Radar detector

[No strESSEX]

Looking for a radar detector. Any suggestions on what kind, where to purchase it, and how much $$? I would like one that can be plugged into the cigarette lighter so that it can be used in all of the cars. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Essex502]

Cincinatti Microwave! Period. The Escort Passport 8500 is the model I chose. I have used their radar detectors since they came into business in the '80s. Great product. Search the web for discounts but they are rarely discounted. $299.00

See this (http://www.escortradar.com/8500.htm)

[kevnmcd]

Why would you need one if you drove the speed limit? http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/stare.gif

[Essex502]

Who drives the speed limit? Oops...I prolly (sp) shouldn't post that! http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

I never exceeded the general German Autobahn speed limit on the return from LHC on Sunday! http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[kevnmcd]

Well, when Kurt and I went to Havasu last week we made it from home to LHC in 3 hours and 50 minutes! http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif I believe it is about 320 miles. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif That was with Kurt driving....so I can understand why he is looking for a radar detector. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[ctm23]

This looks like a good thread for me http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Make sure you get one that works for both radar and laser. and be aware of where you place it on your vehicle. The Laser's beam is very small, approx. 3' wide at 1000' away. Most of my locks are around 200-500' away. that's about a 1-1 1/2' wide beam. when aiming the laser I target the front license plate ( most reflective). unless the beam hits the detector you wont even know you have been caught. and if it does hit the detector my lock if so quick, instead of a tone it shound just tell you to pull over and sign the ticket. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[kevnmcd]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (ctm23 @ Oct. 08 2003, 08:31 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">This looks like a good thread for me http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Make sure you get one that works for both radar and laser. and be aware of where you Â*place it on your vehicle. The Laser's beam is very small, approx. 3' wide at 1000' away. Most of my locks are around 200-500' away. that's about a Â* Â* 1-1 1/2' wide beam. when aiming the laser I target the front license plate ( most reflective). unless the beam hits the detector you wont even know you have been caught. and if it does hit the detector my lock if so quick, instead of a tone it shound just tell you to pull over and sign the ticket. Â*http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif Â*http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Just one more reason to do the speed limit. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Essex502]

You know...I've had the Laser alert on the Passport go off several times with no indication of any LEO around. Once, it went off in Palmdale when driving by an accident scene for no apparent reason. Same here near the office - one morning about 6:00 BAM it went off for about 10 seconds.

[No strESSEX]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kevnmcd @ Oct. 08 2003, 09:24 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Just one more reason to do the speed limit. Â*http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Ironic, coming from Mr. Cobra driver. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[No strESSEX]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Essex502 @ Oct. 08 2003, 07:38 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Cincinatti Microwave! Period. The Escort Passport 8500 is the model I chose. I have used their radar detectors since they came into business in the '80s. Great product. Search the web for discounts but they are rarely discounted. $299.00

See this (http://www.escortradar.com/8500.htm)[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Thanks for the info Mike. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[No strESSEX]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (ctm23 @ Oct. 08 2003, 08:31 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">This looks like a good thread for me http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Make sure you get one that works for both radar and laser. and be aware of where you Â*place it on your vehicle. The Laser's beam is very small, approx. 3' wide at 1000' away. Most of my locks are around 200-500' away. that's about a Â* Â* 1-1 1/2' wide beam. when aiming the laser I target the front license plate ( most reflective). unless the beam hits the detector you wont even know you have been caught. and if it does hit the detector my lock if so quick, instead of a tone it shound just tell you to pull over and sign the ticket. Â*http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif Â*http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Thanks ctm23. I appreciate the insight. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Essex502]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (No strESSEX @ Oct. 08 2003, 12:09 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Essex502 @ Oct. 08 2003, 07:38 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Cincinatti Microwave! Period. The Escort Passport 8500 is the model I chose. I have used their radar detectors since they came into business in the '80s. Great product. Search the web for discounts but they are rarely discounted. $299.00

See this (http://www.escortradar.com/8500.htm)[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Thanks for the info Mike. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
No hay problema, amigo! http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[kevnmcd]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (No strESSEX @ Oct. 08 2003, 12:08 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kevnmcd @ Oct. 08 2003, 09:24 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Just one more reason to do the speed limit. Â*http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Ironic, coming from Mr. Cobra driver. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Â*http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif Â*http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I only need to get my 100+ mph fix once a day.....the rest of the time I keep it around the speed limit. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

[Essex502]

I have to say that I have never been over 158 on land. And...not recently!

[KC & Karen]

There is only one to consider, Valentine One. I've had mine for five years and it is amazing!

Two years ago we placed a V1, Passport 8500 and a Cobra in the front window of the X5 for the trip to Laguna Seca to watch Superbike. The CHP uses KA exclusively. The V1 found refelections that the others did not, so it beeps maybe four miles before we saw the CHP. More importantly the V1 has two antenas so it will tell you if the CHP is in front or behind you - therefore it is the only one that will identify a CHP that is coming up behind you or parked on the freeway onramp pointing the KA down the ramp.

