Someone had given a link for a bunch of ratings for some radar detectors, what was that link again?

Matty

I found this a while ago. Don't know if it's what you're looking for. http://www.radartest.com

Chuck

That guy is biased. Don't go by radartest...

My Escort Passport 8500 has saved me a few times. I got it for $250. I was all set to get the Valentine 1 but people kept telling me there were newer better units out now (Bel 980, Passport 8500)

Satisfied so far.

--scott

Not to be repetitive, but the guy is a shill. I'd LOVE to see a financial disclosure from him. There is a great rebuttal to radartest from Mike Valentine, exposing it for what it is.

These guys http://www.speedzones.com/valentine/valentine.html seem to get better performance from the V1 than www.radartest.com (http://www.radartest.com) did. I was considering the Escort 8500 myself - now dn't know what to get.

UCI_Scott - how did you find an 8500 for $250?

Larry

Anybody who reads http://www.radartest.com should also read http://www.valentine1.com/lab/V1Hater.asp for comparison!!!

www.radarcity.com (http://www.radarcity.com)

sold me the Passport 8500 for $250 + shipping.

No online ordering - call the 800 number.

--scott

I don't know anything about radar detector tests, but my old boss is an Italian (from Italy) with an M3 who enjoys nothing more than leting his car go - an he swears by his Valentine. Believe me, if he doesn't get tickets, you won't either!

I don't have any experience with other "high end" radar detectors, but my Passport 8500 has been doing its job so far.

This weekend I drove up from Orange County, California, to Ridgecrest up 395 and back down I14 (round trip approx 350 miles.) I was painted by Ka 3 times on the way up 395. The first two times I couldn't see any other cars. The third time I saw a car behind me. By this time I was doing exactly the speed limit and the cop pulled even with me before turning left, presumably to go back and wait for the next guy...

I also got hit a couple of times on I14 with K-band radar. One was a bona fide radar trap with multiple cops and one person already pulled over.

So I don't know if it's the best or anything, but it is saving my butt!

--scott

The V1 is very high quality, upgradeable, and delivers the best real world performance, period. Spend the extra money for the V1. You will not regret it.

Sorry for my ignorance, but are those legal for you guys?

All I know is that here in Canada, they're illegal and will cost you a pretty big fine if you are caught with one. But then again, they might save you from big tickets as well http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif

Radar Detectors are legal in some states, not in others. I know it's legal in Ca, but illegal in Maryland. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif

Oh, and the difference between a V1 and everyone else is the arrows! A V1 tells you where the signal is coming from. Nothing else will.

Dunno about you guy's, but for me it's a big help to know if I should be looking ahead, or scanning my rearview for the source.

so on that note, where do y'all think is the best place to get radar detectors online or at least for research purposes??

Damn, wish they weren't illegal in VA.

Justin

At one time, Virginia was the only state where radar detectors were illegal. Don't know if that has changed recently or not.
Valentine One is avaiable only directly from the manufacturer.
I've heard many reports of people switching to a V1 from another brand and saying they wish they had gotten the V1 in the first place. Never heard of the opposite happening.

so how do I get ahold of the manufacturer? website phone ???

After reading all the reviews I could, I went ahead and bought an Escort 8500 shortly after picking up my WRX, and I couldn't be happier. It has _definitely_ saved me one time, in exactly the sort of situation for which I purchased it, and has alerted me to cops several other times when I may or may not have been pulled without it. The one incident which made me happy occurred when I was enjoying an extremely spirited canyon drive; it gave me a Ka alert about three turns before the oncoming Highway Patrol cruiser, providing plenty of time to slow down by about 50%.

It gave me a laser warning once which may have actually been helpful. I had been going a good 20 over when it went off and I immediately got on the brakes; the motorcycle cop was about 1/4 mile ahead, and he held the laser on me for a good five seconds. I was pretty sceptical of the usefulness of a laser detector, but in this case it may have made a difference (or maybe his threshold was greater than 20 over in a 45 zone, I dunno).

So far, I haven't missed the V1's directional arrows, since the signal strength indicator usually provides a good idea whether it's approaching or receding. The 8500 does have multiple bogey indicators, so you can tell how many sources there are. One cool bonus feature is the built-in voltmeter it displays when there are no radar threats, so you can tell your wife it's an engine diagnostic tool.

I say go to radartest.com and see what they are testing. Note the brand and model number. Go to their individual site and read the spec yourself. You will come to a conclusion after that... BTW, I have a V1..

They are legal in MD. Not in DC or VA. I just ordered my V1 yesterday...the REX is calling for me to accelerate...

For those for whom a V1 isn't enough....
<A HREF="http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/Forum1/HTML/021325.html">click here</A>

Alrighty.. All this info is great.. I have a cheap Cobra 6200 that I got from ebay for 50 bucks. So far it's work out fine and has detected several traps ahead. But I think I need to upgrade to a more stable/stronger and reliable detector. I'm looking into the Passport 8500 because it is cheaper and seems to work very well.. This next question has been covered many times but not many answers came up. "WHERE'S A GOOD SPOT TO MOUNT/HIDE A RADAR DETECTOR?" I mounted mine right above my sun visor, but I keep on hitting the visor with my head. Someone suggested mounting it in between their headrest. Wouldn't that block the detection? Let me know how you guys mount you radars. Thanks
-Ells

Ejicon,

Haven't tried this on my WRX (since I don't pick it up until next week), but on my Stealth, I've got the detector mounted on the top of the rearview mirror bracket (with velcro). It seems to work pretty well, esp. with the cord permanently wired across the top of the windshield & around to the fuse box (as I hate having cords going every which way). Very easily removeable when travelling in states where it's illegal, and not too terribly obvious otherwise.

valentine one... i trust it with my wallet and driving record

sam_van.. sounds good.. I'll try it out....

Bel 980!!! Incredible range, has saved me several thousand dollars in speeding and other such fines!!! Only thing that would beat it would be a Valentine 1, but I got mine for $250 cheaper.