What radar detector do you use?

[NickCats]

I have an Escort Solo S2. Great for a cordless detector.

I still think the V1 is the best.

I had a Bell before the Escort and I was not very pleased with the performance.

I would go for a V1...

[Perfectlap]

I wouldn't invest too much dough into stealth technologies. no doubt such an advantage will be expensive and you'll be looking at it as a longterm investment. which means that someone will figure out how to strip the detector of its stealth propeties and make allot of money selling it to law enforcement at one of those huge trade shows where they sell everything from Gucci bullet proof leather jackets to battering rams.

Also the X50 and V1 have more Ka reach than you will ever need. If the driver is alert and has fast reaction time, those two will give you adequate warning unless you are breaking a new land speed record at Bonneville.

I agree (as someone who studied at a product design firm in NYC) the V1 could sell a few more units if it came out with some more visually appealing packaging options. But form follows function and the functionality of the product is hard to beat.

[z12358]

"It was the second most sensitive detector to the V1."

Sensitivity is only half of the picture. Selectivity is another. It's easy to make a hyper-sensitive detector that will beep in a two mile radius around every store's automatic door -- rendering itself useless. Knowing the number of sources and their direction also makes a big difference, imho.

[Perfectlap]

p.s.

in terms of tech hardware I would easily put the V1 in my top three of all time.

[binaryc]

One thing that's nice about the V1 is they are upgradable. Check it out: http://www.valentine1.com/upgrades/

That's probably one reason why the design hasn't changed in 12 years. A new design means the old ones won't be upgradable anymore. Personally I like the design. It's simple, compact, and it just works.

[RandallNeighbour]

One more thing to ask of BEL manufacturer is if it can be programmed. I programmed my V1, disabling X band completely, which really reduces the false alerts. I did this because the only state reporting to use the X band for law enforcement is Ohio, and I don't drive in Ohio (or anywhere near there, for that matter).

The arrows, ability to upgrade the software in one's existing unit, and the ability to program the unit as I have done have made it a very worthwhile investment. I looked at all the detectors before I made my decision last year to buy one that was $100+ more than all the others. I am very pleased with my purchase a year later, and if you were to ask my wife, me being satisfied and content with most any electronic gadget I bought a year ago is a big deal!

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

If you read this article: http://autos.aol.com/article/general/v2/_a/whos-watching/20060816150109990001 about a NHTSA proposed requirement, you may find that radar detectors may soon go the way of the Buggy Whip. It portends to have some really nasty and scary consequences for enthusiasts...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[70Sixter]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

One more thing to ask of BEL manufacturer is if it can be programmed. I programmed my V1, disabling X band completely, which really reduces the false alerts. I did this because the only state reporting to use the X band for law enforcement is Ohio, and I don't drive in Ohio (or anywhere near there, for that matter).

My BEL RX-65 is advertized as programmable in 7 functions (including bands). Which I've done.

It is also listed as "software upgradable" for enforcement advances. Which I have not done. Assume you have to send it in?

I alert to X-band regularly from deputy sheriffs and small town cops here in NC and neighboring states. The alerts are generally veeerry early.

I don't think many/any detectors beat the V-1. But mine almost does with a lower falsing rate.

The BEL STi was mentioned in an earlier post is interesting in that it is undetectable by the latest radar detector detectors. VG-2 is on the way out.

[70Sixter]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

I wouldn't invest too much dough into stealth technologies....

Agree. New systems making detectors more detectable.

http://www.radarbusters.com/support/spectre/Default.asp

I use BEL RX-65, BTW.