Audio and Electronics Discuss in-car entertainment systems, audio and video systems, car alarms and other electronics topics.

radar detectors. which one should i get?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-29-2003, 10:21 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
minsbang's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 2,085
radar detectors. which one should i get?

i heard that valentine 1 are great. but expensive . where can i buy a V1 cheapest?

any other inexpensive radar detectors? where can i find them?
I could not Search (once again.. errr), so thanks for the info guys
minsbang is offline  
Old 12-29-2003, 11:01 AM
  #2  
Donating Maxima.org Member
 
damadmonk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 59
you can't get the v1 cheaper than msrp... $400 just for the unit itself. Unless you find one used. people here have tried to get GDs, but that company refuses.

there's differing opinions about the best one, but seems it's either v1 or passport 8500 are at the top of the class.
damadmonk is offline  
Old 12-29-2003, 01:25 PM
  #3  
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Boogeyman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 5
Valentine One wins all the comparo's in Car and Driver that I've read. The review on www.radartest.com that the Escort people are always quoting seems to rate valentine one low because it's providing too much information. This is lunacy.
Boogeyman is offline  
Old 12-29-2003, 02:09 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
minsbang's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 2,085
how are the ones at radio shack? they were like $45
minsbang is offline  
Old 12-29-2003, 02:38 PM
  #5  
I tend to get a bit irritable
iTrader: (151)
 
Pearl96Max's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Central Jersey
Posts: 17,671
Passport 8500 if budgeting. Passport SR7 if money is not limited.

--Don
Pearl96Max is offline  
Old 12-29-2003, 10:34 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
jattmax's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 234
Originally Posted by Pearl96Max
Passport 8500 if budgeting. Passport SR7 if money is not limited.

--Don
i have the 8500, and im extremely pleased with its performance and list of features overall...
jattmax is offline  
Old 12-29-2003, 10:54 PM
  #7  
Still Here... IM me for more..
iTrader: (10)
 
HNDA ETR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: San Fernando Valley CALI
Posts: 2,129
8500 is awesome! find 'em on ebay for under $299...
HNDA ETR is offline  
Old 12-30-2003, 08:01 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
JAIMECBR900's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,084
If money is an issue, 8500. If not, V1. If you have deep deep pockets, The SR7 seems like a nice choice.

This issue has been debated in every forum on earth about 17 billion times. Everyone has a different opinion, but most agree that the battle at the top is between Passport and Valentine. Really depends on your budget and preferences. You won't be underprotected either way, so it's a win win either way.

Don't bother with the cheapo brands. They warn you that a cop is right behind you with the lights on pulling you over....you get what you pay for in this case.
JAIMECBR900 is offline  
Old 12-30-2003, 02:45 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
R5a7B's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 977
I have the 8500 and so far, it has been great to me. Just a few nights ago I was about to be heading over a hill when it started going off. I got to the top of the hill and started going down and driving along. About 600 feet ahead was a cop with his radar gun sticking out the window. Radar detected it the whole time. Even before I was in site of gun. I reccomend the 8500 if you don't have enough money for the Valentine 1.
R5a7B is offline  
Old 12-30-2003, 06:30 PM
  #10  
Member
 
bigblank69's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 43
Motor Trend this month puts the bel 985 in the same league as the V1 and the 8500 and it costs $230. I have the 980 (older 985) and it has never let me down.
bigblank69 is offline  
Old 12-30-2003, 06:33 PM
  #11  
Doctorate in Detailing
iTrader: (4)
 
Bluesbrekr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,839
I'm very pleased with my 8500. IIRC, it was $274 shipped from SoundDomain about a year ago.
Bluesbrekr is offline  
Old 12-31-2003, 04:15 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
ocuihs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 240
Originally Posted by bigblank69
Motor Trend this month puts the bel 985 in the same league as the V1 and the 8500 and it costs $230. I have the 980 (older 985) and it has never let me down.
February issue of Motor Trend

--OR--

"2004 Radar Detector Test and Buyer's Guide
Countermeasures to help shorten the long arm of the law."
http://www.motortrend.com/features/c...12_0402_radar/
ocuihs is offline  
Old 12-31-2003, 06:10 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
minsbang's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 2,085
one last question..
if i got pulled over and the cop sees my radar detector, will they take it away from me? what will they say about it?
minsbang is offline  
Old 12-31-2003, 11:44 PM
  #14  
Way out West
iTrader: (11)
 
Cliff Clavin's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Oregon
Posts: 6,565
You better look up your state laws. Different states have different laws about the legality of radar detectors. If you go to buy one online, I think a reputable dealer will not sell it to you if it's illegal in your state. Here in Oregon, they are legal and cops don't take them. My dad's a cop and he has one.

I also think that if you get pulled over and the cop sees your radar detector, he will be a little more likely to give you a ticket (just my opinion). They will assume you are a habitual speeder. Even if you have a clean driving record, then you are a habitual speeder that hasn't been caught yet. What they say about it probably depends on the cop. Sometimes a smart-a$$ comment, or sometimes a serious lecture about speeding. Maybe nothing at all.
Cliff Clavin is offline  
Old 01-01-2004, 07:29 AM
  #15  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
minsbang's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 2,085
Originally Posted by Red92MaxSE
You better look up your state laws. Different states have different laws about the legality of radar detectors. If you go to buy one online, I think a reputable dealer will not sell it to you if it's illegal in your state. Here in Oregon, they are legal and cops don't take them. My dad's a cop and he has one.

I also think that if you get pulled over and the cop sees your radar detector, he will be a little more likely to give you a ticket (just my opinion). They will assume you are a habitual speeder. Even if you have a clean driving record, then you are a habitual speeder that hasn't been caught yet. What they say about it probably depends on the cop. Sometimes a smart-a$$ comment, or sometimes a serious lecture about speeding. Maybe nothing at all.
i agree.. that;s what i've been thinking all along..
minsbang is offline  
Old 01-02-2004, 10:47 AM
  #16  
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Boogeyman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 5
http://www.afn.org/~afn09444/scanlaws/

That's looks like a pretty good reference for the legal aspects.
Boogeyman is offline  
Old 01-02-2004, 12:21 PM
  #17  
detailerdaveb@gmail.com
iTrader: (10)
 
maximadave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 6,242
I can get you an 8500 for $250.00. PM me if interested.
maximadave is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JRod28
7th Generation Maxima (2009-2015)
14
02-04-2016 11:07 AM
99MAXSE-L
General Maxima Discussion
23
05-07-2001 12:26 PM
_DRU_
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
2
03-28-2001 07:24 PM
maxsee
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
3
02-02-2001 10:17 PM
JimW
General Maxima Discussion
1
12-21-2000 01:12 PM



Quick Reply: radar detectors. which one should i get?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:47 AM.