I have a older Bell and was gonna upgrade....any advice appreaciated. With these High Performance Trucks they should be standard equip.
Hey and do any of you hard wire them in, I did and seems to be neater.

Escort, hard wired in.


Dont need no stinking arrows

My wife has a Cobra XRS9700. The local stereo shop has them on sale for $99 now. MSRP was $208. Looks like I'll be getting one too. She's real happy with it and the one time I borrowed it it did save me a rather large ticket. Too bad the girl in the Suzuki trying o keep up with me didn't have the same luck.

I also have a cobra but I have a buddy that has a valentine one that thing is sweet but is very expensive.

I have a older Bell and was gonna upgrade....any advice appreaciated. With these High Performance Trucks they should be standard equip.
Hey and do any of you hard wire them in, I did and seems to be neater.Is it just me, or do others follow machoosh's posts around just to see his avitar?

I have a rocky mountain radar/scrambler that has saved me a lot of times. Also if you get a ticket within the first year they will pay for it as long as you're not going something like 20% over the posted speed limit. I know thatt it doesn't make up for a raise in the insurance, but it is a nice comfort feature. It was around $250-$300. I love mine.

I also have the rocky mountain radar it has saved my but!!!!

cant say enough for the valentine 1. i had some bel, cobras others in the past, V1 is like never having one before. very nice and software upgradeable for new features. :D

Another happy Valentine 1 customer here!! Its a life saver towing on the highway

Escort 8500 here.............

A hard wired (or not) Escort is the way to go! Had my 8500 for a number of years and love it!

All the radar units made the last few years have the pulse feature,,,this is the only way I use radar. If you are the one targeted your had. It does depend on the operator to use this mode and many do not bother.

Valentine 1 :ro)

i ran a comparsion a few years ago, but cannot find the thread no more, mods is their threads that tare missing or deleated from the old fourm, i compared the valentine 1 to the 8500 passport, they were both good radars, but now i run the passport
http://dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=430 here is another radar thread

valentine 1 wouldn't give it up for anything saved me NUMEROUS times!

Well worth the $400!

Unfortunately we found that some threads with large posts got lost in the transfer w/o notice. When we realized it we tried to find and repair as many as we could but I'm sure we missed some. The sad thing is most of them were very nice write ups :( Hopefully we don't have to worry about that ever again.



i ran a comparsion a few years ago, but cannot find the thread no more, mods is their threads that tare missing or deleated from the old fourm, i compared the valentine 1 to the 8500 passport, they were both good radars, but now i run the passport
http://dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=430 here is another radar thread

Valentine 1...............anything else is a waste............rocky mtn jammer is a proven piece of ****............I bought one..............had a cop friend help test it.....he got a laugh.............I just wasted cash.........has a primitve detector...............the jammer is a very low powered scam

Valentine 1 vs. Escort is perhaps funnier than the classic Ford vs. Chevy debate.

I've never tried a Valentine 1, so I can't comment on them. However, I'm sure they're excellent units or they wouldn't be so popular.

I personally use Escort's newest 8500 model, the X50. I'm very pleased with it and would buy one again. Both the Valentine and Escort are high-end models capable of actually allowing you to avoid a ticket.

Escort 8500 x50 is what i have. Look at this site to read more info on all kinds of detectors. http://www.radarbusters.com/

I went from a Passport to a V1 and now have three more. I found one in the closet, vintage the early 1990's. I ran my serial number, and sent it in for the updates and for about 1/2 the price of a new one, got the updates.

That is one good thing, the updates. No derrived demand problem.
http://www.valentine1.com/upgrades/

Imagine a radar detector that never gets obsolete. Here's my plan.

Continuous Improvement:
Valentine One was new in 1992. Since then, every part inside the magnesium case has been improved, several times for many of them. Continuous improvement keeps Valentine One the top performer; Car and Driver confirms that our margin over the others is wider now than ever.

We'll Upgrade Your Earlier Model:
Since 1994, whenever we've made a performance breakthrough, we've offered it to our past customers in the form of an upgrade. The price varies, depending on the parts required. Included is a one-year warranty, same as new.

