-
Protip: Profile posts are public! Use Conversations to message other members privately. Everyone can see the content of a profile post.
What's the best radar detector out there?
- Thread starter RoyGee
- Start date
Get the Valentine 1. Ten people out of ten will tell you that it's the best you can buy. Check out their website.
I use the Escort 8500 with remote. Work great as well!
A lot of members like the V1, I think it is ugly. (Flame on) The Passport has a better display IMHO. Plus, I got a good deal on it.
Both are very good. Check out radartest.com.
DO NOT BUY A K-40. I have one in the car and never turn the thing on.
A lot of members like the V1, I think it is ugly. (Flame on) The Passport has a better display IMHO. Plus, I got a good deal on it.
Both are very good. Check out radartest.com.
DO NOT BUY A K-40. I have one in the car and never turn the thing on.
For ages, Escort has referred to radartest.com in their ads. And invariably on that site, the Escort product comes in way ahead of everything else. Out of 40 detectors, guess which are the only 3 with perfect 5-star ratings across the board in every category? The 3 Escort products, of course. The V1 rates a middling 2.5/5/5/2/3 rating. This, even though every other test I've ever seen (car mags, etc) has the V1 way ahead.
The site sells a few cheesy speeding-related items - a light flasher, a book on avoiding tickets, a couple videos. But no detectors.. What's their interest in running all these detector tests, year after year?
To me, this radartest.com site utterly reeks as a shill for Escort. Just MHO...
[This message has been edited by Timbo (edited 10 March 2003).]
I've got a V1 and will admit, it is fugly and way too big. But there are two things it has that no others have. The "bogey" counter to tell you how many signals your dealing with, and the directional lights that tell you what direction those signals are coming from. For the price difference I would gladly pay it all over again just for those little arrows. I had the original Escort when it came out, so I was partial to them, and the Solo after that. Mike Valentine worked for Escort and started his own company, Valentine Research. Those lights have saved me on more than one occasion! Functionality wins over small and cute everytime.
I recently purchased a V1. Thought about sending it back. I had a Whistler and the V1 in at the same time, the V1 started going off to the max. Nothing from the Whistler. After a few miles of wondering what the heck was going on, I spot the cop ahead and then the Whistler finally started to go off. I am sold on the V1 now.
V1 all the way...had one for years
The reason why is (or, at least, was) explained on Valentine 1's website. radartest.com was created by Craig Peterson, a consultant whose entreaties to Valentine Research for paid consulting gigs were spurned.
For (literally) decades, the most independent and comprehensive radar detector tests have been conducted periodically every few years by Car and Driver. Their most recent test, in February 2002, is on their website here. The winner, by far, is the Valentine 1.
The Escort 8500 is a good radar detector. Its primary advantage over the Valentine 1 is its price. It, and the Valentine 1, both come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. The Valentine 1 is the best. But if you're not convinced whether it's worth the money, buy the Valentine 1 and the Escort, and send back the one you decide not to keep. Valentine 1 encourages such comparisons in their advertising. They wouldn't do that unless most folks sent back the Escort. 'nuff said.
Although the Escort doesn't have the arrows it does have the "bogey" counter.
My opinion....
The V1 is a great detector but it really needs a redesign. It is too large and awkward. I have a V1 in one of my cars. I love the bogey counter and the locator arrow. The design is getting real old, however.
Also, valentine does not make a remote detector. This is what I REALLY want.
My NSX has a passport srx now. I think the biggest threat (in my area at least) is laser. The srx has excellent detection abilities AND has laser jammers. And, yes, they work!
The V1 is a great detector but it really needs a redesign. It is too large and awkward. I have a V1 in one of my cars. I love the bogey counter and the locator arrow. The design is getting real old, however.
Also, valentine does not make a remote detector. This is what I REALLY want.
My NSX has a passport srx now. I think the biggest threat (in my area at least) is laser. The srx has excellent detection abilities AND has laser jammers. And, yes, they work!
The newer V1 is somewhat smaller than the older ones.
Valentine sells an optional remote display for its detector.
But the SRX costs $1500.
[This message has been edited by nsxtasy (edited 10 March 2003).]
Ken,
I think he is referring to the Stealth mounted unit, not just a remote.
I am unbiased in the situation. Both are good units. The V1 has the edge on performance. I am not a habitual speeder, but I like having something in the car for the occasional romp down the freeway onramp. The 8500 works great for me.
I have never owned a V1, nor have I ever met a V1 owner that was dissatisfied with their unit. As a designer I lean toward aesthetics manifested by outward appearances or style of behavior, hence the NSX as my daily vehicle and the 8500 in the dash.
Good luck on your decision.
------------------
Please visit http://www.nsxparts.com. The best place to buy and sell parts for your NSX.
If you want an independent test, you should also not use the Car & Driver results due to Pat Bedard being paid an annual retainer by Valentine. Pat also raced Cincinnati Microwave's cars back in
the '80's, and their close relationship could have an influence.
Escort claims that the C&D test is biased toward the V1 because it is tailored toward the V1's performance. They give specifics at: http://www.escortradar.com/cdnotes.htm
They also give numerous other tests: http://www.escortradar.com/reviews.htm
I don't normally use a radar detector and have not purchased either unit above, but as an engineer, I could develop a test to have either unit win (if I wanted to).
