Radars

[TripleCS4]

Does anyone know of any really good radars

[AudiXS4X01]

[Larson7.62]

Valentine and Escort are considered the best if money is not an issue.

[channad]

Valentine 1 FTMFW!

Oh yeah, use the search, it's your friend!

[Monchichi8]

belltronics STI !

[Lugi20]

AudiXS4X01, you probably now have my all-time favorite post. That was brilliant.

[AudiXS4X01]

^if that's the case, than...


Just kidding ..but not really...

i figured that was the most blunt way to tell someone that there is a "search" feature...just paste a photo of the screen they are looking at.

[CruzS4]

K40

[ALWAYS4UDI]

Valentine 1 FTMFW!

amen. look next to the yellow guy. you cant do that with any other radar. plus it blends in with the oem red lights. this was my way of getting by with running a radar in VA [at night] for a long time.

V1 hardwired + the arrows + hidden display FTW!

[Eddie Man]

Does anyone know of any really good radars

Doppler is prolly the best, most used and most reliable radar systems.

[joeycuccaro]

Valentine V1

[gjc]

I know I'll probably start trouble with this one but my Escort Passport 9500 is garbage. The thing only works AFTER I pass a cop or maybe 100ft before hand. Go V1.

[dasberd]

Valentine 1's are amazing. I have had one for 8 years with no incidents. Their range is magnificent, not to mention the directional capabilities. It has paid for itself probably 5 times over. Just watch out for those damn lazers.

[S4J]

Doppler is prolly the best, most used and most reliable radar systems.

Continuouse Wave, Incoherant Scatter, and the new Ultra Wideband Through The Wall Radar Systems for tracking humans in buildings are cool too.
But V1 FTW :)

[sakimano]

how is that little tiny subtle monitor thing any help when you have a RADAR DETECTOR STUCK TO THE WINDSHIELD?

what am I missing?

amen. look next to the yellow guy. you cant do that with any other radar. plus it blends in with the oem red lights. this was my way of getting by with running a radar in VA [at night] for a long time.

V1 hardwired + the arrows + hidden display FTW!

[WinterRunner]

I've been more than happy with my Passport 8500 Red..... Great range, not too pricey, and has that nice mute button feature on the powerplug.... You can also buy a hardwire kit for like $30 if you want to go that route.

Sweet plaid around the video screen BTW!

[dasberd]

how is that little tiny subtle monitor thing any help when you have a RADAR DETECTOR STUCK TO THE WINDSHIELD?

what am I missing?

I run my remote display on the steering column with the detector above the rear-view mirror. This way the RD is out of view from any onlookers, and you can see the remote display without turning your head. It seem more efficient IMO.
A few people have done this mod, where in the detector arrows show up on you dash display. Pricey, but cool nonetheless.
http://store.caughtbluehanded.com/audikits.html

[Savant05]

I run my remote display on the steering column with the detector above the rear-view mirror. This way the RD is out of view from any onlookers, and you can see the remote display without turning your head. It seem more efficient IMO.
A few people have done this mod, where in the detector arrows show up on you dash display. Pricey, but cool nonetheless.
http://store.caughtbluehanded.com/audikits.html

More info on this please...and also..has anyone put the conceiled display in the dash above the radio in a b6...in the little compartment that pops out when you push it seems like it would be a perffffect fit.

[dasberd]

More info what part?

[10MPG]

AEGIS used by Navy is pretty good

[mbgt72]

V1, live by the arrows! Plus over about 4yrs time, you loose about 30-40 dollars on resale through eBay (if you still have all the original stuff), they hold their value amazingly! And they have a 30 day money back guarantee!

[Savant05]

More info what part?

Possibly on the install into the dash? I thought I found a DIY somewhere but cant seem to find it again.

[yakendo]

I too wondered about the thing: remote view with middle windshield detector placement= steath?

It is official I'm getting old-plaid trim in a all leather car...YGTBFKM ?

[ALWAYS4UDI]

Sweet plaid around the video screen BTW!

thanks man

how is that little tiny subtle monitor thing any help when you have a RADAR DETECTOR STUCK TO THE WINDSHIELD?

what am I missing?

pretty sure i said "at night". hold on......... yulp... yulp i did. this is all going off the assumption that [most] cops look for the lights in the windshield. obviously this wouldn't do a damn thing in daylight. i still run the remote display during daylight because i've had it set up like that for so long it's muscle memory to look there and not up at the V1 itself.

[dasberd]

http://forums.audiworld.com/s4b6/msgs/432196.phtml

This is a couple of photos that show what it does. It basically puts the arrows on your display.

[BigJS4]

I hated my V1... I loved my older Escort 8500...

After 3 years my 8500 died, and I bought a V1, and well, let's just say it did not work nearly as well. I currently use no radar detector...

[sakimano]

ahh, gotcha. I've never had one of these so I'm clueless.

are these legal anywhere anymore? Used to be in a few places, but not where I live.

Does a V1 evade the detector-detector?

also I've heard that laser beats V1...that true?

thanks man



pretty sure i said "at night". hold on......... yulp... yulp i did. this is all going off the assumption that [most] cops look for the lights in the windshield. obviously this wouldn't do a damn thing in daylight. i still run the remote display during daylight because i've had it set up like that for so long it's muscle memory to look there and not up at the V1 itself.

[DuncanC]

Detectors are legal in most of North America, only a couple states/provinces ban them. The V1 wouldn't be the first pick if you are using it in a area where it is illegal, it evades most detector-detectors but I think the newest out will detect a V1 but not the top of the line Escort. A laser detector isn't ever going to save you a ticket. It might save you a seatbelt ticket or something like that but by the time you know you have been tagged they know your speed. That in mind Laser jamming works and is legal most places.

