Radar Detectors

[comtec]

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.

I think they do offer a upgrade for the x50 but not free. They also give a $80 trade in for it. What is the service required? Had mine since they first came out.

Escort has a new TSR Software to filter radar-based traffic sensors which is becoming a pia. I don't even use mine much anymore because it goes off every mile near town. May have to get one for that reason. Does the V1 false on them?

Mike

 

[Lostbuckeye]

I think they do offer a upgrade for the x50 but not free. They also give a $80 trade in for it. What is the service required? Had mine since they first came out.

Escort has a new TSR Software to filter radar-based traffic sensors which is becoming a pia. I don't even use mine much anymore because it goes off every mile near town. May have to get one for that reason. Does the V1 false on them?

Mike

I was just up there a couple weeks ago and yes the V1 will go off on each of them but the alarm is very short and it's easy to recognize which is real and which is false by signal strength and duration of the alarm. I turn the volume real low and since the detector is mounted on the driver's side of the mirror, I can see the signal strength and direction in the corner of my eye. For me it's not a big deal.

 

[scorp965]

The V1 is great if you only use it while speeding, but for daily use too many false detections make it a hindrance, to the point where you start to ignore it all of the time. This situation has become worse over the last few years, it really needs some kind of filtering update. FWIW, my V1 is the newest version, and was last upgraded about 6 months ago (V1 offered a newer software update). The cost of V1 updates varies, from around $50 to $250, depending on what needs to be changed within the unit. One thing I do like about V1 is they offer a cosmetic upgrade, where they transfer your V1's guts into a new housing, for around $150.

Remote installation detectors are not worth the effort unless you live in a State where detectors are illegal, eg Virginia. Laser shifters are nice, but illegal - if you decide to use one, Blinder makes the better reviewed units. Installing an all in one solution from Escort or Beltronics will leave you with a detector that is drilled into your car, will become obsolete in about 4-5 years, and with marginal laser jamming. Why not get the best mobile detector, hardwire it for a degree of concealment, and install the best laser jammers available? Cost is about the same, either way you go.

Beltronics is Escort's sister company, and there is a great deal of shared tech between the two entities. The current "top dogs" are the Escort Redline, and Beltronics STI Magnum - the Magnum is the same as the previous STI driver, but with a 50% increase in detection range. It doesn't have the GPS capabilities of the Escort line, but frankly the use of GPS has always seemed a bit extraneous to me. I don't take my unit inside my house daily to USB update it, as would be required with the Escort, and I don't want to spend 15 seconds each time I start my car syncing a detector with my phone, as would be required with Cobra's efforts.

I want a solid detector I can leave in my car, which will warn me of actual threats, and shut up the rest of the time. This is what the Beltronics STI Magnum offers, and it's the detector I leave in my car. Because of my business, I need to have the current crop of top line detectors available; I could physically drive with any current model, since I own them all, and the Beltronics offers the best solution to my needs, and my area; it's the unit I recommend, and use.

 

[davidf]

I think they do offer a upgrade for the x50 but not free. They also give a $80 trade in for it. What is the service required? Had mine since they first came out.

Escort has a new TSR Software to filter radar-based traffic sensors which is becoming a pia. I don't even use mine much anymore because it goes off every mile near town. May have to get one for that reason. Does the V1 false on them?

Mike

At some point in it's life it will beep twice and "service required" will show up on the display. Now mind you, it does'nt seem to affect performance and I would turn it off then turn it back on. It may show up 2 weeks later again and repeat that until you want to hurl out the car window or send it in.

 

[comtec]

I was just up there a couple weeks ago and yes the V1 will go off on each of them but the alarm is very short and it's easy to recognize which is real and which is false by signal strength and duration of the alarm. I turn the volume real low and since the detector is mounted on the driver's side of the mirror, I can see the signal strength and direction in the corner of my eye. For me it's not a big deal.

Hey Thanks for letting me know. Yeah it's crazy up here, i think ohio has over 1000 of the traffic sensors. I drive alot for work and after a while it's just too much. Valentine out.


@Scorp
I got a terminal lead foot so i always need it. Luckily the boys in blue tend to cut company trucks a break :smile:. Do the Bel's have the same traffic sensor filter?

Mike

 

[SPTNSX]

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:

Yea that's what I though too but this was a patrol officer on the side of the freeway. I'm sure he has his radar on hahaha

 

[SPTNSX]

The V1 is great if you only use it while speeding, but for daily use too many false detections make it a hindrance, to the point where you start to ignore it all of the time. This situation has become worse over the last few years, it really needs some kind of filtering update. FWIW, my V1 is the newest version, and was last upgraded about 6 months ago (V1 offered a newer software update). The cost of V1 updates varies, from around $50 to $250, depending on what needs to be changed within the unit. One thing I do like about V1 is they offer a cosmetic upgrade, where they transfer your V1's guts into a new housing, for around $150.

Remote installation detectors are not worth the effort unless you live in a State where detectors are illegal, eg Virginia. Laser shifters are nice, but illegal - if you decide to use one, Blinder makes the better reviewed units. Installing an all in one solution from Escort or Beltronics will leave you with a detector that is drilled into your car, will become obsolete in about 4-5 years, and with marginal laser jamming. Why not get the best mobile detector, hardwire it for a degree of concealment, and install the best laser jammers available? Cost is about the same, either way you go.

Beltronics is Escort's sister company, and there is a great deal of shared tech between the two entities. The current "top dogs" are the Escort Redline, and Beltronics STI Magnum - the Magnum is the same as the previous STI driver, but with a 50% increase in detection range. It doesn't have the GPS capabilities of the Escort line, but frankly the use of GPS has always seemed a bit extraneous to me. I don't take my unit inside my house daily to USB update it, as would be required with the Escort, and I don't want to spend 15 seconds each time I start my car syncing a detector with my phone, as would be required with Cobra's efforts.

