which radar detector?

thrown_hammer · 05-03-2002, 11:09 AM

I am considering purchase of the Bel 985(replaces the 980). The Passport 8500 and the Valentine one. I hate to open this can of worms, but any thoughts?

Rot 911 · 05-03-2002, 11:15 AM

Shawn this topic really has been beat to death. A quick search will give you a number of responses. I have the Passport 8500, but to be honest, I think the Valentine 1 may have the edge.

MarkY · MarkY's Garage

There is a little button on the top right of your screen labeled "search". If you hate opening a can of worms like you say, do a search and you'll get a lot of information.

My vote (and many others) is the Valentine One. If you run across the article called "radar test", ignore it. It was written by some guy that has some annomosity against Mike Valentine. The Car and Driver article seems pretty good.

bento · bento's Garage

V1 for sure.

db

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 05-03-2002, 11:33 AM

Valentine 1. Got two of 'em, plus an ancient original Passport (which still works splendidly, having also been designed by Mike Valentine).

Stephan

Jim Richards · 05-03-2002, 11:36 AM

Let's all be nice to Shawn (re: search first) or he might think that Pelicanheads aren't nice to newbies!

Of all the comments I've seen about detectors, the Valentine One is clearly the front runner. My wife just gave me the thumbs up to buy a detector and I'm going for the V1. Too bad I can't use it in VA...

Regards,

Jim
1995 Black 993 Coupe

Drew_K · 05-03-2002, 11:40 AM

Shawn, bottom line is all are good. Escort 8500 at $240 is great if you're on a budget. V1 is the best overall, especially because of the directional arrows, but it costs $400. If you have the money, get the V1. Otherwise the 8500.

MarkY · MarkY's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Jim Richards
Let's all be nice to Shawn (re: search first) or he might think that Pelicanheads aren't nice to newbies! Of all the comments I've seen about detectors, the Valentine One is clearly the front runner. My wife just gave me the thumbs up to buy a detector and I'm going for the V1. Too bad I can't use it in VA...

I have a different situation. I have a V1 in my 911 and transfer it to my truck when I'm driving that. The other day my wife got popped for going 17 over in her Infiniti and promptly called me at work and told me that I was to order her a V1. In fact, I just came back from lunch with her and she asked me when her V1 is supposed to be in. I didn't have the heart to tell her I haven't ordered it yet. I just said "soon sweetie, it'll be here soon."

usurpah · usurpah's Garage

Without a doubt, without hesitation:

Valentine One

I've had one for about 4 years, and it's easily paid for itself over and over. "There is no substitute"

- Eric

JackT · 05-03-2002, 01:31 PM

I have both. V1 is better and cost over $100. more. Escort 8500 is very good. Both are much better than other radar detectors have have experienced in others car's.

johnd · 05-03-2002, 08:08 PM

just got back from the One Lap of America race start. What I saw were alot of k-40 stickers on the cars and actually more 8500's than V1's. I have a Vi and like it, but Brock Yates had a 8500 in his Jaguar. Some people hade them pointing front and rear, some had Phaser jammers, most had GPS setups, did I mention alot of k-40 stickers on the cars? since this is a hidden detector I couldn't see how many cars actually had the. Oh yes the cars with the V1's and passports had the k-40 stickers too.....

JoeF · 05-04-2002, 03:44 AM

Thrownhammer,
I use an old V-1, works great!
Try doing a web search using the words "speeding tips", lots of interesting sites. I like the one called "Ten best tips for Fearless Flying" at: http://www.ibiblio.org/rdu/a-10fly.html
I would put a link here if I knew how.

Slightly OT concerning radar detectors:

What ever happened to that idea that the authorities were going to broadcast radar signals from construction and accident sites to warn drivers with radar detectors and slow down oncoming traffic? I have only seen this done at a few long term highway construction sites in PA. (I have also seen police using these sites to disguise their radar gun signals). Wasnt there a new generation of radar detectors on the way that actually had a small display that would tell the driver what was coming based on the information it recieved in the radar signal, (construction, accident, traffic)?
JoeF

sy308 · 05-04-2002, 05:00 AM

Saw this thread on the Corvette pages. Thought it might be interesting to look at, if you don't mind the photos of the Corvettes. Nice to look at but a pain for the browser to load.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=284288

expat · 05-04-2002, 06:28 AM

Tell me is this true. In Hong Kong lots of guys wedge a CD disk in their rear window apparently it somehow deflects the laser beam. Does anyone know of this? You can see it many times a day on courier vans, motorbikes and trucks here.

Mark

HawgRyder · HawgRyder's Garage

Ah yes ...the old wives tales start coming..
Some of them are:
Tin foil taped to the antenna (this just makes a better target)
Tin foil in the hub-caps (got me on this one)
Reflectors at various places on the car (more surface to get a bounce from)
Jammers (units that transmit a false signal)
And many more.
Fact....Radar can be detected...depending on which range of frequemcies are used, you need a detector in that same range.
Fact...police dept's are changing over to Laser....beam travels in a straight line...not over hills....can be directed at one of two cars in a side-by-side situation.
Some radar detectors have Laser detection...but by the time it goes off..you're done like a dinner.
Bob (Previous employee of Beltronics - makers of fine equipment)