[Atsnow]

Originally Posted by CRZ410S

So does my Escort. Also tells you what band so you can diagnose the likelihood of a false.

Additionally, for example, you are heading Northbound. The officer is sitting Southbound shooting the Northbound lane. The V1 (and Escort) will receive front and rear readings especially if there are bridges, over passes, or lots of trees for the radar to reflect off. So the front/rear reading is not always so helpful.

It is really a matter of opinion. Both are top quality products.

There is a lot of good info at www.radartest.com, www.radarbusters.com, and www.escortradar.com/reviews.htm. Happy Shopping.

thanks
good info

[Winston Wolf]

www.guysoflidar.com

[nmcampbell]

Update:

My V1 saved my ass today. I had two tickets from my prior car in 6 months. Went to traffic school on the first one so I've got one on my record. Got another right after I got the 335, in late January. Today, it worked like a charm and picked up a motorcycle cop with his little radar gun well before he had me.

[Atsnow]

Originally Posted by nmcampbell

Update:

My V1 saved my ass today. I had two tickets from my prior car in 6 months. Went to traffic school on the first one so I've got one on my record. Got another right after I got the 335, in late January. Today, it worked like a charm and picked up a motorcycle cop with his little radar gun well before he had me.

good for you

after reading a @**!load of information and tests etc.
I've decided on either the Escorts Passport 8500 X50 or 9500i as the detector that will work best for my requirements

thanks all for your help

[CRZ410S]

I think you made a good choice! You should be very happy!

[328i]

Originally Posted by jackb

good for you

after reading a @**!load of information and tests etc.
I've decided on either the Escorts Passport 8500 X50 or 9500i as the detector that will work best for my requirements

thanks all for your help

Altough I would recommend the V1 over both, I'd get the Escort x50 over the 9500i, the 9500i is less sensitive and can ignore a real radar signal under certain circumstances.

Also, the V1 has a remote display available allowing you to mount it stealthy which is a huge plus if it's illegal in your area.

As for people saying their V1 has too many falses...isn't that a good thing? To mean it means it's much more sensitive and will give you a warning earlier than others.

[Lassaxi]

Originally Posted by 328i

As for people saying their V1 has too many falses...isn't that a good thing? To mean it means it's much more sensitive and will give you a warning earlier than others.

I couldn't disagree more. Falses are the #1 reason why I've dumped the V1 twice. It is simply too sensitive. It picks up every door opener, alarm system, radio controlled airplane, cordless phone, power line and sunspot within a 5 mile radius. Damn thing falsed so much, I was starting to think that it was picking up the earth's background radiation.

I really don't have anything positive to say about the V1. I really wanted to like it. Mike Valentine is a great guy, and the original Escort and Passport he designed for CM are two of the greatest detectors ever made. But the V1 is oversized, overpriced, and not very impressive.

Moreover, I don't know why so many people think they need to have a detector with the maximum possible range. A 5 mile detection range is of no value to anyone. You need 1-2 miles of range AT MOST. Besides, your eyes are your best line of defense. A radar detector should really be backup.

[CRZ410S]

Originally Posted by Lassaxi

I couldn't disagree more. Falses are the #1 reason why I've dumped the V1 twice. It is simply too sensitive. It picks up every door opener, alarm system, radio controlled airplane, cordless phone, power line and sunspot within a 5 mile radius. Damn thing falsed so much, I was starting to think that it was picking up the earth's background radiation.

I really don't have anything positive to say about the V1. I really wanted to like it. Mike Valentine is a great guy, and the original Escort and Passport he designed for CM are two of the greatest detectors ever made. But the V1 is oversized, overpriced, and not very impressive.

Moreover, I don't know why so many people think they need to have a detector with the maximum possible range. A 5 mile detection range is of no value to anyone. You need 1-2 miles of range AT MOST. Besides, your eyes are your best line of defense. A radar detector should really be backup.

+1 If your detector falses too frequently you begin to ignore it!!

[328i]

Originally Posted by Lassaxi

I couldn't disagree more. Falses are the #1 reason why I've dumped the V1 twice. It is simply too sensitive. It picks up every door opener, alarm system, radio controlled airplane, cordless phone, power line and sunspot within a 5 mile radius. Damn thing falsed so much, I was starting to think that it was picking up the earth's background radiation.

I really don't have anything positive to say about the V1. I really wanted to like it. Mike Valentine is a great guy, and the original Escort and Passport he designed for CM are two of the greatest detectors ever made. But the V1 is oversized, overpriced, and not very impressive.

Moreover, I don't know why so many people think they need to have a detector with the maximum possible range. A 5 mile detection range is of no value to anyone. You need 1-2 miles of range AT MOST. Besides, your eyes are your best line of defense. A radar detector should really be backup.

