Radar Detector BEST??
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 462
From: Southern Utah
I like my Escort 8500 and here's my thread on installation which would apply to any one you decide on...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1991773
"Don't want to start a huge debate".............
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1991773
"Don't want to start a huge debate".............
Last edited by cclive; Apr 22, 2008 at 01:05 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,436
Likes: 4
From: Everett Wa
This is what about owning a radar detector is all about. I can't count the number of times I have had cops come up from behind me and I couldn't see them. Arrows plus the strength meter allows me to control the situation. With advanced programing you can limit most if not all of the false alarms if you understand what the officiers in your area use.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,610
Likes: 12
This is an interesing debate between the V1/Escort 8500. I have the escort 8500, but I had a friend just make the switch. I'm getting some real world feedback from a friend of mine whose 8500 was stolen, so he decided to buy the V1 as the replacement..mostly becuase of all the talk about how good it is.
The jury is still out overall, but his first impressions were that technology wise, it was well behind the escort. It lacks much of the features you get used to. The range is better, but at the expense of more false alarms. The thing is going off all the time with multiple threats..too many to be useful sometimes. Oh, and if you want to mute it? No auto-mute, no mute button on the power cord, etc. just to name a few.
Like I said, the jury is still out overall..but I'm going to stick with my 8500 for the time being.
Unfortunately, all these detectors are pretty much expensive devices that tell you your screwed. Lasers and instant on is a killer..nothing you can do about that.
pkstr
The jury is still out overall, but his first impressions were that technology wise, it was well behind the escort. It lacks much of the features you get used to. The range is better, but at the expense of more false alarms. The thing is going off all the time with multiple threats..too many to be useful sometimes. Oh, and if you want to mute it? No auto-mute, no mute button on the power cord, etc. just to name a few.
Like I said, the jury is still out overall..but I'm going to stick with my 8500 for the time being.
Unfortunately, all these detectors are pretty much expensive devices that tell you your screwed. Lasers and instant on is a killer..nothing you can do about that.
pkstr
You can mute it by reaching up and pushing in on the power button. Same as reaching down and pressing the mute button on the adapter of the Escort.
If you are getting what you refer to as "falsing" perhaps from x band, then simply turn the x band off. Or you can go to Logic mode.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Highlands Ranch Co
Another vote for the V1 here. By far the best radar detector I have owned. As others have said the situational awareness it provides is great, having the arrows tell you where the threat is helps instead of a random beep.
The only problem is the detector also detects Infinitys. Nearly every time my Laser warning goes off, there is an Infinity sport utility in an oncoming lane. I don't know much about the trucks, but I'm guessing it has something to do with their cruise controls, and sensing vehicles in front of them. The problem is I am getting to the point where a laser warning doesn't phase me.
The only problem is the detector also detects Infinitys. Nearly every time my Laser warning goes off, there is an Infinity sport utility in an oncoming lane. I don't know much about the trucks, but I'm guessing it has something to do with their cruise controls, and sensing vehicles in front of them. The problem is I am getting to the point where a laser warning doesn't phase me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 8,991
Likes: 2
From: Hanger 18 Taxachusetts
Question for escort owners? No offense and not trying to start a war but why do you guys buy those escorts? The V1 is only $100 more and covers a real 4 sides of the car with arrows at a longer distance. Why would you ever not go with the V1? Keep in mind I went with the 7500 years ago and made that mistake.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
The Escort 7500 from the year 2000 compared to the Valentine One from the same year. The 7500 lost by 1.1-2.2 miles on all radar bands to the Valentine One.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
Size (from smallest to largest):
Valentine One -> 16.20 cu. in.
Bel RX65 Pro -> 16.33 cu. in.
Bel STi -> 16.33 cu. in.
Escort 8500 X50 -> 18.95 cu. in.
Escort 9500i -> 21.72 cu. in.
Weight (from lightest to heaviest):
Valentine One -> 181.5g (6.40 ounces)
Beltronics RX65 Pro -> 236.6g (8.35 ounces)
Escort 8500 X50 -> 253.7g (8.95 ounces)
Escort 9500i -> 269.2g (9.49 ounces)
Beltronics STi Driver -> 291.6g (10.29 ounces)
The Escort 9500i is the largest in size and the Beltronics STi Driver is the heaviest. The Valentine One is the smallest and lightest radar detector of the top 5 radar detectors made today.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio TX
I've been running with the Whistler Pro73 for a few years now and love it. Looks like you can pick up the updated Pro78 for about $130. Haven't been pulled over once with mine. It may not be the BEST, but it's good enough for my purposes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,380
Likes: 103
From: Visalia CA
I love it when people contend that they "don't need to know where the cop is, I just slow down when my radar detector goes off (and look until I see him).
What if one is behind you, tailing you, and zaps you?
Your radar detector goes off. Sure, you slow down. But you have no idea where he is.