No Planned Obsolescence:
Other detector makers want you to throw away your old detector and buy new. Not me. 12 years after the first Valentine One, I'm still working for that customer, because every Valentine One we've ever made can be upgraded to the latest technology.

if i remeber right the v1 picked the radar signal quicker but also picked the most false signals of the two, and the v1 was 50 or so dollars more, both were great, and all has been good with the 8500, would recomend it in a second, and the v1 is also very good

I don't think you'll go wrong with either the V1 or Escort 8500. I've ran both and ended up with the Escort 8500 only due to cost. I could not find a reason to spend more on the V1 as it didn't perform any better side by side during nearly 5000 miles of hwy and city driving.

I tried several, but ultimately settled on the Valentine a few years ago, and it is still working great.

One good feature is the ability to indicate the direction of the radar signal. I didn't think much of this feature before buying the Valentine, but now that I have used it, it is a great thing to have. Also, the unit varys the sound for multiple radar signals being picked up at the same time. This is another great feature.

It will pick up photo radar, but there is not much warning. I am not sure if there is room for any improvement since photo radar units transmit such a weak signal.

I don't think you'll go wrong with either the V1 or Escort 8500. I've ran both and ended up with the Escort 8500 only due to cost. I could not find a reason to spend more on the V1 as it didn't perform any better side by side during nearly 5000 miles of hwy and city driving.

:agreed:


Same reason I went with Escort over Valentine.

The arrows are just a gimmick, and a distraction.

When you hear the beeping, you better hit the brakes, dont worry where its coming from cause it doesn't matter.


Like sp33d stated, they are BOTH fine detectors but the arrows are not worth the extra $$$.....IMHO.


.

i disagree about the arrows being gimmicks. they are useful for me. i can tell if the radar is behind me, or just passing me. on freeways, cops here will pulse every few seconds versus just running constant radar. they vary their tactics seems like weekly.

several will drive each direction while stationary units will do the same at intervals, only way to figure it out is with direction. not to say the passport wont show multiple signals, but without knowing where it is coming from you wont ever know if they are eventually getting closer to you from behind or it is well off in the distance. with the arrow feature, I dont have to continue as slowly as I would with other detectors. not sure if this example made sense, but I have run through this both detectors and I will take the directional arrows as it only enhances capabilities.

I have both the 8500 and the V1. The arrows aren't a gimmick at all. Once you figure out the value, you will love the V1. My wife uses the 8500 now, its more for people who don't like to worry about direction and multiple bogeys.

Having said that, I think the V1 is due for an update. The display is hard to read at times (small LEDs: is it K or Ka or X or L?) and could use a dedicated 'dark' button.

www.radartest.com

I wentwith the Escort Passport 8500 on their recommendation, and will likely go Bel on their latest recommendation.

They didn't have much good to say about the Rocky Mtn stuff...

....but without knowing where it is coming from you wont ever know if they are eventually getting closer to you from behind or it is well off in the distance. with the arrow feature, I dont have to continue as slowly as I would with other detectors.



If you speed back up while your detector is giving you a warning that there is radar in the area, you deserve the ticket.

I really dont want to start an argument here, as said earlier its like the ol F*rd VS. Chevy argument.

To me, if its coming from the back, side or front it doesnt matter, I'm slowing down.

Oh and the 8500 and other Escorts have muliple bogey counters.

Either detector V1 or Escort 8500 will be a good choice:agreed:

DITTO to what Kennedy said :exactly:. Do some reading on the tests done. I picked up the Bel Pro RX65. I just love it. Got it on Ebay and saved over $100.00 compared to the Big Box Stores. It is programmable and also can receive updates. Check them out........;)

Didnt Cincinnati Microwave (Escort) buy out Beltronics (Bel)?


I was told if you crack open a new Bel it will say Cincinnati Microwave on the board!

Many places are now using laser guns. Do any of these products detect lasers?:confused:

8500 does for sure...............guessing the rest do as well

I have an Escort 8500 hard wired in, top of the line, it detects x, k, ka, as well as laser. I liked mine so much I bought my wife one as well. It has an auto mute feature that I won't live without anymore. Great radar detector , I would suggest it to anyone.

