Which radar detector is better?

[Arachnid J]

I am planning on purchasing a new radar detector and was curious about which one is better. I'm trying to decide between the Valentine 1 and the Passport 8500 X50. They seem to be pretty close in comparison. The only thing that I seem to like more about the Valentine 1 is the ability to tell which direction the signal is coming from. If anyone has any comments on the two please give me feedback. Anything positive or negative! Thank you.

[mbeach]

On most boards this will cause a week-long arguement.

That said, I use a 3 year old PassPort 8500 (pre-VG2 modded). I can't imagine a better unit out there.
The newest (and most expensive) Bel seems to be a nice piece. If my Escort ever gives up the ghost, I'll have one of these on my windshield.

IMO, V1s are gimmicky and old school. Period.

[Tone]

If you have never used a V1 you have no idea the amount of data a V1 produces that allows you to locate the source - hugely important in avoiding tickets. If you think it is old school, check any of the INDEPENDENT tests (not sponsored by someone with a financial interest). I've run a lot of other detectors (including the plastic 8500 which I immediately sent back) and none offer great protection - remote units are nice but extremely expensive. Two antennas are key to LOCATING radar - not many units have that and is a large part of why the V1 is bigger than most. Remember, Mike Valentine left Escort when they went from metal to plastic cases to continue his history of making better products. I have buddies still using first gen V1s and they still perform well.

I run routinely at 85-90 (as conditions permit) and ofter much higher than that onpty roadsrun and have avoided numerous tickets with the V1. Instant on is always hard to beat but with the data you receive from the V1, you are a leg up.

I also run a Laser Blinded Laser Jammer that works - I repeatedly run through known laser traps at 15-30mph over the limit and have yet to be stopped.

[driver3]

V1 hands down.. I love mine. The directional arrows are for me the entire reason to have one. Well worth it, and they will upgrade it when technology changes.

[mbeach]

Tone,
I used to have a V1. It wasn't all that great or I'd still have it. I traded it for a shift knob.
From a guy who knows a thing or two about radio wave propagation, the V1 has excellent receiver sensitivity, but little else to offer.
Bad ergonomics, ugly appearance, lame display, poor laser discrimination.
Without the presence of a (large) multiple antenna array, there really is no true directional capability to the V1 -it's all a gimmick based on signal strength. Crack open a V1 and count the antennas (that are forced to receive an attenuated signal thanks to your precious metal housing) -and tell me that there is a really a chance that the V1 can pinpoint a radar source (which is already bouncing off of every solid object in the vicinity).

If you really do the research, Mike Valentine's V1 has fallen behind in every legitimate category. It's a shame, because at one time it was a fine piece of gear -15 years ago. Valentine has legions of loyal/rabid followers -if he'd just get off his high horse and get back into a lab I'd say he would produce a world-beater in no time.

When your laser alarm is falsing thanks to the tailights of a Chevy Trailblazer, you'll understand what I'm talking about.

[shoota77]

I've only had one radar detector and its the 8500 X50. I bought it before I drove from Anchorage back to Boston and it had paid for itself before I left Alaska. It has worked very well and gives me excellent early notice of police presence. The only time I've ever been pulled over with it was when the car I was in got hit by laser (which we got out of)...it was instant notice but I hear once you're hit with laser you're fubar. So, that's all I have to say...it's a great product and it's slightly less expensive than the Valentine which also seems like a fine product. Good luck!

[WyrreJ]

I have the V1 with remote display. I have the main unit mounted over the rear-view mirror and the remote display is hung off the driver-side a-pillar and stuck to the windshield with some kind of tacky clear tape I had at the time. I removed the housing of the remote display so it would be thinner and mount better on the windshield.

The remote is directly at eye level so that when the alarm goes off I can see it and the directional arrows without moving my eyes from the road. I figure this gives me a few 1/10ths of a second faster response time than using the display directly on the main unit.

One day I am also going to wire up the remote audio so that it is the driver's side headrest.

The false laser alarms from neon signs and the trailblazer's 3rd brake are annoying, but rare enough that it is not a big deal for me. I find that the directional arrows are most useful as general "cop locators" so that when I am driving around town, I am aware of their location since they usually leave their radar units on even when not in use.

The bogey counter has saved my *** twice in 3-4 years -- speed traps under "cover" of known false detection zones. Normally the bogey counter reads 1 in those areas, but the times it saved me it read 2 instead so I knew something was up.

[VehiGAZ]

Here's my 2 cents...

Car & Driver magazine tests and compares 5-10 radar detectors every few years, using real-world tests and precision measuring systems, and every single time they do it, the Valentine beats the pants off every competitor. They measure the distance of detection, the offset angle, rear detection, performing these tests on flat roads and on roads with undulations (i.e., radar located over a hill), and a whole bunch more, and multiple times. In all tests and categories, the V1 trounces all comers with detection distances and angles almost TWICE that of the next closest competitor. Let me stress that point... if the second-place detector finds the radar signal at 500-600 feet, the V1 picks it up at about 1000 feet. I don't care who you are and what your detector bias is, that's gotta count for something! It may give more false signals, though - I don't remember the results THAT well - but I figure that's going to come with the territory if it is that much better than the rest. If anyone really, really, really wants to know what issue the last comparison was in, I can check my C/D library, but you'll have to ask nice.

