Radar Detector Recommendation?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 1
I have both a V1 and Passport X50. I pretty much like everything better on the X50 except the arrows. I don't think they are a gimmick at all. I love the arrows. I love knowing where the signal is coming from. My understanding is they were patented by Valentine because I promise you if they were not they would be on every detector out there.
I have never ran my X50 in expert mode. I know it tells you the frequrency of the radar, but I still dont think it does anything about direction.
My only gripe is the C6 power oulet is always on, so you have to turn it off EVERY time you get out of the car. I am going to get it hard wired shortly, but then I cannot use the mute button on the cord.
I have never ran my X50 in expert mode. I know it tells you the frequrency of the radar, but I still dont think it does anything about direction.
My only gripe is the C6 power oulet is always on, so you have to turn it off EVERY time you get out of the car. I am going to get it hard wired shortly, but then I cannot use the mute button on the cord.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: Norman OK
I use a Bel RX-65 and it works great... The RX-65 and the Escort 8500 are pretty much the same unit... Same manufacturer makes them and their the same price. Not that it really matters, but the Val 1 to me, looks like something from the 80's.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 297
Likes: 3
From: Baton Rouge LA
i kinda like the K40. it's set up internally, so your turn signals light up and chirps when it detects rather than a separate unit that's suctioned to your windshield. plus add that with the laser diffuser, and you're golden. i have a passport in my daily driver and that goes off constantly, but my K40 in my Z06 only goes off when there really is trouble.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
do a search in the audio/video forum, its been 
That said, I use a Bel RX65 pro, after doing much reading. The V1 has the neat arrows, but is butt ugly, and is not the best performer. I like how they use the Car and Driver radar detector shoot out from like 8 years ago in their ad's still.
The V1 is a monster as far as size goes.
That said, I use a Bel RX65 pro, after doing much reading. The V1 has the neat arrows, but is butt ugly, and is not the best performer. I like how they use the Car and Driver radar detector shoot out from like 8 years ago in their ad's still.
The V1 is a monster as far as size goes.http://guysoflidar.com/march-2007/ra...ctor-test.html
As hard as it might be to believe, the Valentine One, 16.20 cu. in., is smaller than the Escort X50, 18.95 cu. in., the Bel RX65, 16.33 cu. in., the Bel STi, 16.33 cu. in. and the Escort 9500i, 21.72 cu. in. The Valentine One is wider because it has 2 antennas and not 1 like every other radar detector, but it is shorter and not as tall which gives you more mounting options.
As far as weight goes,
Valentine One -> 181.5g (6.40 ounces)
Escort 8500 X50 -> 253.7g (8.95 ounces)
Beltronics RX65 Pro -> 236.6g (8.35 ounces)
Beltronics STi Driver -> 291.6g (10.29 ounces)
Escort 9500i -> 269.2g (9.49 ounces)
As you can see, the 9500i is the largest in size and the Bel STi Driver is the heaviest. The Valentine One is the smallest and lightest radar detector of the Top 4 radar detectors made today.
HOOK-EM HORNS
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,517
Likes: 842
From: Port Aransas, Texas Tx
St. Jude Donor '08
You can purchase the Valintine 1 direct from them for $399 with a 30 day return policy and they bring $450 and up to $509 on e bay. I have Never figured that out and they, Valintine, can't explain it either.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
Because Valentine Research doesn't ship outside the U.S. so people pay extra for the opportunity to own one.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
I have both a V1 and Passport X50. I pretty much like everything better on the X50 except the arrows. I don't think they are a gimmick at all. I love the arrows. I love knowing where the signal is coming from. My understanding is they were patented by Valentine because I promise you if they were not they would be on every detector out there.
I have never ran my X50 in expert mode. I know it tells you the frequrency of the radar, but I still dont think it does anything about direction.
My only gripe is the C6 power oulet is always on, so you have to turn it off EVERY time you get out of the car. I am going to get it hard wired shortly, but then I cannot use the mute button on the cord.
I have never ran my X50 in expert mode. I know it tells you the frequrency of the radar, but I still dont think it does anything about direction.
My only gripe is the C6 power oulet is always on, so you have to turn it off EVERY time you get out of the car. I am going to get it hard wired shortly, but then I cannot use the mute button on the cord.
I have a V1 and an Escort Passport 8500. Ease of use the 8500 can't touch the V1.
The V1's arrows and bogey counter are indispensable once you get used to using them.