The V1 is also programmable, so mine is set to KA only, it is always on and the volume is turned all the way up. Simply put - if I get a beep out of it while cruising the roads between LA and Havasu - it is time to shut things down for a while.

If you have never really had a detector, you'll be amazed how many false signals you get while driving around town, unless it is only listening for KA. The false signals will desensatise you to the point that you turn down the volume or you don't pay attention to the detector at all.

For me, around town I stay out of the fast lane - between LA and Havasu, anyone who has caravanned with me can tell you that we carry the mail baby!

I've never been pulled over while the V1 has been in the car and has been turned on - now it is always on. It has paid for itself many, many, many times.

KC

[Essex502]

KC...does the V1 have different alert sounds for the different radar bands it detects?

[No strESSEX]

Thanks for the positive info KC! http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I ended up ordering a Escort 8500 last night on the internet for $250 (including shipping). Sounds like the Valentine may be worth the additional $$ though. Oh well, I suppose I can send it back if I'm not happy with it. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

[Essex502]

You won't be disappointed with the Passport. Definitely those two (P8500 & V1) are at the top of their game.

[KC & Karen]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Essex502 @ Oct. 10 2003, 06:33 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">KC...does the V1 have different alert sounds for the different radar bands it detects?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Different sounds for Laser, KA, K and something else - each type has its own LED and sound.

[KC & Karen]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (No strESSEX @ Oct. 10 2003, 06:36 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Thanks for the positive info KC! http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Â*

Speeding is dangerous and a bad thing - I know your looking for a detector so that if it detects a signal that you can enure that you give plenty of attention to the trooper and not get in his way......

I ended up ordering a Escort 8500 last night on the internet for $250 (including shipping). Sounds like the Valentine may be worth the additional $$ though. Oh well, I suppose I can send it back if I'm not happy with it. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
The 8500 is a nice unit, I sent mine back after conducting my tests. Â*For me there is nothing more valuable than knowing where the signal is coming from - front or rear.

some examples:

If I have a large truck in front of me and I get a weak signal beep for KA - then I have just encountered a reflection. Â*The signal went over me, reflected off of the truck in front of me and has been picked up by the front antenna - the trooper is way behind us.

If I get a weak yet continueous signal for KA in the front antena, then the trooper is just in front of us, parked on the side with his KA pointing forward - probably writing someone.

If I get a continueous signal in the front antena that is growing stronger, then the trooper is on the otherside headed towards us - on flat land i'll get this signal four miles before encountering the trooper.

On and off signal in the rear antena indicates that the trooper is coming up from behind and working his way through traffic.

Sensitivity:
Bewteen LA and Havasu I drive the fast lane so that the V1 has ultimate visibility over the topography. Â*Sitting closely behind a truck can block the detection of KA, luggage in the back of the truck does not block KA in the rear antena, placing your hand over the antena will block KA if your hand is within three inches of the antena, same with a sun visor. Â*That big sun screen window tint will reduce the sensitivity also.

Perfectly legal to have a detector in CA, NV, AZ and UT.

95% of the troopers I have seen between LA and Havasu leave the KA on all the time. Â*Between LA and Mammoth those guys like to play with the instant on trigger, so as long as you are running with other cars on the road then you will hear it - only if your the only guy on the road will it be too late.

The whoops between Parker and Rice are a good area to not test the radar detector. Â*As you come to the crest of the hill and the trooper is coming towards you on the crest of the oposing hill - game over. Â*Also, there are about four turns between Rice and Desert Center, I don't test the detector there either since there is an angle within the sensitivty of the antena - works the best for straight in front and straight behind - kind like the 10, 40, 15 and straights of Rice Road.

Parker Sherrifs use K, just observe the posted limits come through towns.

The antena on the 8500 might have a wider sensitivity for KA than the V1 - I had it in the X5 cruising through Angeles Crest and it would detect around hillside corners, maybe one second before the V1. Â*For straight line highways and freeways - seems nothing can touch the V1.

My most shocking experience between the 8500 and the V1 was cruising down the 101, going under an overpass.... Â*the V1 went psycho as we went under the overpass as it detected the trooper pointing his KA down the on ramp - plenty of time to adjust speed as I never entered his beam. Â*The 8500 never made a peep. Â*That validation let me know that I had bought the right detector three years earlier and that the advertised technology in the 8500 was not something I needed to be concerned with.

Enjoy, KC

[Essex502]

RadarTest.com rated the Passport as the best in their 8/1/2002 testing

Scores:

Passport 8500 Â* Â* 97 points
BEL 980 Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* 94 points
Valentine 1 Â* Â* Â* Â* 77 points

Total available points = 100

RadarTest.com (http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=1064#howrated)



Conversely, Car & Driver tests showed the Valentine 1 as the "best of the tested". 2/2003

Valentine 1 Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â*97
Passport 8500 Â* Â* Â* Â*73
BEL 980 Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* 61


Car & Driver (http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=4&article_id=1993&page_number=3)



Motortrend in their 2001 detector test picked the Passport 8500 over the Valentine 1 and BEL. (ro points scale that I could find)

Speedzones rated the BEL 985 as the best overall with the Passport coming in Second and the Valentine 3rd in their June 2003 test.

