OT: Which Radar detector?
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From: Fairbanks
OT: Which Radar detector?
In light of everyone getting pulled over, what is the best radar detector? I've seen "the test" and Escort 8500 outscored Valentin 1... well, is it true?
So, is V1 really worth $400+ dollars even though it's hideous?
or,
Would Escort 8500 ($299) be a better buy and a better performer?
Cos - who was doing 100 in 65 and feeling that his luck will run out soon.
[edit] I don't go over speedlimit everyday... I just "had to" do it... driving a 4-cylinder Toyota tacoma for 7 days straight will give you a lead foot. [/edit]
[Modified by Cosworth, 11:26 PM 7/30/2001]
So, is V1 really worth $400+ dollars even though it's hideous?
or,
Would Escort 8500 ($299) be a better buy and a better performer?
Cos - who was doing 100 in 65 and feeling that his luck will run out soon.
[edit] I don't go over speedlimit everyday... I just "had to" do it... driving a 4-cylinder Toyota tacoma for 7 days straight will give you a lead foot. [/edit]
[Modified by Cosworth, 11:26 PM 7/30/2001]
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From: Fremont, CA, USA
Re: OT: Which Radar detector? (Cosworth)
I had that BEL 980 when i drove to AZ... worked perfectly... and it's rated better than the V1, but just shy to the 8500. I didn't get the 8500 cause i didn't wanna have to mail order it and i didn't like the display. The 980 is excellent, easy to use, very reliable and display is great! I suggest the BEL 980. =D
-Buzz
-Buzz
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From: Big D, TX, USA
Re: OT: Which Radar detector? (Cosworth)
A recently released report on a seemingly non-biased web site placed the BEL 980 at the top of its class. They did not have a V1 to test it.
So if you don't want to get a V1, it would seem that the BEL980 would be the best one out there.
I personally use a K40 and love it. It scored third overall.
So if you don't want to get a V1, it would seem that the BEL980 would be the best one out there.
I personally use a K40 and love it. It scored third overall.
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From: San Fernando Valley / San Luis Obispo
Re: OT: Which Radar detector? (buzzman)
i have the escort passport 8500 and $299 is well worth it. it's great. it tells u what radar its detecting so u know whether its detecting sliding doors and u wont have to worr as much.
i got mine for 250 shipped from a groupbuy that was posted here a while ago
i got mine for 250 shipped from a groupbuy that was posted here a while ago
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From: Kelowna Canada
Re: OT: Which Radar detector? (Cosworth)
I have the V1 and can't say enough of how good it is. Totally worth the money. Now granted, the current V1 is showing it's "age" and other manufacturers have come to market with "new & improved" detectors to deal with the market/performance dominance of the V1. Maybe the Escort 8500 IS better than the V1 now - but it took them FOUR years to do it. Makes you wonder....
The V1 is still the only one available with an adequately large rear radar/laser pickup that works - hence the size of the casing.
I'm sure either the V1 or 8500 are great choices.
The V1 is still the only one available with an adequately large rear radar/laser pickup that works - hence the size of the casing.
I'm sure either the V1 or 8500 are great choices.
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From: Tempe, AZ, USA
Re: OT: Which Radar detector? (Big Phat R)
Let me answer this question with the following link:
http://www.speedzones.com/
Full review, just the hard facts, no b.s.
http://www.speedzones.com/
Full review, just the hard facts, no b.s.
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From: Laguna
Re: OT: Which Radar detector? (onyx00)
if your going to get a valentine, wait for the V2 which will be released very soon, so they say. The current one can be upgraded to V2 circuitry when the V2 is released.
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From: DFW AREA, TX, USA
Re: OT: Which Radar detector? (Cosworth)
The V1 is best. I have the V1 (in the R) and the Escort 8500 (in the truck). The bell980 is rated highly by the reveiwers but their either a bunch of idiots or biased by assocation with the product. My buddy has the 980 and he wishes he had the V1 now. I ride in his car a lot, so I know how it performs. The V1 has mutiple threat and directional indicators to help you evaluate the threat level. With all the falses (Kband door-openers and decoys)this is very important added information that alot of these so-called expert reviewers simply discount as un-needed. They're completely clueless WRT EVASION and ECM. It took me less than thirty minutes to notice the difference in usefulness of these units.
