I have escort8500 worth every penny.Not that i speed 
but the very rare moments when im weak........................
Radar detector recommendations
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Central Jersey
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,280
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From: atlantic city new jersey
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,143
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From: Glenside PA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Thanks to everyone for your opinions/input (not to mention everyone's concern for my speeding habits 
). Seems like the Escort and V1 are tied (between the two threads that are now on the C5 gen section).
I might have to flip a coin at this point...
). Seems like the Escort and V1 are tied (between the two threads that are now on the C5 gen section).I might have to flip a coin at this point...
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 15,560
Likes: 166
From: Long Island NY
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
The top line detectors all seem to perform well & there will be boosters for each brand. Most important factor that I've found though is PAY ATTENTION TO THE DARN THING! Got nailed last year....detector went off & instead of getting on the middle pedal, I start looking around wondering where the signal is coming from & BAM.....he's got me. Luckily found a local town attorney (Tuxedo, NY) to bang it down from 25 over to 9 over..... And I know, here come the flames! But if I wanted to always drive the posted limit I'd drive a Hundai 
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 354
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From: West Townsend MA
Oops
. Seeing that I'm a North Easterner as well, perhaps I should hang out there too.
Remo
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
From: Toronto/Maple ON
around here, all cops set up a trap and use a laser, i guess a radar/laser detector is not much good for that, cause as i understand, its instant hit, and you're notified that he's got you at the same time, so theres no time to slow down. am i right ?
- Kons
- Kons
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,041
Likes: 4
From: Rockford Illinois
Bell.... I have owned a Bell radar detector for over 10 years. I have never once been stopped while it was turned on. It detects up to a mile away, and uses all the new software that the poilics have for running radar.
They arent going to break the bank, I got mine for a little over $300. You can order themthru Bells website directly and save some money.
They arent going to break the bank, I got mine for a little over $300. You can order themthru Bells website directly and save some money.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,947
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From: Atlanta GA
basically your 2 options are Escort 8500 (or 9500 if you feel like you need gps) and the Valentine. The Valentine is about 2x as expensive as the Escort 8500 and they are arguably the same all around. Either way you cant go wrong (maybe with one of them your wallet will be way lighter than the other...)
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 312
From: P-town Baby! Virginia
whatever you buy...don't let budget be the deciding factor....spend the $$$ to get the detector you want the first time out......it will save you many times over in tickets prevented....that will save you $$$ in the long run. I have a V1 that I have had for many years now......and it has been great. Sent it in last year to get the latest updates. Can't go wrong with a V1. 
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 577
Likes: 0
From: Palm Harbor Florida
Radar when used properly by LEO is hard to defeat..even more with Laser..if you have a "laser detector" and it goes off..just pull over b/c that means the laser itself was shot directly into the detector and your speed has already been captured..Laser detectors will only alarm when the beam has gone directly into the unit. "Laser" detector sounds good to the uninformed consumer but is really a rip off. Better just to keep it near the speed limit in the long run.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,501
Likes: 1
From: TAMPA BAY FL.
V1 --It does pick up Laser, but if you're first in line.....
Of course there's calibre, but at $2000.00
http://radartest.com/article_2.asp?articleid=100584
Of course there's calibre, but at $2000.00
http://radartest.com/article_2.asp?articleid=100584
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,888
Likes: 21
From: Olathe, Kansas
My Escort 8500 X50 has saved me countless times! Any of the high end units are good (Valentine 1, Escort, Beltronics) But if I was buying, I'd go for the New Escort 9500xi. Check with Jim @www.southerncarparts.com
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 2
From: San Clemente CA
V1 all the way!! Knowing how many threats and where they are is absolutely imperative to understanding the true nature of the situation. The detector has been improved countless times over the years, and Valentine will offer to upgrade or replace the unit for a reasonable fee as they're improved.
With that said, I'd love to see the V1 improved with the GPS capability and memory of the 9500 for those alarms that are fixed, e.g. shopping centers et al.
With that said, I'd love to see the V1 improved with the GPS capability and memory of the 9500 for those alarms that are fixed, e.g. shopping centers et al.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Sunny So Cal
I've been using the Escort X8500 since 2002 on THREE different cars. And I love them!
I tried the V1 twice (1 month trials) but somehow I liked the Escort better. From my experience, the V1 had more false alarms (even after turning X and K off, only detecting Ka). The last time I tried the V1 was 6 months ago. I thought maybe it's time to try the V1 but after a month, I sold it to get the Escort.
As for the arrows, it a nice feature but when it comes to it. You immediately slow down when you hear an alarm going off. The arrow doesn't really do anything for me.
Finally, one feature I like about the Escort is the auto silence. After a radar source is detected, a warning is given and it immediately silence. I think the V1 has a similar feature but I just like the Escort better.
There are those who swear by the V1. Since they both have a 30 days trial period, try them both out. I did that twice and I love my X8500.
I tried the V1 twice (1 month trials) but somehow I liked the Escort better. From my experience, the V1 had more false alarms (even after turning X and K off, only detecting Ka). The last time I tried the V1 was 6 months ago. I thought maybe it's time to try the V1 but after a month, I sold it to get the Escort.
As for the arrows, it a nice feature but when it comes to it. You immediately slow down when you hear an alarm going off. The arrow doesn't really do anything for me.
Finally, one feature I like about the Escort is the auto silence. After a radar source is detected, a warning is given and it immediately silence. I think the V1 has a similar feature but I just like the Escort better.
There are those who swear by the V1. Since they both have a 30 days trial period, try them both out. I did that twice and I love my X8500.