Anyway, I've been impressed with those test results every time I see them. I don't use a detector myself, so I'm not plugging my personal choice. I figure if I get pulled over, I have a fair chance of getting out of the ticket without a detector on the dash, but I am DEFINITELY getting one if I have any kind of detector running. But my recent rash of tickets this year may just change my mind.

As for laser detection, I wouldn't choose based on that. The differences in quality of laser detection are infinitesimal compared to the fact that if the unit is detecting the laser, it's probably too late for you anyway.

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

I've been happy with my Bell 985 which saved my arse quite a few times now. I bought it when the Bell 990 came out because the price dropped on the 985 since it was no longer the newest model...and the only difference between them is the 990 has international radar frequencies installed while the 985 is purely for domestic use.

[autox-racer]

V1 has my vote.

knowing which direction the radar is coming from is important so you can resume your speed once you have passed the source. or telling you if you should not jump on your brakes if behind you.

The laser going off with tail lights usually happens when you are pulling up behind a stopped car... About 20 feet away for my radar height. Is annoying in Detroit were there are a lot of trailblazers, avalanches. however, if you are brave you can program the V1 so the laser is off.

I have programmed mine to have boggy counter on mute volume VS regular volume... Beeps too much in city driving.

My 2 cents.

[VCAMILO]

The Valentine V1 has my Vote. Especially when it can tell where the signals are coming from (front, sides, rear) I have not been stopped onmy 350z yet. It has saved me about 8 times. HATE THE COPS IN AZ! They have nothing better else to do than to set speeding traps. My sportbike its another deal. 5 tickets in 3 years. ARG!

[shoota77]

Vcamilo...for your bike you may want to look into the Solo by escort. It's cordless and has headphone plugs. I'm thinking about getting it for when i ride (which i unfortunately now have to wait for next season to do, lucky arizonians).

http://www.escortradar.com/solo.htm

[VCAMILO]

hey shoota77 the problem is that they sit on the on ramps and pace you on all HOV lanes. Then within 5 mins they have a helicopter on you. :p We have ran from them and helicopters so many times (head towards the airport) thats its not fun anymore just to go for a joy ride. Its so easy to do 90-100mph and feel like you are doing 65mph. I live in the suburbs of Phoenix and I hate it here. I wish I was able to ride like I did in Chicago. When the cops have real jobs and better things to do than user their "cash cow" methods of making revenue. ARG!

yeah v1 works when i drive the 350z Screw the speeding ticket officers!

[shoota77]

wow...thats some intense speed enforcement. i wish i had a bike when i was out in chicago...there's some great roads around there (which surprised me).

[AlaskaVX]

HATE THE COPS IN AZ! They have nothing better else to do than to set speeding traps. My sportbike its another deal. 5 tickets in 3 years. ARG!
HA!! Yeah I lived there for a year, and those cops suck there is SOOOOOOOOOO much else for them to be doing instead of watching traffic. Hell, I had an 11 year old kid pull a gun on me....... but being the Alaskan I am I laughed in his face and kept walking. :cool:

Ohhh the good ol days of 24th St. and Indian School ;)

[transio]

I have had a Passport 8500 for about 3 years. I plan on replacing it with a V1 just because of the amount of feedback saying it's a necessity. I still think the V1 is ugly as sin, though! :D

[Hotsauce]

There's no argument that the V1 is better, but its not a remote, and they don't make a true remote kit for it.

If you're stopped with a V1 on the dash, its an almost garunteed ticket, cops identify this ityem with chronic speeders. Forget about a warning. Forget about stuffing it under the seat as you pull over, this looks like you're hiding a weapon to the officer.

in NY, if you forget your V1 in the car once, its gone, and you have a broken window.


I use the passport remote for these reasons.

John C.

[autox-racer]

I always pull my V1 out of the window when a cop comes speeding up behind me. I have it hard wired and had broke the clip on the "phone" connector by accident. It actually turned out to be a blessing.. can grab the remote and pull down very quick. No need to worry unclipping.

The connector has never come loose with the clip missing.

[transio]

If you're stopped with a V1 on the dash
From what I've heard from V1 supporters, that is a Mathematical impossibility.

[WyrreJ]

From what I've heard from V1 supporters, that is a Mathematical impossibility.


Nah, having it on the dash reduces range, which makes it easier to get popped.

You want it mounted up high for the best range.

Yes I have no sense of humor.

[Tone]

I was able to track two troopers today - one in front of me and one behind and got info which was stronger and a bigger threat. Then I got a 3td bogey count and sure enough, there a third one off to the side - no other detector can identify the location of three sources and which one is the biggest threat.

[autox-racer]

From what I've heard from V1 supporters, that is a Mathematical impossibility.

I was pulled over for cutting across to a street that said no entry. V1 is good but it will not protect you for your own dumbarse.

