850Lexus

Are you talking about the concealed version? Thats what is installed in this but project is not complete.


My buddy Lee at Quality Car Stereo in Pensacola let me test the removable radar version that was suppose to be K40's best except for the concealed version which Lee said i was K-40's top of the line. So one trip when my wife and I had to drive both cars to Shreveport and back we put it up against the VI. It had more false alerts and picked up radar signal slower than the V1. I was not impressed!!!

sakataj

iTrader: (182)

didnt know they made a removable one....the built in one (i specifically mentioned) is the top of the line

Billh2

I have been using an 8500 X-50 for 3 years. Excellent performance overall but it picks up every door opener around. The range is excellent, It's never failed me, but I got tired of the constant false warnings so I recently got a 9500ix. Great detector with long range but has the ability to block out door openers so I don't get as many false alerts. The best, longest range detector in the world is worthless if you stop listening to it because it alerts constantly. I have never had to have an Escort re-calibrated.

A few things to keep in mind when considering a radar detector;

It's not diplomatic immunity. The best ones will give you plenty of warning but if the LEO is using instant on radar and waits until you are right on top of him you may not able to avoid the ticket. If you drive stupid, you WILL get tickets.

If you have a radar detector in your car and you get stopped and the officer sees it, you will most likely get a ticket. All of the LEO's I have talked to say the same thing; "Once I see the radar detector, any thought of giving the guy a break goes out the window." It is best to conceal the detector. (Mine is mounted in a cloth case that looks like a sun glasses case and is direct wired.) and NEVER let a LEO know you have it if you can at all help it.

Most of the current detectors offered have laser detection but the laser detector is just going to tell you to reach for your wallet. Once he hits you with laser there is little you can do, he has your speed. (Laser jammers are an option but $$$)

The V1 has the longest range but is not necessarily the best choice. The Escort 9500ix contains a GPS chip, It warns of traffic cameras and speed traps by an internet updatable database and still gives extremely long detection range. You also can exclude false signals using the GPS chip. I also absolutely love the voice warning that tells you what band is being detected.

I actually rarely go 10 MPH over the posted speed limit but in areas where the speed limit goes from 60 to 35 my detector has saved my bacon enough times that I don't hesitate spending the money for one.
Good Luck.

L3XOTIC

Valetine is hands down awesome. It even has direction indicators of where the cop is. I personally have a Escort x50 and its saved me MANY MANY times. I believe it to be second to best to Valentine

Maxx941

iTrader: (1)

I probably been through atleast 7-8 detectors and not some POS ones. My choice would have to be hands down Valentine 1 FTW
Once you use the arrows you'll never wanna go back. Range is excellent.

ntran18

iTrader: (27)

Along the same note, anyone tried those speed trap apps? The ones where everyone alerts each other as they encounter speed traps.

smardav

Thanks for all your reply. I think I'm gonna get the Valentine 1 tonite. I'll keep you posted how it works for me.

smardav

just ordered the Valentine One

Maxx941

iTrader: (1)

Good Choice, been rocking mines for over 5 years with ZERO speeding tickets.
Just have to be smart and not just completely rely on a radar detector, use some good judgement as well.
Instant on, or 5.0 hiding behind structures can be pesky.
Learn what type of radar band cops use in your area will help as well.
Most use Ka now, but theres a few cars still rocking K band, so I still keep it active. (you can disable bands in the V1 if you want)

kene

iTrader: (2)

http://radartest.com/ProductReviewIndex2.asp

Great site with a bunch of info. The testers are supposedly a bunch of retired law enforcement, and other radar specialists that love to test every radar gun/ detector under the sun.

I bought my Bel RX-65 after reading their various test results a few years ago. Its a great radar detector...period, but I still have an inkling for a new up-to-date detector currently. Escort makes great products, as does Bel. I personally have not been a fan of the Valentine One(finally updated the unit) for the longest as it seemed the other 2 companies were staying on the cutting edge of radar technologies at that time.




This may help with keeping up with the comparisons

Valentine One(Convent. radar detector) vs Escort 9500i (GPS radar detector)

Valentine One is picked up much more false alarms in comparison, but the same price as escort 9500i.

Billh2

Made a trip through Oregon a few years ago before I bought my first Escort. The speed limits in Oregon really suck, 55MPH on most highways, Interstates, are 65. I had an old Cobra detector that I bought on Woot for $30.00. Going along on I-84 at 75 I started getting X band warnings, steadily ramping up. Since it was X-band which hasn't been sold in years, I almost ignored it but reluctantly and luckily I gradually slowed down to 65. About that time, I noticed an Impala catching me from behind at a very high rate of speed, also in the right lane. I figure the guy was going between 90 and 100. The Impala changes lanes at the last second, we are now going under an underpass, as he blows by me the guy sitting in the passenger seat is starting to give me the one finger salute. His scowl turns to shock as he sees the Oregon Highway Patrolman which we are all passing who is sitting under the underpass shooting Radar at us. They don't make any move to slow down. The OHP car soon blows by me and both cars disappear into the distance. A couple of miles up the road sits the cop car with the Impala pulled over.
I used that cheapo Cobra detector for quite a while and it did an excellent job. The knock on it was the constant false alerts. When a radar detector goes off all the time, pretty soon you tend to ignore it. The 8500 I bought was quite a bit better.
Bottom line, as earlier stated; It's important to pay attention Radar detectors are not diplomatic immunity.

Billh2

Lots of good info. After reading the comparisons and using the 9500ix for a week, I am convinced more than ever that the 9500ix is the best choice. It is right on par as far as sensitivity with the V1 for the radar bands that are in common use and offers the advantage of GPS and being able to block out known false alert places. While we don't have them locally now, red light and speed cameras are under consideration here. (They are wide spread in the Seattle area, I saw a guy get nailed by one).

Katin2

The escort frontline is another great detector built for the highway and has great long range detection. It does not have gps for traffic cams but no big deal

Katin2

*frontline I mean redline. It's early

ThomasGS4

iTrader: (19)

Katin2, when I first saw your avatar, I immediately looked for a very sarcastic post...until I saw your username.