The only thing the V2 will need to add is GPS for false mapping
[Modified by figment, 1:23 AM 7/31/2001]
The V1 has mutiple threat and directional indicators to help you evaluate the threat level. With all the falses (Kband door-openers and decoys)this is very important added information that alot of these so-called expert reviewers simply discount as un-needed. They're completely clueless WRT EVASION and ECM. It took me less than thirty minutes to notice the difference in usefulness of these units. The only thing the V2 will need to add is GPS for false mapping
[Modified by figment, 1:23 AM 7/31/2001]
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Re: OT: Which Radar detector? (figment)
V1 all the way
How many Radar detectors let you reprogram them to fit what you want them to do? http://www.valentineone.com/lab/MikesLabRpt3.asp
How many Radar detectors let you reprogram them to fit what you want them to do? http://www.valentineone.com/lab/MikesLabRpt3.asp
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From: Tempe, AZ, USA
Re: OT: Which Radar detector? (figment)
by the reveiwers but their either a bunch of idiots or biased by assocation with the product
The fact that you also say you like the Escort 8500, and that the Bel 980 sucks is ridiculous! They are the same detector practically. They are even made in the same factory. The circuitry is almost the same. Look at the test results for proof of this.
Look, the V1 is a nice detector, but the only arguement anyone ever has for it is the damn arrows. Great, it's got arrows. So let's get down to the performance of it versus others. The V1, the Escort 8500, and the Bel 980 all perform relatively the same. Depending on where you live you may get more falses with one unit than another.
You can talk all the talk you want, but the tests at http://www.speedzones.com speak for themselves. Unless you would like to do your own testing since you feel your knowledge of radar detectors is so more far advanced than others.
Final words, the V1, Escort 8500, and Bel 980 are all great choices. Any of the three will give you good performance. If you want arrows go with the V1, otherwise, save the $100 and go with an Escort 8500 or a Bel 980.
Oh, also, just remembered, the Escort 8500 also offers the reprogramming feature as well I believe.
[Modified by onyx00, 6:27 PM 7/30/2001]
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From: Fairbanks
Re: OT: Which Radar detector? (Big Phat R)
Thanks for the responses guys. I guess I'll have to go w/ V1. A question for all V1 owners - Have you hardwired it and have the "extra" display? I've heard that if you have V1, many cars will "feed off" your display due to its enormous arrows and what-not. So, anyone hardwired and use the "extra" display???
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From: DFW AREA, TX, USA
Re: OT: Which Radar detector? (onyx00)
I know who they are, I conversed with them about their reviews on email. They have their OPINION, I have mine. My conclusion is they're biased. I simply gave you an alternative to them being biased or influenced. Used byt the GOVERNMENT! The same GOVERNMENT who pays 1,000 for a "self impelling fiber intrusive device" READ WOODSCREW. Sorry, but I'm not impressed. The 8500 has multiple threat indication which I rated as important. Sorry if I stepped on your toes.
by the reveiwers but their either a bunch of idiots or biased by assocation with the product
Um, do you know who these guys are? Many of their tests (they do school zone speeding deterrent tests, etc) are used by the government. These guys have been doign this stuff for years. I doubt they are idiots and if you take the time to see how they did their testing you will see that. Maybe your friend lives in an area that makes the Bel less effective.
The fact that you also say you like the Escort 8500, and that the Bel 980 sucks is ridiculous! They are the same detector practically. They are even made in the same factory. The circuitry is almost the same. Look at the test results for proof of this.
Look, the V1 is a nice detector, but the only arguement anyone ever has for it is the damn arrows. Great, it's got arrows. So let's get down to the performance of it versus others. The V1, the Escort 8500, and the Bel 980 all perform relatively the same. Depending on where you live you may get more falses with one unit than another.
You can talk all the talk you want, but the tests at http://www.speedzones.com speak for themselves. Unless you would like to do your own testing since you feel your knowledge of radar detectors is so more far advanced than others.
Final words, the V1, Escort 8500, and Bel 980 are all great choices. Any of the three will give you good performance. If you want arrows go with the V1, otherwise, save the $100 and go with an Escort 8500 or a Bel 980.
Oh, also, just remembered, the Escort 8500 also offers the reprogramming feature as well I believe.
[Modified by onyx00, 6:27 PM 7/30/2001]
Um, do you know who these guys are? Many of their tests (they do school zone speeding deterrent tests, etc) are used by the government. These guys have been doign this stuff for years. I doubt they are idiots and if you take the time to see how they did their testing you will see that. Maybe your friend lives in an area that makes the Bel less effective.
The fact that you also say you like the Escort 8500, and that the Bel 980 sucks is ridiculous! They are the same detector practically. They are even made in the same factory. The circuitry is almost the same. Look at the test results for proof of this.
