Again Rookie sportscar owner
I need help with selcetion of radar detector....I live in metro area, new city policy to give 20% more tickets this year!
Any suggestions on best detectors and why....
Also best install techniques/placements....
I do A LOT of city and highway driving. Need all the help I can get!
Thanks

 

valentine one!!! i have had many detectors and this one seems to be the best. it detects bogeys from afar. im sure others will agree with me. i have heard that the passport 8500(?) is also a nice one. i believe its about $100 cheaper. however, all the data and testimonials that i have seen, seem to indicate that the val 1 is the best.

 

Yeah DrDrilz is totally right. I own a Valentine One as well, best money can buy. It has a bogey counter and arrow to show where they are. Saved my **** many a times on the NJ Turnpike. The cost is a little steep, but you get what you pay for. You will not be sorry you spent the money for it too. People ask me why on earth I paid so much for it, but as soon as they see how effective it is, they are amazed and want to buy it for themselves.

 

Check out this site for info. I found it quite informative.
www.detectortest.com

 

What about the k40 or the new esscort with everthing installed in the cars bumbers. Also has a jammer built in. With 6 sensors in the front and four in the rear. Has anybody have any good luck with these. I know there are expensive about 1200 - 1500. What are some of your opnions.

 

Thanks for the link on detectors, it was interesting.
The Val 1 ranked well below the Bel and escort......
Something to consider.

 

I read somewhere that radar test is owned by Escort. Just another thought to consider. www.caranddriver.com has a whole section on radar detectors. They give the nod to the V1.

 

Personally, my impression is that detection is pretty comparable between the V1 and Passport 8500. However, the V1 has very well thought out details like:

1- magnesium case
2- direction indicators
3- bogey count indicators
4- standard phone jack wiring (you can fabricate your own custom power cord)
5- quick release bar on the suction cups
6- muted volume level adjustment

I think those details make it worth $100 over the 8500. Yes, the direction and bogey count indicators are useful. For example, I usually pass by a Wal-Mart that transmits 3 K-band signals -- it's like clockwork. But if there's ever more than 3 signals as I'm approaching, then I'd know that one of the signals is coming from a radar gun.

Also, if you think $100 over the 8500 is too much, then you can call Valentine Research and order a vacation model for $350. Vacation models are used models that people typically buy, go on a roadtrip, then return.

Michael.

 

I can't remember the details but RadarTest does have SOMETHING to do with Cinncinati Microwave (the company that makes Escort/Passport detectors). I'd go with the car mag. comparisons instead.

The Valentine One is awesome. I have had one for 8 years and have never received a ticket when in my car with the V-1. I left my old one in my Stealth and bought a new one for my Z. See my installation pics in Droid's radar detector thread.

 

that test is biased. therefore unreliable.

 

Passport8500 or BEL Vector985!!! Best " K & Ka " detection which are the 2 most PREVELANT Radars in America!
http://www.speedzones.com/

 

Heres A install photos that I have to thank the good Dr for.You can see red line of how he installed wire into headliner and down into his fuse box.Very clean install and I will most likely copy this.Hope this helps you.

 

Did anybody notice these:

 

Not to start a war, but I think the only thing that is in your above list that the passport does not have is 2- directional indicators and maybe the magnesium case ( I cant remember what the 8500 is made of). On a side note the V1 is far superior in picking up X band than any other radar detector, but its K and Ka bands are very close to all the top of the line models from bell and passport.

We all know most police radar is K and Ka.

 

how about a radar jammer instead...I know they are illegal in some states but it will warn you sooner and give you more reaction time to reduce your speed because the cop can't tell what the heck his radar gun is registering. When the jammer goes off, the smart trick is to shut it off when you reduce your speed and then the cop's gun will not register that you were speeding. The cop will think it was his gun malfunctioning briefly. If you don't, and leave it on all the time, chances are that the cop will pulled you over regardless and bust you for having it

 

Hey, did any of you V1 owners get the remote display? I'm curious as to whether it is necessary in the Z--it seems like the display wouldn't be too visible to people in back of the car anyway.

 

I have V1 and I love it. I haven't gotten a ticket ever since I bought my V1 4 years ago. (or was it 5 years ago??)

I used to have the concealed display module on my Acura TL, but not on my Z. See the pic below.

The reason why I did not install the remote display in my Z is that Z already has many gauges on the dash and I didn't want it to look "too busy" by adding another display there. What's good about the remote display is that you can relocate the display to a location where it is easier for your to view, w/o having have to look up to the actual unit, which is usually mounted high spot on the windshield. Also, "people" will not be able to see the lights off of your radar from the rear.

 

Where did you mount your detector? I got the same remote but didn't use it since you really can't see the regular one from the rear window anyway. The low window and strut brace pretty much conceal it for you.

 

To your information, 8500 has
3) bogey count indicator with strength level and type of EVERY ONE of them (V1 doesn't!)

4)standard phone jack wiring

6)Automuted volume level adjustment

n)lots of other stuff V1 doesn't have, especially compatibility with Escort laser jammers.

and who cares about magnesium case??? I'd expect it to be hevier and vibrate more.

THE ONLY ONE big difference of V1 over 8500 is directional arrows... but then it's depends wether you trust them or not. If that would be such a nice technology, tell me, why Escort doesn't have such a model? Please don't mention patent.

I use and love 8500. Never let me down yet.

 

I read somewhere that car&driver test was sponsored by Valentine.