Radar Detectors

[SPTNSX]

I'm in the market to buy a REALLY good radar detector. I recently bought the Escort 9500IX from Best Buy. Unfortunately it was horrible at picking up police cars. I thought it was defective so I switch it for another one; same thing. It didn't pick up any cops, it only alerted me school zones and red stop lights. So i returned it and now I'm looking to buy the Escort 8500. Heard a lot of good reviews. Also people have been said that the Valentine 1 is also good but they get a lot of false alerts and it gets annoying. Anyone have any ideas on a good radar detectors?

Thanks!

 

[socold57]

v1 just on lazer mode is what i use . works great

 

[BTL3.0]

v1 or Beltronics.. i have the beltronics 995, i like it.. pick up pretty far.
also if u want more, u can always try the STI model.. heard those are really good too. but so pricey..

 

[scorp965]

My preference is the STI Magnum; I also have a 9500iX, V1, and two Cobra models.

 

[curtsr]

V1 plus Blinder/ Laser Interceptor.

To get similar protection from Escort you have to go waaaay upstream with the 9500ci.

 

[SPTNSX]

I want to try Beltronics as well, heard Escort bought them out hahah. Money isn't a problem if they work great

 

[Caroline-NSX]

Valentine 1 is the BEST! :wink:

 

[06_typeS]

I really wish they werent Illegal in Canada.

 

[bngl3rt]

To get similar protection from Escort you have to go waaaay upstream with the 9500ci.

BUT the higher end Escort systems can have a totally stealth install, no?

 

[LJSB]

I have two V1 and one Escort 8500i.

The arrows that show you where the threat is coming from makes a huge difference in the value of the warning. I know where the signal comes from on the V1 and can assess if it is a problem quickly.

With the Escort I go crazy trying to find the threat and if it is on the other side of the highway, a cross or parallel street, hidden two cars behind me etc..
I find myself saying out loud "where, where?".

The number of signals is another good tool on the V1. I have been saved a number of time getting a warning and seeing a threat or knowing there was a false when the V1 lets me know there is yet another and that one was real.

Yes. It the V1 has a few more false warnings but vet few useless ones but in real use, for me is more valuable in good information.

Truth is I seldom exceed the speed limit except on major highways and that at most is by 5mph. I think it is the limit NOT the minimum. Crazy concept huh?

 

[sippy2]

My preference is the STI Magnum; I also have a 9500iX, V1, and two Cobra models.

What makes the Magnum your preference? Performance...looks...quality...mounting?

 

[Lostbuckeye]

+1 on the V1. I was coming hot up an on-ramp and the V1 with those directional arrows let me know instantly that a cop was on the interstate coming from behind. I looked in the mirror and sure enough he was there. He followed me a few miles pinging me sporadically before he got bored or spied a Dunkin Donuts at the next exit.

 

[curtsr]

V1's are great and they give good input into signal strength and direction.
But... in the case of laser if it goes off it probably only serves as an early citation indicator.
That's why you need the jammer to supplement the radar detection.

 

[DocL]

Not having a V1 is like sticking your pecker into a crack whore. You just don't do it.

 

[Caroline-NSX]

V1 is the best bang for the buck. Works awesome and for the price I don't think anything out there can compare to it. Everything else is either junky or over price and doesn't really work like the V1 does.

 

[davidf]

Ok, I have the Passport 8500, Passport 8500 X50, Passport Solo, and Passport 9500ix. I love the X50, the Solo is a bit weak but does the job
{weak due to its not 12 volt}, I hate the 9500 due to it's high tech though it does work well. I picked it up from a narcotics seized car and it was so new it smelled new. A good deal since it was free. I would trade it for another 8500 X50 though. I've always wanted to try the V1 but with a house full of detectors I hate spending more money. Maybe someday.

 

[Caroline-NSX]

Ok, I have the Passport 8500, Passport 8500 X50, Passport Solo, and Passport 9500ix. I love the X50, the Solo is a bit weak but does the job
{weak due to its not 12 volt}, I hate the 9500 due to it's high tech though it does work well. I picked it up from a narcotics seized car and it was so new it smelled new. A good deal since it was free. I would trade it for another 8500 X50 though. I've always wanted to try the V1 but with a house full of detectors I hate spending more money. Maybe someday.

Davidf, you should give the V1 a try.I promise you that you will not go back to the Passport :wink:

 

[MrTwo]

I'm in the market to buy a REALLY good radar detector. I recently bought the Escort 9500IX from Best Buy. Unfortunately it was horrible at picking up police cars. I thought it was defective so I switch it for another one; same thing. It didn't pick up any cops, it only alerted me school zones and red stop lights. So i returned it and now I'm looking to buy the Escort 8500. Heard a lot of good reviews. Also people have been said that the Valentine 1 is also good but they get a lot of false alerts and it gets annoying. Anyone have any ideas on a good radar detectors?

Thanks!

Isn't it possible they just didn't have their radar on? The 9500IX is one of the very best detectors on the market. Try the V1, it's great as well with the arrows and slightly better IO detection then the 9500IX but it doesn't lock out the false alerts so it's a lot more chatty in the city.

If money is no object get the Bel STi-R Plus, enable band segmentation and disable RDR. Better than V1 performance + GPS lockouts for false alerts + hidden install :biggrin:

 

[hofffam]

The V1 is more chatty in the city. Turn of X band and it gets a good bit better. But it is otherwise a fantastic detector. Well built. They use laser occasionally in Austin, and the V1 sees it but the warning is much shorter. The good news is that laser is always stationary and you can still benefit from the signal hitting the vehicles in front of you.

 

[davidf]

Davidf, you should give the V1 a try.I promise you that you will not go back to the Passport :wink:

Yes I'm almost there. I've been a loyal fan of Escort through out the years. Depnding on the age of some of you guys you'll remember these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1984-ESCORT...1695955582614603781&pid=100011&prg=1005&rk=1&
My first detector. Back in the day, if you did'nt remove it form the dash it would be gone soon as you walked out of site. If you had this, you truely were king.

 

[FarEastGrappler]

V1 is the Best, AND when they update, you can send in your V1 to be upgraded (for a fee). When the others improve their detectors, you have no option but to buy their latest model

 

[davidf]

V1 is the Best, AND when they update, you can send in your V1 to be upgraded (for a fee). When the others improve their detectors, you have no option but to buy their latest model

This is awesome. My "service required" indicator came on my X50 and cost me a 100.00 bill to do whatever they do. Huge dissapointment.

 

[Caroline-NSX]

V1 is the Best, AND when they update, you can send in your V1 to be upgraded (for a fee). When the others improve their detectors, you have no option but to buy their latest model

That is correct. You can send it in for an update or upgrade. You can check online if your V1 needs an update or upgrage. All you need is your serial number that is on the bottom of your V1. Thats another great thing about the V1 :wink:

 

[Dhalsim]

Why are you messing with all that other crap!? Buy a V1 and be done with it. Others will say theirs works better but others are wrong.

 

[Caroline-NSX]

This is awesome. My "service required" indicator came on my X50 and cost me a 100.00 bill to do whatever they do. Huge dissapointment.

V1 only charge 45 buck to update the V1. And I think you only do it once every 4 or 5 years :wink: