Sigforty

I am in the market for a new radar detector and wanted to know what everyone recommends. I use to have a cheap uniden, but have been looking at the Valantine one and Escort detectors. What do yall like and why?

Mark B.

gkull

I have the best thing Bell made about 1 year ago.
http://store.yahoo.com/brandsmall/0015-bel980.html I'm happy with it and it has saved me. I get a new one every three years or so to keep up with the latest tech. and they are so much better now than just 5 years ago. It's kind of nice to have a female voice come on and tell you that you have Ka band highway patrol threat. Every time it said something I really start looking around. Some times they are 2 miles away or more on flat straight freeways cycling their radar on on off to check oncoming cars

I would read up on them in consumer reports. The passport 8500 for $299 seems pretty good. the Valentine is $399

Tom73

Valentine here. The V1 and the Escort 8500 are the only ones to consider.

I originaly had an Escort Passport (the original battery operated one) and was VERY happy with it. Very solid, small, and had a metal case. But it died. So I ordered the Escort 8500. Used it for three weeks and returned it. It was very good at detecting radar signals. But it was very large, had a plastic case, and just gave a cheap impression.

I then ordered the V1 and have not looked back. It is smaller then the Escort, has a metal case, and a much more solid feel. Plus it has directional arrows. Once you get accustomed to the directional arrows you will wonder how you ever got along with out them.

Both are good. The V1 is about $100 more. If that is a factor then go with the Escort. Both offer a 30 money back, no questions, return policy. So why not order both, use them for three weeks, and then keep the one you like the best and return the other.

tom...


[Modified by Tom73, 12:40 PM 1/23/2003]

Gameshow Bob

Valentine One all the way!

burners

The Valentine One is the only option if you can afford it. I've had mine for a year and a half and it's paid for itself 2 or 3 times over. Only the V1 has the direction arrows. That feature alone is worth the money. The sensitivity is incredible. I've picked up Ka signals from 3 to 4 miles. It is by far my best driving friend.

Keep in mind that Valentine will upgrade your unit for around $200. That offer is always good, so in 4 years you won't have to spend another 300 to 600 (600 if you replaced it every 2 years) to keep up with technology. The next best are Escorts.

Alwyn678

I don't use one..but my boss has a sweet system in his Viper built in

Recoil

i'm on second bell it's 880. bell, escort and valentine are best you can buy i like bell more. check out this site for reviews on detectors http://www.radartest.com


:steering: :auto:

shoptek

I've been very happy with my Escort 8500 for the last 8 months I've had it.

Ka band is VERY popular with the city and county police down here, and its range is astounding.


[Modified by shoptek, 5:02 PM 1/23/2003]

Gator81

Valentine One. It's 7 years old now, or thereabouts, and still works great. I know that some of the newer ones have more and better features, but I don't know if they are any better at the basic function: detecting K/Ka band radar, which is at least 90% of the "threat" for me. I love the fact that its two antennae (front and back) tell me where the signal is coming from. The sensitivity is wonderful, at least a mile out and often 2 or more miles. :flag

Sigforty

It looks like alot of people really like the V1. I have been looking at that model for a while now and a friend use to have one. I have just heard alot about the Escort 8500 lately, and wanted to see what everyone recommends. It seems the best choice is to save a little more cash and go Valentine. Thanks for all the info.

Mark B.

gkull

Mark - did you go to the site that Recoil posted about Radar detector tests?

Bell RD's are about the highest rated out there. That why I said look them up in consumer reports.


[Modified by gkull, 5:28 PM 1/24/2003]

Tom73

I have heard some things on line about the guy who has that RadarTest web site and don't know if I would trust it. Apparently he is a consultant to the Radar companies. Has done work for Escort but Valentine would not hire him. So....

But here is the Car and Drive link to their test: http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caran...keywords=radar
This test was done in Feb 02. V1 on top, Escort second, and Bell third. Think I would put more faith in C&D.

tom...

TJRed76

I drive the speed limit so I don't need one. :yesnod:

burners

That's no fun. :hat

Tom73

But it is not just the speed. It is very nice just to know when a cop is in the area :yesnod: :yesnod:

tom...

Sigforty

I checked that out they are pretty good. Actually my dad use to have a Bell that was pretty nice. There are so many detectors out there, and everyone claims they are the best. I am pretty sure I will find the best one for me.

Mark B.