For you guys who have them, how well do they work and which one do you have ? Do they go off everytime a cop is near ? Once in a while ? Never?

Im curious and interested in getting one. Used to have one but that pos never went off, even with the cop right by my side

 

I have a Passport 8500 and I love it. It's saved me from 2 or 3 definite tickets since I got it in May.

That being said, there have also been as many times when had I been speeding, it wouldn't have saved me. You gotta drive smart too.

And one thing to keep in mind, they're all RADAR detectors... they're not police detectors. Cops drive around without their radar on all the time, especially if the cops 'round you use Laser - as I believe that you need to be stationary to use it.

From what all the web reviews say, if you're willing to plunk down the cash, the 8500 or the Valentine One are your best bets - the "top" detector is always one of those, the V1 has the advantage of the arrows - but it's $100 (or 33%) more.

 

I 100% concure with this. I have had cases where I seen the cop and slowed and THEN he radared me, and I was ok cause I seen him first. THere has also been cases with my 8500 I got Ka for 5 miles before the cop. Its a TOOL you need to learn, not an a failsafe plan!

 

interesting test
http://www.speedzones.com/

 

radar detectors are great..if you know how to use them
like i've been saying in the CL500 vs concrete median thread, its not that you speed, its where you do it. my daily driving usually entails 10-40mph over the limit depending on the road..would i do it without a detector? no. would i still speed? god yes!
one important note about a detector: if you're in the front of a pack of cars, or all alone, you're getting a ticket, no detector can save you from instant-on.
get a good one and speed smart.

 

Just remember... There's no protection against "Instant On".....

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Valentine 1 and a good eye on the road are your best bet. My valentine has paid itself back on mutliple occassions, its a great radar and even if you do get tagged by laser, you'll know someone is using laser by the cop tagging the cars infront of you. Seldom have i seen a cop use laser on a small abandoned road, usually have there radar always on in which case, your home free because the valentine even my 1.7 version picks them up like a mile down the road.

 

I have th V1 too. You can't go wrong with a Passport or V1, but the V1 is the king with those arrows. Once you've had 'em, you can't go back.

Also, even the best radar detectors, like the V1 and Passport, have incredibly weak range when it comes to laser. Cops have a huge advantage with laser. Unfortunately for them and good for us, it's cumbersome for them to use and it's the most expensive, so it's harder to justify in their budgets. I see K band most often when I drive, with 1 or 2 Lasers here and there.

DW

 

LOVE my V1 as well. The key in using the radar detectors is NOT driving like you are invincible. As previous posters mentioned, nothing will preven't you from laser or instant on. But still in most cases you can go faster w/ dramaticly reduced risk of getting cought, just have to remember to be resonable (don't want to be locking your tires going 130 mph )

 

I agree with the rest. If you are not aware of your surroundings, you will get a ticket regardless of the radar detector.

I have a BEL 985 which is one of the top 3 along with the 8500 and V1.

 

I have a V1 and absolutely love it. I know its hard to spend $400 on a radar detector but once you do you will net regret it. Just remember that none of them are perfect and you can and will get a speeding ticket you are careless.

 

thanks for all the feedback guys. whats "instant-on"?

 

Acually the best one is the K40, sensors in each bumper, and they can defeat the dedection, o and did i mention that they pay your ticket if you end up with one.

 

IIRC that recieved 37 points (out of 100). 2 of my friends had them, hated them. the idea is excellent, they should bring their technology up to par with valentine, escort and BELtronics.

 

I know about 20 people that have them they drive things like Ruf porches and M5's and Corvettes, hi end very fast cars, never gotten one ticket.

 

just going by my friends' experiances and speedzones.com

 

I think the passport 8500 is the best detector on the market. I think that you have to follow all this advice. Remember the PIGs know where to set up those speed traps and some of tehm are positioned that you would be able to detect the radar unless you were flying in a helicopter. You have to drive smart.

 

Just because they own fast cars doesn't meant they drive fast. Bill Gates own a 959. He can't even drive it on the street. Lord knows how many Vettes I've seen on the highway just chillin'. Chances are that these guys own these cars for the pose factor, they can speed, but won't. I'll admitt, I'd be a wary about speeding in those cars, too, because they attract so much attention even when going slow. Going fast in them would be like getting a free "go directly to jail, do not pass go" ticket.

DW

 

Alright well perhaps I shoudl clarifi, they love to go fast, fast enough that it scares the **** outta me. 90 plus on average on teh highway. Perhaps I should also say I'm one of those guys with the M5, I dont' "pose"...Ive been known to even race bikes. If you drive fast and get pulled or have been pulled as much as I have you need the good detector.


Why do I like the K40? It can warn you up to 2 miles in advance, it detects all bands of radar and laser, it defeats the polices signal even if they do "tag" you. with instant on. It gets integrated into the car, theres only a beep and 2 led's that get put in with the gauge read outs, no big box hangning off the window to push and mess up. Extreamly few false warnings. It's worth the high price, cuz if you do get caught, they pay your ticket. Thats how much faith they have in them selves.

 

When the cop pulls the trigger on you when you get closer. That way, there is NO early warning. You're dead!

A-

 

how much does the passport 8500 cost?.. the Valentine 1 goes for $400.00 right?

 

the 8500 is around $300

 

i'm looking at them in Ebay, and some of them are selling for a song. can't tell how good they maybe though.

http://search.ebay.com/search/search...=passport+8500

 

Basically keep in mind that instant on can be just as "deadly" as laser if you're the only one around. Both require the cop to pull the trigger, just like a gun. Regular K band or X band radar is the stuff that just hangs in their windshields that is on all the time.

Automatic doors and some traffic signals and some security systems use X or K band radar.

Always have someone kinda in front of you, especially in hilly area. Always be mindful of what the car behind you looks like.

I've had my 8500 for about 2 years now and only gotten one ticket as I was by myself rushing up a hill and a trooper gunned me. Believe me it's more than paid for its $300 in avoided tickets and decreased travel time.

Heck you can even get em at Best Buy now.