Best to use both!!

 

Waze is not a stand alone substitute for a RD.

It is a tool to use with a RD. Waze is totally dependent on reporting, so it will be less useful the more rural/highway you drive. Keep in mind that cops monitor it as well, so the minute they are reported, they will move shop to a new place and get someone (or three) before they are reported at the new location; rinse and repeat.

 

I have a V1 and I really like the arrows. It's nice to know where that radar ping is coming from, especially front/rear.

I used to have a cheap Uniden years ago before the V1 and really liked it.

What is it specifically about the R3 that's better than the V1? Is it worth replacing the V1 for the R3? I'd really miss those arrows though.

 

I agree. I've used Waze on road trips to augment my RD in high traffic areas. It can be a helpful tool when used within its limitations.

However, it is next to useless in rural BFE where I live. I've given up using it in my daily driving and have uninstalled it from my phone.

 

For me personally? The Uniden R3 is the one I rely on day to day to keep me protected.

For most people just starting out though, I think a slightly more automated detector like the Max360 would be a better choice. The big issue with it is that its false alert filtering isn't up to par with the competition, but there's a firmware update that should be coming (but has been delayed over and over and over again), but once it finally comes out, it should improve things considerably and make the detector way better.

I like the V1 too, but don't use it as much these days because it relies on the phone for many important features like GPS lockouts and a frequency display. Plus at night it's harder to identify the band just by looking at the detector since it's all red lights.

Yeah the arrows really are handy. The main benefits of the Uniden are significantly longer range, GPS functionality built into the detector to give you low speed muting, GPS lockouts, and redlight camera alerts (though you can get this for the V1 but pairing a phone), a frequency display right on the detector, the company is rapidly adding new features and improvements based on user feedback, and it's undetectable if you happen to live in an area where police use radar detector detectors. The V1 does have arrows though so you'd have to rely more on the sounds and speed of the beeps to determine what's what. Arrows simplify the location process considerably, but ultimately it's all a trade-off. Oh, the V1's laser sensitivity is way better, but it falses way more too and either way, laser detectors aren't good to rely on for protecting you from tickets. That's what laser jammers are for.

 

I use the passport 9500 and 8500. They are helpful when combined with watchful eyes and countryside. Primarily I find the radar units help one from doing stupid **** at the wrong damn time.

 

^^^Nailed It!

 

I know it's reviving a couple year old thread - but I have the Uniden R3, Uniden R7 and had the Escort Max II. Just gave the Max II to the son-in-law a week ago. I won't give up my R3/R7's - they're beasts. Have

 

I had my Escort 9500 when this thread started and still have it today. It's not longer supported by Escort, but I'll keep using it until it dies, it saves me daily

 

Valentine One Gen 2 just hit the streets. Upgrade over the awesome V1 Gen 1. I just ordered one. My Gen 1 is for sale with lots of accessories.

 

Uniden R7
Best Range with arrows ↓↑
Gps built in also

 

Have a Valentine V1 I'll sell dirt cheap. Nothing wrong with it at all, just don't have a need for it. Imo Waze does more than enough for my needs.

 

Waze is awesome! I installed a new head unit with Waze functionality...what a blessing. There are a lot of people using this app...very handy!!

 

V1 is very hard to beat:

- Boogy counter (works supurb with the directional arrows)
- Directional arrows (can see from where, possible multiple, signal is coming from)
- Upgradable (don't have to continuously buy the latest version, just send it to them for upgrades)
- Offers a concealed display (for stealth/professional looking installations)
- Offers industry standard/leading types of coverage

Well worth it!

 

Waze is just one tool, like many other others in order to avoid the Revenue Collectors. No more or less (arguably) than other tools.

The more urban the area you drive in, the more Waze may be useful. It is entirely dependent on reporting by users (for other than fixed threats such as cameras). The more rural the area, the less Waze is a useful tool. In my neck of the woods, it is next to useless, due to lack of reporting.

The more rural (road tripping) your travels, the less Waze is useful. Not to be depended on exclusively.

 

Agreed. I have yet to use it on a longer road trip (> 250 miles). I have other measures in place to protect me from those "Revenue Collectors" (Escort radar detector/ laser jammer). Like you said...certainly not to be depended on exclusively...but a great tool none the less.

 

I've used Waze on several long road trips and it works pretty well on interstates where there is usually enough traffic even in the sticks to keep the app updated. Low traffic secondary roads, not so much. Also, if the cop is smart enough to move his location frequently there is always a couple of minutes window where he's not been reported. I use a V1 as well, will either get it updated or buy one of the gen 2's but will probably wait ~6 months to get any early bugs out.

 

Exchange my V1 Gen 1 for V1 Gen 2 yesterday. Called them and should have by Wednesday next week. Lady that I talked to at Valentine asked me if I could behave myself until I receive my new V 1. We will see.

 

You will love it. I've had the Gen 2 for about a week now. Huge upgrade over the V1. I'm lucky that I don't have to use K band in my area. No LEO's use it here, but I've been driving around with K band on and big L mode and it is extremely more quiet than the V1. Some vehicle BSM and stationary signs will still get through though. You should look up the Mike Valentine interview with Vortex, he goes into great detail about the Gen2.

 

I just updated my 9500ix with detector tools, yes they are still supported, also updated my MAX360 with detector tools pro.