Radar detectors... any advice?
 

Just wanted to know what everyone on the board prefers. It looks like its between the v1 and escort 8500. What do you guys prefer? And what kind cool installs are there out there?

Valentine ONE .. No questions asked.. by far the best.

V1
 

Eldude - You have my vote for the V1. I've gotten used to the arrows and feel that I can read it quite well. It's already saved me a few times.

I have hard-wired my V1 in front of my driver's side visor in my cab. It's easily viewable (and catches my eye if it blinks) but doesn't obscure my driver's view. No wires seen, either. And one last benefit is that if a cop is behind me (and I don't want to get harassed), I can put down my visor and it covers up the detector.

I'll take some pics if interested.

-Bobby G

V1

I chose the V1 because of the reliability and because you can send it in for upgrades. The installation took some time but I clip mine to the passenger visor and ran the wire for it through the visor clip. Had to slightly modify the visor clip by making a hole inside to allow the wire assy to slip through. If for some reason I have to remove the V1 from my car permanently, all I have to do is pull the wires out of the clip and secure the cap on it and you won't even know that the thing was modified. I mounted the covert indicator to the batwing with velcro so people behind don't see that you have a V1. Here's a link for installation;

http://www.industryfigure.com/berkel.../valentine.htm

K40

www.k40.com

They will reimburse you if you get a ticket within the first year. They have alot of confidence in their products and they are TOTALLY Stealth installs....mine looks like it came from the factory....beeps and blinks on the left hand side of the dash for Radar in Front...beeps and blinks on right hand side of dash for bogies behind...mute volume and city/highway switch is down by the seat so nobody can see them..laser jammer license plate frames front and rear. No Tickets for 2 years and I have had 26 in the past!

Bought a V1 about 18 months ago. Recently I got pulled over without a peep from the unit. (Received just a warning.) After being clocked a number of times without a sound, I suspected something was wrong with the unit. I called V1 and they asked that I send it back to be checked...in the original box.....I don't have a lot of spare time.
So, in the meantime, I bought a Solo S2. The very first day that I used it, I got tagged on the NJ Turnpike. Yes, the very first day. This time I was not as lucky. I received a ticket. I have never had any luck with the S2 since I bought. It only warns me when I am right on top of the radar or laser. No way near as sensitive as the V1 (when it was working.)

Mike V. I know you are out there. Just a suggestion: If my Palm Pilot goes bad, I give Palm my credit card number, they send me a "rebuilt" palm, and a box with a return postage in it. I send my Palm to them and they test it. Once finished, they send mine back and charge my credit card if the repair was needed/approved. It is a great system and keeps their customers with a "working unit." I think this is a great selling point as well as a customer service "wow". Just my $.02.

Dave

V-1 -- There Is No Substitute

V1 hands down

V1 = #1

Get the V1. Don't know how many times I've been saved by it. Can't imagine driving my TT without it.

Thanks for all the feedback guys. Looks like V1 is the winner hands donw. I have heard alot of back and forth on this subject, but I will go with you guys and get the v1. Now Just have to find a good way to install cleanly.

v1 :D

V1!!! I bought mine last week and I haven't even installed it!

With this kind of support, Mike Valentine should really consider becoming a sponser on this board.

V1 rules! Had a Passport, got the V1 as a gift from a friend, would never use anything else.

Was on I5 going to the track (Thunderhill) a few weeks back and it picked up 3 speed traps in 30 minutes of driving. All traps were the same--cop sitting in his car behind an overpass (thank God they're so damn lazy!). V1 picked it up miles ahead. Cranked it right back up to triple digits again after safely passing the cop.

Here's a thread showing the hardwired install in my car:

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...ight=valentine

Whats this about some new radar technology that Passport has a detector for? Also, I heard the new passport blew away the V1, is it true?

I heard the same. The new Passport 8500X50(like 50 times stronger than the original--clever) Anyway, this new passport is much stronger than the old one that beat the V1 in several tests and lost in a couple. Supposed to blow the competition away and also it detects pop 3 whatever that is where the V1 does not. Any feedback, you guys here anything about this new passport?