Valentine One all the way...

About lasers.. yes they detect them, but if you hear the sound for a laser go off, it basically means you've gotten a ticket.

Remember, none of the detectors do much about instant on radar or laser.

The V1 is so good that it sometimes picks up blips of cops shooting others ahead of you. I've had mine for a few years now and wouldn't even bother trying another detector!

actually the 8500 i thought had a option to add a Lazar scrabbler to the front of the license plate where they aim for, was to give you a few seconds before they could lock on, i read it, but Lazar is not that common in this neck of the woods

Escort also has a laser jammer kit for about $350 (ebay). Don't know how well they work as they don't use laser around here.

The V1 was a great detector. Both had their ups and downs in terms of picking up the radar, but I found that the Escort did a better job at not picking up false signals, and usually had a bit better range. Most of the test sites I found as well recommended the Escort. No doubt the arrows are "cool" but I didn't find myself using them. I'm like HD-Nate, if that thing goes off I'm slowing and not usually looking at the detector to see where it's at.

I didnt know it was a kit ..............Thought it was a reprogram thing

Escort, saved me more times than I can count. Older model though maybe it's time for an upgrade.:( Regardless of the price, one ticket and the insurance increase and fine payed for the unit. :eek:

Good Ole Cobra CB radio.....Truckers tell me where all dem Smokies are...especially when my knees are in the breeze and i got her in the wind....

Escort 8500. Save my A** many times. But then again so did my old cheapo Cobra. After 3 years the Escort died of a fried board. Escort resurrected it for $49 (more then I can say when my top of the line Bell detector died.. had to bury it). I have to mention my cheapo Cobra is still working although it is not as sensitive, doesn't do lasers and is kind of prone to false alarms compared to the Escort.

Good Ole Cobra CB radio.....Truckers tell me where all dem Smokies are...especially when my knees are in the breeze and i got her in the wind....http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/grd.gif http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/anitoof.gif http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/anitoof.gif http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/grd.gif


Ive got the cheapo cobra right now, but works great... if i can hear it go off. The windows down and stereo on dosn't help the detecton process.

My friend has a Escort 8500 and I have to say its Badd A$$. Less false alarms and better "instant on" protection.

I just use my eyes. I can see them before they are in range to get a good tone and lock. That is, if I'm speeding. Usually don't worry about it though. Most cops have a meter of
0-5 over-don't bother because everyone is going that fast, unless there is some alterior motive (drugs, problem child (no not problemchild-DP member))
5-7 over-maybe a light flashing or down pointing finger (not the middle one)
7-10 over-maybe a stop and talk or the prior listing (ticket if stopped by state trooper)
10-15 over-ticket likely, but depends on several factors of the contact
15+ over-ticket, usually with a small break thrown in

yea... I've been testing my luck. So far its been:

STATE TROOPER/ 1 Ticket(94 in 60) - 1 Warning
CITY 5-O/ 1 Ticket(58 in 40)- 4 Warnings (one for speending 16 over:eek: )
County Constable/ 1 Ticket(40 in 30 which was a hook-up b/c i was clocked at 52)

ALL of which are not on my record. Thanks to John E. Trube Attorney at Law...Man I love the Appeals process.:grd:

I bought my 8500 X50 last month, and gave it back last week. That thing was not worth 300.00. I passed numerous cops shooting laser and it never made a sound. I was more satisfied with my 100 Bel. Just my experience:rolleyes:

Valentine One, of course. :)

I just use my eyes. I can see them before they are in range to get a good tone and lock. That is, if I'm speeding. Usually don't worry about it though. Most cops have a meter of
0-5 over-don't bother because everyone is going that fast, unless there is some alterior motive (drugs, problem child (no not problemchild-DP member))
5-7 over-maybe a light flashing or down pointing finger (not the middle one)
7-10 over-maybe a stop and talk or the prior listing (ticket if stopped by state trooper)
10-15 over-ticket likely, but depends on several factors of the contact
15+ over-ticket, usually with a small break thrown in
Me and my radar will see you long before you see me. Your speed numbers are off.

