What radar detector do you use?
 

Don't answer that! I don't care what you use... UNLESS you use the Beltronic STI Driver. Does any one here have that?

I'm thinking about my upgrading from my X50, and I hear the STI has a bit more KA range and is undetectable by detector detectors.

I'm ever so pleased with my Passport -it's paid for itself. However, in my area, even though detectors are legal, I suspect traffic enforcement have radars that turn off when they detect detectors. Clever girl!

Reviews on the Bel are good, but I'd like to hear from some one with personal experience. Anyone got an STI?

I don't rely on a radar detector.

Valentine 1 is the only way to go

I don't rely on a detector, but it sure it helpful!

I don't want to debate different detectors, but I consider the V1 the Dodge Ram Van of detectors... sure it does what it's supposed to, but it's got the same (ugly) design since the the 90s. Seriously, they need to update that thing. Don't take offense V1 owners... "it's got arrows" -super duper... "who cares what it looks like as long as it works" -yeah yeah... I do.

So, no one has the STI?

Hi,

Don't use 'em, Don't want 'em, Couldn't afford 'em if I did.

But, I did do some research into them for our local Lotus Club. We Tested several with a Ka Band Gun one of our local members uses to make a living (MN State Trooper). The results? As mentioned the Valentine consistently detected the radar well ahead of the others in straightline, around curves and in road dips. If I were ever inclined to get one, it would be the V1, Bar none!...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

I've used the same V1 for 11 years now. A $400 investment that has paid itself more than ten-fold in tickets and insurance saved over the years. I never drive anywhere without it. It has been consistently the most expensive detector for more than a decade without having to change much (if at all). That, in itself, speaks volumes in a free market -- in addition to wins in most independent tests (including Jim's).

And those arrows do help a lot more than one would expect.

Do you recall if there was a Bel STI in the tests?

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...

Hi,

Actually there was. It was the second most sensitive detector to the V1. Out of 5 runs with each detector, the STI beat the V1 once in straightline tests, that is, it sounded at a further distance. But, twice the STI failed to sound at all while the V1 was beeping away. The STI was good, but not the best...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

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.

"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.

p.s.

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

Agree. New systems making detectors more detectable.

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

I use BEL RX-65, BTW.

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.

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! :cheers:

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

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.

When I get a radar detector, I will get the V1. Not just because its better than anyhting else in the world, but you can buy a new rear view mirror with the lights built in, so its invisible unless its lit up. With the detector hidden away (dont know how effective it would be in the rear compartment, not being sarcastic either, dont know if itd be fine or not work at all) , and a remote turn on switch, no cop would ever find it.

bt,
if you get the v1 and I highly recommend it for new drivers (speeding tickets and less than 5 years driving experience is a BAD combination) definitely go for the $40 remote display box that keeps the main unit from flashing at all.
You want to avoid flashing lights in your rear view area. Flashing blue or red lights attract attention of tail gaiters and trailing police.

Sometimes I'll play it safe on a 35 mph two lane and I'll only do 40mph only to have some dip**************** start high beaming me. I'll reboot the V1 so that dip**************** sees the sees the series of flashing lights from the main unit being rebooted(the only time it flashes when using the remote box) and he/she figures I know something they don't. They usually pass me or quit with the high beaming.

I have a V1, but didn't do much good for the laser gun ticket i received last month!!

I don't think any detector can help you when the cop is using laser and waits for you to get 50 feet from him before he shoots it at you.

Thank God those laser guns are expensive and police departments can't afford to buy them in bulk!

how did he get you? was he stationary or was he trailing you?
Lazer is very very very hard to picky up but my V1 has picked it off
at least three times and I watched some other guy get the ticket
(all German cars btw, those trooper guys have an agenda or we like to drive faster than other imports)

Laser is almost impossible to detect AND avoid because it is highly targeted (both in time and space -- quick and narrow beam) as opposed to standard (radio wave) radar that sends a very wide beam for a long time. So at the very moment you detect it you are basically fried (smth like a bullet). In rare occasions you may detect a reflection off of someone else being shot (like perfectlap was lucky to experience). The more reflecting surfaces (cars) there are the higher the chance for a reflection but in that scenario I've learned that observing the behavior and brake-lights ahead is a better indicator for trouble than the detector.

I probably just jinxed myself right now... :(

Anti-lacerative coating
 

I looked at Escort Passport's site which has manuals available online. The sit mentions some Porsches have this window coating and the use of suction cups to mount detectors can permanently mar windows. Anyone know about this issue with our 986 and 7's?

Hi,

It's true with the Factory installed Rain Sensor Wipers. These windshields have a different PN#...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

FYI, Beltronics, Cobra and Escort are now one company and share designs. While the Bel and Escort are great detectors I've been a loyal V1 fan for the last 10+ years. I currently have 2 with one of them having been upgraded twice and aside from a glitch in their original PoP software they have been stellar performers. I have used a Bel 910 in the past and can say it too was a good performer, in fact great when you consider the cost. The STI looks like a winner but for me the bogey counter and directional arrows are impossible to live without once you have gotten used to them.

Passport 8500 X50 Blue for me.

It has saved my butt time and again. Not everytime unfortunately - stupid lasers...

has anybody tried using a jammer of any sort?

I need to look into a radar detector soon. I've been driving without since I got my boxster 3 yrs ago. Well, yesturday my cherry was popped in the box and I finally got a ticket on I57. It was a special detail....there was a cop standing by a overpass with a radar gun in his hand. I see him at the last second but it was too late...he radios the cop sitting on the next on ramp and he gets me. 86 in a 65 and $95 is the damage. He also wrote me a warning for no front tag. I know wireless aren't as good but I'm really considering the wireless solo model. The convenience of a cordless is nice and I don't have the cash to have a K50 or Valentine hardwired right now. What do you guys think of it? Anyone out there using it? Here's the model

I've had them all...........escort, passport, Bel, and nothing can compare to my
K40 850! It's hard wired and has saved me more times than I want to admit. No frills - but the most dependable detector I've ever owned. K40 pays all speeding tickets the first year with the exception of DUI - and it is upgradable.

Ack, don't even go there. Passive jammers don't work - radardetector.com did a good test and found that, not only did the passive jammer not jam the radar, but the antenna on it actually made the car easier to clock with radar.

Active jammers are a different story though - they work, but they are illegal - a felony if I am not mistaken.

What is the fine print on that agreement though? If I am not mistaken, they only pay it if you are within something like 10% of the posted speed limit or something like that – unlikely you will get a ticket at that speed anyway.

anti lacerative windshield coating
 

Quote "It's true with the Factory installed Rain Sensor Wipers."

Thanks Jim. Guess I'll have to mount the detector on the dash. I wonder why the Interior of the window would have this ?

Adam,

I have been using the Escort Solo S2 for a year and a half now and I am very pleased with the performance. It gives a lot of notice before approaching police radar, it faults very little, and the battery seems to last a long time. The only disadvantage in the Boxster is I cannot hear it with the top down and the radio on, so I mount in to the windshield above the speedo so I can see the display when I am driving. I still think the Valentine is better, but I did not want to mess with wires and I have two cars that I use the radar in and I did not want to hardwire both vehicles. I live in the Northwest suburbs of Illinois and my old radar ( Bell ) used to fault all the time and was very annoying. I would seriously recommend the Escort Solo S2 for a wireless radar detector, or spend the extra for the V1 if wireless is not a concern.

Hope this helps...

Nick