Look, the V1 is a nice detector, but the only arguement anyone ever has for it is the damn arrows. Great, it's got arrows. So let's get down to the performance of it versus others. The V1, the Escort 8500, and the Bel 980 all perform relatively the same. Depending on where you live you may get more falses with one unit than another.
You can talk all the talk you want, but the tests at http://www.speedzones.com speak for themselves. Unless you would like to do your own testing since you feel your knowledge of radar detectors is so more far advanced than others.
Final words, the V1, Escort 8500, and Bel 980 are all great choices. Any of the three will give you good performance. If you want arrows go with the V1, otherwise, save the $100 and go with an Escort 8500 or a Bel 980.
Oh, also, just remembered, the Escort 8500 also offers the reprogramming feature as well I believe.
[Modified by onyx00, 6:27 PM 7/30/2001]
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From: East Coast
Re: OT: Which Radar detector? (Floyd)
I hate all of you
Virginia and Washington DC are the only two states where detectors are illegal...
Virginia and Washington DC are the only two states where detectors are illegal...
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From: Homer the Don, usa
Re: OT: Which Radar detector? (BushPilot)
I have a brand new V1 and it is slimmer, lighter, and smaller than my old V1. Whenever Car & Driver does a radar/laser detection article, they get Mike Valentine for technical assistance and prototype tests. A couple years ago they did a test on how windshields and mounting positions affected detector performance, and Mr. Valentine had out testing rigs and they produced some interesting results. Cars with mirror-tinted glass, solar/UV insulated glass, etc. decreased effectiveness of all detectors 90% or more. Sticking the detector higher up beside the rear-view mirror increases its range.
The Escort and Bel are really good detectors. The Passport 8500 and 980 finally caught up to the V1's performance within the past few months. Valentine is constantly improving the V1, as they are upgradable by the factory. Finally, for those who care, maybe the V2 will be "better looking." Aesthetic appeal of a detector? Why does that matter?
About cameras, just say you let your neighbor borrow it for a trip or something. (The car, that is.)
[Modified by ITR-01-269, 6:04 AM 7/31/2001]
The Escort and Bel are really good detectors. The Passport 8500 and 980 finally caught up to the V1's performance within the past few months. Valentine is constantly improving the V1, as they are upgradable by the factory. Finally, for those who care, maybe the V2 will be "better looking." Aesthetic appeal of a detector? Why does that matter?
About cameras, just say you let your neighbor borrow it for a trip or something. (The car, that is.)
[Modified by ITR-01-269, 6:04 AM 7/31/2001]
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From: sixfourseven
Re: OT: Which Radar detector? (Cosworth)
Bel supposively tested their detectors in Georgia Tech's Anechoic chamber and claim to have be most sensitive in industry for radar. They did a test using other dectors from Uniden, Cobra, Whistler, maybe Valentine one (I can't remember) and after the results were done, Escort supposively requested to have their detectors retracted from the test and Bel was on top. Bel doesn't think too much of laser because they think the laser guns are too expensive for poilce departments to purchase. This is what the Bel factory rep said. But then the Escort 8500 has received rave reviews on radartest.com and they're owned by the same company. Whatever. I'm sure that within the same price point, they'll all do the same thing. They're all good detectors. I'll probably go with the Escort 8500 just because it looks the prettiest.
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From: Greensboro, NC
Re: OT: Which Radar detector? (Big Phat R)
I have the V1 and can't say enough of how good it is. Totally worth the money.
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Re: OT: Which Radar detector? (figment)
Figment, kewl, good points, maybe I came off a little harsh, my bad.
I think the V1 is a great detector; however, I would not want to be pulled over by a cop with one in the car. You will get a ticket.
I was looking at the concealed units for awhile, but the good ones are somewhat dated so I am waiting for some companies to update them.
Also, gentlemen, keep in mind that a radar detector itself will not protect you from cops. Cops catch speeders for a living so they know all the tricks to get you. I installed a police scanner in my car and it has saved me 3-4 times within 2 months.
I think the V1 is a great detector; however, I would not want to be pulled over by a cop with one in the car. You will get a ticket.
I was looking at the concealed units for awhile, but the good ones are somewhat dated so I am waiting for some companies to update them.
Also, gentlemen, keep in mind that a radar detector itself will not protect you from cops. Cops catch speeders for a living so they know all the tricks to get you. I installed a police scanner in my car and it has saved me 3-4 times within 2 months.