Which version of the Valentine did you have? From my understanding the newer versions give off less falses. And there are also different modes that allow you the detector to be quiet or silent for weak signals caused by door openers, banks, etc.

[E92Vancouver]

Originally Posted by jackb

Hey guys
I want to buy a radar detector , but I do not know much about them
I would like to get some recommendations on what you’re using and what you believe is best and why,

The only two requirement that I have is that the unit can be mounted stealthy , and be very efficient with lasers

Thanks

*edit*
Also what is the best online source for buying?

There are only 2 detectors to consider. The Escort X50 (same internals as the Bel RX65) and the Valentine.

Both are good and users will swear by both of them. Read the reports, do your research and decide.

Here is my install for the Passport X50:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=111583

[E92Vancouver]

Originally Posted by Lassaxi

I couldn't disagree more. Falses are the #1 reason why I've dumped the V1 twice. It is simply too sensitive. It picks up every door opener, alarm system, radio controlled airplane, cordless phone, power line and sunspot within a 5 mile radius. Damn thing falsed so much, I was starting to think that it was picking up the earth's background radiation.

I really don't have anything positive to say about the V1. I really wanted to like it. Mike Valentine is a great guy, and the original Escort and Passport he designed for CM are two of the greatest detectors ever made. But the V1 is oversized, overpriced, and not very impressive.

Moreover, I don't know why so many people think they need to have a detector with the maximum possible range. A 5 mile detection range is of no value to anyone. You need 1-2 miles of range AT MOST. Besides, your eyes are your best line of defense. A radar detector should really be backup.

Your eyes are your best line of defense for laser. I speed at night as cops only use laser during the day. When you speed, make sure you have a blocker. Someone in front of you. I follow speeding cars and use them as a rabbit. When the gun hits them, my radar picks up the signal and I hit the brakes. Works like a charm. Stay back about 600 feet. Keep him in sight.

[Atsnow]

here's a nice clean install I'm thinking of mimicking
http://www.audiworld.com/tech/elec102.shtml

I've already ordered the sunglass tray to put my Sirius Starbase receiver and I could probably fit the lights in there as well

[RaDaRkInG]

Nothing beats the Valentine One in radar and laser detection.

http://guysoflidar.com/august-2007/r...ctor-test.html

[Lassaxi]

Originally Posted by 328i

Which version of the Valentine did you have? From my understanding the newer versions give off less falses. And there are also different modes that allow you the detector to be quiet or silent for weak signals caused by door openers, banks, etc.

I've owned 2. My frist was around 1998-1999 timeframe. At first I thought the arrows and bogey counter were nifty, and I loved driving around town watching the bogey counter go up and down. The novelty wore off quickly, and I came to realize that neither feature made much sense. For example, who cares how many bogeys are out there? If there's a true speedtrap, you need to slow down. If not, you don't. It doesn't make any difference if there are 3 cops and 2 door openers, or 1 cop and 4 door openers. Similarly, the arrows don't really give you any useful information either. It doesn't make any difference whether the cop is in front of you, next to you, or behind you. If he's close enough to clock you, you need to slow down. If he's not, you don't.

I kept my first V1 for about 6 months, and sold it for a Passport 7500 because of the falsing problem. The 7500 had no falsing problem, but it didn't pick up much real radar either, so I sold that after having it for about 18 months for a newer V1, which I understood was supposed to have updated logic programming to reduce false alarms. I figured at the time that, coming from the 7500, I'd rather deal with the falses than have a detector that didn't alert me to real radar signals. Boy was I wrong.

I sold my second V1 after 4 months because the falses just drove me mad. In all-bogeys mode and logic mode, the thing just beeped incessantly. I drove around most of the day with at least one bogey in the bogey counter. And, in advanced logic mode, the falsing was much better, but the sensitivity was almost as poor as my old 7500.

So, I sold the second V1, and bought a Passport 8500, which is easily the best radar detector I've ever owned. It gives me plenty of warning for real speed traps, generally stays quiet when there aren't any, and doesn't bombard me with usless information like bogeys and arrows.

[Lassaxi]

Originally Posted by RaDaRkInG

Nothing beats the Valentine One in radar and laser detection.

http://guysoflidar.com/august-2007/r...ctor-test.html

That depends on who you believe.

For example, radartest.com would disagree with you: http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=9090

Speedzones.com observed that the V1's logic and advanced logic modes did little to reduce falses, whereas the Passport 9500 turned in excellent false alarm performence: http://www.speedzones.com/false-alerts.html

Radarbusters.com found the Passport 8500 and 9500, and the BEL STi tied in virtually all metrics with the V1, and rated both Passports above the V1 in false alarm filtering: http://www.radarbusters.com/brandtestingarticle.cfm

Myradardetector.com shows the Passport and V1 basically tied, with each winning some of the categories (and the BEL RX65 winning some too): http://www.myradardetector.com/compare_all.htm

And, Motor Trend seemed to prefer the Passport 8500 over the V1 and the BEL 985 by a very slim margin: http://www.motortrend.com/features/m...expensive.html

[Richwm]

Valentine One
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35659

[Atsnow]

Originally Posted by CRZ410S

I think you made a good choice! You should be very happy!

