radar detector as xmas present which one

[masraum]

We're getting a good radar detector for the daughter for X-mas.

I've got a V1 and I love it. It's saved my bacon plenty of times.

My first thought was, "Get her a V1".

But, I'm curious about the Escort 9500i (the 9500ix is a bit pricey).

The 9500i sounds like a pretty good item.

Does anyone have any experience with the 9500 or better yet, the 9500 and the V1?

I suspect she'd like the looks of the 9500 better than the V1. I think that the two are pretty equal contenders. That's the only reason that I ask.

Thanks

[Rick Lee]

I will buy a 9500i over a V1 in the near future because of the programmable GPS feature to alert me where there are speed and red light cameras that don't use radar. I have also heard the V1 is nuts with falses and I can't stand falses. Once the got so bad on the PA Turnpike that I turned the damn thing off and then I got nailed.

[masraum]

thx, the 9500s seem to have some decent features. Personally, I'd miss the counter and arrows.

[rammstein]

Both plus police scanner and CB to ask for smokey bear reports on the truck channels.

"This here's crazy cooter. How bout one uh dem smokey bear reports? I heard about 10 miles up they're out like lady-bugs in JOO-ly. Coo coo coo!"

[masraum]

Originally Posted by rammstein

Both plus police scanner and CB to ask for smokey bear reports on the truck channels.

"This here's crazy cooter. How bout one uh dem smokey bear reports? I heard about 10 miles up they're out like lady-bugs in JOO-ly. Coo coo coo!"

Hmm, she's not that sort of girl. A bit more prissy/girly, but also does well in math and science.

[gtc]

When I was shopping about a year ago, I found some reports that the GPS on the 9500 didn't work reliably. I'd look for some recent reviews before taking the plunge. I went with the V1, and have no complaints.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by gtc

When I was shopping about a year ago, I found some reports that the GPS on the 9500 didn't work reliably. I'd look for some recent reviews before taking the plunge. I went with the V1, and have no complaints.

There are such reports for every single RD on the market. It's a matter of which generation you buy, which band is most common with the police in your state, whether you care about the arrows or not and how well you learn to discern the real alerts from the falses. Currently, I have the 8500/X50 blue display and it's been super. I have to think the 9500i in its third year has to be better, no?

[911boost]

sbscribed. I am thinking of using AMEX points to pick up a new detector, so I am curious about what everyone has to say.

[Rick Lee]

I bought my X50 on eBay. When it got fried in a torrential rain on my motorcycle, I mailed it to Escort (ironically, I was right near their factory when this happened) and they mailed me a new one for $80, even though I had not bought from an authorized dealer.

[kaisen]

I haven't had a ticket in sixteen years (knock on wood) and I run WITHOUT a radar detector. I used them before that, and got two tickets with them (one instant-on with no other traffic, one vascar). I realize the technology is better today, but with all the 'false' radar signals, and all the other technologies (lidar, cameras, aircraft, etc) I personally feel that I'm better off sharpening the senses and being more aware of what's going on around me. Flying low while relying on beeps and lights as warnings makes a young driver more dangerous, IMHO.

E

[Porsche_monkey]

I guess the alternative, driving the speed limit, is not an option? (That's what I do )

[masraum]

Originally Posted by kaisen

I haven't had a ticket in sixteen years (knock on wood) and I run WITHOUT a radar detector. I used them before that, and got two tickets with them (one instant-on with no other traffic, one vascar). I realize the technology is better today, but with all the 'false' radar signals, and all the other technologies (lidar, cameras, aircraft, etc) I personally feel that I'm better off sharpening the senses and being more aware of what's going on around me. Flying low while relying on beeps and lights as warnings makes a young driver more dangerous, IMHO.

E

Yes, I know what you're saying. For me the detector is an extra layer of sensory perception for me. It's able to see more than I am. But if you think you can rely solely on the rd, then you will get tickets. I still don't crest a hill/overpass fast in the left lane or run out in front of all other traffic, or ignore entrance and exit ramps, etc....

My daughter though is a young driver that could definitely us all of the help that she can get.

Originally Posted by BSiple

sbscribed. I am thinking of using AMEX points to pick up a new detector, so I am curious about what everyone has to say.

I got what I think is some good info here.

http://veilguy.blogspot.com/2007/05/escort-passport-9500i-performance.html

http://veilguy.blogspot.com/2008/09/beltronics-gx65-another-gps-enabled.html

http://www.laserveil.com/radar/detectors/buyers-guide/2007/

http://www.laserveil.com/en/ultimate-radar-detector-review-05/abridged/conclusions/

Basically, he says that the V1 is the best, and compares it to the Porsche 911. Yes it's old, but it's good at what it does and has been constantly refined over the years to a first class product.

He also says that there are a couple of Beltronics models and a couple of Escort models that are right up there. The others may have some slightly different strengths and weaknesses compared to the V1.

I think I've decided to go for the Beltronics RX65Pro. According to the reviews that I've read, it has good performance, errs on the side of fewer false alarms compared to something like the V1, and is more user friendly than the V1.

My V1 needs to be updated, but still works really well. I'm more than happy getting more false alarms, but I suspect that my daughter would start to ignore the thing if it was going off constantly.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Porsche_monkey

I guess the alternative, driving the speed limit, is not an option? (That's what I do )

I've tried, several times, really hard. Nope, I can't do it.

Everything here in Houston seems to be a minimum of 15miles away and can be as far as 40 miles away. All roads are wide, and straight as far as the eye can see (it sure seems like it).

I just can't do it, and neither can my daughter. She's actually my stepdaughter, but seems to think and drive like me.

My stepson is more like his mother.

[Rick Lee]

Driving the speed limit is dangerous. And if everyone did it, the gov't. would find another way to steal from us.

[911boost]

Thanks for the links Steve

[Flyer88]

Love my V1 + it came with a complimentary ride in a Carrera GT at Mid-Ohio Just kidding, but I did get the ride!

[fast924S]

I just got the V1 in Oct. for my b-day, I think its great. No radar dectector is gonna save you from instant on or even Laser, Unless there is other traffic around. Also all radar detectors at some point will give you a false alarm, The trick is knowing where the false alarms are. Also Having a radar detector is not a excuse to drive fast. It help with SA or situational awareness. The counters and the arrows are a big help. Not sure if I would use it if I lived in a big city because it is sensitive. But I live in a small town in CT, Alot of woods and back roads and some minor highway driving is all I do. SO for that kinda setup it works great and has already saved me twice way before I could even see the Pig . No if only someone could make a really good jammer that doesnt get them in trouble with the FCC

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Couldn't (and wouldn't) dream of going without my V1. That thing has paid for itself numerous times over and I'm not even that crazy of a driver.

I don't want to get off topic here, but I'm 100% convinced that the worse the economy gets, the bigger pricks the cops are going to be and the more they're going to be out writing tickets for anything/everything in order to buoy up revenues for our beloved municipal governments who haven't learned the meaning of the term "fiscal restraint" yet. But I digress. Suffice to say a good detector (like a V1) is a damn good investment right now. I consider it money in the bank.

Driving without a V1 is like boinking without a rubber. Sure it feels good and it's thrilling, but sooner or later your just know something bad is gonna' happen.

[911Rob]

V1 for me. I love the arrows and bogie counter.
Best detector I've had, and I've had a few.