myrx8

I think this whole thread should be ended - the Valentine 1 is the best hands down.
The new thread should be about how much to spend on a radar detector!!!!

RX-8 Zoomster

Christ's sake you like to argue. For no reason at that. I never said one thing about my dislike for the Escort 8500, and I don't know what your intent of your comment is here.

My first post on this thread was this:
.My point in my last post was for to compare the V1 to your support of the Bel. Frankly I wouldn't buy the Passport 8500 as my first choice. Not since the Valentine is out there. But if the V1 was not available I would choose the 8500 over the Bel. Simple enough for you.

Buy what you want. If you feel the Bel is good enough for you, then so be it. If you think the 8500 is good enough for you, then so be it. I think the Valentine is good for me, so that's what I'll get.

Now find someone else to pick a senseless argument with

RX-8 Zoomster

Thanks for the clarification. I probably knew that in my mind, but typed it wrong. Dyxleria hits again. :D

myrx8

Can't we all just get along?

RX-8 Zoomster

Really I'm trying, but some people seem dense.

BTW, myrx8, I agree with your choice of radar detectors.

MrWigggles

Your own source (Car and Driver) does not appear to support the conclusion that the Bel is a "lesser" radar detector brand as you stated it to be. Since you give no other source for that conclusion. I was/am questioning it.

If you said, "I've used all of the current radar detectors and only the 8500 and V1 have the performance I like" then that would be a more valid statement and would be from personal experience. Have you ever used a Bel 980 or 985?

Your initial conclusion about Bel conflicted mine so I am asking you to defend your claim. Is that being "dense" or simply thorough?

-Mr. Wigggles

myrx8

I will admit, I have not used the Bel series 985, but I did have, as a backup in my trunk the Bel 960.

I use the V-1 as the primary, but in a pinch, the Bel does do a great job.

RX-8 Zoomster

I understand how you might have misintrepreted my one post.

The rating in Car & Driver did rate the Passport 8500 and the Bel 980 within 6 points of one another. However the Valentine 1 was rated about 30 points higher. That's not to say the the Passport or the Bel detectors are not good detectors. It's just the criteria of Car and Driver that they felt the Valentine was better in their eyes.

I never used the Valentine V1, Passport 8500 nor the Bel 980, so I can't say from experience which one is best. I imagine you have not used all three either. I wish I could say that I could get all three, place them side by side and then choose the best one for me. Unfortunately I can't do that. A detector is a big investment. I don't feel comfortable buying the Bel and maybe finding out it does not work as well as I anticipated. All I got to go on is unbias magazine reports that rate the detectors. There are a number of reviews and magazines that have rated both the Passport 8500 and the Valentine V1 consistently high. And that is probably one of the detectors I will get. That is not to say the Bel does not work nor does it's job inefficently. The Valentine is my #1 choice, however the discounting one can get on the Passport 8500, makes it a very attractive option one should consider. Since you have used the Bel 980 and are satisfied in it's performance, then that is what is important.

myrx8

It sounds like we all agree that radar detectors are needed!!!!

RX-8 Zoomster

LOL! Yes, I think we all have that mutual understanding.