whats the best radar detector to get? anyone have any proven results?

 

http://www.valentineone.com/

It is what the Porsche dealer recommended to my Mom when she got her Porsche.

 

Either get a V1, or keep saving. There is no other detector.

 

How are the K40 detectors?

 

This is all you need to know! There is no other detector that works even close to as well. This one won't get you out of every ticket, but got me out of a couple of hundred! I've had it for 3 years now and will never trust anything else!

 

YES SIR!

 

Gotta disagree with the V1 recommendations, at least for now. The V1 has been around for a few years now with no major updates to its circuitry. It is good at X and K band detection, but is not very good at Ka detection, which is becoming the most prevalant radar out there today. It is big and it is heavy and it is expensive for what you get. And other than the direction the radar is coming from, it doesn't offer ANYTHING else that other detectors offer (with better detection abilities). It lacks a great deal of the customization that other detectors allow.

I have owned both the Bel 980 and the Passport 8500. Both scored dramatically above the V1 in performance in two different comparison tests. Both are flash upgrade-able for future traffic radars. Personally, between the two, I like the Passport 8500 much better. It has more programming and customization options. It also has a display mode that tracks up to 8 different radars and their strengths.

When V1 updates their product, I'll look at it. But for now it is out of date. Get the Passport 8500 and you will NOT be disappointed. (No I don't sell them )

Here is a link to one of the comparison tests showing how poorly the V1 did relative to the Passport and the Bel: http://www.radartest.com Click on the "World's Best Radar Detector!" link. You will note that the K40 performs dismally. The only people who talk up the K40 are those who sell them. They are lousy detectors.

Dave

 

BTW, I am not predisposed for or against any radar detector. When I decided to get a radar detector, I just assumed from what everyone said that the V1 was the absolute best and was what I would buy. However, I did a ton of research and decided that the V1, while a good product a few years ago, was not keeping up with the competition. I never saw a credible comparison test (or, for that matter, ANY comparison test) that indicated the V1 performed better than either the latest Bel or Passport models, both of which are significantly cheaper.

I have found that people get pretty emotional over the V1 - I can see why, considering how much they cost. But objectively it isn't as good as the Bel or the Passport. If anyone can convince me otherwise, I will go out and buy a V1 tomorrow.

Dave

 

This is what makes Valentine so great. It does tell you where the radar signal is coming from and how many signals there are. This is what separates V1 from the rest of the detectors. If you have never had a radar detector, this may seem like extraneous information, but it does help with figuring out a false alarm from a real "threat". And this, in my opinion, is the greatest asset to have when the detector is alarming.

I highly recommend Valentine. The other detectors are pretty much useless even if they have greater detection ranges and I have owned several models of Escort and BEL detectors in the past.

Ed

 

V1 all the way, can't beat that it can tell u the direction of the radar either, also most sensitive

 

Guys, please see the link that I posted above. The V1 is only the most sensitive in the X band, which is just about never used anymore. I'm sorry, but I have found no tests that show the V1 is the most sensitive. It may have been at one time, but not now. And, to be honest, the direction the radar is coming from is not very useful. If it is from the side, radar can't measure your speed. Radar is never used from the rear (there is a good link on the above site that explains this). In any event, the only time a directional arrow system would be nice is if it was the most sensitive. And you are not correct in your statement that no other detector shows the number of signals present. The Passport shows up to 8, including the magnitude of the signal (the V1 doesn't give this). The V1 is just not the best, in sensitivity or otherwise. Sorry.

Please feel free to refute this - I would like to believe in the V1, I just can't given the tests I've seen.

Dave

 

yeah i hate to tell you, but there no way in hell im spending 400$ on a radar/lazer detector. so looks like im goin with radio shack.

 

Well, while I am firmly convinced that the V1 is not as good as the Passport 8500 or the Bel 980 (and also costs $100 more and therefore is overpriced), I do believe generally that you get what you pay for. The best detectors (the Passport and the Bel) still cost around $300. But if you are budget constrained - still go take a look at that link I gave above. They also test less expensive detectors, some of which are pretty decent.

Good luck.

Dave

 

RADIO SHACK? See you in traffic court...

I guess if you REALLY don't want to save for a real detector, you could pick up a Cobra at Circuit City.

 

Cobra eh? are they at least ANY good?

 

There is a thread in the Lounge that is dedicated to the Valentine and the results that it produces. You might want to check it out

 

again, theres no way im forkin up 400$ for that.

 

About the V1

Recently, I was travelling north on the NYS Thruway, my friend following behind me about 4 cars lengths in his car. He has a V1, and I myself have an inferior brand (Shadio Rack). We were traveling in slight excess of the speed limit, when he flashed his high beams. I slowed down, and about 4 to 5 seconds later, my radar detector picked up a slight KA band signal, but it disapeared immediately. About 10 seconds later, we see a NYS Trooper practically nestled in the shoulder, directly facing us! He was so deep into the shoulder grass that his front end was tilted up and you could see his undercarriage! As soon as I saw him, he must have "Instant-On"ed his radar, because my detector went crazy. Just as quickly, it died away. If it hadn't been for a competent radar detector, we both would've gotten nailed, as my (Shadio Rack) POS did nothing for us.

I'm not directly advocating V1. It is a good radar detector, and the features are described in the previous posts. However, I DO NOT RECOMEND settling for an inferior detector, because that's exactly what they are. INFERIOR. I suggest you put serious consideration into purchasing a higher quality radar detector, because there have been numerous situations where it has been much more than beneficial. If you are worried about your wallet, just think of the comparison in insurance premiums and speeding ticket fines.