Thanks

Originally Posted by Hester

Thats nothing - last night, a D.J. saved my life!

Originally Posted by 328i

As for people saying their V1 has too many falses...isn't that a good thing? To mean it means it's much more sensitive and will give you a warning earlier than others.

Too many false means it will be annoying and I'll start ignoring it , or trow it out the window

Originally Posted by RaDaRkInG

Nothing beats the Valentine One in radar and laser detection.

http://guysoflidar.com/august-2007/r...ctor-test.html

depends on who you ask

Originally Posted by Richwm

Valentine One
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35659

Ok I guess , but to big for my taste and detones with the rest of the controls IMHO

[RaDaRkInG]

Originally Posted by Lassaxi

But the V1 is oversized, overpriced, and not very impressive.

How is the Valentine One overpriced when the top of the line Escort 9500i is $50-$100 more than $399 Valentine One and the Bel STi is $100 more than the V1? You also claim that the Valentine One is oversized and you are incorrect again.

Size (from smallest to largest):

Valentine One -> 16.20 cu. in.
Bel RX65 Pro -> 16.33 cu. in.
Bel STi -> 16.33 cu. in.
Escort 8500 X50 -> 18.95 cu. in.
Escort 9500i -> 21.72 cu. in.

Weight (from lightest to heaviest):

Valentine One -> 181.5g (6.40 ounces)
Beltronics RX65 Pro -> 236.6g (8.35 ounces)
Escort 8500 X50 -> 253.7g (8.95 ounces)
Escort 9500i -> 269.2g (9.49 ounces)
Beltronics STi Driver -> 291.6g (10.29 ounces)

The Escort 9500i is the largest in size and the Beltronics STi Driver is the heaviest. The Valentine One is the smallest and lightest radar detector of the top 5 radar detectors made today.


You also say that the Valentine One is not very impressive when it actually beats all the others in radar and lidar detection.

http://guysoflidar.com/august-2007/r...ctor-test.html

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detector-performance/

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detec...adar-detector/

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detec...ice-laser-gun/

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detec...adar-detector/

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detec...ice-laser-gun/

[RaDaRkInG]

Originally Posted by Lassaxi

That depends on who you believe.

For example, radartest.com would disagree with you: http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=9090

Speedzones.com observed that the V1's logic and advanced logic modes did little to reduce falses, whereas the Passport 9500 turned in excellent false alarm performence: http://www.speedzones.com/false-alerts.html

Radarbusters.com found the Passport 8500 and 9500, and the BEL STi tied in virtually all metrics with the V1, and rated both Passports above the V1 in false alarm filtering: http://www.radarbusters.com/brandtestingarticle.cfm

Myradardetector.com shows the Passport and V1 basically tied, with each winning some of the categories (and the BEL RX65 winning some too): http://www.myradardetector.com/compare_all.htm

And, Motor Trend seemed to prefer the Passport 8500 over the V1 and the BEL 985 by a very slim margin: http://www.motortrend.com/features/m...expensive.html

First of all, Radartest.com is run by a guy named Craig Peterson who works for Bel and Escort so he bashes the V1 every chance he gets and promotes Bel and Escort products. He got busted trying to sabotage the Guysoflidar.com 2007 radar detector test and he had to part with a couple thousand dollars on top of the $1000 radar gun that he hid under camouflauge on top of a mountain to throw off the testing.

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtop...biassed+biased

http://www.guysoflidar.com/march-2007/sabotage.html


Second of all, Speedzones.com aka Speed Measurement Laboratories (SML) is paid by all of the radar detector makers except for Valentine Research to test the radar detectors so how do you think they are going to talk about the Valentine One?


Radarbusters.com is run by Radar Roy Reyer who doesn't sell the Valentine One so which radar detector do you think is going to win in his testing?


Myradardetector.com uses the same testing from Speedzones.com aka Speed Measurement Laboratories (SML) so they are paid by the detector makers except for Valentine Research.


And last but not least, try using the latest 2005 Motor Trend test and not the 2004 Motor Trend test like you used. And for the record, Motor Trend based their review on the radar detection test that Speedzones.com aka Speed Measurement Laboratories (SML) held. I will help you out with who the winner was in the latest test.

http://www.motortrend.com/features/m...r_buyersguide/

http://www.motortrend.com/features/m...de/index8.html

"With its directional arrows, combined with outstanding sensitivity across all bands, the Valentine One remains the standard by which all other radar/laser detectors are measured against."


http://www.motortrend.com/features/m...de/index9.html

Valentine One received 88/100 points
BEL Vector 995 received 84/100 points
Escort 8500 X50 Red received 78/100 points
Escort 8500 X50 Blue received 78/100 points

[CRZ410S]

First of all - awesome install. Nice job.

