Radar Detectors. The best?

[Michael]

I have recently been researching radar detectors and have come down to what is considered the top 3. I am doing this for several reasons:

1. So that those who don't know about this are informed
2. Those who know about this can voice out what they think is the best
and
3. So that we could probably discuss what the overal best is based on what we learn here, have read before, etc.

There are several websites that I have been looking at such as:

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER


The three contenders are the: Valentine 1(which I favor in a way), Escort 8500 X50, and the Bell RX65.

Here are illustraions for them:

Valentine 1

Escort 8500 X50

Bell RX65



So those of you who may know about these three please select which one of the three you like. There is an option for other incase some of you might not agree that these 3 are good and there are other good/better ones

Note It should be noted that Bell and Escort are not the same company. Some of the reviews suggest that these two are almost identical if not the same.

[Alx]

I own a Valentine 1 and in advanced mode IMO it is the best. Old looking but most effective...

PS> You can never get away from false alarms btw.

V1, lets you know how many cops there are.. 1,2,3,4,5...etc. and from whch direction its coming from. Too me thats very handy.

But 160mph, nothing will help.

Cops are smarter now, they wait to turn the laser on as you pass them... its rare you catch them with it on all the time.

And if they turn it on when you pass them, POP2 wont save either, in fact nothing will.

[Michael]

Originally Posted by AlxAmg

I own a Valentine 1 and in advanced mode IMO it is the best. Old looking but most effective...

PS> You can never get away from false alarms btw.

V1, lets you know how many cops there are.. 1,2,3,4,5...etc. and from whch direction its coming from. Too me thats very handy.

But 160mph, nothing will help.

Cops are smarter now, they wait to turn the laser on as you pass them... its rare you catch them with it on all the time.

And if they turn it on when you pass them, POP2 wont save either, in fact nothing will.

Thank you Alex. You are absolutely right. There is one thing that is stressed in all the articles that I have read and it is that these devicves, althought very helpful, will not completely save you at the end of the day.

I was reluctant to vote but now I will and it will be for the V1. I have always liked it, but it is the most expensive one out there. The one thing I like about it, and maybe you can give some insight on it, is the fact that you can send it back and get an upgrade. So once you buy it, its kinda like you have it forver (of course you have to pay for the upgrade but compared to what you pay for it originally it is awesome!).

As a matter of fact I really like the V1's design, but I do have one minor problem that concerns me before I get it.

I have a tint on the front windshield of my car. It is only 35% and I know it is somewhat odd and very unprofessional to have but when I was younger (two years ago) I wanted to put it on because some of my friends had it. Now I am wondering if that tint is going to interfere with the V1 or any detector for that matter. That is one thing that really worries me.

So my investment in it might be counter productive.

[drronh]

I've got to send mine in for an upgrade- my newest one is about 4 years old now

[Michael]

Originally Posted by drronh

I've got to send mine in for an upgrade- my newest one is about 4 years old now

A 4 year old?!? Wow that means you will be spending a lot of money to replace it. Why not get a new one?

You can go to the valentine 1 website, if that is what you have, and put in your model number and they will tell you how much it will cost to upgrade.

Here is the link: - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER just put in the number at the bottom and see what it says. Good luck!

[Alx]

Originally Posted by drronh

I've got to send mine in for an upgrade- my newest one is about 4 years old now

Yeh me too...

BMW. AFAIK, they dont charge for upgrades at Valentine1 just shipping....

[Alx]

when i put in my serial number here is what i got:

STATUS REPORT:


V1 Description: Radar circuitry known in-house as V1.8—POP1. This is our latest and best performer on both radar and laser with just one exception—its POP Protection has been superseded by POP2. Of interest to those who drive in Europe, the latest V1 version also has a Euro Mode. Upgrade Recommendation: You already have a sophisticated security system complete with POP Protection superior to all other brands in the industry. POP2 is an evolutionary change, a part of our Continuous Improvement program. It reduces the false alarms from other detectors compared to the POP1 version of V1, and includes an addition to V1’s proven warning vocabulary. If you drive in Europe, you will appreciate our new Euro Mode which improves protection on photo radar as it is used in the E.U.



Our POP Upgrade* for this series of V1 will produce the following benefits:
* Fewer false alarms from other detectors compared to your POP1 V1.
* A new warning: POP2 includes an improved warning feature: when the signal-identification system determines that a current warning is, in fact, a spurious signal transmitted by another detector, it notifies you with a “dee-dah-doo” sound and terminates the warning. At the same time, the letter “J” will flash briefly in the Bogey Counter. * Euro Mode: You will enjoy longer radar range and fewer false alarms in European driving. Euro Mode adapts V1’s radar sensitivity to the way radar is used for photo enforcement in Europe. It narrows and intensifies radar coverage to K and the sections of Ka bands applied there to photo radar. X band is not covered in Euro Mode. (V1 is already optimized for North American radar as it comes from the factory. Euro Mode is not appropriate for driving here.)

This upgrade will install the Euro Mode but you must activate it. To activate, see - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
* One-year limited warranty starting at upgrade date, same as new units.
-- Upgrade to POP2 and Euro Mode: As soon as we receive your old unit (in operable condition with no tampering of the serial number) we’ll install revised firmware, then return it to you in the shortest possible time with a new serial number to indicate its revised capability.

PRICE: $75 plus shipping

[siko]

I've never used a radar detector and I have a question:
Can cops detect that you have a radar detector???

[MikeJ]

Originally Posted by siko

I've never used a radar detector and I have a question:
Can cops detect that you have a radar detector???

Yes they can. Detectors are illegal here (bye bye licence if you get caught with one) and the cops got some type of new detector-detectors a while ago. But usually they just stand on an overpass bridge with a radar gun and stop the cars that slow down before the drivers could possibly have spotted the cops up there.

[Centurion]

Hmmm test seem to be quite cool. I wouldn't mind picking up a cheap one on eBay or something.