Motor Trend (http://www.motortrend.com/features/consumer/112_0107_radar/index.html)Sppedzones (http://www.speedzones.com/)



Radar-Detectors.com:

Passport 8500
BEL 990
BEL 985
BEL 975R
Valentine 1

In that order.


Radar-Dectors.com (http://www.radar-detectors.com/support/product-tests/5.asp)


It seems there's always a difference of opinion and testing methodology. Both are excellent. I choose the Passport as I also owned one of the older units which they gave me a $100 credit as an upgrade.

Pick whichever works best for the style and type of drivng you do. I think the quality Â*and performance of all of those listed above are so close as to be negligible.

have fun!

[KC & Karen]

I agree - silly to not have one.

[ex cracker]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KC & Karen @ Oct. 10 2003, 3:03 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I agree - silly to not have one.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Tell me about it. I was comutting between Hendertucy, Nv and Havasu for about 3 months and managed to get speeding tickets in Nevada (89 in a 55) Calif. (80 in a 70) and Arizona (90 in a 65) A radar detector would have probly saved me from 2 of them. That was alot of traffic school.

[No strESSEX]

Thanks again Mike and KC. Nice to have someone so knowledgable on radar detectors. I'm sure it will save some dough down the line. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[MagicMtnDan]

The Valentine 1 (V1) is the best radar/laser detector for a number of reasons:

1. Performance - it picks up signals from far away (won't get technical here)
2. The Arrows (front, back and sides) - other brands don't have the arrows - don't get one without them (trust me on this). It tells you the direction of the radar/laser and you definitely want this (see below). And when the arrow lights up to the sides all that means is that you're passing the source (they cannot get a speed reading when you're alongside the source).
3. Type of source - LEDs show:
* Laser
* Ka band - most popular with CHP
* K band - second most popular
* X band - hardly ever used by any PDs but there still may be some out there
4. Strength indicator - LEDs show how strong the signal is (tells you when you're/they're getting close!
5. Counter - tells you how many signals you're picking up (sources of radar/laser)!
6. Audio - sounds tell you which type of source (see #3 above) and how strong the signal(s) is (see #4 above)

Here's an example of why this is the best detector available (yes, it's better than the Passport and the K40 and any others for all of these reasons):

I was driving to/from the SF Bay Area on the 5 freeway. Suddenly my V1 got a hit - Arrow showed it was coming from ahead of me, it was Ka band and one location (counter showed a "1"). Strength was still weak (so it was still far off but slowly getting closer as we drove).

As we got closer to it, the counter went from "1" to "2" so there were suddenly two sources. The only arrow lit up was the one ahead so I knew there were two sources in front of us. I started to back off of 90MPH and got it down to 70MPH.

We passed an entrance ramp a ways back and all of a sudden the "2" on the display changed to "3" - meanwhile the strength got stronger as we approached the two sources in front of us.

Soon we passed one of the CHP patrol cars coming towards us on the opposite side of the freeway. The arrows tracked him from front to side (as we passed each other across the median) to the rear. We now had 1 still in front of us and two behind us (1 of which was going away from us).

Soon we came upon the 2nd one in front of us. This CHP cruiser was parked on the other side of the freeway giving some poor sap a ticket and of course he left his Ka band radar on the whole time (very common with the CHP). We watched the arrows track him from front to side to rear. So now we had three behind us and we knew two of them were fading.

The strength indicator never got weaker but it did get steadily stronger so we knew the one cop behind us was gaining on us (I was doing the 65MPH limit). Sure enough about 5 minutes later the CHP cruiser came into view in my rearview mirror and I played good boy and kept in the right lane at the posted limit.

He passed us and we watched the arrows track him from rear to side to front. Meanwhile the two behind us faded down to zero and were no longer reading on the detector so we only had one in front of us and the strength indicator let us know that he was pulling away from us.

Eventually he got off the freeway at an exit and as we approached the signal got stronger and as we saw and passed him at a gas station the arrows showed him to the side and rear and then the signal faded while I pressed the pedal to the metal and got it back up to 90+MPH.

This is, in all honesty, very typical of how the V1 works and how easy it is to use (once you get used to it). It is an excellent product and is worth every one of the $400.

http://valentine1.com/images/v1homephoto.gif

[beer hunter]

What are the prices on these units? http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Essex502]

Passport 8500 List price $299.99
Valentine 1 List price $399.00 (I think)

Internet prices - should be less. I think a previous post said they ordered the Passport for $250.

[No strESSEX]

I wasn't able to find the Valentine on the Internet for less than $399. I did find the Escort for $250 (including shipping).

[duckbutter]

I found a V1 for 525 pounds in Europe
does anyone know the conversion rate
would that be any cheaper http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Essex502]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (duckbutter @ Oct. 13 2003, 08:03 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I found a V1 for 525 pounds in Europe
does anyone know the conversion rate
would that be any cheaper http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif Â*http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Pounds of what? Lira?

Shipping would be murder!

http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[KC & Karen]

V1 = $399 factory direct only, you probably won't find any on eBay.