I'm fairly certain the top 3 are the Valentine, passport and Bel. which do you have? what was the defining reason you bought it? I'm partial to the Val myself, but the size concerns me. it seems to be larger than the other 2
Val isn't hardly any larger now with the newest model. Depends really on if you want the best, or just average. The directional arrows and counter is what both sold me and saved me! Short story, get the val.
Location: Frankenstein never scared me. Marsupials do, because their fassst…and they DART, THAT'S crazy!
Re: Choice of Radar Detectors? (Markm10431)
I have a V-1, Passport and a Cobra. All radar/laser 360 degree.
The Cobra has LED display screen with voice alert that tells you (in a babes voice) what band radar it detects as well as displays it on the screen. Although the sound is hard to hear when the stereo is cranked but the display screen is big with big words and easily seen. I also like the stealth radar feature too.
The Passport is my least favorite, in fact, I really don’t like it much. All it does is beep. It doesn’t display the type radar or anything. It just beeps and flashes a red LED light. You have to memorize the beep patterns to know what band of radar/laser it’s detecting. It detects very well but is just too plain. Again the sound is hard to hear with the stereo cranked and there is no display screen to rely on.
The Valentine One is my favorite. It doesn’t have a cool display screen or a babes voice talking to you like the Cobra but it does have lighted directional arrows to tell you where the radar/laser is coming from and a bogie counter to tell you how many sources of radar/laser it is detecting, (that’s my favorite feature). It is also upgradeable through reprogramming which is nice too. It’s the most expensive but if money is no concern then I would recommend the V-1. :yesnod:
I bought a BEL because of cost. I drive 43K per year and am on the Interstate daily. Also I have used the top of the line Bel for the last 12 years and have never been let down. I drove 50K per year in Florida and the BEL picks up normal radar well in advance. It also has front / rear detection.
Also they will take a BEL on trade in and cut the cost of a new one when you upgrade. I don’t remember the model number only that I always get the best and most recent model they have usually every 3 years.
My only complaint is occasional falsing but I never know if it is falsing because sometimes it picks up the signal form very far away and it could be a passing radar gun way ahead passing thru the BEL signal field
The Valentine One is my favorite. It doesn’t have a cool display screen or a babes voice talking to you like the Cobra but it does have lighted directional arrows to tell you where the radar/laser is coming from and a bogie counter to tell you how many sources of radar/laser it is detecting, (that’s my favorite feature). It is also upgradeable through reprogramming which is nice too. It’s the most expensive but if money is no concern then I would recommend the V-1. :yesnod:
I have the cordless Bels in my other vehicles. I would love to have enough $$$ to upgrade them all to V-1s. :yesnod:
I have a V1 and find that it is a godsent in areas like shopping malls. You easily know when a Ka band is fired at you thanks to the band display and bogey counter. If I know 3 bogies on X is normal in that area, and suddenly a 4th as Ka shows up, hit the brakes!
Another vote for the V1 here... also, make sure to grab the concealed display unit. Keeps the freeloaders off your tail and those sometimes sneaky patrolmen.
Another vote for the V1 here... also, make sure to grab the concealed display unit. Keeps the freeloaders off your tail and those sometimes sneaky patrolmen.
not worried about "sneaky patrolmen" it's legal to have radar detectors in FL
I'm fairly certain the top 3 are the Valentine, passport and Bel. which do you have? what was the defining reason you bought it? I'm partial to the Val myself, but the size concerns me. it seems to be larger than the other 2
To me there are only two to consider, the V1 and the Escort. Nothing else comes close. I had an early Escort Solo. Loved it but it finaly died. So, based on my experence with it I ordered the Passport. Used it for three weeks and returned it and ordered the V1. The Passport is good but I much perfer the V1. V1 is quite a bit smaller then the Passport. The Passport is huge. Also like the metal case of the V1, Passport is plastic. V1 has the arrows and "bogie" counter, Passport has a light and beeper.
Go with the V1. If cost is a major issue then you can save $100 by going with the Passport. The Passport is good, just that the V1 is better. Once you get used to the arrows you cannot get by without them.
Both the V1 and Passport have a 30 day money back no questions policy. So order both. Use them for three weeks, keep the one you perfer, and return the other for a full refund. :D
Location: Frankenstein never scared me. Marsupials do, because their fassst…and they DART, THAT'S crazy!
Re: Choice of Radar Detectors? (Tom73)
Quote:
V1 is quite a bit smaller then the Passport. The Passport is huge.
Really? :confused: What model Passport did you have? :confused:
My Passport is smaller than my V1; the V1 is by far the largest of all the radar/laser detectors I own. Even bigger than the Cobra and it has a full LED display screen.
I guess the V1 has to be large with all that electronic goodness cramed inside. :D
My V1 is fairly new, within the last 9 months so I would guess it is the latest version. V1 is 4.5 in. L x 3.6 in. W x 1.0 in. H. for a cubic of 16.2. Passport is 1.25" H x 2.85" W x 5.32" L for a cubic of 18.95. The Passport is over .8" longer and .25" taller. The V1 is .75" wider but most of that is in the bump-out due to angle of the display and the width is not all the way back.
My V1 is fairly new, within the last 9 months so I would guess it is the latest version. V1 is 4.5 in. L x 3.6 in. W x 1.0 in. H. for a cubic of 16.2. Passport is 1.25" H x 2.85" W x 5.32" L for a cubic of 18.95. The Passport is over .8" longer and .25" taller. The V1 is .75" wider but most of that is in the bump-out due to angle of the display and the width is not all the way back.
tom...
[Modified by Tom73, 10:35 PM 6/29/2002]
True ... but the remote on the V1 allows it to be installed high and invisible ... so you actually only worry about findin a spot for the remote (if you buy it )
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Choice of Radar Detectors?