Second, let's play nice. This is an open forum.

Third, I think all of the brands listed are roughly equivalant. There is really little difference between 2000 ft and 1950 ft warning (for example (Ka)). It is a personal opinion. And, like so many issues in life, people are passionate on both sides. That's why they make chocolate and vanilla. No matter which detector you choose you should be happy.

[Atsnow]

Excerpts from the links you posted

Originally Posted by RaDaRkInG

How is the Valentine One overpriced when the top of the line Escort 9500i is $50-$100 more than $399 Valentine One and the Bel STi is $100 more than the V1? You also claim that the Valentine One is oversized and you are incorrect again.

Size (from smallest to largest):

Valentine One -> 16.20 cu. in.
Bel RX65 Pro -> 16.33 cu. in.
Bel STi -> 16.33 cu. in.
Escort 8500 X50 -> 18.95 cu. in.
Escort 9500i -> 21.72 cu. in.

Weight (from lightest to heaviest):

Valentine One -> 181.5g (6.40 ounces)
Beltronics RX65 Pro -> 236.6g (8.35 ounces)
Escort 8500 X50 -> 253.7g (8.95 ounces)
Escort 9500i -> 269.2g (9.49 ounces)
Beltronics STi Driver -> 291.6g (10.29 ounces)

The Escort 9500i is the largest in size and the Beltronics STi Driver is the heaviest. The Valentine One is the smallest and lightest radar detector of the top 5 radar detectors made today.


You also say that the Valentine One is not very impressive when it actually beats all the others in radar and lidar detection.

http://guysoflidar.com/august-2007/r...ctor-test.html

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detector-performance/

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detec...adar-detector/

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detec...ice-laser-gun/

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detec...adar-detector/

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detec...ice-laser-gun/

Chassis Size:

The Bel is the smallest of the group and has a nice stream-lined chassis. The Escort is similar in width (to its Beltronics' cousin) but a bit longer. The Valentine v1.8 (although smaller than its older brother) felt the bulkiest

Think of Escort as a nice Grand Tourer (GT) of the three - an E-class from Mercedes-Benz or a 5 Series from Bayerische Motoren Werke, if you will.
It should be considered when one desires a very high-level of protection without requiring a lot of driver involvement. In other words, its low maintenance.


Taking everything into consideration- if we had only to pick one radar detector to take with us on our trip, it would be the Beltronics RX65 Pro.
If laser was our primary concern, then we would opt for either the Valentine V1 or the Escort 8500 X50

We still love the arrows, on either Valentine, in assisting with identifying a passing “threat” and we have been accustomed to them for well over a decade. But, we did not specifically encounter a speed trap, during this test, where they would have made a substantive difference . And on occasion - as evidenced on our driving route of day six - they may be misleading, requiring proper interpretation.


Most importantly
Bottom line - all three of these radar detectors are truly stellar performers and we have yet to encounter a real speed trap that any of these detectors weren’t up to the task of providing the maximum level of protection that a detector is capable of providing today.

[Atsnow]

Originally Posted by RaDaRkInG

http://www.motortrend.com/features/m...r_buyersguide/

http://www.motortrend.com/features/m...de/index8.html

"With its directional arrows, combined with outstanding sensitivity across all bands, the Valentine One remains the standard by which all other radar/laser detectors are measured against."


http://www.motortrend.com/features/m...de/index9.html

Valentine One received 88/100 points
BEL Vector 995 received 84/100 points
Escort 8500 X50 Red received 78/100 points
Escort 8500 X50 Blue received 78/100 points

From the Motor Trend test you posted:

Interpreting the Numbers:

• All the detectors tested turned in an acceptable level of performance in detecting the wide variety of Ka signals in distances up to two miles.

• Due to the way that its filters are designed, both BEL units responded to threats faster than competitive detectors, almost twice as fast as the Passport 8500 X50 and Valentine One.

• While all three over-$200 detectors were able to detect a threat at an incredible nine miles (basically at the point where the curvature of the earth factors in), in Motor Trend's 2005 test, the Passport 8500 X50 demonstrated the greatest long-range sensitivity.


• The Valentine One clearly demonstrated the best laser detection performance but in practical terms, without laser countermeasures, this ability can provide a false sense of security.

• Escort claimed points victory in our previous detector test, with a .1 margin over Valentine One. The results in the 2005 test reflect a shift in grading priorities that reflect both technology and law enforcement trends. While scoring a more modest 78 points this time, the Escort Passport 8500 offers superb performance, but it did not move the bar as far as its competitors.