arsmtts Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 After my first trip on the road to visit my in-laws, I realized that I took a huge gamble on getting a speeding ticket. I underestimated how smooth and fast my GS400 really is. I clocked 110 mph and the car was even breathing hard! With that in mind, does anyone have a GOOD radar detector that can be recommended? Please advise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BA. Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 I think the BIG THREE are: (in no specific order!) 1. Valentine 1 2. Escort 8500 3. BEL 980/990 series Seems like everyone else is behind those 3. Valentines' are expensive...... Thought not my reference point for the list,....here's a couple of useful links. http://www.radarbusters.com/support/produc...uct-tests/2.asp http://www.escortstore.com/ http://www.radartest.com/ All this research makes me think I need to get an upgrade!!! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKperformance Posted July 31, 2003 Share Posted July 31, 2003 i have heard great things and seen tests by sport compact car and car and driver showing the valentine always on top just it is $$$$$ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davematthews-S4 Posted July 31, 2003 Share Posted July 31, 2003 There is absolutely NO comparing the Valentine One with any other radar. Have had mine for 4 years and works GREAT! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E Dawg Posted July 31, 2003 Share Posted July 31, 2003 There is absolutely NO comparing the Valentine One with any other radar. Have had mine for 4 years and works GREAT! How much does the Valentine One run for $$ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OregonTexass Posted July 31, 2003 Share Posted July 31, 2003 Escort every time. Have had mine for probably 8 years now...its paid for itself time and time and time again without fail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsebastian Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 there are quite a few options and everyone has their favs. short of spending the big bucks and getting something like the valentine, i would check into specific features you are interested in and plan on spending atleast $100. do you want a larger display, or just the small lights? do you want your detector to tell you the band with voice or just audio tones? i've had several detectors and personally have found simpler alert display/audio to be actually less distracting while driving. for example, i picked one up for my gs with the voice and larger visual display, but found that tones are easier for me to pick up when i'm blasting my music than the voice. also the display, though big and with the actual name of the band displayed is always in red, seems harder for me to pick up out of the corner of my eye compared to the color differentiated small led display. another thing to consider will be the placement of your detector. i've got mine right next to the rearview mirror, i usually mount them on top of the mirror, but the gs doesn't allow for enough room. this lets me to check behind me and the detector every few seconds or as needed. i also had my local car audio shop "hard" wire the detector which has two benefits, the wire runs along the window and is completely out of sight (being up and out of sight makes the detector less likely to be stolen as well). two, it starts up with the car and you don't have to plug it into your cig lighter. once you've had one for a while, it's almost second nature when you get an alert you start to look around and figure out where there could be a police car. the biggest thing to keep in mind, they are not fool proof by any means and the best tool you have are your eyes! whatch out for blind spots that could be traps, check your mirrors, always take a peak way ahead of you for a cop on the side of the highway, and lastly watch overpasses and onramps, as they are great places for smokey to catch you speeding. that's a little more than you asked, but i thought it'd be helpful in your selection process. with my dectector and following the guidelines above, i haven't had a ticket in like 10 years (knock on wood) and i drive with a very heavy foot B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKperformance Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 hey that is some pretty good info i never thought of it like that or that much but the display definatly makes sense i thought the sun shade reflector might have caused an issue as it reflects some of the bands ( i think) i know it can have issues with alarm transmitter ant up there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OregonTexass Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 Here, take it from some experts: http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=1024 They tested what appears to be most brands of radar detectors. Only 3 models in the entire test received perfect scores on ALL tests. Its on page 3. Valentine is on page 4 by the way. The Escort line up (8500, SR7 and SRX) all received the highest scores. 