Bob
What I find questionable about those specifics is that they argue about how points were allocated, when the fact remains that the V1 beat the Escort in every test reported, even before the assignment of points to the results. So no amount of "tailoring" could have made the Escort the champ.
Regardless, the best way to compare the two is do your own test. Buy one of each, and use both of them. No obligation. Just keep the one YOU like best.
You must have read this book!!!!
These tests make me think of a few of Tufte's theories!
------------------
Please visit http://www.nsxparts.com. The best place to buy and sell parts for your NSX.
Originally posted by nsxtasy:
But the SRX costs $1500.For half that cost, you could buy a Valentine 1 and one of the several laser jammers on the market that work. And the performance would be superior to that of the SRX.
[This message has been edited by nsxtasy (edited 10 March 2003).]
I was referring to a completely remote unit. You still have to put a V1 in the windshield or line of sight.
Also, I just ordered an SRX for $695, brand new. I will do the installation. $1500 is MSRP and will of course vary. But i think $695 is a great deal.
Unfortunately, except for laser, that is the primary problem with remote mounted units. The detector antenna (actually a horn type unit) has to be in "the way" of the radar signal to pick it up. The closer to the road this horn gets (stealth installs), the worse the performance. The best performance would be to mount the thing on the roof, but few are willing to do that (unless you have a Mugen/Gruppe M scoop
------------------
Gary Yates
1995 Red/Tan Boooleevard Cruzer
1992 White/Black Track Rat
2002 Red and White Cooper S - for sale, please inquire
BTW, I happen to have an Escort 8500 with both the cig lighter adapter cord and two inline fused wiring kits if someone wants it much cheaper than new. Guess which one I like better!!!!
------------------
Gary Yates
1995 Red/Tan Boooleevard Cruzer
1992 White/Black Track Rat
2002 Red and White Cooper S - for sale, please inquire
------------------
Gary Yates
1995 Red/Tan Boooleevard Cruzer
1992 White/Black Track Rat
2002 Red and White Cooper S - for sale, please inquire
I just have one stupid question, is the radar detector illegal, if I got pull over by a police, should I hide the thing?
I am from California, is the law vary in different states?
I am from California, is the law vary in different states?
Originally posted by ncdogdoc:
Unfortunately, except for laser, that is the primary problem with remote mounted units. The detector antenna (actually a horn type unit) has to be in "the way" of the radar signal to pick it up. The closer to the road this horn gets (stealth installs), the worse the performance. The best performance would be to mount the thing on the roof, but few are willing to do that (unless you have a Mugen/Gruppe M scoop). Next best is as high inside the car as possible with a full view fore and aft. This can still be done very stealth, and will give many, many more feet (yards, tenths of mile, etc) of warning.
I completely agree with your statements. And like I said, I have a V1 and love it. But I want a remote system and the laser jamming. Hey I could still use my V1 at the same time too. The SRX has not let me down yet.
But, with the low height of the nsx, I think the 2 ft difference between the remote mount and the windshield won't make a big difference in detection, especially for radar which bounces off of everything and is generally easier to detect then laser.
I have had a string of Escort products and have been very happy with all of them. The material quality and quality of the fit and finish have always been first rate. I have the new Solo S2 and it can independently track 8 contacts, displaying the signal strength of each, along with radar or laser type. As for all of this talk that the V1 can detect radar 2% farther, etc., well, I have always detected the radar long before the officer would have been in a position to clock me, so I am willing to give up that last % of range for the ease of use of a battery powered unit. In the case of instant on, when you cannot detect the officer clocking someone else in front of you, the V1, Solo, etc., are all useless. I do not have to remote mount it to keep it out of sight when I am not in the car. I just unclip it from the suction mount and put it in the glove box, a 2 second job. Over all, the best detector for my needs.
[This message has been edited by 9000RPMan (edited 11 March 2003).]
[This message has been edited by 9000RPMan (edited 11 March 2003).]
Every essay on speeding that I have ever come across says that when the cops come, ditch the detector. Even if it is legal it tags you as a 'dedicated speeder' and significantly increases the liklihood that you will be ticketed. V1's quick release feature is helpful in this regard.
Radar detectors are illegal in Virginia and the District of Columbia, and (all of?) Canada. I believe they are legal in all the other 49 states.
However, many police do not like to see a radar detector because they interpret its presence as an intention to speed. If you have a chance to hide it, it might not hurt.
Valentine One is the best....period.
------------------
Mason
Tire Rack sales...contact me for all your wheel and tire needs.
1-800-428-8355
Ext. 619
1991 Acura NSX (auto)
2002 Honda S2000
1996 Acura Integra GSR
1990 Honda Accord EX
2003 Mitsubishi Evolution 8
------------------
Mason
Tire Rack sales...contact me for all your wheel and tire needs.
1-800-428-8355
Ext. 619
1991 Acura NSX (auto)
2002 Honda S2000
1996 Acura Integra GSR
1990 Honda Accord EX
2003 Mitsubishi Evolution 8
Similar threads
