radar/laser detector help?

[eric313131]

I am going to but one, but what should I get?

[nmgoodthing]

Escort 9500i or 9500ix or Valentine One.

Don't skimp on a radar detector.

[eric313131]

Someone else mentioned the same kind only 8500 what is the difference?

[83wildcat]

Valentine One.

Without question, in my opinion, the Valentine One is the best radar detector by a long shot. I've owned other detectors and the Valentine One is far superior to every detector I've ever owned. I've loaned my Valentine One to friends and they also think its the best they've used.

The Valentine One does an excellent filtering of signals such that when it goes off on the open road, I know there's a radar trap somewhere soon. I'd say it's about 80% to 90% accurate with an alert. It does give false signals in a metropolitan area, but I haven't used a detector that doesn't. I usually turn off the detector in cities as I’m probably below the speed limit in traffic anyway.

I like the ability of the Valentine 1 to identify if the signal is ahead, along the sides or behind.

It's pricy, about $400, but worth it.

[DRIPS]

Valentine One.

Without question, in my opinion, the Valentine One is the best radar detector by a long shot. I've owned other detectors and the Valentine One is far superior to every detector I've ever owned. I've loaned my Valentine One to friends and they also think its the best they've used.

The Valentine One does an excellent filtering of signals such that when it goes off on the open road, I know there's a radar trap somewhere soon. I'd say it's about 80% to 90% accurate with an alert. It does give false signals in a metropolitan area, but I haven't used a detector that doesn't. I usually turn off the detector in cities as I’m probably below the speed limit in traffic anyway.

I like the ability of the Valentine 1 to identify if the signal is ahead, along the sides or behind.

It's pricy, about $400, but worth it.

Valentine One. No other choice!

I have owned the beltronics top of the line detector. Valentine one is the shizz.

[szh]

I own and love my Valentine 1.

Have had many over the years, but this is the best.

The top of the line Escort and Bel are fine too ...

Z

[nmgoodthing]

9500i has better filtering capabilities and offers GPS for marking locations such as red light cameras, speed traps , etc, you can also download locations off the net for cities in the US.

I have had a V1 and it is a excellent detector but I would not trade my 9500i for one.

[AlbuquerqueM45sport]

Don't waste your time with anything but a Valentine. You will need to disable the lazer detection if you have lane departure system as I do in my 2006 M45 sport. It is simple to do, but realize you won't have lazer protection. If you don't disable the lazer detection then every few moments you will get a false alarm.

[rgb129]

Don't waste your time with anything but a Valentine. You will need to disable the lazer detection if you have lane departure system as I do in my 2006 M45 sport. It is simple to do, but realize you won't have lazer protection. If you don't disable the lazer detection then every few moments you will get a false alarm.

The lane departure uses a camera...how does it trigger false alarms on a laser detector? Also, laser detection doesn't gain you anything other than to let you know you have been caught before you see the lights. If your detector catches a laser signal, it is too late.

I have had both the V1 and the escort 8500. I prefer the Escort because it can be adjusted to be less annoying than the V1. They both picked up radar long before you came upon the source. The features of the 9500i would make it a no brainer for me...my .02

[striz923]

doesn't the ICC use a laser? maybe that is what is causing it?

I also agree about the laser detection, just letting you know to start pulling over. I vaguely remember reading a few years ago that a laser speed monitor for like 500 yards had the detection area of a quarter. (whereas the radar has like 3 carlengths of detection area). So if he points the laser at you there is no question it was you...

[rgb129]

doesn't the ICC use a laser? maybe that is what is causing it?

Yup! That would probably be the culprit.

[the converted]

That's why I got myself a lazer jammer Saved my *** quite a few times through MASS and CT.

[AD1787]

wow how nostalgic. I didn't know rader dectectors were still in use. That takes me back to the 80's when everyone had them.

[marosari00]

Here is some help? http://www.consumersearch.com/radar-detectors

I personally have a Bel RX65. And it is good!!!!

Take care.

