so i have been doing a bit of research into radar detectors. I was wondering if any of you have any experience with them as all the reviews I read are split between the V-1, Beltronics sti, and the Passport 9500. I really like the "boogey count" and arrows on the V-1 and there is a general consensus that it still has the best laser detection, how ever false alarms are crazy on it, the passport seem to reduce false alarms but sensitivity is lacking... i dont know much about the sti but some people say its the best. if any one has any input it would be appreciated, i dont mind false alarms as long as I get great protection... ill learn where the false alarms are, thanks for your input.

 

sometime in the past 1-2 years i did a free trial with the passport. they had something where you can buy the detector but if you're not satisfied you can return it within 30 days for a refund (minus shipping). so i guess maybe it wasn't a free trial really.

This is what i found out though: after using the detector for about 21-26 days, i did not get a SINGLE useful alarm. i got several dozen false alarms though. during that time period i also drove my car on a road trip from san diego to san francisco. anyway, i came to a realization that i didn't really need a radar detector after that, and i opted to return mine. if any of the manufacturers offer something like i described, i think you should try that one. if you're like me, you might change your mind about having a detector.

 

i have a bel rx-65, got it like 2 years ago for $330. To this day, its still one of the best models out. It's literally saved my life multiple times. MANY situations are unavoidable, but there's probably been about a dozen times where it's warned me of a cop maybe a mile or just a few hundred feet down the road, and given me time to adjust or slow down as necessary. definitely a good investment. which model you choose depends entirely on your personal budget. Because in the end *they all do the same thing* (pretty much...). And there are false alarms no matter which model you get. But like you said you learn where they are so you know which is false and what's not.
PS: Sorry i can't type, im really freakin tired today lol

 

get yourself the most reliable detector and hard wire it into your car...give it a stealthy look

 

been running 7500's the last 10yrs and it has been very good.
that's wat i run in my FitSport.

a few years ago i got a V1. definitely a nice unit. the arrows is
what makes it most useful.

you can have the most reliable detector but if you can't tell
where the signal is coming from it's only half effective, imho.
once you use a v1, you'll know wat i mean. i run them on my
hobby cars.

if you have metalized tint though, dont waste too much
money on a detector cause it's not going to be as effective.
thus why im just using a hand-me-down 7500 from my other
car.

oh yah, forgot to add one thing... don't think you're invincible
just because you have a radar detector. most of the time
the cop will nowa days use laser and zap you telling you
he gotcha before he turns on his lights. lol

drive safe and be a responsible driver. for me, the V1 is
merely a conversation piece.

 

yeah i never exsessively speed... unless i soo no cars for liek a mile on strait road in perfect conditions... but i dont obay the posted limits to a T, im not one of those weave in nd out of traffic types... i left that me in high school

 

I bought myself a V1 for christmas as a present to myself and i must say that i love mine. The false alarms depend on what mode you are using on it. There are 3 modes of use. Correct me if im wrong but i beleive they are called all, logic, and pro logic. I cant remember cause i only use pro logic. Each mode does different things. All (if thats the name) gives a chirp at everything that it finds. In other words its almost constantly going off in an urban environment. Logic uses the internal computer more and gets rid of some of the false alarms. Last but not least there is pro logic which i always use cause it relys on the computer and decides if it is a false alarm or not. Typically it will chirp once and if it is followed by a off the wall chirp and flashes J its a junk detector from anouther car. If it chirps and you dont get the wierd tone and the J then its a cop and adjust if needed. Imo with the arrows it is the best detector out there. There have been many occasions where it has warned me of something and i slow down and then get impatient and will speed back up because i think its a false alarm but then down the road a bit there will be a cop. It really picks cops out from afar. The shipping is quick, it has all the pieces you will need to wire it in and many variations to the wiring, and a huge booklet on how to work it. Also you can check the site with the serial number and it will let you know if there is an update to it and you can send it in to be updated for a small fee so it never gets outdated. Sorry to be long winded but imo there isnt a better detector. I have lent mine to many of my friends for a day or two and they have thrown there old ones away and ordered V1's. Thats my take on it. Good luck with whatever you decide on.

Joshua

 

thank you for your reply. its good to hear that my suspisions bout it are true... the arrows kick ass... now i just need 400 bucks lol any one wanna give me that? lol

 

Pffft, detectors

You guys need Jammers!

