Radar detectors
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 4
From: North Port Fl
The Escort 8500 and the Bel RX 65 are the same unit, Escort is now owned by Bel. I own the Bel RX 65, I bought it on Ebay for about $250 about 6 months ago, in most magazines and others that do tests, these are the top two, followed by the Valentine one, the nice thing about the valentine one is it show's you the direction the radar is comming from, any of these thress will save you from just about anything except instant on. If it a busy highway you will pick up instant on, when it's aimed at other cars in front of you, but if its a deserted streach and you're the only one around you're dead meat, by the time you hear it, your too late. This months Popular Science tests the Valentine one $400, the Cobra XRS9700 $200, and the Bel Pro RX65 $330, they give the Bel a 90 out of 100 rating, the Valentine one, an 80, and The Cobra a score of 60 out of 100. Do you really want to buy a cheaper radar detector?
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 631
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
my friend has a Valentine 1 here in virginia, where they are illegal. had no problems and been saved on many many occasions. he highly recommends them over any other brand. hope this helps! - Bob
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 32
Likes: 2
From: chippawa ontario
But just for readers' info as this will be a long thread, radar detectors are illegal in Ontario, Canada. For visitors from the USA, signage at the border makes this abundantly clear.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,217
Likes: 1
From: End of the Ike IL
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
I have a V1 and love it. People say the arrows are gimmicky, but I like 'em. Saved my butt (and the collective butts of others in some of our caravans) on more than one ocassion.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Originally Posted by ljthe2nd
The Escort 8500 and the Bel RX 65 are the same unit, Escort is now owned by Bel. I own the Bel RX 65, I bought it on Ebay for about $250 about 6 months ago, in most magazines and others that do tests, these are the top two, followed by the Valentine one, the nice thing about the valentine one is it show's you the direction the radar is comming from, any of these thress will save you from just about anything except instant on. If it a busy highway you will pick up instant on, when it's aimed at other cars in front of you, but if its a deserted streach and you're the only one around you're dead meat, by the time you hear it, your too late. This months Popular Science tests the Valentine one $400, the Cobra XRS9700 $200, and the Bel Pro RX65 $330, they give the Bel a 90 out of 100 rating, the Valentine one, an 80, and The Cobra a score of 60 out of 100. Do you really want to buy a cheaper radar detector?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 5
From: Minnesota
Originally Posted by ljthe2nd
If it a busy highway you will pick up instant on, when it's aimed at other cars in front of you, but if its a deserted streach and you're the only one around you're dead meat, by the time you hear it, your too late.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '03,'11
i worry about you out there. Whatta we all gonna do if you kill yourself?
A radar detector will only embolden you to run faster. With instant on technology and with you being the only one on the road, you're not going to get a signal until its too late.
i find my need for speed more than satisfied on the track. Track driving has been the best thing to keep me slow and easy on the street.
A radar detector will only embolden you to run faster. With instant on technology and with you being the only one on the road, you're not going to get a signal until its too late.
i find my need for speed more than satisfied on the track. Track driving has been the best thing to keep me slow and easy on the street.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 7
From: Brazos TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Instant on (or POP) is a total joke and completely contestable in court. There is no way a radar emitter can stabilize a wavelength in the amount of time that they burst their target but they will write tickets all day using the devices knowing most won't challenge the ticket. I know most are aware but a detector does not replace eyes and common sense when it comes to spotting cops. It just gives them fewer places and opportunities to zap you.
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 567
Likes: 0
From: Springhill Kansas
Originally Posted by turtlevette
i worry about you out there. Whatta we all gonna do if you kill yourself?
A radar detector will only embolden you to run faster. With instant on technology and with you being the only one on the road, you're not going to get a signal until its too late.
i find my need for speed more than satisfied on the track. Track driving has been the best thing to keep me slow and easy on the street.
A radar detector will only embolden you to run faster. With instant on technology and with you being the only one on the road, you're not going to get a signal until its too late.
i find my need for speed more than satisfied on the track. Track driving has been the best thing to keep me slow and easy on the street.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 188
Likes: 20
From: Victoria Texas
i've had my valentine one for about five years. it is a great radar detector. i've sent it off twice to have it updated which they will do for you for a small fee. i am a police officer here in texas, and i can honestly say i've pulled over lots of people with other radars and they said their radar never went off, but i've never pulled over a person with a valentine one. yes they're a little more expensive, but you get what you pay for. granted they are not the sleekest detector on the market, in fact i think they look very old like a fuzz-buster from smokey and the bandit or something but this too might work in your favor. the idiots probably won't know it's actually a good one so they won't break in your car just to steal that old thing. just my two cents worth.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '03,'11
Originally Posted by dabrogger
i am a police officer here in texas, .
Years ago my friend got a ticket for going 99 in my Grand National in the middle of nowhere in Texas at midnight. I was sleeping in the back seat. I think he had the instant on radar. I had to have a conference with the LEO in the cruiser. He was going to charge me with allowing the irresponsible operation of a motor vehicle. I told him i was sleeping.
All radar detectors are useless. You get caught anyway.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 409
Likes: 13
From: Lavonia Georgia
Norval,
I've got the Bel Pro XL65 and like it very well, but I also have Valentine envy. One of the best things about the Valentine is that it logs multiple alerts. So, lets say that you always pass that supermarket that sets off your detector. With most units, that's all you know. With the Valentine, it identifies multiple threats so if all of a sudden you see two signals being displayed. You know to slow down because that other source may be the law. I have several friends who have Valentines in their cars and on their bikes and would not be without them. I'll probably spring for one on my next purchase.
I've got the Bel Pro XL65 and like it very well, but I also have Valentine envy. One of the best things about the Valentine is that it logs multiple alerts. So, lets say that you always pass that supermarket that sets off your detector. With most units, that's all you know. With the Valentine, it identifies multiple threats so if all of a sudden you see two signals being displayed. You know to slow down because that other source may be the law. I have several friends who have Valentines in their cars and on their bikes and would not be without them. I'll probably spring for one on my next purchase.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
i have the escort 8500... i hear that the escort and valentine are the top two... even though the valentine is supposedly slightly better, i bought the escort because of the look, nicer digital readout where all the data is displayed on the LCD.. bright blue.. nice. Never had a speeding ticket, and I continuously drive around 85 on the interstate. Just letting you know though.. NO radar detector can save you from all tickets.... you gotta look for the cops too.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Originally Posted by burners
Instant on (or POP) is a total joke and completely contestable in court. There is no way a radar emitter can stabilize a wavelength in the amount of time that they burst their target but they will write tickets all day using the devices knowing most won't challenge the ticket. I know most are aware but a detector does not replace eyes and common sense when it comes to spotting cops. It just gives them fewer places and opportunities to zap you.
Laser detectors are expensive also and they will work if someone ahead of you is being checked. Too late if it's you.
My old radar detectors has save me many times. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing someone fly past you while your detector is beeping madly, then coming around the corner and seeing the cop flagging them over...
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: Dunbarton NH
I have the Cobra XRS-9700. I really did buy it just to remind me to check my speed once in a while. (Eventually you learn what cops are the noiseiest in certain towns so you know when to trust the alert.). If I wantend one so I could speed I would go with the Valentine 1. 
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: minerva ohio
k40 and bel are manufactured by the same company used k40s remotes for years very good and same with bel remotes i never use dash mounts unless using a car with out a remote if you do get pulled over you are sure to get a ticket. and less likly to get stolen