[vurb]

Escort 9500ix hands down. Escort and Valentine used to be basically head to head, however in the past couple years Escort has pulled away. The 9500ix has GPS and automatically locks out false alerts after the 3rd time you go past them (grocery store auto-doors, etc). So on any road you normally travel you KNOW that if it it goes off, it's a real threat. Those that say the V1 is the best simply haven't used a 9500ix. Then once you get it, go get you a stealth cord and hook it into your rearview mirror power.

[vurb]

I've owned every high dollar radar detector. Here's what you'll want to get, depending on what you want to spend.

Less than $300 - don't even bother. Sub-300 units aren't worth buying.

~$300: Passport 8500 X50~$350: Passport C65 (formerly Bel RX65)~$450: Passport 9500i~$500: Passport 9500ix

[rstar00]

That's why I got myself a lazer jammer Saved my *** quite a few times through MASS and CT.

Please tell us all more information about where to get a jammer and if they work. If you don't want to go public just e-mail me.

[the converted]

It's an escort ZR3. I got it from Broadfield, he's a sponsor on here so check with him on a price. If you have an 8500 or up escort radar detector it will work with it. They are install intesvie, I used to charge $200 to put them in, so keep that in mind.

It most certainly works, the best save to date was thanksgiving night, zipping down the highway, had just gotten past a group of cars and was doing a little over 90. I slowed down to 68 turned the jammer off. He ended up pulling the guy behind me over and he was probably doing about 75 or so when I passed him. I can only imagine the "why didn't you pull that other jack *** over" conversation with that one.

[eric313131]

I heard people talk about the jammer, but don't you have to install it on the bumper? What would a cop say if he did catch you speeding? Are the legal? I would get one either way, but it would be nice to know, if it is O.K. or not.

[the converted]

Legal except for VA and DC. The strange thing is that the FDA regulates lazer and only has statements about safe transmission levels. The FCC regulates radar and you know how they are. When they do get jammed the gun just says error on it which isn't uncommon and can be cause by shaking on their end.

[AlbuquerqueM45sport]

Looks like a lot of different good options out there. I have personally never been stopped with a valentine, but I have been with other units. The arrows and bogie counter are my favoriate features. Once I tried it there was no going back for me. The GPS features sounds interesting just beware cops will run radar near these types of areas on purpose. As far as Laser detection vs k or ka band yes radar is more like a shotgun and laser is more like a rifle, but there is some deflection and span from a laser gun also. If you are behind a vehicle getting shot with a laser and the vehicle is smaller than you or slightly offset, you will likely get a bounce off and an alarm. If you are the lead vehicle then you will likely get beat by anytype of instant on system either radar or laser.

[vurb]

Looks like a lot of different good options out there. I have personally never been stopped with a valentine, but I have been with other units. The arrows and bogie counter are my favoriate features. Once I tried it there was no going back for me. The GPS features sounds interesting just beware cops will run radar near these types of areas on purpose. As far as Laser detection vs k or ka band yes radar is more like a shotgun and laser is more like a rifle, but there is some deflection and span from a laser gun also. If you are behind a vehicle getting shot with a laser and the vehicle is smaller than you or slightly offset, you will likely get a bounce off and an alarm. If you are the lead vehicle then you will likely get beat by anytype of instant on system either radar or laser.

Regarding your statement above about cops running radar in false-heavy locations, this is exactly what makes the 9500 superior. The 9500's GPS locks out the exact frequency of the false alarm. Therefore the next time a cop sets up shop in that area you'll know it, because you'll know that your 9500 never goes off in that area, regardless of that grocery store door that constantly sets off the V1.

This is why the GPS functionality takes radar detection to the next level. Because it completely eliminates false alarms while maintaining the highest possible sensitivity. It also allows for a long list of things that you wouldn't ever think of. Like just giving you one beep if you're going under 15mph (no need to hear any sound as you're obviously not speeding). Or auto-adjusting the sensitivity based on vehicle speed. Or being able to mark the location of a speed trap if you are on a trip and will go past that same spot on your trip home (did that last weekend actually and sure enough, the cop was setup in the same speed trap running laser on the way back). The 9500 has the "bogey counter". It tells you how many there are of each band and shows the strength of each.

