Lets talk radar detectors

My last one was hard wired into my Mazda and I no longer have the cord. Figured I'd just get a new one so I go to BestBuy. None of them had prices or breakdowns of ability and 1/2 didn't even have display models. Cheapest one was $85 and the top of the line was $550.

They try to justify those prices by claiming that they pick up speed camera. Well hell my $30 10 year old RD could do that. Now adjusting for the inflation that the government says doesn't exist I recon that would cost me $50 today.

I stopped by Ebay to see what the chicoms and "fell out of the back of the truck" Jersey guys had for sale and was overwhelmed by the offerings. I figured I'd come to GRM, the bastion of all things ever needed to know, and find out what you guys have for advice.

So what do you use? Suggest? Not suggest?

V1.

V1x2.

Do you want a radar detector, or a toy?

V1.

Dat arrow.

I use the Escort 9500ix and love it. No arrows but it is smart enough to filter out the noise once it learns your area. It is GPS enabled, which doesn'tmean it can guide you to the nearest Chinese take-out, but it remembers where the motion-sensing doors are and will ignore them after a few passes. It also tells me where the red-light cameras are and I can program in my own speed-traps with the touch of a button. It will tell you which radar band it is receiving (or laser of course), and once you learn the patterns of signals you can tell if they are ahead of you or sneaking up your back door.

It ain't cheap, but it is worth it.

Edit: I've never used a Valentine, I am sure they are the bomb

the advertisements for the V1 really are what it's about ... the front / back arrows and the info about how many radars REALLY REALLY make a difference yeah it cost a bit but well worth it

This thread will boil down to V1 lovers and those who say the highest model Escort/Passport/Bell are just as good. In reality all answers will be passionate and firm believers of the fact they personally made the right choice. I will share my own passionate firm belief.

In 1996 my first V1, bought in 1989, was stolen. I missed it so dearly that I ponied up and bought another right away. This being pre-internet's rise to fame, I called the 1-800 number. I had the unit shipped to my then office in Mich to avoid the Ohio sales tax. When the guy on the other line heard my company name and knew I may be versed in the ways of the 1900mhz spectrum we had a good conversation about my thoughts or experiences with any signal interference with 1900mhz phones falsing my V1. The guy on the line was Mike Valentine himself. It was cool to give direct feedback that mattered as was it good to know the man behind the product answers the phone. He stated that he was filling in for a busy phone day.

Fast forward a number of years and by now I own two V1's because I was tired of switching the unit from the company car to the Miata. One of the units would no longer stick to the windshield. I called to order new suction cups. The call started with a verification of my serial number. This important because V1 has been known to contact original owners when units sent in for repair do not match the name to who it was originally sold. I can not prove it but I have heard that original owners have be reunited with their previously stolen units when those units have been sent if for repair by the new "owner".

But, back to my suction cup order...
After giving my serial number the lady on the other line said, "Mr JRW, do you still live at 1621 Glenbrook?" The suction cups promptly arrived at no charge!
Most recently, I need a cig lighter cord for one of the units and just quickly went to the website and ordered one and got a couple of fresh suction cups while there. Another time I had ordered a new plastic window mount because my negligence crushed the original.

So, lets see, how did this thread start? You need a new cord for your Escort/Passport/Bell but can no longer find one. If I had gone that route I would have had to replace my whole unit 3 times now, instead, I just bought parts. In my opinion that has clearly made the "more expensive" V1 unit the value leader.
YMMV.
https://store.valentine1.com/store/partsdept.asp

V1 is way out of my price range. Other than the arrows its abilities don't differ much from my old Radioshack unit.

I just want something that wont break the bank and still tell me when emergency vehicles and radar/laser is in the area.

Don't bother to get one if you're not going to get arrows and a counter.

Those 2 things alone make the V1 so far ahead of any technology that is out there.

Just save your money to pay for your tickets.

carguy123 wrote: Don't bother to get one if you're not going to get arrows and a counter. Those 2 things alone make the V1 so far ahead of any technology that is out there. Just save your money to pay for your tickets.

Strange I had one for 10 years that worked just fine with out arrows.

Luck?

In a nutshell, here's the deal with the V1 arrows:

When you use one for the first time, within the first half hour on the highway, you will understand why people love the arrows. Within an hour, you won't be able to live without them.

