Radar detectors?

[vath2001]

I am going to find myself doing alot more traveling and am thinking about a new radar detector.

Maybe radar and GPS combo... if they make those.
I want something that I can move from car to car.
And I prefer to plug it in rather than on AA batteries.

Thanks for any suggestions.
And detectors aren't illegal in Ohio...yet (give them time).

[jwade]

buy a passport 9500ix.

[jmatta]

I have a Beltronics RX65 Pro (made by Passport and almost the same circuitry as the 9500ix) which has saved my rear many a time. The POP instant on laser feature is amazing, since it picks it up so quickly (just don't be the ONLY car on the road).
The Ka response is also very impressive, since most depts use this around my area, though laser is becoming increasingly more active.

[gschotland]

Anyone have any thoughts on how the Bel and Passport compare to the Valentine 1? I have a V1 sitting in a closet somewhere...

[mptoledo]

Passport 9500 ix all the way. NO comparison. I have had mine for almost a year, paid slighly less than $500 and its worth every penny. The main advantage over most others is that if you drive by walgreens 3 times it will auto block that gps/band frequency(you can manually do it also, like those speed signs that are meant as a deterent). I have never even had a close call as it gives plenty of distance(unless they aren't radaring) The red light camera warning is pretty nice as I had two of those before I bought this. Oh did I mention blocking out false signals?

When I drive through my town / city, it is quiet. If my radar goes off, then there is a cop. Isn't that how they are suppose to work?

[Jaxonalden]

Valentine One, with-out-a-doubt ( http://www.valentine1.com/ ). They give you 360 degree coverage, the unit is upgradeable to the latest software available and you have options to suite multiple applications.

I have it hard wired with a concealed head unit in my Boxster. I also have my SUV, wife's car and the Sienna hard wired with a Blendmount
( http://www.blendmount.com/forumdisplay.php?f=12 ) under the rear view mirror. They're working on a Porsche mount. Whatever I'm driving it comes with me, all it takes to remove it is as simple as unplugging a phone jack, that's it. Rental car? Visor mount and traditional phone cord to the cigarette lighter.

I can't tell you how secure I feel knowing my V1 is on and sniffing the air for the smell of bacon, and then telling me when it's at.

[RandallNeighbour]

V1 Baby! If you've never used one, you simply cannot comprehend what situational awareness with the arrows provides.

Others might be newer or have GPS, but they're not better without those arrows. Moreover, the V1 has two HUGE advantages over most other detectors:

1. User programmable. I turned off X band and WalMarts don't set it off. No need to use fancy GPS to find false alarms. Most of them are on X band.

2. Upgradeable. The V1 can be sent back to be reprogrammed with the latest software for a moderate amount of money. The other detectors? Sell them for a pittance on eBay and buy the new version.

Let the games begin! (we always have heated debates about this topic once a quarter or so!)

Do search on radar detector for many many threads and posts about why we all think the one we bought is the best and everyone else's choice absolutely sucks.

[JackG]

Passport all the way!! In an unexpected head-to-head comparison of my Passport 8500 and a friend's V1, my 8500 alerted me to oncoming Ka radar way before my friends V1 alerted him in the next lane. He doesn't use his anymore after he got a ticket with it later. Arrows... who cares. Passport goes off, you slow down. Turns back off, G2G. No bling, all business. And it's user programmable.

The newer 9500 with GPS is the deal, hands down. :dance:

[9eighty6]

Another V1 lover here. It simply cannot be beat.

If cost is an issue ask them for a "retuned unit" which gives you the same product
with the same warranty for about $100 less.

A no-brainer.

[Viper5]

Heres what it comes down to...

If by "a lot of driving" you are talking highway, then V1 is the way to go. It does not have GPS feature but it's detection is much better for laser. This is starting to become the norm for highway patrol.

However, if you are driving in the city a lot, then from what I hear the 9500ix is it. It does have gps and will be able to block out falses around the city if you pass them three times. It is a little (not by much) lacking in the laser detection department when compared to V1.

Both are high quality detectors and you can't go wrong with either one.

I personally have a V1 and I love it.

[vath2001]

Done a little research and no one makes what I really want... the GPS directions with a built in radar detector.

I do like the Escort 9500ix, but it is a premium price. The one advantage of the Escort is to upgrade, you plug it into your computer... the V1 have to be shipped back.

The Belronics RX65 Pro is a cheaper alternative.

[blueillusion97]

I have V1 and wouldn't trade those arrows for anything on the market right now

[REDBXSTR]

I would not travel with anything except a V1.
It finds ALL the bogey without fail.
V1 all the way.

[Kirk]

As long as this has turned into a debate, I'm going to weigh in.... I'm another V1 owner who loves those arrows. I often just can NOT see the cop. The arrows help a lot to show where they are. Absolutely love it and it works to warn you most of the time before the radar source is even within your field of view!

Kirk

[Lobo1186]

i used a V1 when going accross country... 3 times. never got a ticket... i dont have any comparisons for you but i will say that no tickets is a pretty good idea of its effectiveness.

[mptoledo]

I agree both the v1 and the passport are the two best in different ways, but I prefer silence, which v1 can't provide. If my radar beeps I know its a cop. I also love the redlight camera detection. when it does detect a radar it will display your speed on its screen. As for the arrows, I would love to have them but they fall behind quiet and redlight cam detections in my pecking order of importance.

I guess its personal preference. If you want quiet and redlight/speed cam detection, then passport; if you want to know what direction they are, then v1. It is still up for debate as which has superior dection. I have red reviews either way.

The deciding factor for me was...I actually was ready to pull the trigger on the v1 (as you can't go wrong with it) until I road with my buddy in his vette and only heard it beep once, and yes it was a cop. I still adhere to the fact that a radar detectors job is to beep only when there is a threat, not 15 times on each drive.

[blueillusion97]

Originally Posted by mptoledo

I also love the redlight camera detection. when it does detect a radar it will display your speed on its screen. As for the arrows, I would love to have them but they fall behind quiet and redlight cam detections in my pecking order of importance.

Wow dare devil arent you? Red light camera or not, if its red im stopping!!!

[mptoledo]

Originally Posted by blueillusion97

Wow dare devil arent you? Red light camera or not, if its red im stopping!!!

Ya think Einstein, they also have speed detection on them. If you speed up to go through them, they send you a speeding ticket regardless of the color of the light. They will also send you a seat belt ticket if you aren't wearing yours.

[tonycarreon]

Originally Posted by mptoledo

Ya think Einstein, they also have speed detection on them. If you speed up to go through them, they send you a speeding ticket regardless of the color of the light. They will also send you a seat belt ticket if you aren't wearing yours.

or you didn't see that "no right on red" sign 3 miles back and end up making a right turn. around here the city's changed from "no right on red" to "stop here on red" which to me meant "stop here when the light's red, then you can turn right." but nooooo....

[Jaxonalden]

Quote;

"I agree both the v1 and the passport are the two best in different ways, but I prefer silence, which v1 can't provide. If my radar beeps I know its a cop." mptoledo
V1 can't provide silence? WTF? Ever try turning down the volume? When mine goes off I know the band (by sound and light), the strength and the direction of the thread. Enough said.