I am assuming most of us are very liberal about following the speed limit. That being said I was wondering what the best radar detector was in consideration to its price. I don't have $350 to spend on a Valentine One otherwise I would get it. I do, however, have close to $200 to spend and am looking for the best one in this price range. Any suggestions are welcomed.

Also user reviews would be great.

 

http://www.radartest.com/

 

from everything ive ever heard about radar retectors, and in my experiene, wait and save for the V1. almost anything else will be a waste. i heard of another decent one for like 300 but forget the name right now. defenatly go for the V1, its worth it! maybe find a used one on ebay, ive seen them for like 2500

 

what bout the escort 8500?

 

I've owned several BEL radar detectors over the years, and they have all been great(saved my a$$ literally dozens of times per year). V-1 is an excellent detector as well. Whatever you do, do not buy a cheap detector, and by that I mean a detector less than ~$150. Those detectors will give you constant false alarms, making them a nuisance instead of a useful tool. Save your money and buy a top quality BEl or V-1, and you will be glad you did!!

 

ye bel, thats the other one.

 

isnt the bel the one they sell at walmart for like 80 bux?

 

I would highly reconmend either Bel or Escort. I have a Bel 980 and couldn't be happier. I bought it off ebay for $113 and it was their top-of-the-line model two years ago. The only time it falses is when I drive past automatic doors, which brings up the unused X band. Anyway, do some research before going out and buying something you'll regret--->

Also, check out this link http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=1064
They have the Bel 980 beating out the Valetine One (94 v. 77) and almost topped the Escort 8500, but short three points.

-Ben
just my $.02

 

Cobra 9870. Top of the line cobra, lists for $249 but can get it on ebay for $120-150.

 

Just to play devils advocate, the radartest.com site is very biased towards Valentine. If you take the time to read it, you will notice how the critisism of the V1 is very harsh while the really cheap detectors aren't harped on so much. radarbusters.com is the same way. Speedzones.com is a good test site as is the car and driver site. Keep in mind that the V1 now has KA pop detection and none of these sites have retested. The Bel RX65 and Escort 8500 X50 are very good detectors. I've used both the V1 and the X50 side by side and tested them in my non technical uncontrolled study. To make a long story short the V1 outperformed the X50 slightly in most categories. (we're talking 1 second or less) The V1 had much better reception around corners and from behind, in some circumstances up to 3 seconds. Doesn't sound like much, but it's an eternity when your in the car. The V1's arrows are amazing. Once you use them, you can never go back. They will really help to locate where the police cruiser is. Regardless, all 3 of these detectors will provide more than enough protection.

 

Escort Solo2- rated next best to the V1

 

Actually the Solo2 is generally rated at the top of the bottom to middle. It's the best battery powered unit available, but unfortunately the same circuitry that allows it to be efficient for battery use also hinders it's detection abilities.

 

i've used a bel 980, and currently have a passport 8500. i think the passport is great as far as detection range. also, it barely ever falses. if i get alerted, i better hit the brakes, cause it's usually for real

 

I have the Escort 8500 X50 and I am very happy with it. Matter of fact, I also got one for the wife since she thinks she is Mario Andretti. Got mine brand new off Ebay and saved myself over $160 for both.

Pedro

 

I haven't seen a Bel radar detector at any Walfart. When it comes to radar detectors, you really do get what you pay for. The cheap detectors are inferior in every comparison to the top of the line Bel, Escort, and V-1. And when you're on the road, a cheap one is going to potentially cost you a ticket, because of inferior capabilities. This is one electronic device that you don't want ranked in last place when you buy it

 

V1 is the best hands down. I can't drive without it. Save like crazy to get it; you will thank me.

 

I saw it somewhere compared like that, whatever. It works good , always saves my *** and I like it. I have gone about 35k miles with it from pennsylvania to missisippi and it pays for itself all the time. I do agree that the V1 is the one to have. This one was a xmas present from my parents, my dad has the V1. Looks like the solo2 will become someone elses xmas present soon so I too can have a V1.

 

get whatever you want. you know what the top detectors are right now: Valentine1, Passport 8500 x50 and the BEL RX65. just pic one thats in your budget and you'll be fine. seriously. everything depends on how much you want to spend because all 3 of these are top of the line. they all do the same function really well.

 

This was mentioned earlier in this thread but it is easy to miss. Valentine One just came out with a new model that detects pop mode radar guns including the BeeIII. The new detector is still a 1.8 so its easy to overlook the new feature. I sold my old 1.8 on e-Bay earlier this week and my new V1 with pop mode will be here Wednesday!

