radar detectors

[coolwater]

Any suggestions for a good inexpensive detector that mounts nicely in our cars?

Been noticing more folks getting pulled over recently.

-cW

[Quattrolover]

I always heard good thing about the Valentine One.

http://www.valentine1.com/

[Smeghead]

I always heard good thing about the Valentine One.

http://www.valentine1.com/

My Valentine has paid for itself many times over. Definitely recommend.

[coolwater]

Did you hardwire it?

I'm thinking of picking up a used one on eBay.

Does it make a big difference in which version to get? I see 1.7's for under 100.00 on eBay.



-cW

[NPuter]

I always heard good thing about the Valentine One.

http://www.valentine1.com/
There was a video I saw of someone who wired it to display its "data" on the top line of the DIS - it was really cool...

I'll try to find the vid...

[vintagespin]

to display it through DIS, you have to buy the ADR (automotive data research) V1 interface, which is no longer available

[Ynnekdude]

Valentine 1. I have one and I love it. I'd definitely say go for a newer version; you'll have better detection and fewer false alarms.

[Smeghead]

Did you hardwire it?

I'm thinking of picking up a used one on eBay.

Does it make a big difference in which version to get? I see 1.7's for under 100.00 on eBay.



-cW

You can send older ones to the manufacturer to be upgraded. Not cheap though.

[akinaboy]

I heard Valentine 1 is very good but the price is not friendly. :D
I've been using a detector from Fuzzbuster (small company and I think they no longer exists) for $25 about 6 years ago and it still works like charm. Great for the money I spent.

[Smeghead]

all radar detectors will work when the cops in your area drive around with their radar fully on. The problem comes when they do the instant on thing (Georgia). They sit with the trigger half pulled and only fire it when a car comes by. For most detectors the pulse isn't on long enough to pick up. The V1 picks it up from the cars getting tagged in front of you. Consequently, if you're on your own, you're still screwed.

Laser works in a similar fashion on the V1. It can pick up cars ahead of you getting hit. Although, even for the V1, for the majority of the time a laser warning means you just got a ticket. It's also really, really good at finding Chevy Trailblazer brake lights. Same light frequency as cops' lasers.

I can vouch for the instant on detection. Me and a friend (city cop) went out and tested it right after I bought it. I've owned mine for 5 years--driven from GA to MD, to ND to TX. In that time I've only got one ticket for 75 in a 70 (ND, go figure) I was doing 85 when I picked up the cop several miles out and slowed down to 75 when he tagged me. I guess in a state of only 700,000 you need to get revenue in somehow.

The V1 is expensive, but after you drive with it for a while you feel naked driving without it.

[wyld]

Is it Valentine 1 that has the speeding ticket guarantee where they will pay for your speeding ticket if you get one? Or am I thinking of another brand?

[Smeghead]

Is it Valentine 1 that has the speeding ticket guarantee where they will pay for your speeding ticket if you get one? Or am I thinking of another brand?

I think that's Passport

[Ynnekdude]

I heard Valentine 1 is very good but the price is not friendly. :D
I've been using a detector from Fuzzbuster (small company and I think they no longer exists) for $25 about 6 years ago and it still works like charm. Great for the money I spent.

V1 from www.valentine1.com is only $400 so it's not bad compared to its competitors. However, if you don't want to spend $400, Whistler makes some good detectors for much more reasonable prices. I like www.guysoflidar.com for radar research. They do very unbiased tests and seem to really know what they're talking about. Good luck [up] (to OP)

[j.z.c]

im using V1 as well and i think it works really good. it actually saved me for a couple of speeding tickets since i use it, im looking forward to the new model release.

[wyld]

I think that's Passport

Found it. It's k40 - www.k40.com

[KeyRat]

I've had the Escort 8500 for about 9 years now. Bought my first one when I got two 30mph+ in a construction zone tickets on I-10 within 2 months... Since then I haven't gotten a single speeding ticket. Of course, I'm sure that the second I "Submit Reply" I'm going to get pulled over for something...

[audi til I die]

I got the V1 in my truck and a 9500Xi in the A4. They both got pro's and cons. Performance wise V1 is better but device-wise I like the Escort the best. Its got many options that the V1 doesn't. It's a straight out the box radar with not many customizable software options. I like riding in the A4 with the Escort better [up]

And the $500 I've spent on each is nothing compared to the many times its gotten me out of tix

From a previous thread. I've answered this question a dozen times.

[Sscott09]

I would say go with the v1, I have one and it has saved me quite a few times. Love the arrows. Dont buy anything other than escort, beltronics or valentine.

[rippin'av]

I have had my Valentine 1 for almost 5 years now and it has paid for itself time and time again. I know its saved my a$$ at least 30 times maybe more. Just remember to keep your eyes open when you are alone and speeding...a radar detector only works if you know how and when to use it...if you dont, then its just a big loud "you're busted" siren [drive]

[aznpxdd]

Where's a good place to pick up the V1? I'm probably gonna pull the trigger soon and was wondering if there are any places selling it cheaper than the official store.

[Quattrolover]

http://cgi.ebay.com/VALENTINE-One-1-V1-POP-2-Radar-Detector-v3-872-NEW_W0QQitemZ190364309063QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Def aultDomain_0?hash=item2c5298d647

[KeyRat]

http://cgi.ebay.com/VALENTINE-One-1-V1-POP-2-Radar-Detector-v3-872-NEW_W0QQitemZ190364309063QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Def aultDomain_0?hash=item2c5298d647

You can get it $50 cheaper straight from Valentine:
https://store.valentine1.com/store/

[Quattrolover]

You can get it $50 cheaper straight from Valentine:
https://store.valentine1.com/store/

Oh, my bad. Sorry.

[awhk82]

Found out there is a new offer from Escort called RedLine. Any experience with that? or Valentine is still the superior choice?

[audi til I die]

I tried the Redline out for a week when it first came out last summer. Not impressed. Escort basically just used their bandwidth technology they had going in the 9500iX and incorporated it with Beltronic's (their sister company) STi's magnesium casing to stay undetected from RDD's. Really you shouldn't worry about this unless you're in VA, where detectors are illegal. They advertise to have dual antennas which allow the "longest" warning possible. I think the the differences in Ka technology between the STi, 9500/8500, V1 and RL are insignificant when deciding to purchase. For the arrows and customization, I'd go with the V1 hands down. If you drive around a lot of populated areas and want the quietest ride, Escort. If you're in VA or a CTD, then go for a RL or STi, as they are invisible to RDD's.


Found out there is a new offer from Escort called RedLine. Any experience with that? or Valentine is still the superior choice?

I returned the RL because it wasn't a huge difference for me to spend another $500. I already have over $1k in radars and I'm done spending money on them. Well-worth it, but there's a limit. Now, if I didn't have anything and purchasing my first radar, I would give the RL a shot. It's a great product. But don't expect it to be leagues ahead of the V1, they're comparable.

[imlowlife]

I've had my Escort Passport 8500 x 50 for about 7 years now. I cant say its stopped me from getting any tickets however I'm sure its now paid for its self several times. I did run into a malfunction earlier this year sent the passport back $60 refurbished no problems. My opinion the only difference between V1 & Passport are the arrows. Both real good devices.