Eric

Your speed numbers are way off, I agree. These $5000 radar guns with multiple antennae's arent exactly a dumb piece of hardware. Mr Eric up above is absolutely right. Radar will reach out and touch someone if we want it to. If you're the only truck on the road, you're all "ours". Radar has a wonderful thing called a "hold" button. You all do the math. I keep telling my wife that they're absolutely pointless but reasoning with someone who has 47 pairs of shoes is a lose lose senario. I'm not giving up any more secrets.

I've got the Solo S2. I chose this one because I like the fact that it is cordless. No cords hanging from the windshield. It uses 2 AA batteries which I reccomend buying rechargeables. you can purchase a cord but why??? It is the same unit as the Escort 8500 but cordless. A very good detector!!!

I especially liked the radar that the columbus, GA PD had on their new "supercars". It would not only display the speed that it was reading, and was capable of moving as well as stationary radar but it would play a tone depending on the speed that it picked up... depending on the speed of what went by, the tone would change pitch and volume so the LEO could be on the side of the road writing a report and not really have to pay attention as much... blow by him even in traffic and he'll be able to pick you out...

I learned all of this when I was researching for a ticket that I recieved when the officer started off with the wrong speed (10 MPH faster than I was going) on the ticket. Went to court, he said he was stationary... when he was moving. The judge asked me if that's what happened... I told the judge I was going 65, mr LEO was boxed in MOVING in the slow lane when I passed doing 65 in a 55, after which he paced me off my right rear quarter for 1/4 mile before he turned on the lights. I figured he already had me so I was already getting over into the slow lane and preparing to stop before he had the lights on. The judge as well as his compadre's were bewildered that he didn't even know if he was stopped or moving and I got let go. I only argued because he said he clocked me at 75 on radar and my detector didn't say a THING... and I knew for a fact that it picked up their radar system reliably... did a test when I knew shift change was coming about, waited near the CPD lot for someone to do their beginning of shift vehicle test... bleepity bleep. Yep, Ka Band, good to go.

Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. For all else, there's credentials.

1SAST and nico27mp,
We play for the same team, just wearing different uniforms. You guys must be in major metro areas with lots of highway type speeds. Where as I proudly live in small town USA. My numbers aren't off for the way I enforce speed. If I become to much of a harda**, I make us all look bad. However, I am not afraid to do my job and sometimes that makes someone mad at me. Oh Well. I guess they shouldn't have been breaking the law.

Hookem: I reread my post and I definetly think I came off the wrong way. I apologize. I live in a very rural community like you. We have one major freeway and several other county highways. I agree we definetly are on the same team. Enforcement is all relative to the areas we work and paticular situations we are in. I again apologize for my original post I dont think I worded it properly at all.

Eric

I bought my 8500 X50 last month, and gave it back last week. That thing was not worth 300.00. I passed numerous cops shooting laser and it never made a sound. I was more satisfied with my 100 Bel. Just my experience:rolleyes:

MY question is, how do you know they were shooting laser?

Lots of time they are aiming but not pulling the trigger.

My old 3500 Escort does great with laser.

MY question is, how do you know they were shooting laser?

Lots of time they are aiming but not pulling the trigger.

My old 3500 Escort does great with laser.


My guess would be when they pull you over :eek: ;)
Seriously tho... ive only been shot with a laser once and that was in Dallas.
Sofar In East Texas nobody that I know of has them. jus good ol' K and Ka Band.

They could have been pulling it, but the dectector didnt pick it up. I remember reading something that was talking about how it was a lot harder to pick up lasers than "normal" radars

I got to play with a laser once as a demo. It's so fast at the lock after you aim it and pull the trigger, that all you would know is that you just got a ticket. Ka is also very quick and more power to ya' if you have reflexes fast enough to slow down prior to lock (usually only takes the amount of time to push the activate button and then the lock button above it.) Only time a radar detector helps now days, is if the cop turns it on someone ahead of you. Good ole technology.

1SAST-Amen brother-Stay safe.

I run the Passport SR7 Set up and it seems to work pretty good

Valentine One, has paid for itself ten times over.