Radar Detector, which one?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 842
Likes: 3
From: Woodruff SC
St. Jude Donor '10
Radar Detector, which one?
OK, I've seen radar detectors range from $50 to $500+. I know you pay for what you get but, what's the difference? Would a $50 one from Costco or Advance Auto work good enough for weekend drives, etc.? I try to stay about 10 over the limit but sometimes I get carried away as we all do. Being I can't stand to be hung up on the interstate behind other cars so I have to GO! Looked down Friday night and was running 95-100mph to get away from the grouped up cars running 65-70. Just don't need a ticket but, don't want to spend a lot on a detector either. Let's say $100 or less to start with although I would like to have an Escort.
If you insist on Escort or something else, which one for $350 or less?
Thanks!
Dan
If you insist on Escort or something else, which one for $350 or less?
Thanks!
Dan
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 408
From: Greer, SC
I think most here are going to say "Valentine 1". If I was going to buy a radar detector this is the one I would buy. I like having the arrows telling me where the radar is coming from. I believe the V1 is about 400 bucks though. You can find used ones cheaper. I wouldn't waste my money on some 50.00 Costco special detector that is for sure.
Last edited by Mike02z; Apr 30, 2009 at 10:19 PM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Beltronics, Escort and Valentine seem to make the best:
I picked up my pre-owned Escort 8500 for $120 on ebay. The 8500 X50 sells for about $150.
Source: http://guysoflidar.com/august-2007/r...ctor-test.html
I picked up my pre-owned Escort 8500 for $120 on ebay. The 8500 X50 sells for about $150.
Source: http://guysoflidar.com/august-2007/r...ctor-test.html
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Texas
You want a Valentine 1 or a Passport 8500 X50. If you dont spend the money and you get a cheap one you will get a ticket. Basically the Valentine 1 is made by the same guy who designed the X50. He left Passport and started his own company. So either one of those detectors will work the same its just a matter of the added arrows and money on the valentine. 
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Corona Ca
V1 kicks butt
We just got back from another 2500 mile road trip and the V1 worked like a champ saving our bacon over a dozen times! In town it can get annoying but you can just turn it down. On the road I wouldn't be without it! It has paid for itself many times over and I highly recommend it!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 11
From: Newport, RI
Well, I already have a cheapo detector in my C5 and it annoys the Hell out of me around town. I was thinking of taking the plunge and spending the big money to get a quality detector like a V1, but I thought the whole purpose of spending the big bucks was to avoid all the stupid false alarms?????
I mean, my cheapo detector works fine - so why should I spend $400 if I still have to listen to false alarms all day long?
I have a 20-year old Whistler remote in my pickup truck and that detector is awesome. It rarely falses. It was $200 at the time, but it has been worth it. However, it's old and has no laser detection/jamming.
But I thought the expensive units would be better at avoising false alarms?
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,890
Likes: 7
From: Newcastle Oklahoma
You want a Valentine 1 or a Passport 8500 X50. If you dont spend the money and you get a cheap one you will get a ticket. Basically the Valentine 1 is made by the same guy who designed the X50. He left Passport and started his own company. So either one of those detectors will work the same its just a matter of the added arrows and money on the valentine.
I have the escort 8500, 9500 is cool, when it goes off it tells you how fast you were going and you can mark were you get false alarms and it wont go off. http://www.radarbusters.com/radar-de...ctor&tid=exact
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 480
Likes: 0
From: Navarre, Florida
9500 ix, hands down. Uses the GPS to weed out false alarms. I use mine daily around town and on long trips. It is the best radar detector. Ya, V1 uses those little arrows, but the false alarms annoy the **** out of me. The Escort cancels out the false signals after I drive by them three times, lets me cancel them if I know they are false and also tells me the signal strength, type (band, laser) and my speed at the time it is detected. It also tells me where red light cameras are across the US. I went to visit my brother in another city and the detector told me where to be careful. Little piece of genius that detector is. Must have saved me way more than the purchase price.
