Radar Detector Reviews?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Radar Detector Reviews?
Are there any non biased reviews or comparisons of current radar detectors that you guys are aware of? I need to buy one before my lead foot gets me into trouble. I was hoping Consumer Reports had some reviews but that was a big "no" and everything else I've found online is from retailers. Who knows if they're true or not though. Seems the best out there today is a tossup between the Valentine V1 and Passport 9500ix?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 2
From: Dacula GA
Depends on what features you want and what you are willing to spend.
Try guysoflidar.com for some independent test results. Their last radar test was about a year ago.
For my 2 cents, if you do a lot of city, metro driving the ix is what you will probably like. It had GPS for redlight camera locations, locks out false alerts ( security systems, automatic door operers, etc), and allows you to manually mark local known speed trap locations. Makes for a quiet commute.
If you mostly do highway driving the V1 is what I would recommend. It has less filters, reacts quick and has arrows to determine radar location.
Escort also has the Redline, a very sensitive (even more than the V1) detector. It is Spectre immune (radar detector detector immune) if you live or drive through Canada, VA, or DC where they are illegal.
If you want to spend big $ there are also remote mount detectors.
None of these will protect you from lidar. Once they alert to lidar they have your speed. Only a laser jammer system can help you there.
Try guysoflidar.com for some independent test results. Their last radar test was about a year ago.
For my 2 cents, if you do a lot of city, metro driving the ix is what you will probably like. It had GPS for redlight camera locations, locks out false alerts ( security systems, automatic door operers, etc), and allows you to manually mark local known speed trap locations. Makes for a quiet commute.
If you mostly do highway driving the V1 is what I would recommend. It has less filters, reacts quick and has arrows to determine radar location.
Escort also has the Redline, a very sensitive (even more than the V1) detector. It is Spectre immune (radar detector detector immune) if you live or drive through Canada, VA, or DC where they are illegal.
If you want to spend big $ there are also remote mount detectors.
None of these will protect you from lidar. Once they alert to lidar they have your speed. Only a laser jammer system can help you there.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 4
From: Cape May, NJ; Guntersville, AL; Orange Beach, AL
+1 for V1
I have had a V1 for 8 years. I love it. I did however experience problems with it after I dropped it about 2 months ago. I sent it in to V1 and it was repaired and back to me within a week and only cost me $45 because it was out of warranty.
I have had a V1 for 8 years. I love it. I did however experience problems with it after I dropped it about 2 months ago. I sent it in to V1 and it was repaired and back to me within a week and only cost me $45 because it was out of warranty.
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Orangevale CA
V1 or escort 9500 ???
Well, I have both installed - they alternate between being first alert to Ka band. Honestly.
but V1 has advantage of arrows - ie where is the CHP.
escort has advantage of GPS and data base -
yesterday I drove Vegas to Sacramento in under 8 hrs, up 395 and down from reno. I USE the detectors and have a glass top for the planes !!!
Awesome drive.
Well, I have both installed - they alternate between being first alert to Ka band. Honestly.
but V1 has advantage of arrows - ie where is the CHP.
escort has advantage of GPS and data base -
yesterday I drove Vegas to Sacramento in under 8 hrs, up 395 and down from reno. I USE the detectors and have a glass top for the planes !!!
Awesome drive.
Last edited by ScoB; Oct 20, 2010 at 08:32 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,312
Likes: 72
From: East Amherst NY
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
I've been doing alot of reading since the first post. Seems there are many complaints about the V1 and false alarms, though there's no shortage of guys who swear by them. Think I'm leaning toward the Passport Redline for $499.00, I have an older Escort I can trade in and get an $80.00 rebate.
If it matters, I do a combo of highway and country driving.
If it matters, I do a combo of highway and country driving.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 2
From: Dacula GA
I've been doing alot of reading since the first post. Seems there are many complaints about the V1 and false alarms, though there's no shortage of guys who swear by them. Think I'm leaning toward the Passport Redline for $499.00, I have an older Escort I can trade in and get an $80.00 rebate.
If it matters, I do a combo of highway and country driving.
If it matters, I do a combo of highway and country driving.
Just don't forget, whichever detector you get you are only half way there. You still have lidar to contend with and it's becoming more and more popular, especially in metro areas.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
Likes: 344
From: Houston, TX
I've never understood the fascination with the arrows. If my detector is going off, I'm slowing down. Knowing which direction he is doesn't change my decision about slowing down.
I have a Beltronics which I'm very happy with. They are basically an Escort in a cheaper suit.
I have a Beltronics which I'm very happy with. They are basically an Escort in a cheaper suit.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 2
From: Dacula GA
I've never understood the fascination with the arrows. If my detector is going off, I'm slowing down. Knowing which direction he is doesn't change my decision about slowing down.
I have a Beltronics which I'm very happy with. They are basically an Escort in a cheaper suit.
I have a Beltronics which I'm very happy with. They are basically an Escort in a cheaper suit.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 4
From: 34°0′34″N 95°30′53″W Indian Territory
Passport 9500ix
I've had a Passport 9500ix for about 3 months now and am very pleased with its performance. I'm very impressed with the distance it can pick up moving radar -- a few times I saw no patrol car anywhere around me and was thinking it might be a door opener or something. After a bit I've met a patrol car -- from the time the detector went off until I met the patrol car had to be close to a mile. This has happened more than once. The GPS feature with the speed & red light cameras plus speed traps is VERY nice. It *IS* expensive but I think it's worth it...
Use your own judgment!
Use your own judgment!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 846
Likes: 3
From: Las Vegas NV
Not to add fuel to the fire but Escort announced there new radar detector the Passport IQ.
http://www.escortradar.com/iq
http://www.escortradar.com/iq
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
I've been doing alot of reading since the first post. Seems there are many complaints about the V1 and false alarms, though there's no shortage of guys who swear by them. Think I'm leaning toward the Passport Redline for $499.00, I have an older Escort I can trade in and get an $80.00 rebate.
If it matters, I do a combo of highway and country driving.
If it matters, I do a combo of highway and country driving.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 613
Likes: 1
From: Apache Junction AZ
I just got an email today annoucing a new detector and GPS all in one from Escort:
http://www.escortradar.com/iq/?utm_s...q_v=c9f0539614
I don't know anything more than the link but if they could smash the Garmin 850 and the Escort 9500ix into one package that would be great! One less suction cup mount to worry about falling off in the middle of driving all these great roads in AZ.
http://www.escortradar.com/iq/?utm_s...q_v=c9f0539614
I don't know anything more than the link but if they could smash the Garmin 850 and the Escort 9500ix into one package that would be great! One less suction cup mount to worry about falling off in the middle of driving all these great roads in AZ.