I got out of my ticket BTW... The cop asked me what kind of vehicle the VX was and I went into the VX saga... Got a warning.

[mbeach]

Week 2.

If a police officer is gunning you with radar at 90* to your direction of travel, he is not at threat. It's called cosine error, and they know that it won't stand up in court.
With few exceptions, the officer to your rear is also not a threat. The largest threat comes directly from the front, in your lane of travel (or at least 0* of it). That's why the V1 puts its biggest antenna up front -that's where the danger is, and that's why the signal is prioritized.

Think about these things for a minute before you run out and get 1995's best radar detector:
1. It is IMPOSSIBLE to range a transmitter of unknown power simply by receiving a signal.
2. It is IMPOSSIBLE to determine the location of a transmitter with a single antenna, unless you're driving around in tiny circles and marking the highs with a nice directional antenna.
3. A radar detector should keep up with advances in technology in its environment:
>Police laser is shot at a wavelength of 904nm. Why do tailights set off the V1 and not any of the 'modern' units? Could Mr. Valentine please improve his IR receiver -they sell them at Radio Shack in the correct frequency.
>Simple programming and operation = safer use while driving. Why do you have to search on some secret corner of Valentine's website to learn how to program your unit? Why do you "program at your own risk?"
>When you are in an accident, everything in your cabin can become a projectile -would you rather get hit with a light, rounded box or a heavy, metal box with pointy corners?
>I'm a big boy -I know the difference between a K-Band 24.150 GHz radar shot and a 24.500 GHz door opener. Please tell me the frequency -don't just give me a single LED and expect me to start following the arrows.

The bottom line is that a (any) quality radar detector will always have the edge over the radar transmitter. It's just plain fact -reception is easier than transmit/receive/calculate/display. That's why we average detection ranges in excess of 8 miles. The police can't write a ticket based on an 8 mile shot -in fact, he'd be hard pressed to gun you more than half-a-mile out.
You pay for the features that make the unit safer, more convenient, more user friendly and better equipped to handle the broad array of RF energy being pumped about today. That means more than just a good antenna (which is fast becoming outpaced by ceaper competitors). Heck, I can build a detector that could sniff a cop's fart in the next county -that doesn't make it the best unit out there though.

I've had both units (I was a chronic speeder for some time), and I just feel far more secure with the 8500. The V1's newness wore off way too quickly for $400, and as my knowledge of the subject grew, I realized the truth about its performance. If you really think that those arrows and the 'bogey counter'/threat priority thingy works, then maybe you should also invest in an RMR jammer -I hear that they are good too. ;)

[transio]

From what I've heard from V1 supporters, that is a Mathematical impossibility.I should have added: ":D :p"

[WyrreJ]

It's called cosine error, and they know that it won't stand up in court.

Knowing the guy's general location is at least as useful as knowing that he is there at all. Even if he can't get a true read of my speed, even if I'm not actually speeding - still would like to know which way he is coming from.


1. It is IMPOSSIBLE to range a transmitter of unknown power simply by receiving a signal.

I'm pretty sure that traffic radar guns are all regulated to have a maximum power rating, which means that you can compare relative distances. Guns that don't use the max power will also have a reduction in range effectiveness. Since no radar detector tries or even claims to tell you the precise distance to the emitter, this lack of precision isn't much of a problem.

2. It is IMPOSSIBLE to determine the location of a transmitter with a single antenna, unless you're driving around in tiny circles and marking the highs with a nice directional antenna.

We are not trying to call in an air strike on the emitter here, we don't need to know the precise direction - front/back or somewhere in between is a huge improvement over "somewhere out there."

>Police laser is shot at a wavelength of 904nm. Why do tailights set off the V1 and not any of the 'modern' units? Could Mr. Valentine please improve his IR receiver -they sell them at Radio Shack in the correct frequency.

Dunno - perhaps red neon has harmonics that are close enough to 904nm that they trigger it, and the other detectors aren't as sensitive? Since your only hope with LIDAR is to pick up "splash" from another car before you are targetted, I'll take the additional sensitivity if the cost is the ocassional false read from an easily identifiable source.

>Simple programming and operation = safer use while driving. Why do you have to search on some secret corner of Valentine's website to learn how to program your unit? Why do you "program at your own risk?"

Last time I checked, all the info was in the manual. You program at your own risk because you are turning off detection of certain frequencies, if you've turned them off you are now at risk of being illuminated and not knowing about it.

>When you are in an accident, everything in your cabin can become a projectile -would you rather get hit with a light, rounded box or a heavy, metal box with pointy corners?

Sure, but I would rather not be hit by anything at all, so am I better off with no radar detector?

>I'm a big boy -I know the difference between a K-Band 24.150 GHz radar shot and a 24.500 GHz door opener. Please tell me the frequency -don't just give me a single LED and expect me to start following the arrows.

I don't know about you, but if I am anywhere close to the speed limit and my detector goes off, my foot hits the brake and then I worry about evaluating the alarm. Telling me the actual frequency won't make much difference after I've already hit the brake.