You keep driving at this slower speed and come across a LEO on the other side of the road, other side of the median, where he cannot cross over, and chase cars going in your direction, and it looks to you like he is clocking traffic which is oncoming to you. But he is really just sitting there with his radar off unbeknownst to you.
You see him and figure that it was his radar signal that you were picking up on your arrowless detector. So after you get a half to 3/4 mile away from him, you pick it back up.
And get your *** zapped, from behind by the unmarked car which was tailing you, and has been tailing you a few cars back, because the source of the radar you picked up was coming from behind you all the time. He tailed you the whole time, including when you passed the parked cop.
Had you had arrows, you would have known that the initial hit came from behind you and not in front of you.
And when you passed that squad car, you would have known that the source of the initial hit could not have come from that car because it was in front of you when you got the first alarm.
Thats situational awareness. And thats part of what the V1 gives you that the others don't.
(and look until I see him).What if one is behind you, tailing you, and zaps you?
Your radar detector goes off. Sure, you slow down. But you have no idea where he is.
You keep driving at this slower speed and come across a LEO on the other side of the road, other side of the median, where he cannot cross over, and chase cars going in your direction, and it looks to you like he is clocking traffic which is oncoming to you. But he is really just sitting there with his radar off unbeknownst to you.
You see him and figure that it was his radar signal that you were picking up on your arrowless detector. So after you get a half to 3/4 mile away from him, you pick it back up.
And get your *** zapped, from behind by the unmarked car which was tailing you, and has been tailing you a few cars back, because the source of the radar you picked up was coming from behind you all the time. He tailed you the whole time, including when you passed the parked cop.
Had you had arrows, you would have known that the initial hit came from behind you and not in front of you.
And when you passed that squad car, you would have known that the source of the initial hit could not have come from that car because it was in front of you when you got the first alarm.
Thats situational awareness. And thats part of what the V1 gives you that the others don't.
well in my young 35 years of driving, that hasn't happened. While your above scenario proves the usefullness of the arrows, thats a pretty unique situation, and the chances of it happening are pretty slim, at least in my neck of the woods. California is a big place, and the CHP doesn't have the resources or time to set up a "sting" like you describe. And no offense to anyone, but it seems that V1 guys use this as their war cry time and again and it just doesn't happen that much. What happens more, your outlined scenario or false alerts?
One other thing I don't like about your example, is that you assume that if you see a police car and feel you are safe, then I assume you automatically speed up again and get caught by the guy behind you. That's pretty dumb in my book. I don't use a radar detector so I can feel "safe" speeding. I use it because the car goes damm fast and sometimes I don't pay attention. If I'm paying attention, I don't even need the detector.
I like the V1, but it is not the end-all-be-all. To much propadanda built into it.
Last edited by rothchilds; Apr 22, 2008 at 11:51 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: St Louis MO
The One and Only!
Valentine One! Just as a voltmeter, speedometer, and tachometer...my V-1 simply gives me information as to what is going on around me. If you use it to speed, you will eventually pay!
Mike Valentine founded Cincinnati Microwave and went on to build the Escort and Passport. Today, Mike is Valentine 1 and offers the best overall product (IMO of course!).
Mike Valentine founded Cincinnati Microwave and went on to build the Escort and Passport. Today, Mike is Valentine 1 and offers the best overall product (IMO of course!).
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Somerset Kentucky... Life's Abundant For Those Who Believe
That is Outdated info (the 7500)
The passport 8500 and the newer one they have with gps are great.
Valintine is as good but there are none better than passport per the reasearch.
I have the passport 8500 and love it
Has saved my *ss many times... not one ticket since
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Rancho Santa Margarita California
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
From: Bethlehem PA
Another vote for the V1 here. By far the best radar detector I have owned. As others have said the situational awareness it provides is great, having the arrows tell you where the threat is helps instead of a random beep.
The only problem is the detector also detects Infinitys. Nearly every time my Laser warning goes off, there is an Infinity sport utility in an oncoming lane. I don't know much about the trucks, but I'm guessing it has something to do with their cruise controls, and sensing vehicles in front of them. The problem is I am getting to the point where a laser warning doesn't phase me.
The only problem is the detector also detects Infinitys. Nearly every time my Laser warning goes off, there is an Infinity sport utility in an oncoming lane. I don't know much about the trucks, but I'm guessing it has something to do with their cruise controls, and sensing vehicles in front of them. The problem is I am getting to the point where a laser warning doesn't phase me.
A testament to the bogey counter, though: there's a stretch of Rt 22 that runs through Philipsburg, NJ, where there are a ton of false signals (just outside of the P'burg Mall). After driving on that stretch for a while with the V1, I came to know that there was one spot where there were always 3 false signals. In this spot, there's also a grassy median separating the highway. Well, one time going through, I saw 4 signals... sure enough, a cop was sitting in the median, using the false signals to cloak himself. I've seen this repeated on several occasions.
