Life Time NCM #2196
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 82,582
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From: Converse TX
Originally Posted by RPOZ4Z
only, I choose the passport 8500.
Got to use mine this weekend going to Dallas and back to San Antonio. This instant on got me if Leo wanted as I was going 8 over the posted speed and he got me popping over a hill so I never changed speed and he must have wanted the 10+ over crowd.
Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,702
Likes: 76
From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
I just bought a Escort 8500 X50 from another from member (Thanks Mickey ) and really like it. Sleeker in design than the V1 and ivery user friendly. Its kept me out of trouble a couple of times.
) and really like it. Sleeker in design than the V1 and ivery user friendly. Its kept me out of trouble a couple of times.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 11,485
Likes: 1
From: Far side of the Moon
CI 4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-16-'17
Originally Posted by Honez
... we talked about the new instant on radar and laser detectors and bottom line is they do work the only problem is by the time they warn you it's over and they have you.
And if it is instant-on or laser and you are cherrypicked... well... it gives you time to go ahead and pull over and get your license and registration ready well in advance of the officer stopping behind you and walking up to your car. Might save a couple minutes off the "stop" time.
For those in front license plate states that don't have their front plate mounted, you might even have enough time to get it bolted to the car.
Oh, I prefer the 8500 x50.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Onsted, Michigan
Originally Posted by TripleBlackxTwo
Most will suggest the Valentine V1 as the most accurate/sensitive. People that own them swear by the arrows that indicate the direction of the radar.
Passport 8500 is probably the next most popular. It's smaller and cleaner in design, but lacks the arrows. Cheaper also. Pretty close to V1 in performance depending on what test you read.
If you need portablilty, the Solo II, hands down. Not as sensitive as either of the above, but very convenient to switch between cars (I drive rental cars nearly every week).
I have the Solo II and the range/sensitivity is acceptable for my use, although if I were a hard core speeder, I'd probably use the V1 even though it is a big and unattractive unit IMO.
edit to add instant on comment:
Instant on radar is easy to pick up if you have traffic ahead and the LEO zaps any of them. If you get 'cherrypicked' you are toast.
Passport 8500 is probably the next most popular. It's smaller and cleaner in design, but lacks the arrows. Cheaper also. Pretty close to V1 in performance depending on what test you read.
If you need portablilty, the Solo II, hands down. Not as sensitive as either of the above, but very convenient to switch between cars (I drive rental cars nearly every week).
I have the Solo II and the range/sensitivity is acceptable for my use, although if I were a hard core speeder, I'd probably use the V1 even though it is a big and unattractive unit IMO.
edit to add instant on comment:
Instant on radar is easy to pick up if you have traffic ahead and the LEO zaps any of them. If you get 'cherrypicked' you are toast.
Exactly
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,639
Likes: 39
From: Winston-Salem North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Hang on a minute, let me put my flame retarding suit on. I just bought and installed the Belltronics Vector 995, does what everyone else's does, but only 295.00. Different tones forX,K,Ka, laser and Ku bands front and rear detection, fully programmable for alerts, tech display that will disply the numeric frequency for the radar its detecting...hold on I sound like an informercial. Beltronics.com
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,995
Likes: 61
From: Fort Wayne IN
Originally Posted by RPOZ4Z
only, I choose the passport 8500.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,298
Likes: 4
From: American Canyon Lethal Injection
Originally Posted by Rogue Wave
Yes, they do work.
And if it is instant-on or laser and you are cherrypicked... well... it gives you time to go ahead and pull over and get your license and registration ready well in advance of the officer stopping behind you and walking up to your car. Might save a couple minutes off the "stop" time.
For those in front license plate states that don't have their front plate mounted, you might even have enough time to get it bolted to the car.
Oh, I prefer the 8500 x50.
And if it is instant-on or laser and you are cherrypicked... well... it gives you time to go ahead and pull over and get your license and registration ready well in advance of the officer stopping behind you and walking up to your car. Might save a couple minutes off the "stop" time.
For those in front license plate states that don't have their front plate mounted, you might even have enough time to get it bolted to the car.
Oh, I prefer the 8500 x50.
..specialy if the LEO spots the detector in the windshield. I have the PP8500X50 and got nailed by instant on 13 MPH over the speed limit = $173.00 In the great state of Texas.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,672
Likes: 0
From: cincinnati ohio
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
I live in Cincinnati. The home of Escort and Valentine.
Jim Jaeger and Mike Valentine were classmates (Univ Cincinnati) and were Electrical Engineers.
They cofounded Escort many years ago. Then they went their separate ways.
I had a friend (now deceased) who worked for Escort. He was in Research and Development (R&D). He admitted to me that Valentine was more sensitive and that he was working to catch up.
I currently have a V1 and it works great. The arrows do provide "value added". I have had several Escorts too.
I believe you get what you pay for.
Jim Jaeger and Mike Valentine were classmates (Univ Cincinnati) and were Electrical Engineers.
They cofounded Escort many years ago. Then they went their separate ways.
I had a friend (now deceased) who worked for Escort. He was in Research and Development (R&D). He admitted to me that Valentine was more sensitive and that he was working to catch up.
I currently have a V1 and it works great. The arrows do provide "value added". I have had several Escorts too.
I believe you get what you pay for.
