I use an Escort myself. I actually had the old school Escort when it was the "thing" to have. It was huge! My Escort picks up radar looong before I even see the source its coming from. Its warned me many times and saved me a ticket.

 

No self-control here..........need radar detector!!!!!

Santa???

 

I am wanting the V1, but, as a technology person, I keep waiting to see if they will release a V2...

 

No matter which detector you have, if it alarms don't look at it , just slow down. the time it takes you to look at the reading/gauge you may get a ticket to the policemens ball. And if he's using a laser you'll better hope he got the car in front of you.

 

I had an Escort 8500 for a few years until it go stolen from my car. Made the mistake of not putting it away one time. It was a good detector and saved my but more than a few times.

Now I have a V1 and love it. The thing about the arrows is you always know where the threat is coming from. Many times I will pass a radar and see the cop. With a regular detector, you think thats it - the detector is still going off but you think its the cop you passed and maybe start to speed up again and WAM there is another one up ahead but you thought it was the signal from behind. The V1 arrows will let you know that the one you just drove by is not the only one out there. The arrow behind will be lit and the one ahead will be flashing to let you know there is another, stronger, threat up ahead. It also has a counter to let you know how many radars are searching. I have been very happy with the V1 and would buy another one if anything ever happened to my present unit. Its a good value for the price and the range is great - plenty of warning time.

 

another V-1 Vote

 

V1 here, I like the directional arrows.

 

Both my wife and I have the 8500 Passport,just keep sight of someone out front of you about a mile, match their speed and when he gets clocked you will know to slow down. These detectors are great but nothing works against instant on.

 

Valentine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

v1 vote here.. ive had an 8500 and its just not as good.. but if ur a speed demon like myself your gonna need a jammer as well

 

jammers are illegal however and most don't work.pick carefully.

 

Never thought about jammers. Is there a particularly good one out there? What exactly do they jam? Is it just one band or all?

As for the V1, I know there are many who feel they are the best, but they seem a bit dated at this point. I wonder if this isn't just brand loyalty at this point.

The 9500ix indicates that it does well with POP, particularly the latest "red line". How does the V1 do with this?

The last time I had a radar detector was late 80's. It went off every time I passed a store, I couldn't stand it anymore and threw it away. I wonder how the V1 does with false alarms, seems the Escort has some great built in learning and does prevent false alarms well (based on reviews I have read on the net).

I guess I could get both, but that seems like overkill for the one time a week when I would actually need it. I have a home office, so no commute for me. I just want something to have fun on the twisties out there in Hill Country on the weekend.

I do play it pretty safe regardless. I'm really not much of a speed demon. Never in the city. Just a little protection would be nice. I generally try to find someone else who is speeding and get a safe distance behind them when I do need to get somewhere fast.

Thanks for all the input. I know this particular topic has probably been discussed a thousand times, but as a newbie, it is all new to me.

 

(Quote) Never thought about jammers. Is there a particularly good one out there? What exactly do they jam? Is it just one band or all?

Laser jammers work. Radar jammers don't. End of story.

 

Anyone familiar with what type of radar is used in North Carolina?

Whats the best type of radar detector for the types of radar used in our area???

 

RADAR!!! You guys are lucky! In Hawaii the law uses "instant on" lasers. Unless you use a jammer (expensive and illegal) you are CAUGHT!

30 mph over the posted limit or driving over 80 mph and it is classified "reckless indangerment" and you get arrested and your car is impounded.

 

ALL police laser guns are "instant on". Nothing unique to Hawaii. In addition to radar, laser guns are also used throughout the U.S.; just not as much as radar.

 

I was just to put my Beltronics V955 up on ebay. It is a phenomenal radar. If you join the radar detector forum it ranks really well compared to some of the 400-500 class choices. If you'd like to start off with something a little more economical that offers great value, let me know. 5 mins of googling will prove to you that the V955 is one hell of a bargain!!

 

Back in the late 70's I lived in Carson City NV. I sold my corvette to a guy that lived in California. I drove the vette to Reno so that we could go to the bank and get the paperwork taken care of. After everything was taken care of we headed out for the drive back to my house in Carson. We got in the car and the new owner reached in his briefcase and pulled out a Beltronics radar detector. He said he was a salesman and spent a lot of time on the road and doesn't go anywhere with out his radar detector. I just rolled my eyes and smiled. He didn't have a mounting bracket so just laid the detector on the console between the seats. We headed out for the drive home. About half way home the radar started to beep. He slowed down a bit and I said I don't see anything. He just smiled and said wait for it. The beeps grew faster and around the bend here comes the highway patrol. I was amazed! I could have used that earlier in the month when I got two tickets two days apart. One was in town going 30 in a 25 zone, the other was going down a little country road with a couple of other cars. Think we were doing 35 in a 30 zone. That one was a speed trap, they pulled all three cars over. I've had a beltronics radar detector in my cars ever since. Replaced the old one I had for a Bel RX65. Liked it so much, bought another for the Jeep. I now have a bel RX75 in the vette. Had it put in when I put the navigation system in. It's built in and never have to look at it, just listen to the voice that says what band is detected. I had to laugh one day when the female navigaton voice is telling me to turn right and at the same time the male Beltronics radar is saying KA Band.

 

The arrows on the V1 are a gimmick. I could care less which direction the radar is coming from because my response would be the same....to slow down.