Radar Detector
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 904
Likes: 0
From: Boynton Beach FL
Radar Detector
(I posted this in Electronics, but I'm hoping I get some better/faster answers here)
Hi Everyone,
My cheap-o Radar Detector broke on me (as the cheap ones always seem to do, every 6 months to a year I have to buy another one) and I'm in the market for a new one.
I'm currently using a spare cheapy Radar Detector I had before, and the main reason I don't like it is that I can't hear it at all if I have the music up higher than 30-40% volume in my stock C4 stereo.
Are these Valentine and Escort radar detectors LOUD? Which one is louder? I need to have something that can pierce through my cruisin' tunes...
(Luckily I was very near the speed limit this AM when the SS Impala undercover saw me... turned down the tunes and my radar detector was going berserk...)
Hi Everyone,
My cheap-o Radar Detector broke on me (as the cheap ones always seem to do, every 6 months to a year I have to buy another one) and I'm in the market for a new one.
I'm currently using a spare cheapy Radar Detector I had before, and the main reason I don't like it is that I can't hear it at all if I have the music up higher than 30-40% volume in my stock C4 stereo.
Are these Valentine and Escort radar detectors LOUD? Which one is louder? I need to have something that can pierce through my cruisin' tunes...
(Luckily I was very near the speed limit this AM when the SS Impala undercover saw me... turned down the tunes and my radar detector was going berserk...)
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,345
Likes: 230
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
I have no ESCORT experience, but love my V-1.
The V-1 has adjustable warning volume. You can also adjust the warning to tone down on the warning beeps after the initial warning.
There is a long-standing debate over the ESCORT vs. V-1. That tells me that neither one holds a clear-cut advantage.
Take your choice: winner-winner.
Larry
code5coupe
__________
I ain't easily impressed....
The V-1 has adjustable warning volume. You can also adjust the warning to tone down on the warning beeps after the initial warning.
There is a long-standing debate over the ESCORT vs. V-1. That tells me that neither one holds a clear-cut advantage.
Take your choice: winner-winner.
Larry
code5coupe
__________
I ain't easily impressed....
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
My thought on it is if you've got the tunes blasting, not much will out weigh or out sound them. You can try; don't know about Escort but V. is loud. But it may not be loud enough.
Choice is slow down when tunes are blasting (*you're gonna damage your hearing anyway) or prepare to get a ticket. Not much else to choose from, is there?
Choice is slow down when tunes are blasting (*you're gonna damage your hearing anyway) or prepare to get a ticket. Not much else to choose from, is there?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 904
Likes: 0
From: Boynton Beach FL
My thought on it is if you've got the tunes blasting, not much will out weigh or out sound them. You can try; don't know about Escort but V. is loud. But it may not be loud enough.
Choice is slow down when tunes are blasting (*you're gonna damage your hearing anyway) or prepare to get a ticket. Not much else to choose from, is there?
Choice is slow down when tunes are blasting (*you're gonna damage your hearing anyway) or prepare to get a ticket. Not much else to choose from, is there?
I'd rather buy a cheapy radar detector that I know I can hear over some fancy-pants V1 or Escort that may do a better 'detecting' job, but can't 'communicate' with me...
My old cheap radar detector was great when I first started up the car...
in a loud voice a pleasant lady screams:
"BUCKLE YOUR SEATBELT!!!!" "PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY!!"
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Well my last 'cheap-o' radar detector was a talking one, and was VERY LOUD. When the lady screams 'X-Band' at you you'd slow down.
I'd rather buy a cheapy radar detector that I know I can hear over some fancy-pants V1 or Escort that may do a better 'detecting' job, but can't 'communicate' with me...
My old cheap radar detector was great when I first started up the car...
in a loud voice a pleasant lady screams:
"BUCKLE YOUR SEATBELT!!!!" "PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY!!"
I'd rather buy a cheapy radar detector that I know I can hear over some fancy-pants V1 or Escort that may do a better 'detecting' job, but can't 'communicate' with me...
My old cheap radar detector was great when I first started up the car...
in a loud voice a pleasant lady screams:
"BUCKLE YOUR SEATBELT!!!!" "PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY!!"
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
From: Beaver Dam Kentucky
Well my last 'cheap-o' radar detector was a talking one, and was VERY LOUD. When the lady screams 'X-Band' at you you'd slow down.
I'd rather buy a cheapy radar detector that I know I can hear over some fancy-pants V1 or Escort that may do a better 'detecting' job, but can't 'communicate' with me...
My old cheap radar detector was great when I first started up the car...
in a loud voice a pleasant lady screams:
"BUCKLE YOUR SEATBELT!!!!" "PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY!!"
I'd rather buy a cheapy radar detector that I know I can hear over some fancy-pants V1 or Escort that may do a better 'detecting' job, but can't 'communicate' with me...
My old cheap radar detector was great when I first started up the car...
in a loud voice a pleasant lady screams:
"BUCKLE YOUR SEATBELT!!!!" "PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY!!"
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 904
Likes: 0
From: Boynton Beach FL
The only state I know of where they are illegal is Virginia, and maybe New York. Everywhere else i've been it seems to be OK.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
The Escort has a louder max volume than the V1, I've used both. I guess if the extra $$ wasn't an issue you could put the V1 remote display in your line of sight, it lights up pretty good and would get your attention.