 

I would like to point out http://www.speedzones.com/ It is an independent company that does annual radar detector testing. If you take a look at their site, they list all the credentials they have, the fact that they use police officers to operate the guns in their tests, and the make/model of the guns they use for their tests. I find it to be a much more subjective and unbiased test than the other camparison web site listed.

Just to recap the results: The Bel 980 and Passport 8500 were right up there on the top. The V1 was right there with them, trailing slightly. The others pretty much were left trailing these 3 leaders. Some of the others have some very unique features though.

I've definately learned a lot from reading the 2 tests. I don't give www.radartest.com as much credibility as I give to www.speedzones.com, however they did come up with very similar results. V1 is certainly due for an upgrade if it wants to be at the top again. Possibly that's in the works.. I haven't heard anything though.

I will stay with my V1, and if I need to buy a new one tomorrow I will stay with V1. Personal preference on features/benefits is what gives me my decision. Radar IS used from the rear... not in speed traps but when cops are flying down the highway at 90-100 and they start catching up to someone very slowly they usually make sure their speedometer is still calibrated by comparing the reading with their traffic radar. It is used as substantiating evidence in court later on if you fight your ticket. I've been pulled over before by a state trooper for speeding. He was going 110 MPH to catch up to me, however he did not use his traffic radar to verify either his or my speed and he was not tailing me(was about 1/4-1/2 mile back) so he had no evidence to back up his traffic stop. Ticket dismissed. It IS important.

You speed frequently... you're driving down the interstate at 85 MPH... you get a radar signal. Do you slow down or speed up? You slow down if you don't know where the signal is coming from. If you know it's from behind however, you can speed up and keep ahead of the cop. Good if you're in a hurry, stupid if you're just speeding by habit.

Weigh your options. I've been using my V1 for 3-1/2 years now, and have lots of experience with it. It's gotten me out of laser tickets, which I never expected it to do... It's given me time to reduce my speed so as not to get pulled over all but 4 times. And those times I got warnings because I was "close enough" to the speed limit. If you're in an area where laser is used most, your best bet is to drive the speed limit. They are very difficult to detect, and given my record of getting out of 5 laser tickets that I know of I am still very wary of the laser detecting capability of ANY detector. Ohio is known to be very populated with laser.

Anyway, I've gone on too long already... If you have questions or comments, post away.

 

jrussell -

I mentioned above that there were two different places I had seen reviews, but just couldn't remember the other one. Speedzones was it. I appreciate their claims of being independent, and I am sure they try to be. But the fact remains that they invite the manufacturers to the tests and there is always the possibility that bias can enter the picture. They go out of their way to not directly draw conclusions that one radar detector is better than another. They say which ones are good, at the very end, but when a detector sucks, they don't point this out. I think they didn't want to make any manufacturer look bad. Radartest.com is also independent and draws direct comparisons and actually is willing to criticize a detector if it doesn't do a good job.

The speedzones.com site lost a great deal of credibility with me when I read the following quote about the K40: "K40 has a unique marketing niche of the installation 12 volt / car dealer market and has done a good job at it. Considering concealed, custom mounting, laser cloaking, and front/rear protection, the K40 Undetectable is the pick here!"

To say that "the K40 Undetectable is the pick here!" is just plain irresponsible (heck, even the name of the detector is misleading - the detector was detected by VG-2 at over 1000 feet!). Everyone I have talked to that has ever owned a K40 hated it (except for one guy who sold them) and it performed dismally in the tests on both of the above mentioned Internet sites. Therefore, if speedzones isn't basing the above comment on performance, how does it justify such a glowing statement? Is there some bias or did they just not want to anger the K40 manufacturer?

In the end, however, reviewing the results of the tests at both radartest.com and speedzones.com you come up with the same conclusion: the Bel 980 and the Passport 8500 are currently better detectors than the V1. Period. As I said at the outset, objective tests show that the V1 is OK. But it is simply not the best detector on the market. The above comments by others are a good example of my previous statement concerning how emotionally attached people are to their V1. Even when objective testing shows its not the best, they still love it and wouldn't want anything else.

For me to buy one, however, someone will need to show me some test (heck, ANY recent test) that indicates the V1 actually performs better. At that point I'll buy one - I just won't fall in love with it.

Good luck!

Dave

 

I have to agree, after reading The latest radar tests, the V1 isnt on top anymore. Thats why I got the Passport8500. Dont tell me it too expensive, I got mine, new, on ebay, buy it now for 240 bucks. It has great features, and has saved my *** more times than I can countin the past month or so that Ive had it.

Someone stated before that the V1 is great at reading X band, which would be great for me, if I didnt was to be hit by a automatic door at the local supermarkets. All of the cops around my house use Ka, and the Passport is great at catching it. It also has tons of features, like the V1, it can read multiple radar inputs. It just doesent tell which direction theyre coming from. Big deal, I get a strong signal, I dont give a **** where it is, im slowing down. Im not taking a chance that hes heading the opposite way. I know on my detector you can turn certain bands off, not sure about the V1. It has been helpful for me combating automatic doors.

One of the most important thing to say, I feel, is that the radar detector is only as good as the person reading it. I hope this helped.

By the way, if you dont really want to dish out alot of money, ive got a Whistler ill sell ya. It works pretty good, but its not Passport. It was 100 new, and its in pretty good condition. Ill let it go for 50.

 

I wouldn't exactly say his opinion was independant or unbiased.
http://www.valentine1.com/lab/V1Hater.asp