Radar Detector

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Originally posted by mosconiac
The V1 camp is pretty loyal to say the least.

BEL makes very good units for less money. I'm not about to say ANY manufacturer makes the best, since each model tested has different performance streengths and weaknesses.

To go against the radar detector test above that had V1 heads and shoulders above the competition, try this Link

All I can say about that Peterson's review "link" is this...... (straight from V1's site---http://www.valentineone.com/lab/V1Hater.asp)

"
The man behind the byline
Rather than trying to explain Peterson's mysterious results, let me just remind you that his credibility has long been in question. In response to his December, 1995, test, Automobile admitted a flood of "angry letters" which "criticized our selection of the BEL 745Sti Plus as our first-place winner over the Valentine One, which tied for third place. Amidst all the allegations of invalid test methodology and unfairness were suggestions that Peterson showed undue favoritism to the BEL unit because he has consulted for the company."
"

I've got both detectors, the BEL and the V1, there is NO comparison, the V1 HANDS DOWN EVERYTIME beats it in Ka and K detection.

Ergonomics 6 out of 15 for the V1, 15/15 for the BEL? Please, give me a decient technical review of a radar detector not a keyboard.

 

[caveman6666]

Originally posted by jonas
They need to make em battery powered I cant stand a friggen coil of cable hanging donw the middle of my cabin. :mj: :gt: :mj: :cuss: :mj: :fm: :shrug:

Run it behind the visor, the A pillar, and through the dash at the bottom of the A pillar. Takes some patience to fish it through the dash.

 

[SVTNICK]

Valentine one..ive had mine for almost 5 years..and they take care of you when u have problems with it..and can get upgraded to a new one for a 1/4 of the price as the technology improves.

-Nick

 

[lvecobras]

v1 all the way, once you see where the radar is coming from according to the arrows, you wont want to go back to anything else.

 

[rskdsk]

I have a bel980 ... it works good. The only negative is that it is not very loud, and with the top down and 80+ mph it is very hard to hear. In fact today I got clock well over 90mph, and I did not hear it going off. Lucky for me he was going the other direction and there was at least 2 miles of guard rail before the next turn around. I will be buying another radar detector soon ... just because of this.

 

[ChicagoMike]

V1 is has a good level of volume, and if it's a problem, you can buy the optional remote speaker mount and place it where ever you need

Mike

 

[Blue03Cobra]

You absolutely WILL give up some performance with a cordless, battery powered detector. Having said that, I am completely satisfied with my Escort Solo (first gen) and wouldn't change it for the world (well, maybe the new one - let me know how it goes :-D). I keep it on highway mode at all times and it has very few false signals and gives an adequate warning distance...

Agreed, the V1 is the best, but I'll take a competent mix of convenience and performance (I hated rewiring my corded BEL every time we took my wife's Infiniti on a road trip)...

 

[crimecrusher]

LOL...Please don't start the flames! But....

A radar detector will only warn you of radar ahead of you. Hopefully you will get lucky and be warned before the officer of the law is actually radaring you. The new laser....is an instant on with a red dot scope mounted on it. You can point up to line of sight (usually 5000 feet) put the red dote on an individual vehicle, pull the trigger and in less than a second have a speed and distance. The average reaction time is about 2 seconds. So,IF the detector picks up the laser at all and MOST DON'T then how are you going to beat that. So with that in mind, save your money and get one that will warn you of radar ahead of you because the cheap ones will.

Word of advice for today...never lie to the officer. They are just real people doing a job that everyone hates them for. They get tired of everyone saying the same excusees over and over again. Be honest and make up something new like ..."yep, you got me. Sorry, I was ripping up the pavement. Will you please let me off . That works better than..."Huh? I was doing what? no I had no idea...when I saw you I was going about 65."

Have fun and be safe!

