If you have a V8 lexus, certainly you must have a radar detector. Our cars have the ability to pass almost anything out there in one big blur! So what do you people use? Im assuming we have top of the line cars, so we all have the top of the line scanners, either passport 8500 or Valentine1, otherwise indicate it in the guestbook. I personally have a valentine 1 and im very satisfied with it's performance.

 

I have both... 8500 and V1. The 8500 is a turd in comparison. Only advantage is less falsing on the 8500, but that is because it is less sensitive. The direction arrows are now a necessity.

 

none

 

I used to have the 8500 but it seem doesn't work really well. So now i end up with the V1. I love the arrow feature which pinpoint where the sucker at without wondering where is he. Although the radar is great...it still can't save me from traveling alone at late night on the empty highway, because there are no "escape goat" in front of me, so if the radar dectect a signal, it would already be shot at me. So....i still end up with my fifth ticket within a year...

 

V1 is crucial!

 

built in K40

 

i've got the built in K-40. Analog and it sucks. I think the new ones are better.

so I guess if you have the 8500 for the laser shifter and the V-1 for the warning its the winning combo.

 

V-1, the only way to fly. It's as close to a ground based AWACS system as you can get. The entry price for excellence is not cheap, but after it saves your butt a few times, it is well worth the extra dinero.

 

The V1 is simply amazing. It has saved me countless times and the directional arrows are a great added feature. If you cannot afford a new one check out the usual auction site.

 

i have the valentine 1.although not perfect,it is pretty good.here is definately some info that can help: http://www.radartest.com/DS4HEM.html it shows a comparison of all the top model radars,including the one's mentioned here

 

Good to see all the feedback guys... I hear MANY differing opinions between V1 and 8500... the V1 is said to be better by the people that use them, yet not the magazines. The only time my V1 has ever failed me, was when a cop used instant-on radar on me 50 yards away and nailed me, but then again the instant the beam hit me my V1 went off like a christmas tree, so it actually didnt fail me at all. I did not get a ticket from this encounter. If only we could program it to detect ford crown victorias....!

 

Now that was funny!

 

Radar Detector - Humm -

VALENTINE ONE - Always !!!!

I have tried most, like most of you, and, please....


No Contest....


Just my ( any everyone who follows me) opinion, of course :


Mike

 

Instead of the Escort Passport 8500, I've gone with the new Escort Solo S2 and Laser Shifter ZR3. They interconnect so laser sensing/jamming shows up on my Solo S2. Since I ended up mounting the ZR3 control panel under the sunglass holder and S2 between the rear view mirror and headliner, the interconnect isn't really necessary. I guess I could always go with a V1 if I didn't like the Solo S2, but I really hate chatty detectors (false alerts). The S2 is also portable and battery operated if needed to be used in one of my other cars.

 

An older (7-8 years) Passport with rear laser protection...no tickets in almost 20 years....stopped twice and talked my way out of it (keep a military dress uniform in clear plastic and tell them your late for a command inspection - ) ...had that on my 92 MR2 Turbo that I drove 100,000 miles like a MR2 Turbo and am still trying to figure out this K-40 unit on my 96 SC 400 - something about the rotater **** control -- a authorized dealer (I think in more ways than one and tests the stuff frequently) was seeing if he can get a replacement (K-40 is anolog?) controller.

With all the positive posts on the V1, I may look at EBAY and keep the Passport in my ultra highend/ performance fuel injected Ford Ranger 4-cylinder pick-up with All-Season 225/60/15's ...at least the brakes will surprise any Ford sedan unit on patrol...

Around here (NE Florida) , especially during multi-agency muster at a major accident, the huge variety of unmarked cruising units with hidden blue lights (inside grills, etc...) is amazing...Man, they are driving everything from white to black, trucks, SUV's, and larger mid size sedans .... we have the higher performance Camaro's or Firebird's with blue lights, too.

Good radar and common sense go a long way in not drawing attention to my car. I read a lawyer's summary to avoid tickets on a Lexus Shop Manual CD - try to stay towards the right lane, no daytime lights or stand out evening lighting, keep the car looking nice, no stupid decals or license frames/Cop club stickers/adornments, extra caution around large obsticals (on-ramps, bridges, large hilly/vegitation areas), look and act alert - and if you get pulled over, be polite, brief, note weather/traffic conditions/road specifics - curves that they can loose visual sight of your vehivle for another of the same color, heavy traffic conditions, and possibly, defend yourself with "Safety" in your corner...ie - you sped up to safely get around a slow moving vehicle that was slowing down/speeding up and weaving.

If you are definately getting a ticket - AFTER it's wrtten, ask for the radar serial number and calibration unit information from the officer. A good laywer can make a difference. I heard of one that actually wrote a good letter with clients explaination right to the officer's home address - and the officer didn't show up in court...you can also postpone a court date to get it near a major holiday..better chance the officer won't show in court.

Apologize for the long post. Thanks for the V1 info.