Radar detectors?

[Geoffsurfs]

I have been researching radar detectors for quite some time and just wanted to hear everyones input.

First of all do they work good enough for me to consider one?
Second, which one is the best?

It seems that the Escort Passport 8500 and the
Valentine one get the most press. what do you guys think?

 

[alexlitov]

What's up with double post??

 

[Geoffsurfs]

what do you mean?

 

[charles]

A ticket thread and now a radar detector thread.... hmmm

 

[Geoffsurfs]

yeah i got scared. I have never had a speeding ticket and i have been driving too fast lately. Just wondering if it would be a good investment,

 

[charles]

People swear on the Valentine One, although it's very pricey. I would actually recommended using the search, I'm pretty sure people have given some good information out on the two.

 

[Geoffsurfs]

yeah, i have always wondered if they would be useful in california, i know they are in other states.

 

[charles]

yeah, i have always wondered if they would be useful in california, i know they are in other states.

I think Apexistud has one, and he is in San Jose. I'm not sure what happens if you get caught with one, though.

 

[LinuxRacr]

Escort Passport 8500

Passport 8500 here! Had it for 2 years, and has saved my ass soooooooo many times! The range is phucking awesome!

 

[Notorious]

I use to have the passport 8500, but it would go off too late. Plus a lot of cops have laser units in so cal now, so your pretty much screwed.

 

[richelesro]

I have a Valentine One. It's great, but expensive. It's saved my ass more that once, so it's paid for itself within a couple of months.

 

[Geoffsurfs]

Yeah i think i would get the valentine but maybe that will have to wait until Christmas or something. How far in advance have you picked up signals from radar?

 

[AGR]

Okay......

as far as Radar Detectors are concerned; here is my experience. I have owned them off and on since 1981.

I use the Escort Passport 8500 currently. It is newer technology than the Valentine One. They are both the 2 finest detectors money can buy. Yes; the V1 has the arrrows. Are they really necessary? No. Not in my opinion. IF your detector goes off - you slow down; plain and simple.

You must be aware however; that if you get 'pulsed' by a cop shooting KA Band (instant on) Radar, and you are driving alone (and speeding), you will get pulled over. You are always most susceptible when driving alone without other traffic. The beauty of having a long range sensing detector like the V1 or Passport 8500 is the fact that they can pick up a radar signal at such a long distance. I have actually picked up radar as far away as 2 miles +. This is possible on flat land.

I received a ticket last March in my MAZDASPEED when I was traveling alone on a back country road (83 in a 50), when I came out of a turn, and the state trooper was cresting a hill coming toward me. It was just he and I. He fired his KA Band at me. I was caught. Sure; the Passport went off. I was maybe 300 yards from the trooper. So; it can happen. A good lesson; when traveling alone; highway or country road, you best be careful. If you get pulsed - you are toast.

The only way around beating a KA Band instant on radar gun, is traveling on the highway with other cars. What will be happening is your V1 or Passport 8500 will be picking up pulses as the Sheriff, Trooper, etc,,, is pulsing the cars in front of you. This will give you ample time to reduce your speed. There is no cure for KA 'Instant On' Radar. Make no mistake.

Is the V1 worth $100 more than the cost of the Passport 8500? I don't think so. Remember; Mike Valentine (V1) was the co-founder of Escort (Cincinatti Microwave). Now it is just known as Escort. The only test where the V1 outperforms the Passport 8500 is the one in Car and Driver Magazine. Word on the street is that Mike Valentine is good buddies with the people at Car and Driver. Who knows? Their both the best offered. Here is a good link...

http://www.radartest.com/

 

[PhatTrax]

if it can get a good range on Kx band and you have a laser jammer you're all good. Radar detectors and LASER jammers are legal in Cali, however, radar jammers are illegal and it's a federal offense to block radio frequencies, there are no laws against blocking or interfering with light.

 

[pr5owner]

radar jams are only illegal if you get "CAUGHT"

 

[Midnight22]

hehehehehe, now i know where all my money is going

 

[t3ase]

I bought an 8500 after getting my third ticket in less than 5mths time span. It's saved my ass *SO* many times, and as Linux said, the range is incredible. I recently raced a WRX on 183 and when my detector went off a bit, I slowly let off the gas and the WRX kept going, passing me. My detector then started picking up a larger signal so I hit my brakes and by the time it was at 4 bars, the WRX slammed on his brakes. Bike cop was up around a corner behind a bush.

Anyway, I talked to the WRX guy at a Taco Cabana and he asked why I had given up and stopped racing him. When I told him my radar was going off, he laughed at me until he realized I was serious. He then told me his V1 didn't go off until he was ahead and slammed on his brakes, which was quite a bit after I had picked up on the same radar. Then jokingly made fun him for paid more for his radar detector when mine performed better just like his car. While it was a smartass joke, he didn't like it too much.

Anyway, sorry for the lengthy paragraph there.. But I'd suggest the 8500 over the V1..

 

[Midnight22]

(werd) how much do they run?

 

[YuYuRena]

Street price 8500 = 300,but you might be able to get it lower. use google

 

[Geoffsurfs]

thanks or the input!