Radar detectors

BuffDigits

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i use escort 8500, just got rated number 1 even over the valentine 1 (by a lot too).

but both are good. you only need to slow down once and not get pulled over to have it pay for itself :)
 

04-MystiChrome

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We ran our own test at the "Sametime" with an adapter
the Whistler,Escort,& Valentine altogether. It wasn't even
close-The V1 won all are tests specially K-bands
 

Blade

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Originally posted by BuffDigits
i use escort 8500, just got rated number 1 even over the valentine 1 (by a lot too).
By "a lot"? I read the C&D article where the V1 barely was edged out bcz it wasn't sensitive to the "pop" mode (which can't be used to write tickets anyway). Is there another article I missed?
Not flamin', just askin'...
 

drkchk03svt

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Originally posted by BuffDigits
i use escort 8500, just got rated number 1 even over the valentine 1 (by a lot too).

but both are good. you only need to slow down once and not get pulled over to have it pay for itself :)

I threw my 8500 out the window at 80 mph after the 400th time the lazer going off when I hit the accelerator. Both my 03 GT and 03 Cobra the POS did the same thing. It worked good in my 02 GT though. Oh well time to find something better.
 

Goldy

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The only place to purchase the Valentine1 is from Valentine1 (www.valentine1.com).

You could try E-bay as they do list used ones. However should you explore this option, be careful: some are older units (can be checked on the www.valentine1.com website if you have the serial number), and others cost about the same as new.
 

gchronis

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If you are looking under the $500 market, V1, don't even think about it. I've used several, done tests, there's no comparisson. Read a few comparative articles on teh web as well, and you'll see. If you are talking above $1000, that's a different story.
 

cobra93teal

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ESCORT SOLO S2 SAVED ME TO MANY TIMES ALREADY.....IF U REALLY HAVE THE MONEY ADD THE LASER SHIFTER!
 

kens03cobra

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I'll say what I have on all the detector threads..:rolleyes:
I have the the bel vector 985 and it almost SEES TOO FAR as it will detect over hills and around curves so far in advance that I have almost sped back up by the time I see the copper.
It has superior range, very easy to use, and full of features.
Now, you will see everyone ranting and raving about the V1 because it has arrows. Personnally I don't give a poop where the signal is coming from!! When I get a detect, I slow down. WHY does it matter if it is from the left or right or front or back, simply slow down and you are bound to get a visual on him.

Who cares what side of the road he is on..

Just my .02

Ken

:beer: :beer:
 

Matt M PA

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Another vote for the Valentine. I have had mine for years. One day I am going to send it ack and get it upgraded to the latest and greatest.

The arrows are a great idea, as you can tell where the threat is coming from. Especially in areas that you get false signals as it will direct your attention to the strongest signal.
 

flyn high again

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Originally posted by kens03cobra
I'll say what I have on all the detector threads..:rolleyes:
I have the the bel vector 985 and it almost SEES TOO FAR as it will detect over hills and around curves so far in advance that I have almost sped back up by the time I see the copper.
It has superior range, very easy to use, and full of features.
Now, you will see everyone ranting and raving about the V1 because it has arrows. Personnally I don't give a poop where the signal is coming from!! When I get a detect, I slow down. WHY does it matter if it is from the left or right or front or back, simply slow down and you are bound to get a visual on him.

Who cares what side of the road he is on..

Just my .02

Ken

:beer: :beer:

The arrows are invaluable and greatly add to your knowledge of what's going on around you. If the front arrow flashes, you know you are coming up on a radar source. If the back arrow flashes, you know the source is coming up on you.

I have had a LEO behind me nearly the entire ride home from work. Couldn't see him, he was hiding behind other cars and sticking his nose out occasionally to radar me and the cars around me. Without the arrows, all I would have had is beep, beep the entire way home. I might have thought the detector was faulty or who knows what. Instead I knew exactly what was happening. When I turned off the main road, I watched him pass through the intersection behind me. The V-1 arrows saved me from a possible ticket. I have found them to be VERY useful.

If you have never used a V-1, you are not qualified to judge how helpful the arrows are. Try a V-1 and then judge. I have had Escort, BEL, Uniden, Valentine, and others over the years and the V-1 IS THE BEST RADAR DETECTOR [ok, locator] I HAVE EVER HAD. Of course a radar detector is only a part of ticket avoidance. Common sense and paying attention to conditions also play an important role. As far as laser shifters, use them while you can because more and more places are writing laws against using them.
 

Blade

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Originally posted by flyn high again
The arrows are invaluable and greatly add to your knowledge of what's going on around you. If the front arrow flashes, you know you are coming up on a radar source. If the back arrow flashes, you know the source is coming up on you.

I have had a LEO behind me nearly the entire ride home from work. Couldn't see him, he was hiding behind other cars and sticking his nose out occasionally to radar me and the cars around me. Without the arrows, all I would have had is beep, beep the entire way home. I might have thought the detector was faulty or who knows what. Instead I knew exactly what was happening. When I turned off the main road, I watched him pass through the intersection behind me. The V-1 arrows saved me from a possible ticket. I have found them to be VERY useful.

