Radar Detectors

K Williams · Jul 27, 2003

I currently have a Bel Express 946, and I'm planning on upgrading to a better model. My choices are the Escort 8500, the Valentine 1 and the Bel Vector 985. Any comments or recommendations are welcome. Thanks in advance.

K Williams · Jul 27, 2003

I just did a search on Bladeforums and found a website that I posted(and later lost when my favorite places were deleted) that has radar detectors.

http://www.radartest.com

SIFU1A · Jul 28, 2003

i drive a corvette and have tried cobra,beltronics,whistler (all top of the line units) and my valentine 1 is so much better its not even close.

*they repair them forever if they break, have a ti body, unlike others w/a plastic. that cracked on all my other detectors after a yr or so, from falling/etc cuz of the rough ride my car has.

*they will update your V1 for a MINOR fee

*directional warning and number of "bogies" unlike others (doesnt sound imp till ya use/compare, and then it makes a lot of diff)

*much better at falses (ie if the V1 goes off K or Ka band, slow down, it is 9 times outta 10 the police, ESP. Ka band)

nothing works very well on laser, but not many use it in this neck of the woods anyway, cops dont like it as ya cant be moving, cop car has to be stationary (maybe not on some VERY new units)

if ya NEED a radar detector, get the V1, they are the best going, no doubt about it, worth every penny, i have 2 of them.

greg

SIFU1A · Jul 28, 2003

and car and driver did a test a yr or so ago, V1 vs about 5 other brands, the V1 scored a 92 IIRC, the next nearest was a 70 something.

not even close

Warthog · Jul 28, 2003

Valentine 1, hands down.

Wish they were legal in VA

Hotrod · Jul 30, 2003

Cough... wart... cough... I've heard about guys using them hidden inside the dash, but I've also heard of radar detector detectors...

Valentine one all the way, others you can do is drive a car with a backswept radiator, ie Corvettes. Radar bounces, if you can get it to deflect up... it helps.

Wish I still had all my favorites, at somepoint they got whiped out, coulda helped yall out on some of these topics

Dcon67 · Jul 31, 2003

Valentine 1, no contest. I have had mine about 4 years now, it is the best detector I have ever used or seen. Its a little bit on the large size, but thats my only complaint...No comparsion with the others in performance.

K Williams · Jul 31, 2003

Thanks for all the replies. I just ordered an Escort 8500. I feel that it will be better for motorcycle & car use. I guess one of these days I might buy a Valentine 1(or borrow my brother's

).

Sid Post · Aug 1, 2003

I don't drive a sports car and I don't drive at wildly excessive speeds. I want to avoid the rural revenue collectors interested in out of town money not in public safety.

I have found the Escort units I have owned over the years to be very good at this level of warning. They are also cost effective and beat the heck out of mass market offerings in general.