Radar Detectors
09-14-2010, 02:38 PM
#26
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Location: Litchfield Park, AZ
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The lead guy (scientist) at Escort left many years ago and he started the company that produces the Valentine 1. I have driven with many detectors, including escort, and I will never drive without a valentine now. Is it expensive? Yes, but, 1 or 2 saves and its just paid for itself. I've been driving with mine for about 10 years!! A few years ago, my detector needed repair...something inside went nuts. I shipped it back to valentine, they fixed it and shipped it back to me no charge!
09-15-2010, 11:41 AM
#29
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09-15-2010, 12:22 PM
#30
Having just today beaten a speeding ticket in court, perhaps it's time for me to plow back my savings and augment my historical 'spider sense' with advanced electronics. Is the Passport Escort 9500ix still your optimal choice Jedi?
Never fear, Jedi is here!
question 1: what is your budget for an RD. I ask because they do vary quite a bit, anywhere from $100 - $500+
what are you looking for?
blazing detection?
ability to lock out false signals?
wireless?
I have used an Escort Radar detector for the past few years and LOVE IT. I originally started with a 9500i (you can do a search and find my thread on it) and then upgraded to the 9500ix as soon as it became available.
The beauty of that model is that it uses GPS technology to remember 'false' signals and after you've driven past the same spot 3 times and gotten the exact same signal, the RD will store that data and the next time you drive past there, you won't get any kind of alert!
as for them being complicated, you'll find that most of the new ones are VERY user friendly. Mine was literally plug & play. It has an 'advanced' setting but I have never used it, I just plugged it in and it does it's job. Every few weeks, I update it with the newest software (this is only for gps enabled RD's) and I'm good to go.
The Valentine V1 is also a VERY VERY good detector that typically has some of the best range out there. A friend of mine 'FastRX8' has the V1 and I'm constantly impressed with how far out he can pick up Ka bands (most typical band used by police around here). We were out in Vegas a few months ago and he picked up a Ka band a good 2 seconds before I did which is pretty good considering we were going approximately 85 mph.
My only gripe with the V1 (and the reason I opted for the Escort) is that it somtimes can be TOO sensitive while driving around town and you're likely to get a lot of 'false' alerts. This isn't really a defect, just more of a side effect of how good it's detection capabilities are.
As with most things, it boils down to what you're looking for and how much you're willing to spend.
you also might want to consider spending some time on radardetector.net
question 1: what is your budget for an RD. I ask because they do vary quite a bit, anywhere from $100 - $500+
what are you looking for?
blazing detection?
ability to lock out false signals?
wireless?
I have used an Escort Radar detector for the past few years and LOVE IT. I originally started with a 9500i (you can do a search and find my thread on it) and then upgraded to the 9500ix as soon as it became available.
The beauty of that model is that it uses GPS technology to remember 'false' signals and after you've driven past the same spot 3 times and gotten the exact same signal, the RD will store that data and the next time you drive past there, you won't get any kind of alert!
as for them being complicated, you'll find that most of the new ones are VERY user friendly. Mine was literally plug & play. It has an 'advanced' setting but I have never used it, I just plugged it in and it does it's job. Every few weeks, I update it with the newest software (this is only for gps enabled RD's) and I'm good to go.
The Valentine V1 is also a VERY VERY good detector that typically has some of the best range out there. A friend of mine 'FastRX8' has the V1 and I'm constantly impressed with how far out he can pick up Ka bands (most typical band used by police around here). We were out in Vegas a few months ago and he picked up a Ka band a good 2 seconds before I did which is pretty good considering we were going approximately 85 mph.
My only gripe with the V1 (and the reason I opted for the Escort) is that it somtimes can be TOO sensitive while driving around town and you're likely to get a lot of 'false' alerts. This isn't really a defect, just more of a side effect of how good it's detection capabilities are.
As with most things, it boils down to what you're looking for and how much you're willing to spend.
you also might want to consider spending some time on radardetector.net
09-15-2010, 01:18 PM
#31
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iTrader: (7)
Huey: ABSOLUTELY.
The only other detector I would consider is the new Escort Redline but in city driving it would probably get too annoying since even by Escort's own admission, "it's not for everyone."
I'm actually considering getting a 2nd 9500ix for the X3.
The only other detector I would consider is the new Escort Redline but in city driving it would probably get too annoying since even by Escort's own admission, "it's not for everyone."
I'm actually considering getting a 2nd 9500ix for the X3.
09-15-2010, 01:55 PM
#32
for those considering a V1, just get one used, send it in along with 45 bucks for the once over and latest software and it's good as new. they are all over and they are cheap, around 250 including the service fee if you hunt around for a deal.
i have the V1 and the Bel STI, arguably the two best detectors out there, before the 9500 came out, and still pretty top of the line. i would've thrown the V1 out of the window by now if i didn't have it interfaced with my mirror, which filters out a lot of the crap. even still it falses on Ka a lot, and laser too. that entire J out deal is just a crap feature. my Bel is very very quiet by comparison. never gotten burned with either one. should also note that the STI is Spectre proof, meaning those in DC, VA, Canada etc can use it without worrying about getting caught. merely having it concealed is not enough.
IMO, the ONLY thing the V1 has going for it is the arrows, but that is also a huge plus. i'm seasoned enough now to where i can tell where the source is coming from without them, but not instantly. the day Belscort puts out a unit with arrows is the day the V1 goes back on craigslist from whence it came... til then, it's definitely a reason to keep and use
i have the V1 and the Bel STI, arguably the two best detectors out there, before the 9500 came out, and still pretty top of the line. i would've thrown the V1 out of the window by now if i didn't have it interfaced with my mirror, which filters out a lot of the crap. even still it falses on Ka a lot, and laser too. that entire J out deal is just a crap feature. my Bel is very very quiet by comparison. never gotten burned with either one. should also note that the STI is Spectre proof, meaning those in DC, VA, Canada etc can use it without worrying about getting caught. merely having it concealed is not enough.
IMO, the ONLY thing the V1 has going for it is the arrows, but that is also a huge plus. i'm seasoned enough now to where i can tell where the source is coming from without them, but not instantly. the day Belscort puts out a unit with arrows is the day the V1 goes back on craigslist from whence it came... til then, it's definitely a reason to keep and use
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