These are the only two to consider. How to make up your mind? They both have a 30 day money back no questions guarantee. So do what I did, order both, try them out for three weeks and then keep your favorite and send back the othe one.

Me, I kept the V1.

tom...

 

Into my 2nd week of owning the most powerful car I've owned....

I'd say that sometimes its too easy to hit mid-80's in this vehicle. If you want to get ahead of an 18-wheeler, out of his blind spot and esp if he's kicking up rocks, you'll be up 20+ over the speed limit easily. There are other special circumstances like this also.

Bottom line is, a radar detector enhances your road awareness, but if you use it to try to speed 15+ MPH over the limit all the time, eventually you'll be the first one tagged by radar before you pick up an earlier stray signal.

 

Save your $$$$$$$$$ keep to the right and keep it under 80 and you'll be fine.

 

For those that say you don't need a RD I say that the more you know about what is going on up ahead the better off you are whether you are "speeding" or not.

If you want to detect and locate every radar signal that's available to detect then get a V1. If you mainly care about the most dangerous ones, the ones up ahead, and you don't want to be bothered by the rest then get a 9500i. The 9500i is extremely quiet when you are traveling slowly (sensitivity controlled by your speed).

 

Another vote for the Beltronics. The Bel 980 has given me 3-4 miles of warning when the cop was shooting a lot, "sees" around curves and hills, and in general gives lots and lots of warning. Of couse, if you're the only car for miles and the cop has instant-on, you're hammered. I'd much rather have the voice as an arrow (although both would be nice). The replacement is going to be the latest Bel.

Placement is on the dash with a velcro strip. Check Beltronics' website for what they say about placement.

No matter what you get, you have to learn to read it's signals and drive alert!

 

school zones?

 

If I wanted to fly blind and not know where the radars were I would get a regular radar detector. If you want to know where the signal is coming from along with how many cops are out there zapping people get the only one, the Valentine1.

I have picked up cops 3-4 miles away on a clear stretch with turns.

However nothing is gonna help you with instant on radar unless they zap a car that is way ahead of you.

 

 

Why not make a sticky of a radar detector thread?

 

Concentrating your attention to what lies ahead isn't exactly what most people would consider flying blind. The 9500i detects signals several miles in advance, over hills and around turns. It will also read out the exact frequency of each of multiple signals. In the meantime it is very quiet. Some people appreciate the civility of such a well engineered device.

 

So does the Valentine1.

The Valentine will do everything you say plus more.

Lets say there are 3 cops. 1 behind you, 1 in front of you and 1 on the side of you. Your radar detector will just say there are cops around when my Valentine one will tell you what each cop is shooting you with, how close they are, and what direction each cop is at and who is the closest.

Valentine1 also offers discounted upgrades to your older unit. You send your old unit to them and they send you a BRAND NEW UNIT WITH A WARRANTY, will yours do this? As far as I know you throw yours in the garbage and pay full price for a newer improved version of yours.

If you want the Valentine1 to be quiet turn down the volume or hit the mute button.

I bet your radar detector doesnt offer a concealed display either.

I bet your radar detector doesnt hold its value after it being a few years old either.

Also when I park my car in the Garage at night my Valentine1 gives me a Hug, I bet yours doesnt do that.

Like I said flying blind, no upgrade at a discounted cost with a NEW WARRANTY, wont tell you the direction of the strongest signal and no Hugs Goodnight!

 

I believe the OP asked for opinions on radar detectors. He will likely understand my words when I suggest there is a certain benefit to be derived from ignoring signals arriving from the sides and rear. Upon reading the statements of V1 owners who don't worship their units, I would say it is correct to say the best way to get a V1 to be quiet is to "turn down the volume or hit the mute button".

The 9500i is upgradeable and does have a remote display. Additionally, the built-in GPS allows several unique features such as marking speed trap and camera locations. It also has a usb port to make possible such things as the sharing of data bases.

 

The Valentine One is the best radar/laser detector you can find in the under $500 radar detector category.

http://guysoflidar.com/august-2007/r...ctor-test.html

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detector-performance/

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detec...adar-detector/

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detec...ice-laser-gun/

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detec...adar-detector/

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detec...ice-laser-gun/

 

Whistler Pro-58 in all 3 vehicles. Love it and only 80 bucks.
See the ratings on this website.

http://www.radarbusters.com/

 

Stay within 5-10 of the posted limit and go to the track when you want to speedthere is no better scenario! Radar is way too advance now for any of them to be truly effective...the fact remains I don't care whose detector it is, you can get a ticket with any of them so until that fact is removed, don't waste your money. Besides you can't drive on the streets the way you can at the track.

 

Also depends on how much money you want to spend. The V1 is a bit more expensive..$399.99..
I bought the refurbished passport 8500 for $150... so FAR no complaints really...