The Best Radar/Laser Detector

[dutchmasterflex]

It's my Father's Birthday on the 25th and He wants a radar detector.. I know from other people and some reviews that Valentine and Passport make the best..


I would like to hear from you guys (that own one) and tell me what you think.

Price isn't really a problem because my 3 older sisters will be chipping in to get him his present.. I just want to get him the best of the best.

[dutchmasterflex]

Hmm.. yeah I was leaning towards the Valentine cause that's what my Racing coach was recommending..

Anyone have expierence with a Passport?

[Zot09]

I'm with Everso, deffinitly go with the V1. It's saved me on multiple occasions and is well worth the $400. Just like people say, once you go with the arrows you never go back. It may seem pretty ludicrous spending an extra $100 for arrows, but it's nice to know if the signal is coming from the opposite direction on the highway, etc. Best of luck with your search!

[RC45]

It is a toss up between V1 and Escort 8500.

Myself and other driving friends have both and the times the arrows are useful with the V1 are offset the times the 8500 will detect stray signals from around the corner thorugh the woods over a hill and you slow down in time to avoid a ticket.

Both are about $400 retail give or take few bucks, both are upgradable for life and both are the best in class.

Simple as that.

[dutchmasterflex]

Sounds good.. I think I might just go with the Valentine.. my Dad is a sucker for brands/image...

Thanks guys! I would of looked up some reviews but I don't trust those asshole writers as much as the JW crew!

[r2r]

I have an Escort 8500, and my friend has Valentine One, we did a comparison few times on the highway and in the city. Both performed pretty much the same on the highway, in the city the Escort was quiter (which was a plus).

Both are the best of the best, the advantage of the Escort is that it's cheaper, but the Valentine has arrows (which is a BIG plus).

So if money is not an issue go with the Valentine.

[TNT]

here you go.

old but still gives you the brand name and their tech.

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/1993/the-great-detector-test.html

I use whistler products and they work very very well.

http://www.caranddriver.com/image_cache/DATA/Caranddriver/images/2002/february/0202_detectors_feildview.gif

[RC45]

One of my friends dad's has a Jaguar XJR equipped with a Valentine One and it works amazingly well when he lets us take it out to burn some rubber. Plus, he's got the newest one with only the digital read out showing and no big thing on your windshield. All the instrumentation is built into the car somehow.

Escort 8500 also has the remote display... ;)

Trust us when we say they (the V1 and 8500) are completely interchangable. I have given up the arrows for the pleasure of far earlier warning out in the back roads. I did not like the way the V1 often did not give early enough warning.

The real point is that unless you actually slow down when a radar detector goes off you are going to get busted, so arrows that make you keep speeding because you think you are in the clear are actually of no use in the wild.. ;)

When you get a signal, back off and save your license - that easy.

[r2r]

One of my friends dad's has a Jaguar XJR equipped with a Valentine One and it works amazingly well when he lets us take it out to burn some rubber. Plus, he's got the newest one with only the digital read out showing and no big thing on your windshield. All the instrumentation is built into the car somehow.

Escort 8500 also has the remote display... ;)

Trust us when we say they (the V1 and 8500) are completely interchangable. I have given up the arrows for the pleasure of far earlier warning out in the back roads. I did not like the way the V1 often did not give early enough warning.

The real point is that unless you actually slow down when a radar detector goes off you are going to get busted, so arrows that make you keep speeding because you think you are in the clear are actually of no use in the wild.. ;)

When you get a signal, back off and save your license - that easy.

Totally Agree, As I mentioned in earlier post, its nice to have V1 arrows, but when comparing the Escort and V1 performance they are pretty much equal, and u get Escort for much less money.

I have the Escort and haven't got a ticket yet, while my fried who has the V1 has gotten one, although he got caught with a laser detector at which point you can't do much.

[ZfrkS62]

i like the idea of having the windshield clear. that's usually a dead giveaway you've been hauling ass.

how does the escort mount up? is it one of those that has a license plate frame type reciever, or does it mount behind the grille?

[RC45]

i like the idea of having the windshield clear. that's usually a dead giveaway you've been hauling ass.
Not really ;) -- the smoking brakes, melted tyres and bug-splattered front end is more a giveaway in your case... ;)



how does the escort mount up? is it one of those that has a license plate frame type reciever, or does it mount behind the grille?
You can mount the Escort pretty much anywhere, but the real advantage of the windshield mount is getting front/rear exposure without needing 2 units.

The remote display includes a mute button as well - for those pesky high-speed chases where the incessant chirping of the radar detector can be very distracting ;)

[dutchmasterflex]

One of my friends dad's has a Jaguar XJR equipped with a Valentine One and it works amazingly well when he lets us take it out to burn some rubber. Plus, he's got the newest one with only the digital read out showing and no big thing on your windshield. All the instrumentation is built into the car somehow.

Escort 8500 also has the remote display... ;)

Trust us when we say they (the V1 and 8500) are completely interchangable. I have given up the arrows for the pleasure of far earlier warning out in the back roads. I did not like the way the V1 often did not give early enough warning.

The real point is that unless you actually slow down when a radar detector goes off you are going to get busted, so arrows that make you keep speeding because you think you are in the clear are actually of no use in the wild.. ;)

When you get a signal, back off and save your license - that easy.

Why didn't you say that earlier? ;)

If the Escort can pick up the signal quicker than it would definitely be the better buy. Who cares about some arrows..

Is there a store you can pick one up in the NY tri-state area? The only place I could find it was at the company's online store..

[PaulGT2164]

i personally reccomend the V1, it has never let me down, its great

[RC45]

Why didn't you say that earlier? ;)

If the Escort can pick up the signal quicker than it would definitely be the better buy. Who cares about some arrows..

The V1 vs 8500 debate is like Democrat vs Republic, Catholic vs Muslim and Vette vs Ferrari... ;) :P

[ZfrkS62]

i like the idea of having the windshield clear. that's usually a dead giveaway you've been hauling ass.
Not really ;) -- the smoking brakes, melted tyres and bug-splattered front end is more a giveaway in your case... ;)



how does the escort mount up? is it one of those that has a license plate frame type reciever, or does it mount behind the grille?
You can mount the Escort pretty much anywhere, but the real advantage of the windshield mount is getting front/rear exposure without needing 2 units.

The remote display includes a mute button as well - for those pesky high-speed chases where the incessant chirping of the radar detector can be very distracting ;)

LMAO @ both punchlines :lol:

believe it or not i actually got popped for 54 in a 35 in the Yoda at beginning of the month. He let me off with a $25 seatbelt ticket instead though because a) i wasn't a prick to him and b) he was amazed i could get to 54 mph in the short distance between the stop light and crest of the hill where he tagged me :lol:

[TNT]

yeah the V1 is good but the new POP warning and reactions are slow. but with Whistler you can have it anywhere it has VG-2 cloaking 8)

[dutchmasterflex]

damn, never read so many positive reviews, i think i should get one, heck i should of gotten one along time ago!!

Yeah dude.. especially since it's the price of 1 speeding ticket in CT!!