[S4J]

How the heck are you guys mounting your V1 above the rear view mirror? Mine does not even come close to fitting there. I wonder if there are different mirror stalks for different mirrors. I have the compass and auto-dimming mirror.

[S4DTM]

Mounting the V1 that high isn't that great of an idea on these cars. The tint stripe across the top of the windshield hinders the ability for the lazer detection to work correctly. Sure, laser normally means you're SOL if you're speeding, but it can detect it early if you are in traffic with cars in front of you that are being shot (I know from experience). Hardwiring is nice, but I prefer the detector work to the best of it's abilities (plus leaving it up all the time in the sun isn't great for it). As for the passport vs. the V1...I have the V1 and I bought my dad the passport last christmas (because he called me a few times after getting tickets with his POS Cobra), and they are both great detectors. Passport has GPS which shows you your speed when it goes off, V1 has arrows and shows how many radars there are. I prefer to know the direction and number of radars, and take the second to look down at my speed...but that's just me

[whartung]

^if that's the case, than...


Just kidding ..but not really...

i figured that was the most blunt way to tell someone that there is a "search" feature...just paste a photo of the screen they are looking at.

MY screen doesnt look like that...

Doppler is prolly the best, most used and most reliable radar systems.

goofy! hahah.

AEGIS used by Navy is pretty good

THIS might be a winner though...

My V1 has saved me from DOZENS of tickets over the course of a year... I have it mounted right above the rear view mirror and it works beautifully. And the remote display/mute button is totally necessary. not to mention the fact that that yellow thing is f*inghideous....

[norsecarnut]

our stealth installed Escort 9500ci is pretty nice.

See S4 link below for a couple shots installed. Crude photos, but they show it.

[samq45]

K40

I do hope that was a joke. Overpriced 3rd rate detector made by Beltronics and re-branded. Gets the dealer some good margin however.

You should choose you detector based on the threats you face, your budget and if you like to advertise that you have a detector displayed on your windshield. Best all around is certainly the V1 - Good price and detection. Good on K and Ka. Also has arrows. It could possibly drive you mad with K falses however. If you drive in an urban area (NE USA/SOCAL) or you face speed cameras or red-light cameras then a GPS detector is needed to block out falses and alert to those nasty speed cameras used in Colarado. GPS detectors - Excort 9500CI 9500IX or Beltronics GX-65. Bltronics and Escort are the same company. If you live in a area that is banned, like most of our Canadian or WA friends then you need a stealth detector that is not discoverable by the Spectre IV (or Stalcar in WA). Currently only the Beltronics STI-R, STI and Escort are not discoverable to the Spectre.
No detector will save you on a regular basis from laser. You need a decent jammer to have a hope against the newest laser guns.

IMO and Experience the following are the best detectors without considering price
Excort 9500CI - Has Stealth, hidden install, GPS, laser shifters and by far the best sensitivity. Even better than the V1 - best at detecting and elimitating false alerts. Uses Trinity speed camera database.
Beltronics STi-R - Same as the 9500CI but without laser shifting and GPS.
Excort 9500IX/Bel GX65- Has GPS and Comparable detection to V1 - may be a bit better on 34.7 Ka band than the V1
V1 - Great Detection, Arrows and a really good price compared to the others. Holds its value well as V1 is a direct seller and will not ship overseas.
Beltronics STI - Good detection and currently the only dash mounted unit immune to the spectre.
Most other Bels and Escorts are ok but an older platform (Excort X50, Rx-65 Vector Series, etc.)
Cobra - Dont even think about it
K40 - Please no , look up the FCC signature or read Craig Peterson's review on the web

Some good resources:
www.radardetector.net www.guysoflidar.com

good review of the 9500ci -vs- the newest K40 http://radartest.com/article_2.asp?articleid=100584

[1.9TDI]

I really love my 9500i, I have a collection of radars including a V1 and the V1 stays at home. I can honestly say the 9500i is my favorite unit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4I-E2-rbqc

[Storm33]

I know I'll probably start trouble with this one but my Escort Passport 9500 is garbage. The thing only works AFTER I pass a cop or maybe 100ft before hand. Go V1.

I don't know about V1, but I second your opinion on the Passport 9500. I used the 8500 X50 blue, with good effect, until the case came apart from repeated falls from the windshield (crappy suction cups). I traded it in for the 9500 a few weeks ago, and just passed a sherriff this morning running Ka band. The 9500 didn't pick him up until I was about 150 yards away. I was lucky to be in traffic!

I like the GPS feature, but it doesn't seem reliable in terms of range. I may be sending it back under the 30-day test drive.

[ConroeS4]

My whole family has the V1. We love them! It really saves me probably 2-3 tickets a month!
Yes I drive fast.
But I only do it because I am confident in my V1.

[CanuckRS]

These guys are good at radar too..

Radar

[krazyboi]

I live in VA and picked up a Bel STI Driver. The V1 probably would have been better b/c of the greater Laser pickup, but I got a good deal on it and the "not detectable by a radar detector detector" was the biggie for me.

So far so good.

[ieatfishburitos]

I'm still using a passport 8500 and it works great for me.

[covertS4driver]

Remember, "instant on" is used alot today too, so that may be why you're not picking up a signal right away! Could be pulling the trigger as you approach, or as you drive away.

That being said... have to go V1.

V1. Done.