Chris
Chris
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 11
From: Newport, RI
I notice many (if not all) of the controls for the Passport 9500ix are on the top of the detector. Can you see the controls while you're seated? Or do you have to learn to operate them by feel?
thanks
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 480
Likes: 0
From: Navarre, Florida
I don't really touch the buttons. It is kinda a set it and forget it unit. You can change the volume and modes (highway, normal, no X), but for the most part it turns on with the car and I leave it alone.
Chris
Chris
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 11
From: Newport, RI
Do you have to re-set the volume and modes every time the car starts, or are the settings saved?
thanks
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 570
Likes: 0
From: CT
9500 ix, hands down. Uses the GPS to weed out false alarms. I use mine daily around town and on long trips. It is the best radar detector. Ya, V1 uses those little arrows, but the false alarms annoy the **** out of me. The Escort cancels out the false signals after I drive by them three times, lets me cancel them if I know they are false and also tells me the signal strength, type (band, laser) and my speed at the time it is detected. It also tells me where red light cameras are across the US. I went to visit my brother in another city and the detector told me where to be careful. Little piece of genius that detector is. Must have saved me way more than the purchase price.
Chris
Chris
amazing!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 4
From: Brookfield Wisconsin
This is just like the "What Battery Should I buy" Thread.
Valentine1 is what you should buy, dont even think about the cheap other brands or listen to any other comments about any other unit besides Valentine1.
Valentine1 is what you should buy, dont even think about the cheap other brands or listen to any other comments about any other unit besides Valentine1.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Seattle Washington
9500 IX sounds interesting. Never used it. But without having those arrows I would be lost. Once you get used to them you HAVE to have them. No joke.
But if you are just using it very casually I would imagine a $150ish model would be just fine. They will still have adequite detection without all the bells and whistles.
But if you are just using it very casually I would imagine a $150ish model would be just fine. They will still have adequite detection without all the bells and whistles.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 480
Likes: 0
From: Navarre, Florida
As far as the V1 unit is concerned, I have one, but I haven't used it since I got the Escort. Although the arrows are nice, regardless of where the cop is, you gotta slow down. Also, the number of false signals from all the other radar detectors I have ever used drive me crazy. Most people deal with the false alarms by turning down the sensetivity and then you end up getting popped cause the cop is sitting in a Walgreens parking lot.
Chris
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 11
From: Newport, RI
It is all saved. When the car is started, the unit powers up and acquires the GPS signal and you are good to go.
As far as the V1 unit is concerned, I have one, but I haven't used it since I got the Escort. Although the arrows are nice, regardless of where the cop is, you gotta slow down. Also, the number of false signals from all the other radar detectors I have ever used drive me crazy. Most people deal with the false alarms by turning down the sensetivity and then you end up getting popped cause the cop is sitting in a Walgreens parking lot.
Chris
As far as the V1 unit is concerned, I have one, but I haven't used it since I got the Escort. Although the arrows are nice, regardless of where the cop is, you gotta slow down. Also, the number of false signals from all the other radar detectors I have ever used drive me crazy. Most people deal with the false alarms by turning down the sensetivity and then you end up getting popped cause the cop is sitting in a Walgreens parking lot.
Chris
Thanks for this info. I agree with you 100% about the false alarms....
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Huntington Beach, Prescott Ca,AZ
Anyone with the Passport had any problems with radar coming from the rear?
Also, the 8500 passport does not have memory for false alarms correct? Also, I hear that the yearly upgrade is expensive rather then the V1..
Also, the 8500 passport does not have memory for false alarms correct? Also, I hear that the yearly upgrade is expensive rather then the V1..
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 842
Likes: 3
From: Woodruff SC
St. Jude Donor '10
So you have to upgrade each year?? On both or just the V1?
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Huntington Beach, Prescott Ca,AZ
Radar survey?
After reading all the opinions on which is better (V1 vs Passport)
I'm still undecided on which one to purchase. Not including the 9500.
How any V1 customers?
How many Passport 8500?
copy/paste
I'm still undecided on which one to purchase. Not including the 9500.
How any V1 customers?
How many Passport 8500?
copy/paste