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Damn, looks like I need a radar detector.

You have obviously never owned a Valentine One because it is the smallest, lightest, and best radar/laser detector out there. You would know the value of the arrows if you had taken the time to buy one and use it. The majority of the people that rag on the V1 about how big and ugly and useless the arrows are have never owned one or they were too cheap to drop $400 for a detector.


As you can see, the 9500i is the largest in size and the Bel STi Driver is the heaviest. The Valentine One is the smallest and lightest radar detector of the Top 4 radar detectors made today.
I was referring to the back of the detector (what you see while driving) and it is big and ugly. I know a few people that own them and one i see everyday. No, i have never owned one and why should i "take the time to buy one and use it" when i have had nothing but great service from Escort for the past 15 or so years?

they were too cheap to drop $400 for a detector
You can take that crap someplace else. Most of the people here have a lot of money in their cars. $400 is nothing, look at the price we pay for parts. But actually the V1 is only about $80 higher then the X50 so i guess i was to cheap to pay the extra :rolleyes: .


Why don't you guys just pay for advertising like everybody else and stop lurking in the forums?

Lurking.gif
 
Let's see, he's on multiple car forums and ONLY posts in radar detector discussions. Who on earth has time to pimp V1 radar dectors on every single car forum possible? What motivation could a human being possibly have to do something like this? Honestly now...

I've read the threads where he got into scuffles on other forums and he was quite classless. I'm in the community that thinks this is Mike Valentine and will never buy his products because of this.

I am not Mike Valentine. If I was Mike Valentine I wouldn't be on this forum, I would be driving my Porsche every day and counting my stacks of money.

Take is easy Bradley, don't you have some charity work to do or golf to play with your other white rapper friends instead of cooking up conspiracy theories.
 
I was referring to the back of the detector (what you see while driving) and it is big and ugly. I know a few people that own them and one i see everyday. No, i have never owned one and why should i "take the time to buy one and use it" when i have had nothing but great service from Escort for the past 15 or so years?

You can take that crap someplace else. Most of the people here have a lot of money in their cars. $400 is nothing, look at the price we pay for parts. But actually the V1 is only about $80 higher then the X50 so i guess i was to cheap to pay the extra :rolleyes: .


Why don't you guys just pay for advertising like everybody else and stop lurking in the forums?

Lurking.gif

What you are talking about is the front of the detector and it shows you how many cops, which direction, and what type of radar they are using which is way more information than the X50 could dream of.

I am glad you are enjoying your Escort for 15+ years because Mike Valentine and his father were the founding members of Cincinnati Microwave which later became Escort then they sold CM and started Valentine Research. By the way, Escort and Bel are the same company and they have both filed for bankruptcy in the past so good luck with their products.
 
What you are talking about is the front of the detector and it shows you how many cops, which direction, and what type of radar they are using which is way more information than the X50 could dream of.

I am glad you are enjoying your Escort for 15+ years because Mike Valentine and his father were the founding members of Cincinnati Microwave which later became Escort then they sold CM and started Valentine Research. By the way, Escort and Bel are the same company and they have both filed for bankruptcy in the past so good luck with their products.

You wanna tell us who you are then?
 
While I agree with most of what you wrote, I COMPLETELY disagree about how to handle court. In MA you have two shots, the magistrate and the judge. The magistrate doesn't care about points of law, his job is to try and limit the number of cases the judge has to hear. You NEVER EVER admit to any kind of speeding, if asked a question I would tell them I am not there to answer questions but I have some for the officer. Once you start answering questions you'll have to keep answering and the next one will be (under oath) "were you speeding?" You have two tactics at a magistrate hearing. If you think he's open to points of law, you can attempt to grill the officer, but the officer at this hearing isn't the one that pulled you over, so you can't get too specific. I'd ask if he's qualified to operate LIDAR (if that's what you were bagged with) for example. I might ask him questions about the maximum range of the gun (especially if your ticket indicates you were bagged at 1200+ feet), I might ask the width of the beam at that distance, their procedure when they check out the gun in the morning (looking to see if they calibrate it against an external source), if the viewfinder is magnified, if there is any sort of way to lock it onto a specific vehicle, get him to agree they need to hold the gun steady and ask about how difficult it is to hold the gun in the exact same spot on a vehicle X feet away if the vehicle is moving at Y miles an hour, could he hit the moving vehicle with his weapon at that distance, etc. The other tactic is just get through it to get to the appeal.

