Hey guys, I was just wondering what are the best Radar detectors on the market? I know that the Valentine 1 is a favorite, but would the 2nd and 3rd be? I got pulled over the other night, so now rather than conforming to the ways of the system I just need to a better warning system.

I'm looking to buy this weekend, so anyone who has an opinion please let me hear it (concearning Radar Detectors).

 

having the a good radar detector won't allow you to avoid the cops 100%. You just gotta remember;
"just because you have a license, it don't mean you're a race driver."

It's all about your style of driving and your luck.

 

escort passport 8500, great unit

 

Thank you, I'm not 16.

I'm not trying to be a race driver, I was responding to an emergency.

You can type it doesn't mean your a secretary.

Again "radar detectors"

 

What is a going price for the Escort Passport 8500? I remember people saying they like them. Have you heard anything good about the Bel Vector 948?

 

What's wrong with a 16 year olds driving..?

 

http://www.cartoys.com/cartoys/webpa...TOKEN=43418325

$240 if you get it with FREE overnight or 2 day shipping I believe. Thats what it says at least. Use the rebate code: RADAR

Most other places are $300 though.

 

As you probably know V1's are $400, Passports are under $300 and even cheaper on e-Bay. I believe the only other decent detector is the Bel 980. My opinion is that you need to buy the best you can afford - you won't regret it.

 

no expereince behind the wheel and most think they can race any honda with a fart can exhaust

 

Just get one from radio shack or someplace like it. That's where I got mine 2 years ago...and I have got caught once. It finds the cops like 2 miles away too. It was about $70 or $80...but then again I don't speed a whole lot anyway.

 

lol so true...or cars like the Geo Prizm...haha

 

Maybe not a lot of experience behind the wheel, but I am a really good driver for a 16 year old... And I'm not an idiot about it.

 

Just wanted to know which radar detectors are good
I was never really into them but my friend got one and they are pretty cool, and lately cops have been getting me nervous

i want the best one for approximetly 100$
please share your opinions!

 

you will get what you pay for! save up more money and get a Passport for $200-$300 depending on where you buy it. you spend $100 it will be crap.

 

if you say so

 

i second the motion for the passport...saved my @$$ so many times (not that i drive fast )

 

passport 8500, or V1.
just remember the detector isnt a shield, its a tool, use it properly.

 

What does your friend have? You CAN'T get a decent detector for $100.
I have been using a V1 since 1994 and it has saved me from getting many, many tickets.
http://images.cardomain.com/member_i...82_35_full.jpg

 

The Bel 980 is a great radar detector. I got mine on EBay for about 279 shipped last July, has already paid for itself in would-be tickets on the highway speedtraps.

 

V1 is the way to go.

 

the escort 8500 is the best one to get based on price and performance

 

Get one from radio shack for about 70-90...I got mine there 2 years ago, and have got caught once. IMHO you'd be wasting your money on anything more expensive. But I don't speed too often anyway

 

Point #1.... there is this exact same post 1/4 of the way down the page.. was this really necessary for you to post again and get the same responses

and point #2.. don't waste your money unless you can afford a passport or a v1.. i'm biased towards the v1 but only because it has saved my *** multiple times in the short while i've had it, but from what I've read, either the valentine or passport will be good.. just don't waste 100 bucks @ radio shack

 

I am going to regret saying this but, I have gotten ZERO tickets in 2 years when I USE it.

And I AM a racer

V2 seems to be the greatest thing since sliced bread according to the BMW/Porchse folks.

But for ~$250 8500 ROCKs

 

I'm 17 and consider myself to be a pretty good driver. I know that I lack experience, but I havn't had a single speeding ticket or gotten it a wreck. Some of my friends have done much worse. (my neighbor wrecked 2 cars in about a month and a half - both his fault!)

 

yea i appreciate it guys I'm gonna look on ebay and see what comes up

 

i think I am going with the passport 8500
I've come to the relization it will be one of my best investments for my driving career

 

You're a racer?
Do you have a "special" license? or do you just like to drive fast?

