What are the best choices in radar detectors?

[dduelin]

Not for me of course, but for a friend that might want to install one. I, err..., he hasn't had one for 15 years and isn't up on technology changes in enforcing speed limits.

[Killtimer]

Valentine V1 is my choice. Love the directional hit indicator.

[sherob]

Escort 8500 X50... directional is nice, but the X50 beat the V1 in every test ;)

[NCrider]

Escort was the best for years, then came Valentine One. Actually the man who designed the V1 was either a partner or engineer or one of the orignal founders at Escort (he was big there).
As for who is on top now, not sure, but either should be great.

[Killtimer]

Escort 8500 X50... directional is nice, but the X50 beat the V1 in every test ;)

Yep, if the 8500 could look behind you, it would be a contender. ;)

[sherob]

Yep, if the 8500 could look behind you, it would be a contender. ;)

It does ;) 360 degrees radar and laser :cool:

[Killtimer]

Seriously, they're 1-2 in whatever order the testers decide that year (coin toss?). I will say that Valentine's customer service is excellent, and their upgrade policy is hard to beat but, If price is a concern, the 8500 gets the nod. You can't go wrong with either.

[Killtimer]

It does ;) 360 degrees radar and laser :cool:

I wasn't aware that they'd gone that route in the newer models. :o:

[sherob]

Not knocking the V1... $$$ was one point for me, and I wouldn't really use the directional anyway... I just slow down and start scanning anyway :policeST: :)

[Earache]

Escort 8500 X50... directional is nice, but the X50 beat the V1 in every test ;)


I have both - the V1 in my car and the 8500 in the wife's car. I've read all of the tests and I think that they really have to split hairs to call one a winner over the other. You wouldn't notice the difference in day to day driving.


The V1 gets the nod from me for the directional and counting of the sources. But it still doesn't detect POP radar. I got a ticket in Wisconsin from a state trooper and the V1 never blipped at all. I've noticed that when I pass other troopers there, it usually doesn;t emit a warning. Whereas the 8500 does detect POP and does give a warning.

Not sure if this is all that important of a feature to you or not. Not many states use POP - more are going to laser. In Indiana, where I live, they still use older radars that are easily picked up by both detectors about equally well.

And, as others have mentioned, the Escort is around $100 cheaper.

Hope that helps a bit.

Eric

[Killtimer]

The V1 gets the nod from me for the directional and counting of the sources. But it still doesn't detect POP radar. I got a ticket in Wisconsin from a state trooper and the V1 never blipped at all. I've noticed that when I pass other troopers there, it usually doesn;t emit a warning. Whereas the 8500 does detect POP and does give a warning.
Eric

The newer (or upgraded original) V1's detect POP radar as well.

[HOG SLYR]

I use the BEL RX65 and really like it.

[sherob]

They all do POP now... it basically comes down to $$$ and the directional deal on the V1 :)

[Earache]

The newer (or upgraded original) V1's detect POP radar as well.


That's what I was told, but mine didn't. I checked Valentine's site and plugged i n my serial number and it said that I have the latest version.

The Escort, in my experience, picks up POP a boatload better than the V1.

[sherob]

The Escort, in my experience, picks up POP a boatload better than the V1.

From what I've read... the X50 performed better than the V1 in almost every test they put it thru. YRDMV :rolleyes:

[GRN]

I have heard nothing but good about the three already mentioned, went with the 8500 myself and have no regrets (and a $100 in my pocket... or in another farkle!)

[Blue STreak]

My Take, and I've owned and used both an Escort 8500 (although not the new X50) and a V1:

The extra measured range of the Escort doesn't really buy you anything unless you spend a lot of time on the long, straight highways in the west and plains. Anywhere else, both products will detect radar a long way beyond your line of sight. Even on the long and straight, both will give you a warning far in advance of a radar guns ability to lock in a reading.

For me, the directional arrows, and the bogie counter, on the V1 are worth the extra cost. Knowing that the signal is coming from the side of the road tells me I don't really have to worry about it. OTOH, when I'm passing a shopping center, knowing that I've got a signal ahead of me, in addition to the shopping center door openers, is critical knowledge.

The one complaint I do have about the V1 is that it's too hard to tell what band the radar signal is, especially after dark. I'd like to see them use a different color LED for each band.

[Fastraveller]

This is a nice caomparison of the units discussed so far:

http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=9090



Here is a nice Website that I like to follow:

http://www.radarbusters.com/?ovchn=OVR&ovcpn=overture&ovcrn=escort+8500&ovtac=PPC

[Blue STreak]

I'll add one more thought:

Either the Escort OR the V1 are a whole lot better than nothing.

[Blue STreak]

This is a nice caomparison of the units discussed so far:

http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=9090



Here is a nice Website that I like to follow:

http://www.radarbusters.com/?ovchn=OVR&ovcpn=overture&ovcrn=escort+8500&ovtac=PPC


I don't trust the information at RadarBusters, simply because he both sells and rates them. He can't sell the V1, because it's only available manufacturer direct. Does that give him a bias, either conscious or otherwise, to favor models he sells?

Radartest.com has come in for it's share of controversy, too. It's widely regarded as biased against Valentine. For example, the information on it's latest report contains some obvious and blatant mistakes. The biggest problem I have with their tests is their overemphasis on range. Every decent detector available today has more range than you need or can use.

Here's an interesting article on testing. It's from the V1 site, so I don't claim it's unbiased, either, but it makes some good points. There's a summary of a Car and Driver test on their site, too.

As I said, both brands work well. But until you've used a V1 with the bogey counter and arrows, you don't know what you're missing.

[Putt]

They say that the radar detectors on the F-16/F15/F18/F14/F117 etc., work
very well also.

Putt...

[nm6r]

I'm using a two piece Whistler on my ST1300. The antenna is behind the plastic in the front fairing with the control unit in the fairing pocket. It's out of the weather and out of sight from theft. I don't even want to see it let alone be bothered with arrows. I hear everything in my helmet headset. I hear which band is being received in plain english and know the signal strength by the speed of the beeps.

BTW, after you use a radar detector for any length of time, you can pretty well read the beeps and tell if it is a hit from head on, from the rear or the sides.

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

[TLTONEY]

In my experince, a radar detector just lets you know someone is bringing you something to sign. :policeST: :03biker: With instant on radar, as soon as its turned on you pick up the other vehicle (like flipping a switch). As for laser, I have obtained a reading on a bike from over 1000 feet, and over 1600 feet on a car. :eek: Your best bet is to scan ahead and look for spots you would sit if looking for speeders (shady spots especially). :???:

Trey
:biker:

[CaST]

That's what I was told, but mine didn't. I checked Valentine's site and plugged i n my serial number and it said that I have the latest version.

The Escort, in my experience, picks up POP a boatload better than the V1.
Did you call Valentine about them making the payment on the fine? I mean after all that's what you are paying them $400 for is so you don't pay a $200 ticket.