 

[CWCobra]

In my experience, a radar detector is nothing more than a ticket detector. I'll take my chances without one, do the speed limit (or a "little" more), and won't be bugged by the constant false alarms.
But that's just me,
CW

 

[jonas]

I was pulled over once and the cop just stared at me for a good 5 seconds and said "well?". I answered, "well what?" and smiled. He smirked and pulled out his book and was just about to write the ticket when some bitch pulled right behind his bike and and started hollering at the cop with what I'm assuming is her ticket in her hand. He looked at me and smiled and said, "its your lucky day, get out of here son" My first last and only time I got out of a ticket. I think he let me slide not just because of the PITA hes about to face but because I didnt lay any bs on him. I think he was silent waiting for my excuse.

 

[Doc2003Cobra]

Most of the time I just drive a little above the speed limit, BUT the "SENSORO" radar detector "reminds" me to slow the hell down, thanks, Doc.

 

[griffined]

Originally posted by crimecrusher

A radar detector will only warn you of radar ahead of you. ...
The new laser....is an instant on with a red dot scope mounted on it. You can point up to line of sight (usually 5000 feet) put the red dote on an individual vehicle, pull the trigger and in less than a second have a speed and distance. The average reaction time is about 2 seconds.

The V1 and some other detectors now have rear facing antennas/sensors as well as the ones that point forward. You CAN tell when the radar/laser is behind you, or beside you, when using the V1 with it's directional arrows.

Instant on is deadly. If the radar/laser has been off since you came into detection range, and then it is instantly cut on, aimed at your vehicle, you may as well look for a safe place to pull over. The key to the way detectors work is that their detection range is greater than the radar/laser's clocking range. IF (and that's the key) the radar/laser is used while you are in detection range but outside of clocking range, you may have time to slow down. This is why you want the best range possible, and to never assume your detector is invincible, because it's not. It's also helpful to have other vehicles in front of you, and stay out of the fast lane when possible.

I take my V1 on business trips and use it in rental cars, to quote a commercial, "Don't leave home without it!"

 

[lifter213]

Originally posted by Xplicit
..wanted to get a V1 but with 20% all around..not sure how effective it would be.

works perfect in mine and that's with limo on all windows (except windshield). Go for it! :beer:

 

[jonas]

stupid question but what happens when a cop sees the detector?
Id imagine you blow any chance of sliding when he sees a valintine hanging under your rear view.

I used to have a bell but stoped using it because it cluttered up my interior with the cable hanging from the windshield.
You guys gave me some good mounting Ideas, Maybe I'll grab a valentine and run the cable behind the visor and pillar through the dash to the power

 

[crimecrusher]

The role of Law Enforcement is to encourage everyone to voluntary comply to the law. An LEO must make a decision when he/she makes contact with you...do I issue a citation, warning or a verbal warning. Most every traffic stop is differant and a visable radar detector is sometimes taken into consideration. However, having a radar detector will help you voluntary comply to the law when it keeps going off. So get one! Just don't wast money.

The laser is an instant on and only stays on for 1-2 seconds at a time. I always hear...."but my radar detector never went off."

 

[bassin247]

I have a bel vector 985. I've seen a few radar test where the bel tested better than the V1. It's 340 new from Bel or they sell around 200-240 new on ebay.

BEL's SITE

EBAY HERE

 

[davidmax]

I always suggest the escort great performace copact,no directional arrows,however less false alarms and can go from car to car EZ.They come witha mute switch usually on the lighter and press it 1 time and it mutes the falsies for 1-2 minutes but if a real cop gun goes off lets just say I've saved 8-10 speeding tickets and for another 35.00 they provide all software updates so technology moves up they send a new card and your brand new again,Dave S.

 

[JClifton]

Originally posted by jonas
They need to make em battery powered I cant stand a friggen coil of cable hanging donw the middle of my cabin. :mj: :gt: :mj: :cuss: :mj: :fm: :shrug:

Hard wire it... run the power cable up underneath the roof panel, then down the drivers a-pillar, under the weatherstripping, and under the dash to the fuse block... add-a-fuse...

-- Jaret

 

[caveman6666]

Originally posted by Blue03Cobra

Agreed, the V1 is the best, but I'll take a competent mix of convenience and performance (I hated rewiring my corded BEL every time we took my wife's Infiniti on a road trip)...

Get a spare cord, wire it in, and just leave it hanging atop the visor.

 

[RJCobra]

BrianR

What kind of mirror is that? Could the detector be wired into the mirror wiring?