 

get the cordless passport model # : i forget (sorry, i have it but the car is 200mi away and for the life of me i cant remeber the # ). it makes the interior look much cleaner without the cord, looks better itself, works as well as the other one, and only goes through 2 AA batterys once every 2 months... and you can't imagine how many times that thing has saved my ***!!!

 

I have a special license. I issued it to myself. I issue them out on occasian.

And it's a proven fact I'm a racer.

 

Where did that pic go of those skid marks?

 

The supercharger is nice I hear....


A Valentine 1 is the best investment anyone with a lead foot can make. It is not just a detector; it is a lifesaver. It gives you all of the information you need to know the difference between the local circle k and the cop, and it tells you generally where the signal is coming from. You have to still be cautious and use it along with smart driving. Anyone with a radar detector can get pulled over but if you are ready and drive somewhat smart then the odds are stacked on your side. Just be prepared to slam on the brakes everyonce in a while.

 

You're a dolt if you buy anything other than a V1.

 

Go buy the latest motor trend, they evaluate the latest by price category. Actually the Passport 8500 rated slightly better than the V1. They have best radar for under $200, but I don't think they had one in there for $100....

as said before, you get what you pay for, spend the extra and it'll save you in tickets later on....

 

can you get in trouble for having them

 

It DOES NOT work as well as the 8500. The cordless cycles between scanning and a standby mode (rapidly) if I remember correctly to conserve battery power. At least the previous generation Escort Solo did. I have tested the previous gen solo both at the same time in my max and the 8500 performed better at ALL times!

MY CAVEAT: maybe the new one fixed the weak points from the old one but I doubt it works as well still. I admit that it looks far cleaner, is cheaper and will still save you but if you want the best, 8500 is the best value, V2 is probably the best overall though it's sensitivity is maybe a little too high! It falses to much so our brains filter it out more which is dangerous...

 

Yeah...it's the solo. Maybe solo 2, but definitely solo something. Other option would be to buy a Passport 8500, mount it high on windshield, get the hardwire kit and run the cord through the headliner and down the pillar. I have about 4" of cord visible, and you barely notice it. Shoot....most folks get in the car and don't even notice the detector anyway.

 

I thought the upgraded V1 was a V2?

I may be incorrect. I hear V1 owners talking about the upgrade. SO I called it a V2.

Mr gone- they are still on the net

 

V1 = Valentine1. Regardless of the version number, they are referred to as V1's

I used to borrow one for trips, and have always been a fan. For a while now I have owned one, and am in love with it. It has been said before "I feel naked without it" , and that is very true.

As others have mentioned, it is a tool. Use radar detectors wisely.

The only other one I would even bother owning, would be a Passport 8500. All others give too great of a confidence level for the service they provide, which is trouble imo.



oh, and comments on soloII and cordless detectors from Mike Valentine:
"There's no cordless version of V1
It's possible to run a radar detector on two throw away AAs, but you have to give up any hope of high performance.
Performance takes power. There's no getting around the physics of it. Batteries are weak sources of power."

"The SOLO S2's "High-Efficiency Power Management" is hardly rocket surgery. It saves the two AAs by putting the sentry to sleep more than 85 percent of the time. It just switches off the power-using detector circuitry.

A sleeping sentry can't possibly give early warning when radar is used in the instant-on mode. And it gives up all hope of detecting the POP mode. "

"Sure, a cordless detector would be convenient. And I'll be out in the lab cooking one up as soon as the laws of physics are repealed."

 

Louie, buy the V1. I'll buy the Escort 8500 and we'll compare on 495 (VA side). If you're unsatisfied, we can switch
Seriously though, check out the Motor Trend 2004 Radar Detector test. Escort 8500 is right on V1 heels. If you got the money to burn....spend $500 and get the Passport 8500 w/ ZR3 laser protection. More and more cops are using laser rather than radar nowadays. Just a heads up, check out the motor trend article. Very informative. If money isn't an issue, V1. If it is, Passport 8500. I'm gettin the Passport 8500 soon.