'Nuff said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsebastian Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 any tint with metal in it can effect your radar, alarm, even your nav system. i haven't had any problems with that aspect and even have metallic tint on all windows. not that i have really been able to test it, but i'd assume that my detector still gets decent reception through the rear window tint since it's gone off with smokey coming up behind me. one more tip on keepnig a good eye out, most highway patrol (at least here in ca) go about 70-75 when they're cruising. so on the highways i tend to go about 80-85 and check my mirror alot, but more so i check for what's ahead of me, since i'm usually going faster than any cruising cop and will see them ahead of me. when doing this, always be careful of a "herd" of cars, as there can easily be a cop in there. remember to drive safe, fast yes, but safe and enjoy whatever detector you get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BA. Posted August 2, 2003 Share Posted August 2, 2003 FYI>>>> www.radartest.com is owned by Peterson Publishing company, so, those are the guys printing the mags where we read the tests in the first place like Motor Trend, Car & Driver, etc. (that type of magazine) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arsmtts Posted August 2, 2003 Author Share Posted August 2, 2003 My thanks to all opinions and replies. Where's the best place to purchase either detector and what kind of budget am I going to have to make it for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arsmtts Posted August 7, 2003 Author Share Posted August 7, 2003 So where is the best place to get these and how much is it going to set me back for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsxtcy Posted August 8, 2003 Share Posted August 8, 2003 Do some searching on the internet. I purchased my 8500 for $260 shipped. I couldn't justify the additional expense for the V1. They are both good detectors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arsmtts Posted August 9, 2003 Author Share Posted August 9, 2003 Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sc400 Tuner Posted August 9, 2003 Share Posted August 9, 2003 Nothing compares to a valentine one if you ask me, it has saved me too many times to count, and it doesnt drive me crazy driving around town. It hardly EVER false alrams, It is $400 though, but you get what you pay for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arsmtts Posted September 5, 2003 Author Share Posted September 5, 2003 On top of use of one of the recommended dectors here, anyone know where you can get a "laser defuser"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arsmtts Posted September 6, 2003 Author Share Posted September 6, 2003 Never mind. I got an offer to get a "K40" license plate defuser and based on some of the reviews I've read, it's not worth the investment. Bottom line is, don't speed in a speed trap by yourself. Make sure you aren't the only one traveling above the speed limit since typically cops can shoot their laser gun one car at a time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trocks797 Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 I tell you what. I purchased a Whistler 1743 at Meijer for $70. I know it may be weaker than some, but that thing picks up from FAR AWAY! It was going off because of a cop that was nearly 3 exits away! The detector also has features taht arent mentioned. It dectects that "pulse" thing out now (even tho the manual doesnt mention it). It doesnt have a full icon display like the manual says, rather, it has an icon and number display. The numbers go from 1-9 in closeness. It also shows P when pulse is detected and says "K-Band Pulse!" It talks and has more features I like. It auto-lowers when it beeps for more than 5 seconds. After about 5 seconds, the beeping (and voice) lowers to a non-annoying level. VERY COOL. Even cooler, can make sure you are awake by randomly saying "Stay alert" and you have to press any button to make sure u arent falling asleep. It receives all the lasers, bands, and even traffic and emergency signals. It has seperate K and Ka readout. It has 1 highway and 2 city modes. It is the coolest (and really dependable) radar I have ever owned! just my 2 cents... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalokb Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 Passport 8500 X50 is the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdwtexas Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 After my first trip on the road to visit my in-laws, I realized that I took a huge gamble on getting a speeding ticket. I underestimated how smooth and fast my GS400 really is. I clocked 110 mph and the car was even breathing hard! With that in mind, does anyone have a GOOD radar detector that can be recommended? Please advise. ← Yeah man I got the K40 superwideband with sensors on the front and rear bumper and it is totally awesome. It has like a 2-3 mile range, great on the highways. It does pickup alot of microwaves in the city though, and wal-marts too. I always tell everybody when they ask "what is that beeping noise?" I say, oh that's my wal-mart detector, see theres one right over there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evelynvang Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 I got a Solo S2 and it works really good. (It also looks good to match my cars exterior color.) And I got it for $333.33 at Best Buy. I'll never get behind the wheel without a detector. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboGS300 Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 I got a Solo S2 and it works really good. (It also looks good to match my cars exterior color.) And I got it for $333.33 at Best Buy. I'll never get behind the wheel without a detector. ← Do you use batteries or plug it in? I've heard it's alot more sensitive if you plug it in to the lighter or hardwire a cord in! I had the original solo and I was not happy with it, I got a WHISTLER (walmart one) cause it was cheap and as a joke. that thing picks up every cop around B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKperformance Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 moved to general discussions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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