If you can't afford a V1, buy the Passport 8500 and do not even consider anything else. I have owned both the 8500 and the V1 and each is well worth the money.

 

The Passport Escort 8500 X50 has the pop-mode.

Pedro

 

The V-1 is software upgradable. My friend sent his in a couple of times for software upgrading. The last time he sent his 3 year old V-1 in, the company gave him a brand new one with a faster chip, total cost was $85. Now that's a great company!!

 

The Traveller II Cordless Radar Detector is sweet and equivalet to a Bel detector in terms of performace and affordable (I seen them for about 120) just the fact that the cord is not there is sweet.....

 

There really are only a handful of radar detectors that give enough advance warning to be worth the $$. Those choices are (in no particular order): V-1, BEL RX 65, BEL 995, and Escort 8500 X50. They all have protection against the new generation of radar in use, the POP. These low emmission radar guns turn on and off so fast that most detectors will NOT ALERT!! To be able to pick up this POP threat on the open road, you will need the very best detector, with the very latest technology. Comparison tests show time and time again, that lower priced detectors are incapable of performing accurately and quickly in the new high-tech arena of radar vs detector.
So, when you consider a radar detector, consider the cost of a speeding ticket(s), and the cost of higher insurance rates for years after. I hope you will come to the same conclusion that I have, and that is to buy the best detector you can possibly get, and then use it everyday.

 

there was a site i was reading from a guy in another thread recently and it said the Escort 8500 was the best rated in all categories, beating out the Valentine 1 and stuff, it sold me, ill try to find it hold on..

 

found it. http://www.radarbusters.com/support/...dar-review.asp

 

I think that that site could be alittle bit bias, since they sell the other detectors, and don't sell the V1.

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....2&page=3&pp=30

If you have time, read the whole thread. If not, go to pg 3 for the skinny.

Any more questions, ask.

If you only have $200 to spend, save it and put it with $100 for the 8500 or $200 for the V1.

 

V1 all the way! Saved my butt so many times! only time i got pulled over was when i unplugged it to charge my cell... that was the last time i did that too! Save up and get the V1.. you will thank all of us that recommended it later

 

One word for you. HARDWIRE. No need to unplug anything that way.

 

I can agree with most of the guys on here. You get what you pay for. I have both Escort 8500 and the V1 (1.8) and they are both good. To tell you the truth, as Virus said, the V1 is very sensitive plus the arrows are good. The Escort 8500 is excellent as well. I was going through Brooklyn and got NAILED with laser (escort 8500). Let me tell you, I mashed the brake pedal and cut my milage down by 10mph. I was going 62 in a 50 at the time I looked up. Don't know why the cop didn't come out but thank god I knew I got hit. Basically, all these detectors are good (not the cheap-o's), but once you get hit with laser/instant-on, you're cooked.

one more thing..the V1 falses laser a lot. Guess cause I'm always driving around the SUV's.

Andy

p.s. If you want, I have a write up on my website.. www.freestyleconcepts.com/v1.html

 

I had a problem with my V1 falsing on laser for a while. It was usually when I was driving toward the sun coming home from work. I sent it in for repair with a $45 check. They returned it to me along with the check and it has not falsed again since. Maybe you can send yours in for a diagnostic.

 

Thaks for the reply..

No, I know it falses because I'm behind a Trailblazer most of the time or a big SUV. Everytime the laser siren comes on the V1, I hit the brakes, look around and the only thing that is around me is the SUV.

A-

 

I got the 8500 x50.

Its so funny how you say it is biased but most if not all the articles I have found say the rx 65 or x50 is better then the v1? are you saying they are all biased?

I called v1 and they said the last credible test was in 2002 with Car and Driver(or some magazine i forget)? but i hear mike valentine was present in that test... wouldnt that be biased?

didnt mike valentine lash out that POP is basicaly bull**** and it doesnt work, they even had a demo on the website on how stupid it works..... then all of a sudden he comes out with a POP enabled V1..... ummmmm...... so does that mean he thinks POP is now a threat??? i even read in the website telling escort owners to return theirs if they bought it in the last 30 days..... signs of desperation? you dont see passport lashing out at valentine

pls show me a radar detector test that shows the v1 is better

on that note... i think the directional arrows on the V1 are great, i wish i had it. but performance wise v1 and passport are at par. i decided to go for the x50 at the time because of POP and the PRICE

now that V1 has POP i may consider it.

 

Are you serious? I've noticed my laser warning goin crazy when im behind a trailblazer! Whats up with that man? I thought it was my V1 was faulty!

