Radar/laser detector recommendations - 2012

[CX-SV]

Please provide your current feedback on radar and laser detectors. My old Escort 8500 is many years old now and I'm thinking of an upgrade.

(yep, we might get some of the usual internet hearsay from people that never used a detector, but that's expected).

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

Best bet is the ever popular Valentine1. I have a ton of friends that swear by them and have used one myself and they work quite well.

The directional arrows are also a big help.

 

[phunky.buddha]

Seconded on the V1. I'm on my second one (previous was stolen). I've actually compared the 8500 X50 and V1 side by side and returned the 8500 to the store. The new features on the current generation Passport detectors are pretty nice, but I don't know that the actual detection is any better than the V1.

 

[CX-SV]

Thanks for the detector feedback, much appreciated. Any success detecting laser with your V1's?

 

[phunky.buddha]

All the time, but you have to be aware that it's a lot more rare that you'll catch laser scatter with any detector compared to radar since the beam is much tighter. Quite a few times though I've picked it up through traffic long before I came up on the cop. The V1 is VERY sensitive to laser. Just beware that the center taillight on Chevy Trailblazers and related GM products will false the laser within about 10 feet. No big deal- I'd rather pick up a few falses that my own brain can screen out in a fraction of a second than miss a real hit.

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

Yes, it will pick up laser, but the issue with laser is if they nail you with it, its too late. If someone ahead of you gets nailed with it the V1 will pick it up and you should be safe.

Thanks for the detector feedback, much appreciated. Any success detecting laser with your V1's?

 

[CX-SV]

Yes, it will pick up laser, but the issue with laser is if they nail you with it, its too late. If someone ahead of you gets nailed with it the V1 will pick it up and you should be safe.

Yes, has anybody personally experienced that, picking up a warning about laser in traffic because of stray scatter of laser aimed at others?

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

yes, I had it show laser and I didnt get pulled over lol

 

[CX-SV]

yes, I had it show laser and I didnt get pulled over lol

Cool.

 

[phunky.buddha]

Yes, has anybody personally experienced that, picking up a warning about laser in traffic because of stray scatter of laser aimed at others?

All the time with the V1.

 

[CX-SV]

All the time with the V1.

Laser? Or instant on radar?

 

[phunky.buddha]

Laser? Or instant on radar?

You asked about laser scatter, so I was responding to that- but I get instant on radar scatter quite often too. That's the part that really saves my ass.

 

[CX-SV]

You asked about laser scatter, so I was responding to that- but I get instant on radar scatter quite often too. That's the part that really saves my ass.

Thanks for report.

 

[phunky.buddha]

Welcome.

 

[CX-SV]

Excellent reporting on V1.

Anybody using latest versions of Escort products such as the 9500 or Redline?

 

[phunky.buddha]

Excellent reporting on V1.

Anybody using latest versions of Escort products such as the 9500 or Redline?

I've got a racer buddy that runs the Bel GX65- same guts as the Escort 9500ix. He's VERY happy- just slows down when it beeps and he's safe- but he doesn't care where the signal is coming from. I speed more than he does though, and the V1 lets me know when the radar is headed the opposite direction so I can keep hauling ass even though the signal comes through loud and clear.

 

[CX-SV]

I've got a racer buddy that runs the Bel GX65- same guts as the Escort 9500ix. He's VERY happy- just slows down when it beeps and he's safe- but he doesn't care where the signal is coming from. I speed more than he does though, and the V1 lets me know when the radar is headed the opposite direction so I can keep hauling ass even though the signal comes through loud and clear.

Thanks. I am a relatively conservative chronic speeder too. The CX-5 is most comfortable at 75-80 mph fortunately, a freeway speed in CA that is normal and not a prob with cops. It's when speeds exceed 80 mph....

 

[phunky.buddha]

Thanks. I am a relatively conservative chronic speeder too. The CX-5 is most comfortable at 75-80 mph fortunately, a freeway speed in CA that is normal and not a prob with cops. It's when speeds exceed 80 mph....

Yeah.... I'm probably a more flagrant speeder (definitely ) especially on the way to and from work. Speed limits are a little higher in Texas though.

 

[CX-SV]

Yeah.... I'm probably a more flagrant speeder (definitely ) especially on the way to and from work. Speed limits are a little higher in Texas though.

Yes, I prefer to be situationally aware and know when I'm being monitored.

 

[CX-SV]

Keep the user feedback coming, much appreciated.