Like I said, I've owned all of he high dollar detectors, save the Escort Solo. The V1 is an excellent detector and is on par with the Escort 8500. However with the addition of GPS, Escort has launched into the next generation with the 9500ix.

If you are on the fence, the 9500ix and the V1 both have a 30 day money back guarantee. Grab both and then return the one you don't want! Problem solved!

[tytamto]

Regarding your statement above about cops running radar in false-heavy locations, this is exactly what makes the 9500 superior. The 9500's GPS locks out the exact frequency of the false alarm. Therefore the next time a cop sets up shop in that area you'll know it, because you'll know that your 9500 never goes off in that area, regardless of that grocery store door that constantly sets off the V1.

This is why the GPS functionality takes radar detection to the next level. Because it completely eliminates false alarms while maintaining the highest possible sensitivity. It also allows for a long list of things that you wouldn't ever think of. Like just giving you one beep if you're going under 15mph (no need to hear any sound as you're obviously not speeding). Or auto-adjusting the sensitivity based on vehicle speed. Or being able to mark the location of a speed trap if you are on a trip and will go past that same spot on your trip home (did that last weekend actually and sure enough, the cop was setup in the same speed trap running laser on the way back). The 9500 has the "bogey counter". It tells you how many there are of each band and shows the strength of each.

Like I said, I've owned all of he high dollar detectors, save the Escort Solo. The V1 is an excellent detector and is on par with the Escort 8500. However with the addition of GPS, Escort has launched into the next generation with the 9500ix.

If you are on the fence, the 9500ix and the V1 both have a 30 day money back guarantee. Grab both and then return the one you don't want! Problem solved!

You bring up some great points. I am really intrigued by the 9500ix now

I have owned a few different V1's over the past 12 years, and always felt that they were superior to what was out there at the time. I still am a big fan of V1 and currently am on my 4th unit. I used to work across the street from Valentine One's HQ and have had lunch with Mike a few times. He is a great guy, excellent engineer, and a true car nut. Still very down to earth too.

All that said, I do agree with the GPS technology being the next step. The features and benefits that the 9500ix offers are hard to overlook. I can see them being very useful in the real world. If it in fact offers as good detection characteristics as the V1, it may be the unit to get. And I have heard a lot of positive feedback about the 8500i over the past few years, so the 9500xi should be just as effective...

I may get one on a 30 day trial soon. I'll make sure to show it to Mike V, too!

[vurb]

You bring up some great points. I am really intrigued by the 9500ix now

I have owned a few different V1's over the past 12 years, and always felt that they were superior to what was out there at the time. I still am a big fan of V1 and currently am on my 4th unit. I used to work across the street from Valentine One's HQ and have had lunch with Mike a few times. He is a great guy, excellent engineer, and a true car nut. Still very down to earth too.

All that said, I do agree with the GPS technology being the next step. The features and benefits that the 9500ix offers are hard to overlook. I can see them being very useful in the real world. If it in fact offers as good detection characteristics as the V1, it may be the unit to get. And I have heard a lot of positive feedback about the 8500i over the past few years, so the 9500xi should be just as effective...

I may get one on a 30 day trial soon. I'll make sure to show it to Mike V, too!

Ya, well didn't Mike work for Escort before branching off to create V1? Some sort of disagreement from what I remember? I'm sure he knows all about the 9500 but I'd be interested to hear his take on why the V1 is still superior. Honestly I hope he's working on something with GPS. Competition is always good for the consumer! Oh and I re-read what I wrote and I sound like a dang Escort salesman! And I didn't even mention that it has the location of every red light camera and speed camera (and is updated every month, you just plug in via USB)... Another thing that's impossible w/o GPS. As you approach the red light it says aloud "red light camera ahead" and then it counts down the distance in feet to it and has an arrow pointing toward the direction of the red light camera. This is extremely useful if you live in an area where red light cameras/speed cameras are in use.
Modified by vurb at 6:37 AM 12/24/2008