I'm in the market for a new radar detector and was wondering what everyone is using.

 

Here we go again. there are about a 100 threads on this. You are going to get Valentine V1 and Escort.

I will post the same thing I always do.

I have used multiple V1's, Escort 9500ix, Max2. I have slowly sold all the V1's and now have 2 - Max2's and 1 9500ix. Soon to have 3 Max2's. they are the best hands down in my humble opinion of course.

Now for the V1 guys........

 

Escort has been a standard for years, can't go wrong.

 

Do these things ever get upgraded as tech changes or police equipment. Is this a case of within 8 months of purchase it's old hat, out of date or obsolete?

 

They do updates. Sometimes free and sometimes for a cost.

 

escort even does trade ins sometimes.

 

Can I ask what made you change from the V1 to the Max2?

 

Sure.

For me in Socal most only use KA. Max2 you can disable any bands that you do not want to be active. I believe the V1 does that now but didn't used to.

Also the best feature is the Max2 and 9500ix for that matter have a GPS learn function. Because they are GPS enabled when you travel by a false alarm the second time (i.e. grocery store etc) the detector with remember that location and block it the next time.

Personally as well, not scientific at all, but from personal experience the range on the Max is far further than that of the V1. This is demonstrated for me on my trips to Vegas.

So for me and where I live I feel the Max and the 9500 are far superior. Oh yeah and they are smaller and look better.

Lastly the ONLY thing good about the V1 is the arrows. For me those are WORTHLESS. It doesn't matter where the signal is coming from, I slow down when the alarm goes off.

Hope that helps.

 

Thank you, you have been very helpful. I look forward to buying my first Porsche and Radar Detector to go with it in the next few months.

 

Waze is now my primary interface. Way too many K band false alerts with V1 and even Passport where I drive. Sure Passport filters out the banks, etc, but more and more cars and trucks now have radar guidance for speed control and tracking, it just becomes too annoying with false beeps. Yea, know you can connect the V1 to an iPhone to look at specific frequencies, but want to keep my eyes on the road. I do have ALP for laser, but with over 1,000 miles in AZ, and 3K miles in NE, it still has not gone off, yet. I do know it works when we do laser tests.

 

V1 + Waze + sharp lookout + FF plates = go fast with some reduced ticket risk.

 

I apologize for my ignorance. What are FF plates?

 

I've got a MAX 2. It works very well. I would consider a MAX 360 if I was in the market for a new one.

 

Wait on the the 360. Go check out the reviews, they are getting hammered right now. Range seems to have deteriorated in the 360 and the arrows are delayed.

Max2 is aweome.

Also I forgot to add. This mount is awesome and use this for all mine. Way cleaner and smaller than anything else
Then I also order this to be able to hard wire it up by the mirror.
http://invisicord.com/osc2/catalog/p...products_id=52

 

Been using a V1 since way back sometime around May 2000 when I left CA and relocated to MO.

The V1 has saved my bacon uncountable times. I do not mind the false alarms on none law enforcement radar signals. I use these to remind me to be ever vigilant and situationally aware.

I like the arrows for often on a road trip I'll get an alarm and it is nice to know if it is ahead or behind or off the side. From the arrow and signal strength I can tell if the cruiser is coming up from behind and gaining on my car or coming from ahead and towards me or going away or is stationary.

A few times after having the thing alarm on a trap ahead I have slowed down and had the opportunity to observe other cars that then zoom past encounter the lights out cruiser parked on the side of the freeway ahead. When the cruiser lights come on and the cruiser takes off after the speeder I reach up and pat my V1.

The V1 had acted up 2 times and both times after I spoke with someone at Valentine One I sent the unit in with a check (for $45 IIRC) to cover the repair and both times the unit came back repaired and the check uncashed.

The V1's range is quite good in some cases giving me several miles between the first alarm and where the radar trap is located.

Regardless of what detector you buy remember it doesn't make your car invisible to radar and often times these cars stick out and even if you are not the speeding car you can get pulled over. (Happened to me at least once down in TX.)

Use the detector to be a better more aware driver. Also, I never speed in residential areas and while out on the open highway where I can use the detector to run a bit over the limit I still slow down to the posted limit or below when encountering more congested areas and any construction. And even if it is not required by law I move over if possible to give a LEO/cruiser (or a road crew truck) on the shoulder plenty of room.