radar detectors

[Iatros]

I just did a bunch of research on this topic...

the top 3 radar detectors seem to be:

Valentine 1
Escort 8500
and Beltronics rx65

I went with the Bel, and absolutely LOVE it. No complaints at all whatsoever.
It ran me around $250

[Jeph]

Originally Posted by Iatros

the top 3 radar detectors seem to be:

Valentine 1
Escort 8500
and Beltronics rx65

+1 (only I put the Escort 8500 [X50] at the top -I guess it just depends on how bad you prefer arrows -and want a VCR on the dash). These 3 are quite well known for picking up 5-0.

[Rodger]

I've got a V1 and have considered selling it twice on Ebay, as I only get to use it while traveling through Canada during the summer.

Then I come to my senses. It's saved me from many a ticket. I always have plenty of warning, too.

[UroTrash]

V-1 Baby!

[bagwell]

I've had the Solo S2, the X50 and V1.

the solo doesn't compare (its cordless)

the X50 and V1 are close.....each has its advantages...currently running the V1, its my 2nd one....the first one seemed defective, this one is great rangewise.

[Iatros]

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

[djomlas]

i have the escort. got it from my friend for 100 bux.
wow does that thing work
we did a little comparison of our own when he got his V1, and they both were getting signal at about the same time and in most occasions escort was picking up better

[NickCats]

Originally Posted by bagwell

I've had the Solo S2, the X50 and V1.

the solo doesn't compare (its cordless)

the X50 and V1 are close.....each has its advantages...currently running the V1, its my 2nd one....the first one seemed defective, this one is great rangewise.

bagwell,

I have the Solo S2 and I love it !

I agree the V1 is a great radar detector, but I was wondering why do you like the X50 better than the Solo ?

Nick

[Perfectlap]

the big difference between the x50 and the v1 is sensitivity.
You will get allot more alerts with the v1 and most will be false alerts.
But I think that's a positive, not a negative.
After a while you know right away what a real threat sounds like, its hard to confuse. So you learn how to "tune out" the false beeps.

THe other difference from the testing I have seen is that the V1 is the best at picking up lazer from a trailing vehicle. Lazer from a stationary vehicle (cop on the side of the road hiding behind trees) seem to be about even in x50 vs. V1
In other words you've got somewhat of a chance at eluding a state trooper following cars from behind with the V1. This is the hardest type of signal to pick up of all the radar situations and the V1 has come up many times as the only one to succeed at this. I've had two instances where a state trooper was lurking from behind the V1 fired off Lazer and a minute or two later he was speeding after another car.

There are some neat installs of the V1 on Renntech.org
One 911 guy mounted it above his rearview mirror (the best spot) and hardwired it so it fires up on ignition with all wires hidden under the pillars.
Get the attachment display box that keeps the V1 from flashing on the windshield.
Helps to avoid tailgaters looking to mooch off your $400 and keeps the five-O from noticing flashing lights in your cockpit. I've been yelled at by cops several tiems for having a radar detector.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by UroTrash

V-1 Baby!

Aparently radar detection is more of a priority than have a clear view of the tach eh Euro?

[SD987]

550, I see you live in Socal as do I, so the number one concern is Ka detection as that's what the CHP and municipalities use out here. It's nice as you can ignore all the other warnings.

There are rumors of laser usage starting in LA County although I haven't encountered it myself (and I'm up there alot). I have run into laser out of state and I'm in the "if you get a real laser warning, it's already too late" camp. One more point I'll add is that with my particular unit mounted low on the windshield I get alot more false-laser warnings from LED tail-lights in the Box than my other cars due (I believe) to the particular curvature of the Boxster's front hood.

That being said, I've been running the V1 for about four years and it has come in handy many-o-time. Ka detection is strong with unique sound warning as well (as with other detectors) and once you've lived with the arrows...

But stealthy it ain't, however, running in a top-down convertible neither are the other ones.

[jci-joe]

UKChris,

I would love to see more pictures of your V1 installation. I like the idea of the mirror lights for the V1. Is the main unit hidden? Did you have it professionally installed or did you do it yourself?

Also, what was involved with the footwell lighting hack? This would be great. I still can't believe a car that cost over $53k only has one interior dome light.

Any more info on the installation would be appreciated.

[UroTrash]

Originally Posted by Adam

Aparently radar detection is more of a priority than have a clear view of the tach eh Euro?

Not really.

From the saddle it only covers up to 4k.

There is a pivot in the platform at the stem head so I adjusted it to be as high as possible without obscuring the important part of the tach, i.e. 6000-11500.

[ukchris]

Originally Posted by Adam

Aparently radar detection is more of a priority than have a clear view of the tach eh Euro?

It only covers the digital display, the tach is still easy to see. When I added cruise and OBC I glued two magnets inside the steering column, I then made an acrylic bracket with matching magnets so it snaps to the column and holds securely without having to make any marks or stick anything to the column.

[jmatta]

Beltronics RX65 for me. Virtually the same guts as the Escort 8500, without the price (Beltronics is owned by Escort). I, too, turned off the X band; not needed in my part of the country. Excellent Ka and POP (laser)...saved me from the Wisconsin State troopers numerous times.