Radar Detector Input Needed
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 25
From: Jasper GA
Radar Detector Input Needed
For those rare occasions that I let my 900 RWHP C5 stretch its legs in public, I want to add a radar detector to help me avoid an embarrassing and very expensive conversation with a local constable. I'd appreciate suggestions on the best price/performance unit on the market.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 422
Likes: 3
From: Palatine IL
I have a V1 as well. Never used anything else so I can't compare but I do like the direction arrows. I ran my power back to the fuse block but I think you can tap the rear-view mirror to power it. I did that later on some of my other cars.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,014
Likes: 48
From: Dayton Ohio
Escort 8500 X50 on up the Escort line or the V1 and you will be set. Those are about the only good ones out. I have the newer 8500 Black series and it detects as wel as the 9500 etc just has less features like GPS.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
I have had a escort 8500 x50 for about 6 years and it has worked great. I can't think of a situation where it has let me down or I wished that I had something better. It has definitely saved me a few times. I don't even like driving the vette without it.
The detector is a tool just like anything else and only as good as the person using it. If you have a smart strategy it helps quite a bit. Back when I bought mine you could get a x50 for half the price of a V1, and the only advantage of the V1 was the arrows. The arrows would be cool but are certainly not mandatory.
The detector is a tool just like anything else and only as good as the person using it. If you have a smart strategy it helps quite a bit. Back when I bought mine you could get a x50 for half the price of a V1, and the only advantage of the V1 was the arrows. The arrows would be cool but are certainly not mandatory.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 227
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Escort FTW
Currently using the 9500 and has payed for itself in the first year of owning it. Has great distance at picking up all bands with some really nice features. A big plus is hooking it up to a computer for update from Escort. It's saved me enough times that I bought my wife the Passport Max and she loves it. You really can't go wrong with either one of these units IMO. 
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
I have had an escort 8500 and now have the 9500. They have paid for themselves. They rarely have a false alarm, and when they go off you better slow down because the cops are nearby. The 9500 has some nice features like marking locations and also showing red light cameras and speed cameras.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
I assume the V1 is better, but for twice the price it was a hard decision.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 76
From: Houston TX
The V1 picks up everything further out than the X50, while this includes false alarms (doors, alarms, adaptive cruise) I prefer to be alerted in any case as soon as possible. When you drive the same route you will know what is real and false so you can drive accordingly.
I plan on buying another V1 since the wife likes it better than the escort as well, and she doesn't even speed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,764
Likes: 375
From: Central Florida
I have a 9500 it's always warned me in plenty of time to slow down, I think that is what it is supposed to do! I can't speek of the v1 it seems the arrows would be useful but the escort marks and stores false alarms very useful. I would wonder if anyone was ever let down by a escort that the v1 would have saved them? You get what you pay for and I don't think radar detectors are an exception but there is always a point where more money doesn't work better just not sure where that line is here.
Good luck
Good luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,699
Likes: 147
I put my V1 here.
LEOs and thieves don't see it.
Made this extender out of some aluminum flat bar
Valentine has a Bluetooth module
http://www.ebay.com/itm/380587519989?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
And a Savvy module that allows you to mute it below a
speed set by you like 35 mph
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VALENTINE-ONE-SAVVY-MODULE-for-FALSE-ALARM-SUPPRESSION-V1-NEW/380587525382?_trksid=p2060778.c100276.m3476&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140725133649%26meid%3D976808e9702a4b28953373971fb0f1c9%26pid%3D100276%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D380587519989
LEOs and thieves don't see it.
Made this extender out of some aluminum flat bar
Valentine has a Bluetooth module
http://www.ebay.com/itm/380587519989?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
And a Savvy module that allows you to mute it below a
speed set by you like 35 mph
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VALENTINE-ONE-SAVVY-MODULE-for-FALSE-ALARM-SUPPRESSION-V1-NEW/380587525382?_trksid=p2060778.c100276.m3476&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140725133649%26meid%3D976808e9702a4b28953373971fb0f1c9%26pid%3D100276%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D380587519989
Last edited by StrangelovesM6Vert; May 12, 2015 at 04:48 AM.