If you do all that at the magistrate hearing however and the magistrate could care less and doesn't dismiss the charges, you've now warned the real cop what he's up against in court when you appeal. For the appeal I would also make a public records request for copies of the calibration log, the officers training certificate, the model of gun (and would study the users manual for this gun, available from the NMA), copies of all tickets he issued in a 3 hour window before and after yours, etc. You may not get them all, you may not get anything, some of these could be grounds for a dismissal if ignored because MA law requires the police to provide them if you request them and pay reasonable costs for photocopying and mailing. Also in MA, depending on the law cited, it's also required to time your distance over a 1/4 mile, impossible to do with LIDAR from 1200' away.

Your goal should be NOT RESPONSIBLE, not a reduced fine. A reduced fine doesn't reduce the insurance surcharges over the following 6 years nor remove the ticket from your driving record.

Note these tactics are for MA, they vary from state to state.

Good advice Robr, I was just saying try for a reduced fine if you know you will be guilty and its a very clear cut case. I guess thats up to the individual, myself I would go for no points or nothing... so I agree with you personaly.
 
You wanna tell us who you are then?

He always says he's just some guy who loves his V1... however he clearly googles various car forums looking for recent radar detector posts, because he usually shows up in a timely fashion once a new thread about radar detectors starts. His agenda is always to promote the V1, but I'm not sure of his motive. He does more to turn people off from the V1 than he helps promote it so I can't see why Mike V. or Valentine Research would sanction or actively seek out his help. He's hated on pretty much every auto forum there is, even by V1 fans so I don't really get it. It's not like VR needs his help, they have their own army of fanboys (including me) in every car forum already. That speaks louder than a spammer who just annoys everyone in the process of attempting to educate people.
 
Radar detectors are great, but to avoid tickets altogether, use these helpful tips.

NWS!

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He always says he's just some guy who loves his V1... however he clearly googles various car forums looking for recent radar detector posts, because he usually shows up in a timely fashion once a new thread about radar detectors starts. His agenda is always to promote the V1, but I'm not sure of his motive. He does more to turn people off from the V1 than he helps promote it so I can't see why Mike V. or Valentine Research would sanction or actively seek out his help. He's hated on pretty much every auto forum there is, even by V1 fans so I don't really get it. It's not like VR needs his help, they have their own army of fanboys (including me) in every car forum already. That speaks louder than a spammer who just annoys everyone in the process of attempting to educate people.

Maybe the forum owner can do an IP lookup? I'm sure that would shed some light on the true identity.
 
Maybe the forum owner can do an IP lookup? I'm sure that would shed some light on the true identity.

It might, but more likely we'll just see it point to comcast or verizon. Even my business connection resolves to Comcast. Can't hurt to check though. Sorta like carfax :).
 
While we are on the subject, anyone have any reviews on the Escort with GPS built in? that seems like a cool feature. I am not talking about a NAV system. It notes exact GPS coordinates of speed traps and false alarm areas and then will give warnings or ignore those locations. Sounds like a great way to get rid of false alarms if you drive the same routes often.
 
While we are on the subject, anyone have any reviews on the Escort with GPS built in? that seems like a cool feature. I am not talking about a NAV system. It notes exact GPS coordinates of speed traps and false alarm areas and then will give warnings or ignore those locations. Sounds like a great way to get rid of false alarms if you drive the same routes often.

RadarKing once posted to a link of users that own it. Looks like it's a big buggy right now, the concept is great though. I think the verdict was 50/50 love hate and that's very low IMO. Hopefully they can get the kinks sorted out...
 
While we are on the subject, anyone have any reviews on the Escort with GPS built in? that seems like a cool feature. I am not talking about a NAV system. It notes exact GPS coordinates of speed traps and false alarm areas and then will give warnings or ignore those locations. Sounds like a great way to get rid of false alarms if you drive the same routes often.

They had many units with this feature in Taiwan when I was living there. It's a good idea in theory, but after awhile, the usefulness diminishes unless regular database updates are available from the manufacturer, and they are updated religiously (which they are not). After a while, too many spots which "may" have a speed trap or camera are added in, that it's going off every couple minutes. Basically, you'll be getting 80% false alarms.
 
RadarKing once posted to a link of users that own it. Looks like it's a big buggy right now, the concept is great though. I think the verdict was 50/50 love hate and that's very low IMO. Hopefully they can get the kinks sorted out...

Here it is:

There are big problems with the new Escort 9500i and the majority of people are returning them because of less range than the Valentine One and the 8500X50.

