Question: radar detector

[money pit]

looking for the best radar detector any info will be appreciated.

 

[Toms007]

I run with an Escort X8500. Seems to work really well. I'm not a big speeder I just like to know where the LEO's are.

 

[B747VET]

The best?? That is going to be tough to answer. Certainly, there are only a few at the top and it is a subject that some folks get very opinionated about.

I guess it depends on what is important to you in terms of features. I would hazard that most folks side with either Valentine or Escort technology.

I lean towards the 9500ix with a blue readout. To me, one of the biggest issues centers on how often you will turn it on and leave it on. The 9500ix is the first unit I've had that I keep on every single minute that I drive.

All other detectors that I've had tend to have been used sporadically because of one simple fact. Most units false alarm constantly in a place like Southern California. It seems there are literally dozens of stores, shops and big homes that have security systems that set off either k band or x band every time a car with a typical radar detector drives past.

After a few months passengers and most drivers get sick of hearing the constant stream of false alerts and the units become used less and less and are often finally abandoned in frustration and stuck in a drawer.

However, a unit like the Escort 9500ix has GPS and the ability to automatically eliminate such false alarms permanently. So, after you drive your normal routes for a few months there are almost no false alerts and you rarely notice the unit is even turned on.

I've now had mine for 6 months and I know it has saved me between $600 & $800 in speeding tickets. $500 is a lot to spend for such a device but it has already more than paid for itself and will likely continue to save us at least $300 to $1,000 each year.

So, my main criteria is a quality unit with GPS and the ability to automatically eliminate false alerts because a unit that is turned off in frustration is pretty useless and a waste of money. There are several Escort models with these features and perhaps some made by Valentine or other makers as well.

GPS units usually will also alert the driver to automated red light cameras and known radar traps around the country as well.

Good luck.

PASSPORT 9500ix - Escort Inc.

 

[jimbov]

Money Pit....i would suggest you bypass all the gimmicks advertised by passport, escort, and the rest and get a Valentine 1....FRC

 

[B747VET]

Money Pit....i would suggest you bypass all the gimmicks advertised by passport, escort, and the rest and get a Valentine 1....FRC

I'm always willing to learn something new, so perhaps you might be willing to enlighten us as to the "gimmicks" you are referencing.

In all of the independent testing I have been able to find, Escort 9500iX and Valentine One always test out pretty much the same on x/ka/k band & POP & Laser detection. I also notice that Valentine still refuses to discuss any independent testing other than the 2002 Car & Driver review which they did win. However, in the ensuing 10 years significant technological radar detection advances have been made yet Valentine continues to pretend it is still 2002. Wonder why?

I was trying to be nice above and keep the subject relatively neutral but since you desire to make strong allegations that there is only one "real" detector, the Valentine One, lets discuss the only three areas in which Valentine One and Escort 9500ix really seem to differ substantially.

First, on Valentine One's side of the balance sheet, it has bi-directional antennas that enable it to generally indicate whether the threat is ahead or behind whereas the Escort only indicates that a threat exists. That is somewhat nice to know, but almost all threats are visualized within two or three minutes anyway, and almost all are ahead, and no matter what threat direction is indicated, no one speeds for a few more miles after an alert unless the threat is aquired visually. To do otherwise is dangerous to one's wallet.

Second, on Escort 9500ix's side of the balance sheet are two of your "gimmicks" known as frequency filtering and GPS "filtering." Filtering is the ability of a unit to screen out false alerts. On that level, Valentine has always scored about 30% worse than all of the other top detectors on frequency filtering and offers no GPS filtering technology. But, perhaps there is some value in knowing that the numerous additional false alerts the Valentine One generates are ahead or behind?

It should also be pointed out that the Escort 9500ix warns me of many known radar traps in small town America and seems to pinpoint nearly all of the red light cameras in SoCal. Nice to know.

As far as filtering related GPS features, I backed up my Escort 9500ix last night and it has stored 127 false alert transmitters within a 18 mile radius of our home that will never again interupt our music, conversations, or just simple enjoyment of the sounds our C5 makes. Based on reviews concerning filtering ability, that means that there are probably about 150 false alerts in our immediate area that a Valentine One in my car would still be sounding on while the Escort remains silent.

Bottomline, GPS enabling has completely changed the game and it is the technology of the future that enables drivers to leave their radar detectors on all the time without constant false alerts spoiling the drive and tearing up the tires and brakes with constant over reaction to such false alerts. Also, because of this advanced frequency filtering and the GPS technology, it is possible to always leave the Escort at full power with no need to reduce sensitivity to "city" mode to minimize false alerts.

There are numerous testing articles covering "Valentine vs Escort" out there on the Internet. I have linked one that specifically addresses the issues of false alerts and GPS technology.

Best radar detector reviews from the world's most respected authority.


But, again, perhaps you have more recent independent testing data which indicates that Valentine One is truly superior to all these others.

 

[jimbov]

You certainly have a plethora of knowledge concerning radar detectors B747vet..not sure much enlightening will take place, except maybe for me! ....'Gimmicks' to one person are positive factors to another person and since I subscribe to the KISS principle(Keep It Simple) the Valentine 1 rises above the radar detector pack and therefore has it's home in my Corvette... I apparently hit one of your soft spots and it is too bad you took my comments personally as I was stating my opinion and NOT regurgitating a pile of pundit tests, figures and opinions....

 

[B747VET]

You certainly have a plethora of knowledge concerning radar detectors B747vet..not sure much enlightening will take place, except maybe for me! ....'Gimmicks' to one person are positive factors to another person and since I subscribe to the KISS principle(Keep It Simple) the Valentine 1 rises above the radar detector pack and therefore has it's home in my Corvette... I apparently hit one of your soft spots and it is too bad you took my comments personally as I was stating my opinion and NOT regurgitating a pile of pundit tests, figures and opinions....

Actually, I didn't take anything you said personally and the only soft spot you hit is the one sensitive to people making absolutely rigid statements and/or misrepresentations to other folks who might not have an in depth understanding of any particular topic.

Your telling someone that a unit with seemingly outmoded 10 year old technology is the only proper choice and decrying fully automated superior leading edge technology as "gimmickry" or "complicated" is misleading or unfounded elitism at best.

If you prefer the Valentine One product that's great. If you additionally want to offer some sound justification as to why someone else might want to reach the same purchasing decision that's great too and we would all benefit.

 

[carlc1c3c5]

radar dector

speaking to several radar dectors owners , none repeat NONE ,will protect you if SMOKEY beams your car with HAND HELD LASER , cars behind you will get ALERT. BUT if SMOKEY targets you with hand held LASER YOU are TAGGED for a few BUCKS. Member of CCDV .CORVETTE CLUB OF DELAWARE VALLEY Iknow all the spots on RTE 31 PHILLY to the POCONOS !!

 

[jimbov]

B747VET, I guess that is why they make both Chocolate and Vanilla>>so we have a choice.....It would appear as if our driving situations are vastly different>>>mine is wide open 2/4 lane hiways and yours seems to be more urban and congested with lots of spurious signals floating around>>>whether founded or unfounded we both seem to have a degree of 'elitism' or maybe just an opinion>>>>glad you are pleased with your detector..stay safe.....

 

[o2bnkc]

I actually have two. The vette has the Escort8500. (same as the 9500 minus gps) My other car has a cheapo Cobra. To me, there is no difference. They pick up the same signals at the same range. They both detect laser. The Cobra was about 1/4 the price of the Escort.