After searching the forums and reading reviews online about radar detectors I wanted to get a final opinion before ordering for my new-to-me 2003 touring.

I've made due in the past with sub $100 detectors and they've always been fine for me since I don't consider myself a speedfreak anymore, just a spirited driver.

I'm looking to spend under $250.00 for the detector, mirror mount and wiring

I'm looking at the Beltronics V-955 and the Beltronics RX65 although any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

As for mounting the I've only read great reviews about the mount made by MIKE3348, if he still makes them.

As for wiring it sounds like invisicord is the easiest option, my question is which product is best for that mount.

Thanks for any hel

 

look at the blendmount website/advertisments. They make mounds for all kinds and it looks like its similar to mikes mount

 

I have a V1 and it works great... I have a Blendmount as well. I also bought the pigtail that uses Pos and Neg from the rear view mirror (homelink) to power the unit... You hardly know it's there until it starts beeping.

 

I use a blue x50 passport. Had it since 5-6 years so. Works decent.I think newegg has some deal on the x50. Might want to look into that.

 

100 dollar radar detector is 100% pointless, save your money. It will tell you when youre already being hit.. and every kmart you drive past as well.. im telling you, pointless. youll simply learn to ignore it. Pointless.

my K40 RL100 was 350.. its silent.. always.
UNless i drive past a speed sign.. otherwise it does not talk all day.
And even IT is pretty pointless.. but they pay my tickets this year if i get one, so all bueno. Blend mount is ok, but pricey and not as nice as my JoyCrafts mount IMHO.

 

EMCKBGK97 Is the promo code on newegg for the blue x50. -$110.

End up being like 230 shipped

 

any specifics on the pigtail (where to purchase or item number)?

 

Beltronics V6 All Day, have not gotten a single ticket.
$180 at Best Buy.

 

Hey, I'm ready to order the fused invisicord but I wanted to double check on whether 8 inches is the correct length.

I'm still leaning towards the Bel V955, can anyone give me a good reason not to?

 

You can just use a phone cord to hardwire the radar. Basically strip the phone cord and inside u'll see 2 cables inside; one green one black. Tie one into the ACCESSORIES fuse and ground the other. Test to see if your radar powers on.

As far as radars go, I'd like to have a V1, but they are expensive and it would suck if it got stolen. I went w/ a X50 cuz I got it for like $180 used and it's a pretty good radar. Great range. Mine's an older model from 5+ yrs ago so I'm not sure how good the newer revisions are but Passport has always been pretty good, just a step below Valentine V1.

Plus, I posted that discount code @ Newegg so you could buy that Blue X50 for $220-230ish ;o

 

I would personally wait for a V1... I have a Euro POP2. Not all radar unit's are the same. I do a lot of highway driving as my girl live's 20mi south of me(my father lives 220mi north and I visit him often) and I usually go about 10-15 mph over. FHP uses laser quite often and the V1 literally paid for itself the first time I didn't get caught. You can adjust the sensitivity so it'll be less likely to go off in front of automatic door sensors and it'll tell you in what direction the radar signal is coming from relative to the detector. Some people say that feature is useless but for Police Dept's that use moving radar units(vehicle mounted)... knowing if the Police is in front or behind is big.

My buddy has a Passport 9500xi and he swears by it. It has a GPS database which come's in handy when you frequent the same place(going to work for instance) and minimizes false alarms as well is notify you of stoplight cams. He did get a ticket because the unit "auto learned" an area that he usually gets false alarms but this time it wasn't a false alarm but a officer using an older speed detection unit(Ka band).

Do you have the Homelink auto dimming mirror? The difference between using a regular phone cable is that it has wires and not leads(you'd have to make your own), the pigtail come's with leads on them so you literally insert the lead behind the plug... a 5 min clean installation.

 

I really have no need for the V1 or the 9500xi. I accept the limitations of less expensive models, for me they are less about getting away with speeding and more of a reminder to pay attention when I hear it beeping.

I have the homelink mirror so I planned on using the invisicord but I just want to make sure that the 8 inch is long enough

I guess I'm down to deciding between the 8500 x50 or the v-9555, there's about a $100 price difference.

 

Pretty sure a 8500 x50 is pretty much the same thing as a 9500ix for the RADAR component. Both are base on the M4 radio design being used by many bel/escort detectors. I would look at these options and if you are spending money then realize this. Valentine 1 keeps value pretty stable where other detectors drop off in resale value as soon as a new one comes out.

I personally only use:

Escort redline (Better detection than valentine but no arrows and 100% stealth VA&DC)
Valentine 1 : (Arrows are nice but regardless if it beeps slow the **** down)

Laser interceptor
Cheetah GPS Mirror
Veil coating

 

Well between the two I'd go with the 8500.

 

[QUOTE=bmccann101;9344162]100 dollar radar detector is 100% pointless, save your money. It will tell you when youre already being hit..QUOTE]

Finally going to disagree w you on something!

My new whistler 560, works very well and was sub $100 range. I have owned, Cobra, Escort/Passport/Valentines etc...for over 12 years.

First my bias is I love myself a GOOD CORDLESS DETECTOR.

Second, I have been through 2 solo S2's and 1 SOLO S3 (do not buy, looks great peforms like ****, tech is too new and not well developed yet).
Last, detectors shouldnt be mounted under rear view through any clip/mount for being fully effective.
Just my .02

 

so the 8 inch... should that be long enough?

 

[QUOTE=Stock2Autocrozz;9345354]
Where do you live? I think features are relative to the Police Dept budgets... many dept's simply can't afford laser unit's for all the officers. Most still use K and Ka but here in Miami(Florida in General) use Laser. It almost seems like the OP is looking for a situational awareness tool rather than using it for it's full capacity.

+1 on the Solo S2's... they're doodoo. My father has an S2 and it's horrid, after he saw my V1 he fell in love until he saw the price. Just out of curiosity... why not mount a detector under the rear view? The only reason why other's mount lower is because of the physical length of the cig lighter power cords.

 

Where are you mounting it?

 

the mirror on mikes mount

 

Yes 8 is enough.