Lou

Valentine 1 = :cool: :cool:

Personally, I have the V1 and the concealed display (I live in Canada where it's illegal to have a radar detector). The V1 is awesome, the arrows are awesome. The only thing I don't like is that it is HUGE! A few times I had to take the V1 off so I could hide it (cops were around). And finding a place where I can stuff it is hard (I usually try sticking it in my jacket pocket).

Anyway, the Passport 8500 X50 looks interesting. It's probably not worth the price difference (just like the X-50 option for the Turbo lol), but it's STILL better than the regular one by far.

I'm considering trying the Passport 8500, but my V1 has been so good to me, I don't know if I'm ready to try something else!!!

One problem for me is that some police cars in Canada use "Spectre" which CAN detect radar detectors. (That's why I sometimes take it off when cops are around).

- KJ

Really old thread I know, but didnt want to start a new one. Anyone use the Passport SRX, got a new 911 which had one already installed. I had a Passport 8500 in my old car. Just wanted to get some feedback.

Don't know if they use laser in your area but you can't put your foot on the brake faster than the speed of light. The Valentine is useless against laser.

I use a detector/jammer combo for full coverage. 8500 X50 to detect and the Laser Star Jammer to foil laser hits. It has worked quite well so far...

Had them all and...
 

IMHO, V1 is the best. The arrows are indispensable.

Under mirror installation with Blendmount is sweet unless you go stealth.

:)

I've got two V1s that I use in my cars. I've yet to get a ticket (knock on wood) using it.

Holly thread resurrection Batman. I just noticed how old this thead is.

the escort series are good, havnt had a ticket since i got it. my wife been pulled over twice driving behind me. lol. just go wireless for gods sake

the new escort redline got great reviews from radarroy V1 is good too*shrug*

Has anyone been pulled over while using a laser jammer? I always figured that if they saw me flying they would just pull me over and make up something anyway and potentially really throw the book at me because I'm deliberately stopping them from clocking me (despite it being "legal")

What's the idea? They look at their gun which says "eRR" or something and go "oh well...he's not speeding" better let him keep on driving and only give tickets to these other guys.

3 x V1's. I need two more to stop having to move them around. I'll turn around and go home to get one if I accidently left without it. And.. Upgrading is nice.

They look at the gun, look up at the car, look at the gun - too late - you're past. Oh well, here comes the next guy...

That's been my experience anyway. I think as long as you're not obviously going 3 times the speed limit, they give you the benefit of the doubt. Jammers are not that popular but errors are so I don't think they give it that much thought.

I like my V1, although I rarely use it because I don't do that much speeding. It's perfect for the country drives (vacation road trips!) where I am not familiar with the territory and also enjoy going faster than the PSL. Definitely has saved me at least once and has alerted me to policy presence many times.

I had a mount hard-wired by the passenger vanity mirror, along with the concealed display behind my shifter between the two seat heater rockers. It's not a perfect placement, but those who pull me over definitely can not see either when standing at the driver or passenger side windows (a plus imo).

I bought the hard case for the V-1 and keep the unit in my trunk when it's not vacation time.

This is a very old thread but my answer has not changed! V1

I would also suggest some type of lidar jammer if they use that in your area...

I've been lurking here....and thanks to everyone's feedback just ordered a V1.

+ 1!

Enjoy your laser ticket.

I have had 2 different built in models Calibre K40 and one Valentine One.

K40 I had in my E55 was terrrbile. K40 built into my Turbo works well, however the Valentine One works way better. It gives warning earlier, less false alerts, and arrows :D

Valentine 1 by far!!!!!!!!!!!:D

Have had a Valentine for 10 years and they have a great upgrade program. Hardwired all my cars for a nice clean look. Once you live with the arrows it's hard to not have them.

I bought the V1 3 weeks ago. The bogie counter has been going crazy and the thing has beeped non-stop for 3 weeks. The good news is I haven't been speeding (it's always alarming) but it hasn't IDed a cop yet.

I think I'm hosed by city driving. I'm sure it rocks on HWY.

I'm returning it and getting a Passport 9500ci installed for $1899. I think I need the GPS. The invisible install is a huge bonus; I'm tired of hiding the V1.