radar detector opinions

[NickP]

I am interested in purchasing a radar detector to get ready for a few long drives I am planning and would like to know which one to buy. Is it a Valentine or the Escort 8500 X50? Or maybe something else? Experts please weigh in!! Thanks.

Nick

[creator8]

I've used a bunch and the Valentine One is best hands down. Way less false alarms. The only issue I have with it is if its a long way from you, tough to see which band is being triggered which is important, though it does have a distinctive sound for each band. Also like the direction finder on it. Expensive and not the smallest but its the way to go.

[blucille]

agreed, V-1 is the only way to fly. I've been using one for over 10 years and it just works perfectly.

-Lewis

[berettafan]

Is the Valentine the one that can be remotely mounted? I like the idea of not have 1980's technology cluttering up a 1970 interior.

[Neunelfer]

Not "really". It has a remote panel (which removes all the flashing arrows and goodies from outside view) but the detector should be placed in the proper position high in the middle of the windshield. Mine, because of the rear detection capabilities has to sit directly under the mirror.

Any remote mount detector has no rear capabilities or severly limits your rear reception capabilities. With the V1 you have both front rear radar and laser antennas. Our locals use laser.

V1 all the way...

[Mr9146]

The V-1 is by far the best, but even with it I still got pinged dong tripple digits in the middle of Wyoming at night.

It doesn't make you immune...

[Jeff Higgins]

Could the detector itself on the V1 be mounted on a roll bar cross bar, or on a harness bar? Sort of like a camera mount. It seems it would have equal fore and aft "visibility" to a windshield mount, and be a little less obvious from the outside and annoying from the inside.

[Neunelfer]

I see no reason why not... it would just be a mount issue. It comes with suction cups and a visor clip. The visor mount could be modified to work with an I/O Port camera mount. That would be perfect.

[GreenT]

One might consider deactivating, rather than just locating.....

http://www.k40.com/cali_main.html

[lkadams]

One might consider deactivating, rather than just locating.....

http://www.k40.com/cali_main.html

I woudl agree. If you're going to drop the coin, get laser jamming in there too. My neighbour down the street has it on his Corvette and it's a pretty slick install. The problem with laser these days (around here at least) is that once you're detector goes off, they likely already have you nailed.