I have had similarly good experience to JRW when it comes to ordering accessories. It's also worth pointing out that you can contact Valentine any time, give them your serial number and they will tell you if the technology has been updated. Your V1 is upgradable to the most current technology.

I don't use one at all. I just watch other drivers and constantly watch the horizon.

One ticket, 10 years ago (I was trying to keep up with a coworker who had the directions)

Cruise control. Don't speed, you don't get caught. Constantly watch for signs warning of speed changes. One time I drove a customer's car that had one. Every automated door, traffic light, or pacemaker I drove by the damn thing beeped at me. Annoying.

Lets say you were shopping for a bullet proof vest. This one, Brand A, was the best on the market, but it cost more than Brand B, which was "almost as good." Which would you choose? Some of us are "Brand A" type of guys. If "almost as good" is good enough for your bullet proof vest, then go for it.

A radar detector is not a bullet proof vest.

Your radar detector is a level 3A Bulletproof vest and lidar is a 50 cal rifle.

You're berkeleyed.

ThePhranc wrote: A radar detector is not a bullet proof vest.

No kidding. I'm not going to die if I get a ticket. I can get 75% of the protection of a V1 or the big-dollar Escorts for 25% of the cost with my Bel.

Any decent modern detector, combined with not driving like an idiot, will help you avoid tickets. The way you drive is a much larger part of it than the brand name on the box on your dash.

I honestly use whatever I can get for cheap at the pawn shop.

Have two cobras that have saved my bacon so to speak, quite a few times.

N Sperlo wrote: Your radar detector is a level 3A Bulletproof vest and lidar is a 50 cal rifle. You're berkeleyed.

So how much do detectors help anymore? I understand that lidar/laser detection is more of a "you've been hit" thing than a "watch out ahead" thing.

With revenue-generators getting new toys all the time, how many jurisdictions are still on radar, and how quickly is that changing?

When they have a trap set up down the road, and you get the signal two miles in advance (and know what it's telling you), yes, they help. The one I have also has the Safety Warning System enabled, but apparently it is not n use around here. The SWS is supposed to alert you when there is a work zone, pursuit vehicle or emergency vehicle in the area or other road hazards. That seems like a cool feature to me.

peter wrote:

N Sperlo wrote: Your radar detector is a level 3A Bulletproof vest and lidar is a 50 cal rifle. You're berkeleyed.

So how much do detectors help anymore? I understand that lidar/laser detection is more of a "you've been hit" thing than a "watch out ahead" thing. With revenue-generators getting new toys all the time, how many jurisdictions are still on radar, and how quickly is that changing?

I've lived about 90 miles north of L.A. for about five years now, and I've seen one highway patrol car - ONE - using LIDAR. He generally parks on the same overpass, at the same time, once every few months, and guns the traffic passing by underneath. Generally, the radar/LIDAR detector lets you know that you just got zapped, or that the car just in front of you did. If the latter, you have about two seconds to respond, so not speeding through that section of highway is the best idea.

There are a LOT of highway patrol around here, thanks to the proximity to several cop shops. Nearly all of them roll with the Ka going full-blast. A few will use the instant-on feature. In the desert, my V1 sees them about 3-5 miles away. In the mountains, it's touch-and-go, of course.

If I could buy the combination of the GPS features of the latest Escort with the interface of the V1, I would. My hat is off to both companies.

drmike wrote: If I could buy the combination of the GPS features of the latest Escort with the interface of the V1, I would. My hat is off to both companies.

V1+ Radaractive phone app.

I just polish and wax my corvette. It makes the stuff bounce off of my car. No tickets, here.

ThePhranc wrote:

carguy123 wrote: Don't bother to get one if you're not going to get arrows and a counter. Those 2 things alone make the V1 so far ahead of any technology that is out there. Just save your money to pay for your tickets.

Strange I had one for 10 years that worked just fine with out arrows. Luck?

Egg berkeleying zactly. I buy the cheapest Radio Shack models you can get. Why the berkeley would I need to know if the cop...or cash register is in front of, or behind me?

I leave mine on "highway mode" and unless I'm in a parking lot, it doesn't pick up anything but radar.

Unless the new Valentines pick up laser before you're getting popped with it, all it is is a great example of diminishing returns.

YMMV.

Tangentially related - does anyone know the max range on a lidar unit? I use situational awareness and knowing my local roads and the enforcer's habits together with usually setting the cruise, but I'd like to know what distance lidar is good at since the police here in NYS seem to all be equipped with those units.