Last edited by '06 Quicksilver Z06; May 22, 2007 at 10:38 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,006
Likes: 26
From: JawJa
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
For ease of use, I got the Escort Solo 2 and have been very pleased. I mount it on top of the instrument panel directly in my line of sight with velcro. I have been very satisified and have avoided several speed traps. If you don't expect to use a detector all the time, consider the Solo 2. It can be found on e-bay, new, for < $300. As to the others, everyone seems happy with either the V1 or the regular Escort, the current iteration of which is their 9500.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
When you hear that radar detector go off you immediately slow down.. you don't glance over to see the direction, what's the difference where it's coming from you should be slowing down. With all the lidar and pop from state to state if you don't react quick enough when in the wrong then it's already to late. Hence me referring to the V1's arrows as gimmicks. I guess I'll never understand the satisfaction those little things bring some people.. You can't deny it's performance nor any of it's competitors, not even at their lower prices.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 800
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nevada
When you hear that radar detector go off you immediately slow down.. you don't glance over to see the direction, what's the difference where it's coming from you should be slowing down. With all the lidar and pop from state to state if you don't react quick enough when in the wrong then it's already to late. Hence me referring to the V1's arrows as gimmicks. I guess I'll never understand the satisfaction those little things bring some people.. You can't deny it's performance nor any of it's competitors, not even at their lower prices.
Example from last week. I was cruising along and the V1 goes off, I slow down and see the cop. As we pass him the rest of the pack speeds up but I stayed at the speed limit because the radar said 2, 1 behind and one in front. Well guess what over the hill was a second cop with a radar and busted one of the cars that had taken off in front of me.
Not just that it helps with error readings. If your on the freeway you can detect a cops radar on a side street or some machinery but if its pointing to your left/right on the freeway you know its an error.
All I know is I had 12 tickets in a year and my lawyer finally said buy a radar detector because I cant get you off any more tickets lol. A year later, driving the same with the V1 and no tickets.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville FL
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
When you hear that radar detector go off you immediately slow down.. you don't glance over to see the direction, what's the difference where it's coming from you should be slowing down. With all the lidar and pop from state to state if you don't react quick enough when in the wrong then it's already to late. Hence me referring to the V1's arrows as gimmicks. I guess I'll never understand the satisfaction those little things bring some people.. You can't deny it's performance nor any of it's competitors, not even at their lower prices.
However after using the arrows and the bogey counter, I find myself not wanting to be without them. More information about the LOCATION of the radar source(s) in a concise, easy to read manner.
Thats what the V1 brings to the table in addition to excellent distance.
The Escort used in the advanced mode, will tell you that there was more than one source of radar. But won't tell you if both are in front of you, of if one is in front and the other behind you.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...post1559736225
Last edited by '06 Quicksilver Z06; May 25, 2007 at 03:18 PM.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
I used to think that the arrows and the bogey counter were gimmicks too. Just like you, I said, "if the detector goes off, then I'll just slow down.
However after using the arrows and the bogey counter, I find myself not wanting to be without them. More information about the LOCATION of the radar source(s) in a concise, easy to read manner.
Thats what the V1 brings to the table in addition to excellent distance.
The Escort used in the advanced mode, will tell you that there was more than one source of radar. But won't tell you if both are in front of you, of if one is in front and the other behind you.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...post1559736225
However after using the arrows and the bogey counter, I find myself not wanting to be without them. More information about the LOCATION of the radar source(s) in a concise, easy to read manner.
Thats what the V1 brings to the table in addition to excellent distance.
The Escort used in the advanced mode, will tell you that there was more than one source of radar. But won't tell you if both are in front of you, of if one is in front and the other behind you.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...post1559736225
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
I think the difference between our opinions is that I think of a radar detector as a false sense of security going in.. I don't mean to state the obvious again but.. if it goes off I slow down, if it keeps going off I stay slowed down, it it just went off I'm patient until I pick up speed again.. Living by those rules I've been moving violation free for YEARS.
However if/when mine does go off, I like to know exactly where the cop is, and if there is more than one.
This way, I know how long I need to stay "slowed down."
If it goes off twice, ......and I drive for a bit and "meet" a patrol car coming towards me in the oncoming traffic, then if my bogey counter counted 2 sources of radar ahead of me,..... then I need to remain slowed down, even after we pass one another, because it did not go off that second time because of him.
If not, then as soon as I pass him by, and he passes me by, if it is impossible for him to double back on me, due to a median or other obstruction which would prevent him crossing over, then I can go ahead and speed back up.
If I just passed by him, then there is no need for me to stay slowed down if his was the only source of radar.
But if I am being trailed by another cop car with radar, then I want to know about it.
I want to know when its safe to speed back up.
Last edited by '06 Quicksilver Z06; May 25, 2007 at 10:34 PM.