 

You're right... i should get to it! but rite now i have it hookedup to the rear 12V output... so its out of my way... Im not that good with wiring stuff... if not i would be all set by now!

 

Yeah, read your manual for the V1. It tells you about the falsing. I only had one false reading with the Escort, and that was behind a SUV also.

A-

 

I'm going to try and NOT turn this into the usual V1 vs 8500 debate that is so old and played out.

What's ironic is how soooo many people that have only owned 1 radar detector involved in the usual pissing contests beat on their chests about how the RD THEY chose is the best......Funny, huh?

Well, as I said in the other thread and I'll repeat for those that don't wanna go look, I've owned BOTH and STILL use BOTH TODAY. I have the latest versions of BOTH and have used BOTH in all my cars and motorcycles. I have given the most direct opinion possible on both units. EACH has it's strong points, EACH has it's flaws. Instead of this bad mouthing a unit YOU PERSONALLY have NEVER used, you should be asking people that HAVE the unit you wanna know about and get their opinion on it. If yall wanna keep listening to commercial sites and sites that are clearly biased, then go for it. I personally have tried to help out as many people as possible make up their minds. I have a favorite, but yet still use BOTH today. What's that tell you? I've owned RD's from every manufacturer including: Cobra, Passport, Escort (when it wasn't together with Passport), Bel, Valentine, Radio Shack (which was basically a Cobra), etc. I still have one of the original Escort RD's with the needle marker sitting in my closet right now.

Why are people trying to re-invent the wheel???? This question has been asked in this very forum about a billion times. Another billion times in .org as a whole. EVERY SINGLE time the overwhelming majority of answers are the same: V1, 8500, Bel 980. Why fight it? Why try to bash the other detector YOU have NEVER used before. It keeps being recommended over and over and over again FOR A REASON.

Bottomline should be which RD performs the best for the budget you have. Because if you really want to get down to brass tax, even the V1 is probably NOT the best overall either. The Passport SR7 with the Z3 laser shifter would be the best OVERALL protection IMO. If you wanna spend $1500 on an RD, that's the one to get. If you wanna spend $100 on one, you're wasting your time IMO. If you wanna spend $3-400, the V1, 8500, Bel 9 series are the best in that range.

Still have questions?????

 

Do you own both? Then how are YOU NOT biased too? Follow?

I don't understand why it's so difficult to see when a test is skewed? If you have 10 tests that find the V1 and the 8500 usually neck and neck for the 1-2 position then you have 1-2 that ALWAYS find the 8500 supremely better than the V1.......you don't think that's odd? While you are thinking about that...Car and Driver (millions of dollars worth of resources and circulation), Consumer Reports (takes NO advertising from ANYONE to maintain UNBIASED), Sport Compact Car, MotorTrend (again having millions at their disposal), and many more ALL have came up with tests dating back to the early 90's where the V1 and the 8500 (and it's predecessors) always ended up in the 1-2 position. I would certainly hold a little more weight to those tests than to tests performed by a commercial website trying to peddle products. Again, a sure sign of being biased is looking at how some of those sites rank the V1. Near the bottom of EVERYTHING? Doesn't that sound strange? Every other single tests done by dozens of different media outlets found something 180 degrees different. Strange? I'd say so.

When you see someone that only shows 1 side of the argument and NEVER tells you about anything BAD about a product, it's usually biased.

The 8500 is a great RD. I use one myself. But give credit where credit is due too.

 

That's because the 3rd eye level brake lights in some of the newer SUV's is made up of a bunch of very bright LED's emiting the same LIGHT signature as does a Laser radar gun.

Neon also has the same effect.

Chevrolet SUV's are the worst about that. My V1 goes off in unisen with the taillamps of those guys when I'm behind them in traffic. I always end up changing lanes when I can to avoid it.

Hollywood Video stores do the same to mine too.

It's not the units malfunctioning, it's just a false signal.

 

Another thing to remember:

Yall do realize that "pop" radar guns are in it's infancy? There are not that many PD's using them YET. It's absolutely great to have, but right this second you probably won't be "unprotected" w/o it. In a year or two, that may be a different story though.

BTW, yet another good mark for the V1. You can send "older" models in to be reprogrammed for a fraction of the cost of a new one and even a fraction of what a new X50 costs. What are people gonna do that have older 8500's or even older Passports than that?

In other words, you don't have to throw away your "old" V1 like you would older generations of Passports. You simply pay a fee to have it updated and voila, a new detector up to date. That's a plus in my book.