Anyone who uses any other radar detector ignores when it goes off in that area; V1 users know to watch for the number.
I sent my V1 in to get fixed under warranty once, too. It stopped detecting K (or was it Ka? I forget) completely from the front, which was the same band that NJ state police use when they're not using laser. They fixed it and sent it back to me, but I admit that I haven't put a ton of trust in it since that. My power cable clip broke a long time ago, and I never bought another one, so I haven't used the detector in a loooong time. Kinda pointless in stop and go traffic, plus the NJSP (I commute largely in NJ) use laser almost exclusively now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,606
Likes: 88
From: Sammamish WA
This is an interesing debate between the V1/Escort 8500. I have the escort 8500, but I had a friend just make the switch. I'm getting some real world feedback from a friend of mine whose 8500 was stolen, so he decided to buy the V1 as the replacement..mostly becuase of all the talk about how good it is.
The jury is still out overall, but his first impressions were that technology wise, it was well behind the escort. It lacks much of the features you get used to. The range is better, but at the expense of more false alarms. The thing is going off all the time with multiple threats..too many to be useful sometimes. Oh, and if you want to mute it? No auto-mute, no mute button on the power cord, etc. just to name a few.
Like I said, the jury is still out overall..but I'm going to stick with my 8500 for the time being.
Unfortunately, all these detectors are pretty much expensive devices that tell you your screwed. Lasers and instant on is a killer..nothing you can do about that.
pkstr
The jury is still out overall, but his first impressions were that technology wise, it was well behind the escort. It lacks much of the features you get used to. The range is better, but at the expense of more false alarms. The thing is going off all the time with multiple threats..too many to be useful sometimes. Oh, and if you want to mute it? No auto-mute, no mute button on the power cord, etc. just to name a few.
Like I said, the jury is still out overall..but I'm going to stick with my 8500 for the time being.
Unfortunately, all these detectors are pretty much expensive devices that tell you your screwed. Lasers and instant on is a killer..nothing you can do about that.
pkstr
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Alice & Gruene Texas
Beltronics pro 65
I am really enjoying the Beltronics pro 65. I have been using it as my Valentine is down for the count. I have sent the V1 in for repair. I really think the pro65 is doing a better job. The cost of this one is slightly less and it might be a better detector. It is hard to decide which is the better one, but I have been using it for about 6 weeks every day and it's just as good maybe better that the V1.
Just my thoughts so far
Bob
Just my thoughts so far
Bob
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
Arrows and bogey count are very helpful, I've had multiple cops on the road before and been thankful I knew how many & where they were. I also run a Blinder M-20 LIDAR jammer since the sneaky swine around here now have laser guns.. they have no idea why they can't get a reading 
Does that mirror mount at the trophy place make the mirror move around at all? the V1 isn't exactly light.
Does that mirror mount at the trophy place make the mirror move around at all? the V1 isn't exactly light.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
I was watching the youtube videos on radar detectors last night. I would go with the V1 if I bought one due to the arrows. It is always great to know where the threat is coming from. A few of the radar detectors failed pretty good on the videos since it was right next to the undercover Camry when the detector went off. V1 picked it up from a decent distance.
You can tell some people that use a radar detector though. They are the ones that pass you doing about 15 over only to slam on their brakes up ahead and you pass them doing the speed limit or slightly over.
You can tell some people that use a radar detector though. They are the ones that pass you doing about 15 over only to slam on their brakes up ahead and you pass them doing the speed limit or slightly over.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 958
Likes: 1
From: Fresno California
This is an interesing debate between the V1/Escort 8500. I have the escort 8500, but I had a friend just make the switch. I'm getting some real world feedback from a friend of mine whose 8500 was stolen, so he decided to buy the V1 as the replacement..mostly becuase of all the talk about how good it is.
The jury is still out overall, but his first impressions were that technology wise, it was well behind the escort. It lacks much of the features you get used to. The range is better, but at the expense of more false alarms. The thing is going off all the time with multiple threats..too many to be useful sometimes. Oh, and if you want to mute it? No auto-mute, no mute button on the power cord, etc. just to name a few.
Like I said, the jury is still out overall..but I'm going to stick with my 8500 for the time being.
Unfortunately, all these detectors are pretty much expensive devices that tell you your screwed. Lasers and instant on is a killer..nothing you can do about that.
pkstr
The jury is still out overall, but his first impressions were that technology wise, it was well behind the escort. It lacks much of the features you get used to. The range is better, but at the expense of more false alarms. The thing is going off all the time with multiple threats..too many to be useful sometimes. Oh, and if you want to mute it? No auto-mute, no mute button on the power cord, etc. just to name a few.
Like I said, the jury is still out overall..but I'm going to stick with my 8500 for the time being.
Unfortunately, all these detectors are pretty much expensive devices that tell you your screwed. Lasers and instant on is a killer..nothing you can do about that.
pkstr