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=22803

They are locking out signals from door openers and the 9500i is not alerting to cops that shoot radar in that area. Owners of the 9500i are also complaining that signals that they lock out are not staying locked out from the day before. They also say that their Sirius/XM radio is cutting out because of the 9500i and its GPS function.

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=23027
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=23178
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=23183
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=23036
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=22800
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=22900&postdays=0&postorder=asc&sta rt=0
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=22824
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=22762

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=22803

Are you satisfied with your 9500i or returning it?Satisfied with 38% [ 18 ]Returning 61% [ 29 ]Total Votes : 47
 
I tried out a friends V1 the other day for a 200 mile drive. I didn't notice anything special but i did notice the counter. There was a LEO sitting in the center of the interstate and the counter showed 1. As i got closer the counter jumped to 4. But there was only 1 LEO, the detector was reading the reflections off a semi as other hits. I think i can live without the counter :rolleyes: and it looked massive in the windshield so yes, I will keep my Escort X50.
 
The NSX is no help really. A while back Car and Driver had 10 tips on avoiding tickets.... I don't remember them all now but I will repeat a few:

1) use a radar detector

2) use your mirror. (constantly keep an eye on who is behind you. Most tickets are issued this way)

3) don't tempt the man. (if you see a cop, be cool. Don't think you can pull something when he can no longer "see" you. He can, and he will ticket you)

4) Find a rabbit. (there is always someone going faster than you. Find him, tuck in 1/8 of a mile behind him and let him get bagged first).

5) Don't over signal. (don't over signal when changing lanes, don't pass on the right. Change lanes slowly and carefuly, don't keep signaling in and out).

6) Choose your color well. (cars like yellow and red are highly visible. They recommended gray, silver, white, something that tends to blend into the road and the horizon. Wingz I am telling you right now, don't start with me).

7) Don't hog. Don't stay in the left lane. If you pass on the left, pass other cars S L O W L Y , speed more between cars but don't make the speed differential between you and the car being passed look too big).

8) watch overpasses and bridges. These are hiding spots for cops. When you see an overpass or bridge coming up, slow down... chances are there may be a cop there.

There were 2 more tips that I don't remember. I was 15 when I read these in my Car and Driver, its a miracle I remember 8 of 10.

I posted these tips and hope that they will be used wisely. There are many tips I know of, of what to say and do when you do get pulled over. I am not sure I want to post them, but lets just say be curtious. Don't think that if you were doing 95 and you say 75 that it's somehow better... it's not. He will know you are lying.

You have to think quick on your feet. You have two choices. If the cop is not angry and you were not going crazy fast and you seriously think he may let you off, be as polite as possible and as honest as possible. You have now made the call and better hope you were right. If he is angry, last thing you should do is admit guilt. If he asks how fast you were going, you should say whatever the speed limit is and leave yourself an out in court.

In court, your chances with the magistrate are much better than with the judge. If you don't get past the magistrate, you probably won't get past the judge. Have all your evidence ready... pictures, measurements in exact feet, your location, the officer's location, etc. Your only chance is to convince the judge that the officer may have made a mistake, you will never win if you try to fight him. You say "yes, I agree, the officer is right but what he was not aware of sir, is this... here is why... and then you pull out your facts". You better have some facts if its a clear cut case, you are done. Just try for a lower fine. "Sir I admit I was speeding and am not here to argue that. But I was going 75 not 83". He may compromise somewhere in the middle for you and you get $75 off.

When I say have facts, have facts but don't act like a lawyer, there is nothing worse. Just be a simple but well prepared guy. Don't talk any more than necessary. Not in court, and not when you are pulled over. Just zip it. Don't go overdressed, and don't go in under dressed. Look like a responsible citizen. If you don't know what that is then google it. You can wear your Sparco suit and take your helmet if you want a good laugh in court.

Your driving record will say a lot. If you have a bad record, if you are young, if you have a sports car, you are pretty much finished. Just pay the fine and stop wasting everyone's time. Don't speed next time. Punk....

It helps to have cops as friends in your route of travel. Most cops in my town know me. Mainly, BECAUSE of my car. I don't drive like an idiot here. I say hello, I donate, and do some volunteer and charity stuff that has gotten me known. Cops are just regular guys for the most part. Most cops I know are cool, and into cars.

Last of all... just don't speed! That's why there are racetracks.

Wow... my longest post on Prime. I am putting John@microsoft to shame.


v1............:biggrin:
 
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