YouTube - Blinder laser jammer M25/M45 test video

 

yeah but those get u arested... lol ill save that for if i do a cross country ralley lol

 

I have the Escort Passport 8500 X50 and it has worked so many times. You just have to know how to read it, but that goes with any radar detector. I have been told many different things about other radar detectors and it all seems like people stick with what they have or had and what those close to them have told them. I think you would like the Passport.

 

Yeah I am just picturing how that might go.....

Officer: "Do you know why I pulled you over?"
Me: "No, was I speeding *snicker*"
Officer: "Well I think you were doing about 20 over the limit, that is a 250$ fine around here, but I couldn't read the speed of your vehical"
Me: "Oh really, that is too bad... well then I guess I will be on my way now"
Officer: "Not so fast, hand over the 650$ jammer and here is a notice to appear in court for obstruction of justice and illegal use of jamming equipment, I suggest you bring a lawyer because there is a good chance you will do jail time without one"
Me: Awwww really?
Officer: NO! but you should have seen the look on your face!!

 

Bottom line, if you plan often using a detector where they are illegal (Virginia, DC, and some parts of Canada), get the STI. If not get the Valentine. I've been using Valentines for years. Their radar and laser detection is unequaled and they are the only ones that have Boogey Counters and the arrows and they offer upgrades as improvements are made.

 

i actualy did sum research on jammers.. and laser jammers are perfectly legal in most states.... radar jammers are illegal everywhere... i still rly like the V-1 the arrows sell me.. also most of my driving is on back roads not highway so laser is not a big issue right now... even if i get a ticket im pretty confident in my ability to get out of it...

 

I thought of a jammer aswell but for the money the V1 works well enough and with the left over money i bought a Fujita short ram and a Megan racing header. haha. I guess its all how you look at it but imo the money is better used other places. Thats just me though. If you were closer i would let you borrow mine for a weekend to try out but im not driving all the way up there to show you how well it works. haha. Sorry. LOL!!!

Joshua

 

but come on its only what 18 hours each way! lol its cool, im pretty much convinced on the V-1 now i just need to get some cash... knda hard while im at school... will probably have to wait till the summer! thank you guys for your input!

 

I dont think its 18 hours from NC to NYC. Maybe you are thinking im in Wisconsin right now. huh? Imo the V1 is the best bang for your buck but again thats my opinion. Its crazy but as the saying goes once you live with the arrows and bogey counter you will never go back. When i am riding with friends that have junk detectors it drives me insane. I typically take mine out and transfer to whatever car im in, mine or someone elses, so its there to use. Junk detectors drive me insane. haha. I even take it with me when i am flying around for work in case i need to rent a car. LOL. Thats just how i am though. Im a speeder from hell and the V1 has proved itself so now i feel naked without it.

 

nice to know it works well! i cant wait to get one!... ill get the laser jammer after that eventualy... like when i actualy start driving on the highway...

 

OK, first, I am trying to find a thread with instructions on running cables up the A-pillar so I can mount my Valentine by the rear view mirror on my 08. Any ideas? Still searching...

Now, onto the detector opinion. As for me, I have run into enough shady cops in a few states to know that there are times that they just want to make their quota (or something like "customer contacts" or something like that) and are willing to pull some stupid crap to get it. Strangely, I never have problems when driving on the military base I work at, and I don't typically have issues with highway patrol (they seem realistic, but also have some lame speedtraps). My WRX made me a fun target for being paced by local PD (never county sheriffs as they seem to do real work) and it wasn't fun.

Originally, I had an Escort 8500 that I loved and it got stolen. After that, I got the Escort SR7 which has remote RADAR and LIDAR sensors with a brain and display that stay inside. Both of these detectors were in my 2002 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS (that we still have).

When I got my WRX, I bought it specifically to autocross in STX class, and I didn't want to start loading it down with a lot of stuff. So, having heard about the V1 for years and seeing their improvements on Ka (vast majority of what's used here) I thought I'd give it a shot. It's hard to explain how cool those arrows are without using it for a while on your own. This is especially useful when driving in wide-open areas (such as AZ, where I live) where I can get a warning around 2 miles in advance on both units, only to find out that a trooper is behind the Subaru and that I got a lucky bounce off of an oncoming large truck. The V1 is also useful for picking up wolfpacks and unmarked vehicles as it will display the source orientation with respect to you.