If you have never used a V-1, you are not qualified to judge how helpful the arrows are. I have had Escort, BEL, Uniden, Valentine, and others over the years and the V-1 IS the best I have ever had. Of course a radar detector is only a part of ticket avoidance. Common sense and paying attention to conditions also play an important role. As far as laser shifters, use them while you can because more and more places are writing laws against using them.
Exactly -- it's all about situational awareness. :-D

I had the bogey counter save me one morning. The radar box that displays your speed and takes your picture if you are more than five over was setup. It runs Ka band radar. As traffic is moving down the street people slow down for the box, then as they get past it, resume whatever speed they were doing. My V1 beeps and displays a "2" for Ka... front arrow is the only one lit. This tells me the box isn't the only source so I maintain exactly the speed limit after passing the box.

Now the arrow to the rear is lit for the box, but the front arrow is still it, as is the "2". Sure enough, hiding just down the road is a motorcycle cop running radar. Someone got a ticket that morning, but it wasn't me. :)
 

oldmodman

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I have to agree on the Valentine. And especially on the Laser Jammers. I have the Escort Laser Shifter with the dual front and single rear jamming pods. Boy does it work! But if you get one remember that more and more states are banning them all the time. Thats why the Escort has a timed shut off button that you can install near your shift lever. When the alarm goes off slow down at once. Then hit the shut off button. Lots of the new laser guns have a mode that picks up jamming. But only when you get close to the gun. Also the jammer only puts out enough laser energy to jam out past about the length of a football field. If the gun lights you up close in it will get a correct speed reading even if you have a jammer.
 

kens03cobra

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Originally posted by Matt M, PA
Another vote for the Valentine. I have had mine for years. One day I am going to send it ack and get it upgraded to the latest and greatest.

The arrows are a great idea, as you can tell where the threat is coming from. Especially in areas that you get false signals as it will direct your attention to the strongest signal.


We all know everybody has an opinion. I don't get false signals so I don't have to worry about sifting through whats valis or not. When it goes off, I slow down. In the case of the cop following flying high, if my detector was going off all the way home, I would know he was behind me, common sense right? I might like the V! just as well or possibly even better than my 985, all I was stating is that the arrows do NOTHING in giving you a more advance notice of trouble ahead. My 985, like I said before, detects great distances and appears to be very good around curves and over hills.
I stand by my statement in that I don't really give a poop where the source is, I know if I am coming up on it the sig gets stronger, if it stays constant he is following me. I really don't think the V! out performs the 985 for the cost difference, everyone is hanging on to the arrow thing.
No tickets YET, and it has saved me numerous times, without the arrows :coolman:

Ken

:beer: :beer:


edit: does the V1 have the voltmeter function on it? I like that feature on the 985...
 
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bones

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Originally posted by oldmodman
I have to agree on the Valentine. And especially on the Laser Jammers. I have the Escort Laser Shifter with the dual front and single rear jamming pods. Boy does it work! But if you get one remember that more and more states are banning them all the time. Thats why the Escort has a timed shut off button that you can install near your shift lever. When the alarm goes off slow down at once. Then hit the shut off button. Lots of the new laser guns have a mode that picks up jamming. But only when you get close to the gun. Also the jammer only puts out enough laser energy to jam out past about the length of a football field. If the gun lights you up close in it will get a correct speed reading even if you have a jammer.

Jammers are illegal in CA.
I don't see much use of radar in big metro areas like LA/OC. But you're right about Laser. The local LEO's are moving to that now.
 

Un4Gvn

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I'm also a Valentine 1 fan. Unfortunately, it took until after I received my first ticket in the Cobra to talk myself into buying one.

Still can't figure out how I could ever drive without it. Definately worth the money.
 

Blade

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Originally posted by kens03cobra
We all know everybody has an opinion. I don't get false signals so I don't have to worry about sifting through whats valis or not. When it goes off, I slow down. In the case of the cop following flying high, if my detector was going off all the way home, I would know he was behind me, common sense right? I might like the V! just as well or possibly even better than my 985, all I was stating is that the arrows do NOTHING in giving you a more advance notice of trouble ahead. My 985, like I said before, detects great distances and appears to be very good around curves and over hills.
I stand by my statement in that I don't really give a poop where the source is, I know if I am coming up on it the sig gets stronger, if it stays constant he is following me. I really don't think the V! out performs the 985 for the cost difference, everyone is hanging on to the arrow thing.
No tickets YET, and it has saved me numerous times, without the arrows :coolman:

Ken

:beer: :beer:


edit: does the V1 have the voltmeter function on it? I like that feature on the 985...
No voltmeter function, though I wouldn't want one on my detector. Come to Texass and you'll get signals on your 985 that are not cops. The school buses here are fitted with multiple radar units (I assume to prevent running over a small child). They leave them on most of the time and they operate on K band - same as the troopers here. So the bogey counter and arrows allow me to know the bus I just passed had all 4 K band signals as I watch the arrows move to the rear. There is no other way to know for sure it wasn't a trooper down the highway w/o the arrows.

Again, it's all about situational awareness. A person can buy a detector that just goes beep, or one that also tells them how many signals are present and where they are. More information, or less... not faulting anyone's purchase, just explaining mine. :)
 

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