I want a solid detector I can leave in my car, which will warn me of actual threats, and shut up the rest of the time. This is what the Beltronics STI Magnum offers, and it's the detector I leave in my car. Because of my business, I need to have the current crop of top line detectors available; I could physically drive with any current model, since I own them all, and the Beltronics offers the best solution to my needs, and my area; it's the unit I recommend, and use.

Dang, thanks for the great write up. You're kind of like me. I drive in the city a lot too and I want a radar detector that can handle highway and city. I now am starting to consider either the Beltronics or V1. I will just have to do more research hahaha

 

[comtec]

Dang, thanks for the great write up. You're kind of like me. I drive in the city a lot too and I want a radar detector that can handle highway and city. I now am starting to consider either the Beltronics or V1. I will just have to do more research hahaha

interesting article

Mike

 

[SPTNSX]

interesting article

Mike

wow thanks for the link, sure gave me a lot of information about the two radars :smile:

 

[davidf]

Like the new avatar Comtec.:wink:

 

[comtec]

Like the new avatar Comtec.:wink:

Thanks David,
It was done by a very talented person to make a cartoon look so real, i just changed the color. Was getting tired of the wheel.

Yeah, haven't seen that service indication yet. I need to check the numbers on the X50 to see if it's one they can add the new TSR software to. Mine is pretty old so it's probably the one that isn't upgradeable.

Mike

 

[EuroBoutique]

Nothing beats the V1 on the open highway!

I use it customized in all of our cars including the s2000 and NSX:

 

[Dhalsim]

Nothing beats the V1 on the open highway!

I use it customized in all of our cars including the s2000 and NSX:

In that set up since the V1 is facing the back of the car would a radar hit from the back show on the front arrow or did you modify the arrow inputs?

 

[EuroBoutique]

^Roger actually in that setup the V1 is still oriented the same way as if you had it on the dash (large sensor facing front, smaller on in rear) thus the arrows are accurate and do not need to be switched around

 

[Dhalsim]

^^ ahhh....that makes sense....cool

 

[Rob4092xx]

Be very careful reading this link. Note the website only sells Beltronics. They don't/can't sell Valentine 1's. Makes sense that this is why the Beltroincs beat the Valentine!

I have owned most every brand of radar detector out there. My keepers??? I own four Valentine 1's...one for each car!

interesting article

Mike

 

[comtec]

Be very careful reading this link. Note the website only sells Beltronics. They don't/can't sell Valentine 1's. Makes sense that this is why the Beltroincs beat the Valentine!

I have owned most every brand of radar detector out there. My keepers??? I own four Valentine 1's...one for each car!

Ah, Unless they have changed V1 doesn't allow others to sell their products. They had good and bad things to say about both and even said the V1 had class-leading laser and was excellent in X and K.

Mike


Guess they have changed cause these guys sell them and they show it 4th place.

 

[curtsr]

Ah, Unless they have changed V1 doesn't allow others to sell their products.

Guess they have changed cause these guys sell them and they show it 4th place.

A retailer (Internet or brick and mortar) would have to offer the V1 to maintain the appearance of being impartial and a retail "destination" for detectors as the average consumer is not aware of the limited distribution of the V1. V1 still does not sell through distribution, only direct- hence a lower margin/ GP$ for the retailer on the V1.

This retailer would buy the V1 @ $399 and sell at $499, leaving $100 GP (gross profit) which funds the shipping expense from V1 to them and then them to the retail customer since they offer free shipping @ $475. $100 less $20 ship expense from V1 and $20 ship expense to the consumer leaves $60 GP$ BEFORE credit card expense OR marketing expense so call it $50 GP$.

As a result a retailer would drive the buying decision to a model that they do make good bank on by disparaging the low margin products (by rating them low) and promoting the high margin/ GP$ items with special offers (like the $499 retail "photo blocker").

That's why the V1 is rated low on that site.

 

[davidf]

I've seen a shop in Houston that sells V1's and Escort products. Not sure what his asking price is but I'd bet their marked up. I think the shops called ProAm.

 

[comtec]

Never seen people as fanatical about a product as owners of the V1 and i have seen it for many years. I believe if they bought a V1 casing with no internals they would still say it's the best .

Mike

 

[Jose]

I think V1 is the best. It might not be defective, it's probably just that the cops you go by have their radars/laser turned off. Radar detectors are much better suited for highway use, preferably without many hills and corners. Remember the detector does not give you an excuse to go fast. If you want to blow by a cop and let him without any proof then you also need laser jammers just in case and even then you are not covered because if he paces you you are still done

 

[Caroline-NSX]

Never seen people as fanatical about a product as owners of the V1 and i have seen it for many years. I believe if they bought a V1 casing with no internals they would still say it's the best .

Mike

You must don't have a V1 do you?? Hehe :tongue:

 

[comtec]

You must don't have a V1 do you?? Hehe :tongue:

:smile: No i have a old escort, #6 on their list. Brand doesn't matter to me i just want the best device for the money with the features i need.

Mike

 

[Caroline-NSX]

:smile: No i have a old escort, #6 on their list. Brand doesn't matter to me i just want the best device for the money with the features i need.

Mike

I feel ya and get what you saying. It's not about the brand or money tho the money makes the world go round but It's about It's doing It's job. I been using V1 for the pass 13 years and I know what this thing can do and for the price that I paid I say its worth every pennies. I have a heavy foot when it comes to driving :biggrin:.

 

[BB]

I really wish they werent Illegal in Canada.

This is not accurate. They're actually legal in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Just like in the US, it varies by state/province.