Doesn't the cordless escort compromise it's signal strength? I'd go for the corded one if using the Escort.
Doesn't the cordless escort compromise it's signal strength? I'd go for the corded one if using the Escort.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 473
Likes: 7
From: Houston Texas
I have the Escort Passport 8500 X50 radar, laser & safety detector with blue display. It comes with windshield mounting bracket with suction cups, coiled SmartCord, carrying case and owners manual.
I didn't buy it here but this is it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-E...06867469QQrdZ1
I mounted mine just to the left of the rear view mirror and hard wired it to the fuse box (ran the wire along windshield molding so you can't see wire at all) so it comes on with the car is running. You can't see it since it is not hanging low from the windshield glass. The suction cups stick to the windshield find and I have a strip of velcro on the top to stick it to the interior trim.
They have them at Best Buy so maybe you can see if they have one hooked up to see how loud it is for you.
It's plenty loud for me.
I didn't buy it here but this is it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-E...06867469QQrdZ1
I mounted mine just to the left of the rear view mirror and hard wired it to the fuse box (ran the wire along windshield molding so you can't see wire at all) so it comes on with the car is running. You can't see it since it is not hanging low from the windshield glass. The suction cups stick to the windshield find and I have a strip of velcro on the top to stick it to the interior trim.
They have them at Best Buy so maybe you can see if they have one hooked up to see how loud it is for you.
It's plenty loud for me.
Last edited by davidnclearlaketx; Mar 29, 2007 at 04:37 PM. Reason: more info
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,345
Likes: 230
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
I can't hear it at all if I have the music up higher than 30-40% volume in my stock C4 stereo......
I need to have something that can pierce through my cruisin' tunes...
(Luckily I was very near the speed limit this AM when the SS Impala undercover saw me... turned down the tunes and my radar detector was going berserk...)
I need to have something that can pierce through my cruisin' tunes...
(Luckily I was very near the speed limit this AM when the SS Impala undercover saw me... turned down the tunes and my radar detector was going berserk...)
If I'm driving at extra-legal speeds, I'm concentrating on only two, sometimes three, things....and none of them is the high volume tunes that my sound system is capable of.
What I'm saying is this: ya' gotta' have your priorities, man: ticket-free fast driving, or high-decibel music. Your last statement bears this out.
Real-world advice: stick with the cheap detectors (if you won't be able to hear them anyway) and you'll save enough to help pay for your next two tickets.
Larry
code5coupe
__________
I ain't easily impressed....
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 904
Likes: 0
From: Boynton Beach FL
If I'm driving at extra-legal speeds, I'm concentrating on only two, sometimes three, things....and none of them is the high volume tunes that my sound system is capable of.
What I'm saying is this: ya' gotta' have your priorities, man: ticket-free fast driving, or high-decibel music. Your last statement bears this out.
Real-world advice: stick with the cheap detectors (if you won't be able to hear them anyway) and you'll save enough to help pay for your next two tickets.
What I'm saying is this: ya' gotta' have your priorities, man: ticket-free fast driving, or high-decibel music. Your last statement bears this out.
Real-world advice: stick with the cheap detectors (if you won't be able to hear them anyway) and you'll save enough to help pay for your next two tickets.
I wonder if any radar detectors play through the speakers in your car somehow...
I think i'll just try to find another one of those cheapy 'talking' radar detectors that I broke... i know it was loud enough, and was only like $40 or so...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 895
Likes: 3
From: Washington MO
Check out www.radardetector.com for a good comparsion.
BTW, I have a V1 and I think its plenty loud, as does the wife as she's always telling to to turn it down!
BTW, I have a V1 and I think its plenty loud, as does the wife as she's always telling to to turn it down!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,345
Likes: 230
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Rock on!!
Larry
code5coupe
__________
I ain't easily impressed....
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
But here, it's only the (lousy, crummy only for restricting radar detector use) state of Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 473
Likes: 7
From: Houston Texas
Come on dude... I'm trying to live the American dream here... driving fast, rock'n'roll music blaring, smoking a cigarette, cute blond girl in the passenger seat, and a (root) beer in the cupholder.
I wonder if any radar detectors play through the speakers in your car somehow...
I think i'll just try to find another one of those cheapy 'talking' radar detectors that I broke... i know it was loud enough, and was only like $40 or so...
I wonder if any radar detectors play through the speakers in your car somehow...
I think i'll just try to find another one of those cheapy 'talking' radar detectors that I broke... i know it was loud enough, and was only like $40 or so...
I know the navigation systems are capable of muting the stereo when it speaks directions/turns.
If you have an aftermarket stereo system it would probably be easier for them to hook it up.
Good luck!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 473
Likes: 7
From: Houston Texas
May as well be driving a rice ride...hehehehe
Overpriced maybe..but well worth the $$$ For the price of one ticket you can buy one.
I'm going on 19+ years and ZERO violations/tickets!
I don't drive stupid but I do speed on the freeways/interstate.
I've always owned Escort/Passports for the last 20 years or so and I can say they do their job well. I have read very good things about the V-1 though.
You get what you pay for. Whatever works for you!