The Radar Thread!

[Philip]

Ok guys and gals,
I'll be the first to pop the radar question:
I'm buying a radar detector of some sort for the Blue Meanie in the next 24 hours and I want to make a very educated decision before I fork out my hard-earned $500+. I have been researching like crazy on the other forums and I can't come to a final decision. I'm torn between the Valentine1 which seems to have the strongest following, and the various Escort's which seem to me have the best features.
So basically what it comes down to is this: My ClubBimmer comrades who have radar detectors- please give me your opinion on the unit you use along with your likes and dislikes. I would greatly appreciate your collective input.

:wet: Philip :wet:

[Philip]

Come on! I know some of you guys have detectors, don't hold out on me. Share your opinion, knowledge is power.

[iowna330xi]

I was thinking about upgrading to the Escort 9500i, I am currently using the 8500 X50 and am truly pleased with it. The 9500i uses GPS technology to exactly pinpoint the location of the radar signal thereby eliminating false signals so it stay quiet most of the time. Again there's much more (http://www.escortradar.com/9500i-blue.htm) to learn from it.

[Philip]

I was thinking about upgrading to the Escort 9500i, I am currently using the 8500 X50 and am truly pleased with it. The 9500i uses GPS technology to exactly pinpoint the location of the radar signal thereby eliminating false signals so it stay quiet most of the time. Again there's much more (http://www.escortradar.com/9500i-blue.htm) to learn from it.

The 9500i also uses the GPS feature to communicate with other 9500's to share the location of speed-traps.
Uber Cool.

[iowna330xi]

The 9500i also uses the GPS feature to communicate with other 9500's to share the location of speed-traps.
Uber Cool.

Have you decided on what to get? If budget is not an issue and you are sure of owning your car for the long haul then may I suggest this. (http://www.escortradar.com/srx.htm) :001_cool:

[Infidel]

The 9500i also uses the GPS feature to communicate with other 9500's to share the location of speed-traps.
Uber Cool.

well I don't doubt that the 9500i can let other 9500i's know or share information. It doesn't communicate through GPS because that's not how the technology works. I know, just nit picking. I love my escort, better now that it's hard wired. One thing to note about the Valentine, is that it's smaller than the escorts. So it hard wires easier.

[Philip]

Have you decided on what to get? If budget is not an issue and you are sure of owning your car for the long haul then may I suggest this. (http://www.escortradar.com/srx.htm) :001_cool:

That thing is bad-ass but it's about $500 over my radar/laser countermeasures budget.
If money was no option I would buy a few quarts of the flat black radar-absorbing paint that the Air Force uses on the F-117/A Stealth Fighter and repaint the car.

[wristshot96]

Do the radar/laser dectors work all the time? because i dont want to trust weather i keep my license or not to a machine that works 50% of the time..

[KAAMAcat]

I put a V1 in my car after MUCH discussion, and here is why.

The X50 is an excellent unit, and between that and the V1 both have their strong points and weak with reception. (so I call that a wash ). The V1 does though have REAR for both laser AND radar. None of the others have rear radar.

The 9500 (to me) is a gimmic. Think of it....... you need to pass buy a trap 1st THEN let the unit know where it was. To me thats 1 trap missed. (Plus then if there ever is a trap there you are screwed). You pass a trap, get the beep, push the button which puts in the GPS coordinates at that point in time.

The V1 is smaller (shorter) than you might think, and is a great fit next to the mirror. (does not stick out). The quality of the unit itself is outstanding, plus all of the accessories that COME WITH the unit are 2nd-to-none. (not cheap at all, and has everything you'd need for a nice hard-wire setup even).

If I recall, the V1 is $100+ the X50, something to consider. Having used the V1 for almost a year now, I'd get another in a heartbeat. (I actually think the arrows are not bad either, although Im not gonna go crazy like most others on the "Its all in the arrows" rampage...........When a trooper is coming the other way, unmarked, you will see the arrow change from front to rear. If one is behind you, the arrow facing rear is excellent). I've also been very please at the distance the V1 pics up stuff at. (I will tell you in-advance that it will pick up dept-stores...etc close to the road depending on which of the settings you are using. Im using the full automatic at the moment............. but thats something you can alter if you want).

HAVE FUN!

[Philip]

AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!
Too much information to process!!!

[Infidel]

The X50 is an excellent unit, and between that and the V1 both have their strong points and weak with reception. (so I call that a wash ). The V1 does though have REAR for both laser AND radar. None of the others have rear radar.

My Escort 8500 can detect lazer and radar both in front and in back. It wont tell you which direction it's coming from, but it will show how strong the signal is for each radar, up to 4 radars.

The 9500 (to me) is a gimmic. Think of it....... you need to pass buy a trap 1st THEN let the unit know where it was. To me thats 1 trap missed. (Plus then if there ever is a trap there you are screwed). You pass a trap, get the beep, push the button which puts in the GPS coordinates at that point in time.

No not really. it will alert you just like any radar that there is a signal, just like the V1. It will also memorize the position with a GPS coordinate. You tell the V1 after the fact if it is indeed THE MAN, or if it's just a random radar signal, aka from automatic opening doors. Then if you come across this position again and you had prior marked it as a nice place for THE MAN, then it will alert you that you are coming up to a trap even if there is no radar signal present. Now that is awesome!

The V1 is smaller (shorter) than you might think, and is a great fit next to the mirror. (does not stick out). The quality of the unit itself is outstanding, plus all of the accessories that COME WITH the unit are 2nd-to-none. (not cheap at all, and has everything you'd need for a nice hard-wire setup even).

Very nice feature.

If I recall, the V1 is $100+ the X50, something to consider. Having used the V1 for almost a year now, I'd get another in a heartbeat. (I actually think the arrows are not bad either, although Im not gonna go crazy like most others on the "Its all in the arrows" rampage...........When a trooper is coming the other way, unmarked, you will see the arrow change from front to rear. If one is behind you, the arrow facing rear is excellent). I've also been very please at the distance the V1 pics up stuff at. (I will tell you in-advance that it will pick up dept-stores...etc close to the road depending on which of the settings you are using. Im using the full automatic at the moment............. but thats something you can alter if you want).

HAVE FUN!

This is also cool. The 9500 though does the same department store thing as I've already stated.

One thing to note in Atlanta. They only use lazer. So there is really no warning, you just know when you've been had.

So for my 8500 which I love, I just turn off x-band, and k-band because I don't ever need it. That eliminates all store doors etc. When I go out of town, I turn on everything. :D

[Philip]

I picked up alot of K and Ka with my old Escort Solo in and around Atlanta.

[Infidel]

I picked up alot of K and Ka with my old Escort Solo in and around Atlanta.

For me, they were all false. I have also run my unit listening to k and ka for years. But, this makes me want to turn on that feature again. X band is off except for road trips.

[Philip]

For me, they were all false. I have also run my unit listening to k and ka for years. But, this makes me want to turn on that feature again. X band is off except for road trips.

No jurisdiction has used X band since 1972.

[Mitch]

I love my Valentine One. LOVE it. It does throw off false codes and tells me about the auto opening doors at Rite Aid and Publix. However, there is no question that that thing has saved me several times. I like it a lot.