Anyone thinking this might be a good idea. I've been looking at the Valentine One. I generally don't speed on the interstate any more than others, but the Vette is a standout and might draw unwanted attention. Having a heads up might help, although I've never used one before.

 

This has been discussed to death.... from my personal research, I would go with the Escort Radar™ 9500ix

 

I already own a 9500ix, so it's a no-brainier. I'm hoping I'll be able to use the visor mount and mirror cord from my C6.

 

ditto

 

Double ditto

 

For about the first 15 minutes after leaving the academy.

 

Heh ................. a radar detector would be the least of my worries on a new model. Especially one that isn't even being built yet.

 

The heads up display has done an VERY good job keeping my speed in check. I don't really watch it, but subconsciously know when the numbers get over 75 MPH in my peripheral to slow down. In my last 2 Corvettes, I never really sped because of it... At least, not by mistake.

My C5 has a super low laser/lidar profile. But the C6's and C7's have much higher laser profiles because the headlights are exposed. It's really hard to get a reading on a C5 from the front if your lights are down and you don't have a front plate. Not the case at all on C6+. I suspect that if it's still legal in your state, getting a laser shifter would be a good idea. They're not legal here, but I suspect I won't really need one.

I'm still thinking about buying a radar detector, though. My friend has the "Redline" and I've seen first hand how ridiculously long ranged it works.

 

Thanks for the feedback - didn't know it was discussed a lot - but even with a clean license, I have thought about it with my other cars. It's been a while since I've had anything remotely close to my C7 on order. As is, I read and look at everything I find on the subject (C7).

Is the rearward detection arrow of the Valentine One of much use, as the Escort doesn't mention it, only saying it's 360 degree detection?

I did read how a low profile car is harder to pick up on radar, but never knew if it was just wishful thinking.

P.S. I hate front plates, but have to have one. I'd pay extra not to have one.

 

Yes, the arrows on the Valentine One are extremely helpful. I also live in a state that requires front plates - over 30 years have never had one.

 

Yes, the rear detection arrow is VERY helpful. On several occasions I have seen a patrol car speeding by and thinking that it is OK to increase speed since he is out front only to find there is a SECOND patrol car behind me! The Valentine is the ONLY detector with that feature and have been very comforting to know what direction the hits are coming from! Haven't had a citation since going with Valentine when I bought my C5 in 1998!
Also, Valentine has updated my unit over the years when upgrades are made to the current models for a reasonable fee. I don't think any of the other manufacturers do that!

 

Head up display really works well as far as keeping you informed of your current speed but there's a million other reasons you can be stopped. I was pulled over 17 times in the first year of the C6 generation and not once was it for speeding. Luckily I'd only receive warnings or at the very most a no front plate ticket (only happened twice). Having a radar detector may actually give a LEO incentive to ticket you.

However, if you still want to have a detector, the V1 is a great choice.

 

Wow - 17 times pulled over - some kinda' record - some of the detector ads claim they are undetectable, but if you need a good location to receive a signal, then that alone defeats the invisible status. Did you carry the front plate with you? With no bracket there, it would be tough for me to make up an excuse. Saying it must have fallen off might appeal to a LEO with a sense of humor though.

 

I have a Valentine 1, and yes the arrows are very helpful. If the detector goes off, the rear arrow is on, and the signal strength keeps increasing, I know to slow down, because I am being overtaken by a cop. If I see it coming from the front, it is probably on the other side of the divided freeway, and is nothing to worry about. You can even see the arrows change from front to side to back as the cop goes by.

Ditto on the C5 with hidden headlights, and my Trans Am also with hidden headlights. They have to hold the laser on those cars for a long time to get a reading. By then I am slowed down. That's the one big advantage of hidden headlights.

Michael

 

I'm not anti-Valentine One in any way, but do have to say that the arrows just seem like fluff. If you get a real alert, in the age of instant on radar, you have to take it easy for maybe 3 miles and 5 minutes as they sometimes work in packs and one simply can't assume he/she is safe because of anything a rearward arrow says.

That being said, I would gladly consider a Valentine One as soon as it contains a GPS like the Escort 9500ix. The GPS is everything. It allows you to eliminate all existing false alerts along your usual routes of travel all over your home locale. It also warns of red light cameras and other speed camera systems. It also warns against known radar traps in rural areas whether or not radar or instant on radar is actually on.

The Valentine One and the Escort 9500ix work about the same in terms of detection, but the 9500ix doesn't drive you nuts with the same false alerts sounding over and over and over. The unit will automatically eliminate false alerts after 3 to 5 passes and the owner/operator can press a button to eliminate any signal known to be false.

I have had this current 9500ix for a year and the only time it now makes a peep near our home is when a real LEO is working the area. The 9500ix also has upgradeable software and frequent data base upgrades.

 

Ditto on the C5 with hidden headlights, and my Trans Am also with hidden headlights. They have to hold the laser on those cars for a long time to get a reading. By then I am slowed down. That's the one big advantage of hidden headlights.
Michael

Wonder if one of those Corvette bras for bugs would be helpful on a trip?

 

It's a tough decision between the two detectors. I'm on vacation this week so It gives me more time checking this out. All this info is a big help. The 9500ix seems to be well recommended here and I'm leaning toward it. Getting it before the C7 would be a good time to test it.

 

I have read somewhere that the color of the car is also important. Black is really great but the darker the color the less reflection from their unit.

 

I use the V1, with Waze on the smart phone. I'd also invest into a laser jammer if its commonly used where you live or travel.

Waze is great, it shows you where cops are, average speeds on roads, traffic and road hazards. The information is put on the application by the users so its normally up to date, and shows you where the cops are at in their speed traps.

 

9500ix for me, Waze on the phone when I'm driving - um ,"enthusiastically" and will probably look into a laser jamming/blinder install on the C7. Maryland is one of those damned 2 plate states and MSP most definitely utilizes LIDAR in addition to the latest instant-on Ka guns (O'Malley is all about raking in the bucks). Also since I have to drive into the District and Virginia occasionally, any radar detector I own must be immune to the Spectre and/or other radar detector detectors. LMAO, welcome to ECM school for civilians.........