Can anyone recommend a good radar detector?

[lugnut]

I am expecting delivery of my Cobra sometime late July or early August. My wife is adamant about getting a radar detector. I have never thought much of them but, I guess she thinks it will keep me out of trouble! :nono:


Can anyone recommend a make/model that from their own experience they know to be effective?

Thanks,
JB

 

[jtfx6552]

Valentine 1, otherwise known as the V1, www.valentine1.com. Expensive but worth it. The direction and number of radar sources indicators are invaluable. Keep in mind , especially if you have never used a detector before, they all have limitations. Many...most??? modern radar units are trigger guns, which means they put out no signal and can not be detected until the enforcement officer pulls the trigger. This means if you are the first car, or only car, the detector will only tell you you just got a ticket. Used wisely they can really help though. Also there is no substitute for good eyes. Keep a good watch and see how often you can find the cop before the detector. Also some places use VASCAR, which is a time to distance measuring device that an officer uses to time you. No detector works for that either.

JT

 

[demann]

Definitely the Valentine 1. It is expensive but I have had one for 2 years, and it has more than paid for itself since then.

And about triggered instant-on radar... if you get on the brakes really hard and soon enough after you hear the warning, you can out slow the radar gun. It can not get a lock on your speed if you are decelerating quickly enough.

I read about this in Car and Driver many years ago, and about a year after I read about it I proved it to myself. One time while I was driving on I-675 in Ohio, my radar detector started screaming a full beep, and I wailed on the brakes right away.

The Ohio State Trooper pulled me over anyway and asked how fast I was going. I was doing 75 in a 55 zone, but I played dumb and said I didn't know. He said "Well, your brakes must sure be hot, because I couldn't get a fix on you." No ticket for me, and a disgusted look on his face as he walked away.

So be prepared to use those quick reflexes for braking as well as take-offs !

 

[[sky]03cobra]

Well... I have seen a few times that a quick breaking will delay the basic radar gun... However, usually the 5.0 will be able to see the car's front end take a quick dive.

If they are using a laser then your chances of seeing the cop before he gets you is slim. The laser can shoot as far away as 1200 ft and more. At that distance its much harder to see 'em hiding behind obstacles etc.

The laser will give a read out of the exact speed at the exact distance from the gun to the vehicle. Sometimes it takes several tries w/ the lasers at a greater distance to find a flat object (one that will reflect-usually aimed at the license plate). Maybe during that time if it takes a shot or two and you have a detector for the laser as well it might increase your alert time.
Good luck and I hope most of the cops out there will be as cool as I am about speeding. :beer:

 

[lugnut]

Thanks everyone for allowing me to benefit from your experience.

I will definitely be checking out the Valentine One...

Regards,
JB

 

[lugnut]

Thanks everyone for allowing me to benefit from your experience.

I will definitely be checking out the Valentine One...

Regards,
JB

 

[Petzuk]

Valentine 1, Valentine 1, Valentine 1...

Have used one for years.... Saved my rear quite a few times, especially with multiple signals...

Great tech support too, right from the engineers.... Good people.

Pete

 

[Evilcartman]

The Escort 8500 has been pretty good to me. I like having it in my '03 because it has a digital volt meter and our cars now have a boost gauge instead. The 8500 is sold at Best buy for about $299. This is just my 2 cents, not a comparison to the Val 1.

 

[IRON MACHINE]

I have to put in a good word for the Escort Passport 8500. Check out www.radartest.com for some comparisons of features with the valentine. You can't go wrong with either, but don't discount the 8500 - I have found it to be responsive and reliable.

 

[bassin247]

I have a bell 980. I think it is the shiznit.

 

[Daniel Moran]

Valentine One all the way. It's a miracle machine with phenominal range and the indispensible arrows to tell you where the threat is. Cobra+Valentine 1+discretion=zero tickets.

 

[T3 Cobra]

:rollseyes
I live in Virginia, detectors illegal, is there a model of the valentine that can be stealth installed?

 

[Petzuk]

The V1 has an optional remote display that will disable the main unit's lights. The remote display is very small and could fit in the dash area.

 

[03Cobra]

Valentine 1 -- I have used them all and the V1 is head and shoulders above. They also provide upgrades when new technology is available -- a GREAT feature.

Great laser detection, tho there is nothing you can do when the beam is on you (my direct experience) -- I understand, however, Escort has some "laser shifting" technology that is brand now in that regard.

 

[Bk_Breaker_SVT]

Passport 8500

I have seen it out perform the Valentine one side by side in the same car....

http://www.radartest.com

 

[Blue03Cobra]

Not the best performing, but absolutely the most convenient: Escort Solo Cordless (using NiMH rechargeables)

It has NEVER let me down and I drive mostly city but make trips to Austin, Houston and the border, occassionally. I consider it highly effective for my application :-D

V1 is the best bar-none.

 

[jtfx6552]

I was waiting to see someone bring up radartest.com. No flame intended but, IMHO, it is just a schill website for escort. I've done e few roadtrips with a buddy and his pissport (not a typo) behind or in front of me in his car. The V1 always went off for real threats before his passport, almost lead to me getting rearended a few times...
John

 

[Zinc-Zag]

Except NOTHING less. V1. Passport, Bell, et cetera all aspire to be what the V1 is-- the best radar locator that we can have on our side. Plus it is 110% stealth to the Radar Detector Detectors (G1 I think they are called)

Great way to hide the display of the V1:

http://apexcone.com/Radar/RadarLove.html


And a nice way to hide the unit:

http://www.vb.quik.com/jmciver/


Hope this helps!
/tg