radar detectors
09-17-2008, 09:01 AM
#1
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radar detectors
any opinions on the reliability of radar detectors and the best ones for the money. I've seen them from 50 dollars up to 250 dollars so any info would be appreciated. thanks
09-17-2008, 09:06 AM
#2
Burning Brakes
Dont buy a cheap one. Either the escort or valentine.
Nothing will protect you against laser or instant on direct hit.
However, they will give you sufficient warning if you get a reflected beam, or KA radar.
My escort 8500 has paid for itself a few times over. I highly recommend it.
Nothing will protect you against laser or instant on direct hit.
However, they will give you sufficient warning if you get a reflected beam, or KA radar.
My escort 8500 has paid for itself a few times over. I highly recommend it.
09-17-2008, 09:06 AM
#3
Le Mans Master
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Cruise-In VI Veteran
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V-1 is the best I've ever used, but it's $400.
My arrows quit working after a few years, but the factory can fix it.
10 years old and still works great.
My arrows quit working after a few years, but the factory can fix it.
10 years old and still works great.
09-17-2008, 09:13 AM
#4
Safety Car
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The Escort 9500i and Valentine are probably the two most popular here on the forum. Both are $400 (+). Think you need to start looking at a little higher quality detectors. I use the 9500i and love it.
Radar detector threads ALWAYS start a WAR of which is better!
Radar detector threads ALWAYS start a WAR of which is better!
09-17-2008, 10:12 AM
#6
Team Owner
Suggest trying the "search" feature with query for "Valentine", "Escort" or "V-1" . . . .the topic has been explored extensively in these pages and you'll find more information in archive than one post is likely to contain - - it's a very frequent (and emotional) topic . .
Lots of good reading that should help you make your decision
Lots of good reading that should help you make your decision
09-17-2008, 10:40 AM
#7
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Valentine. pay the extra and get what you pay for. get the rearview mirror mount and invisicord and it looks like its a part of the car. and if you ever need to drive anything else, you can take it out and use it. mine has paid for itself dozens of times.
09-17-2008, 10:43 AM
#8
Drifting
Dont buy a cheap one. Either the escort or valentine.
Nothing will protect you against laser or instant on direct hit.
However, they will give you sufficient warning if you get a reflected beam, or KA radar.
My escort 8500 has paid for itself a few times over. I highly recommend it.
Nothing will protect you against laser or instant on direct hit.
However, they will give you sufficient warning if you get a reflected beam, or KA radar.
My escort 8500 has paid for itself a few times over. I highly recommend it.
09-17-2008, 12:03 PM
#14
Racer
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http://guysoflidar.com/august-2007/r...ctor-test.html
09-17-2008, 12:04 PM
#15
I agree on both the V1 and the Escort. I like the ability to know direction with the V1 however we travel with friends with a V1 and consistantly we have received the alert on our Escort long before the V1 so I'll take the alert first and worry about where they are second. I just got the new Escort ix which has GPS, built in speed cameras, built in red light cameras, an audible alert (you not only get the tone but you get voice commands telling you what band it is etc) and the ability to learn. The head of our state patrol says
"he WILL stop speeding in washington" ... apparently he doesnt know I"m here yet.
"he WILL stop speeding in washington" ... apparently he doesnt know I"m here yet.
09-17-2008, 12:05 PM
#16
Racer
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http://guysoflidar.com/august-2007/r...ctor-test.html
09-17-2008, 01:17 PM
#19
Drifting
Intersting comments about sensitivity. I have an Escort and V-1. The V-1 always announced first when I did side by side testing in the car. Recognize there are many variables that could account for that. The V-1 saved me last weekend in Washington State as I was getting hit by radar by an approaching stealthy WSP 
. They both have adequate sensitivity to alert you to radar unless it's the instant on variety. In that case you hope they're shooting ahead of you and you catch a signal. Mine has paid for itself many times over.
. They both have adequate sensitivity to alert you to radar unless it's the instant on variety. In that case you hope they're shooting ahead of you and you catch a signal. Mine has paid for itself many times over.
Last edited by Sherman Fretwell; 09-17-2008 at 01:53 PM. Reason: Not sufficiently tense (verb).
09-17-2008, 01:35 PM
#20
Melting Slicks
More discussion.
If you speed, even a little bit, get a radar detector. I have used V-1, 8500, Solo, & 9500i. The Solo and 9500i had less false alerts in city; the V-1 has the most false alerts. The V-1, 8500, & 9500i have excellent long distance range. Around here, the LEO's have their Ka band detectors on full time nowadays so you get plenty of warning. Don't pay retail, there are plenty of high end RD's on eBay for good prices.
If you speed, even a little bit, get a radar detector. I have used V-1, 8500, Solo, & 9500i. The Solo and 9500i had less false alerts in city; the V-1 has the most false alerts. The V-1, 8500, & 9500i have excellent long distance range. Around here, the LEO's have their Ka band detectors on full time nowadays so you get plenty of warning. Don't pay retail, there are plenty of high end RD's on eBay for good prices.