Not quite car audio, but who can pass up a discussion on RADAR DETECTORS?!

Ronald Epstein · 07-24-2003, 07:09 PM

I don't know why I felt I needed a radar detector
in the first place. I am not a compulsive speeder
like I used to be. I would imagine that once most
of us hit middle age, we tend to drive more like
law-abiding citizens.

Nevertheless, I own a yellow car (see below) that
sticks out like a sore thumb, and I'm sure that
I'm noticed by a lot of cops. Though I only excel
the speed limit by 10 MPH, I still would like to
avoid any tickets.

Have done a lot of research on these things over
the past 3 days. I even bought one, just to return
it a day later for something more expensive.

It seems that the BIG DADDIES of the Radar Detector
gamut are the Escort and Valentine One.
These sell for about $400 each, and are regarded as
the very best of the best.

At first, I didn't want to spend that kind of money.
I went out to Circuit City yesterday and purchased
the Bel Vector 985 which has gotten very
good reviews. It is considered one of the top
performers amongst radar detectors. Final cost
was about $300.

But you know what? For the past 24 hours since
that purchase, I couldn't sleep. If I truly want
the BEST protection, and I am willing to spend
$300 for it, why not go another $100 and buy the
one that is MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

My choice? The Valentine One. It can
be only ordered via its website. It has been rated
as the best Radar Detector in its price range.
Not only does its sensitivity surpass all others,
but it offers REAR protection as well. To top
that off, it is the ONLY detector that has arrows
that tell you EXACTLY where the radar is coming
from.

I returned my $300 Bel Vector 985 and ordered the
Valentine One. It should arrive early next
week.

Hope to hear some comments from Valentine owners
as well as owners of other detectors and how you
rate their performance.

Karl_Luph · 07-24-2003, 09:01 PM

Great topic Ronald, this will get alot of interest! I've had a Passport 8500 for about a year now that I use everyday. Not that I'm a big speeder, I just like it to keep me informed and to watch other people zip past me and watch them get pulled over. Have yet to see the safety/hazard warning feature kick in. The only problem I've encountered with this unit is the power cord has a feature built into the plug that goes into the lighter socket. The feature allows you to mute the alarm with a push of a little button. This doesn't seem to be working anymore. I haven't tried opening it up to see if it's a fuse that can be replaced or what. I can still use the mute button on the detector to silence it though. Valentine makes a fantastic little unit but costs more. If you have the extra money the Valentine looks like the better unit according to the tests.

Seth_L · 07-24-2003, 10:57 PM

V1 all the way. My buddy has one and it's quite impressive. I run detectorless myself.

Kevin Farley · 07-25-2003, 11:53 AM

I used to have a passport in the 80's (Valentine-designed) I remember Car and Driver running tests and asking "Can't anyone come within 20 miles of Escort/Passport's quality? This is embarassing." Valentine left Escort/Passport, so I don't know what their quality level is at now vs. Valentine, but I'd head in his direction. My Passport was fun, I used to go hunting for radar traps!

I only have a camry 4 cyl these days, so not much point in getting one for now... I'll probably get a Valentine next though...

David Preston · 07-26-2003, 07:58 AM

I have a radar detector but I haven't seen it in a while. I let my friend borrow it to see if it would cut down on his speeding tickets. I have been driving 10 years with no speeding tickets(knock on wood) and I have driven some pretty fast cars. He is 23 and has had about 18 or 19 speeding tickets. He wasn't using it the other day when he got a 87 in a 65. So I really don't know if it works. I consider myself the luckiest person in the world when it comes to speeding tickets. Not that I do it excessively. I always leave myself plenty of time and tell myself to go the speed limit.

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Parker Clack · 07-26-2003, 09:42 AM

Ron:

Looks like you picked another winner. For those that don't have the link to this great detector check out here.

Parker

Mathew Shelby · 07-26-2003, 11:28 AM

I have the cordless version of the Passport 8500. I don't drive a particularly fast car (Chevy Blazer, ok, so it's not fast at all) but people tell me I have a lead foot I am very pleased with it, but it should be time to upgrade soon.

Karl_Luph · 07-26-2003, 07:05 PM

David, I'm surprised your friend still has his driver's license with that many speeding tickets lol! His car insurance must be astronomical.

Jesse Sharrow · 07-27-2003, 10:21 AM

Well I work at ultimate electronics in the mobile electronics department. We sell escort. I have never used one... but my buddy has an 8500 and seems to be very happy with it. But I never knew that the valentine was the only detector with front and rear... i thought the escort had that too.

As far as tickets go.. ive been pretty lucky too. I have had a ton of warnings for some bad stuff too. Running from a cop, wreckless driving, street racing, speeding... etc. All were warnings.

Martin Fontaine · 07-27-2003, 09:35 PM

Aren't radar detectors illegal?

David Preston · 07-28-2003, 04:50 AM

Karl my friend has already had them suspended twice. He is working real hard on the third time. He is 24 not 23(sorry) and his parents pay for everything so he don't know how much it is. He will turn 25 in Jan and he has to get his own Ins. He is in for a rude awakening.