Inlaw1
Well-known member
I can't tell you off the top my head either, but get the X50. I had a buddy with the regular 8500 and mine was the X50 and it didn't get near as many false signals.
Best Radar Detectors
- Thread starter Rubbersidedown
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Rubbersidedown
Active member
I know many many people swear up and down by their Valentine 1's (as I probably would to if I spent 400-500 on one) but quite a bit of information in my search has given me much pause regarding their product and its worthiness of the lofty price tag, with all things considered objectively.
I found this quote from RadarTest.com particularly interesting. And feel it confirms my belief that the best solution may not be throwing as much money as is available at the problem.
"The Valentine One is a highly sensitive radar detector--good enough that I declared it the winner of my 2000 Automobile Magazine shootout--but it's no longer top dog by default. The world has changed since it was designed in 1991. The Apple IIsi also was hot stuff that year but Apple knew better than to continue selling the same box. They replaced it with smaller, faster, better models packed with advanced features.
Valentine seems to be trapped in a time warp. Even the owner manual reflects 1980s thinking, replete with outdated statements such as "X-band [is] most common for moving and stationary [radar]." Huh? 48 of the 50 state highway patrols abandoned it years ago.
With an increasingly wide gap in the V1's level of sophistication compared to modern designs--not to mention a minimalist feature set, quirky ergonomics, an exceptionally chatty nature and stiff price tag--the competition has clearly passed it by."
I found this quote from RadarTest.com particularly interesting. And feel it confirms my belief that the best solution may not be throwing as much money as is available at the problem.
"The Valentine One is a highly sensitive radar detector--good enough that I declared it the winner of my 2000 Automobile Magazine shootout--but it's no longer top dog by default. The world has changed since it was designed in 1991. The Apple IIsi also was hot stuff that year but Apple knew better than to continue selling the same box. They replaced it with smaller, faster, better models packed with advanced features.
Valentine seems to be trapped in a time warp. Even the owner manual reflects 1980s thinking, replete with outdated statements such as "X-band [is] most common for moving and stationary [radar]." Huh? 48 of the 50 state highway patrols abandoned it years ago.
With an increasingly wide gap in the V1's level of sophistication compared to modern designs--not to mention a minimalist feature set, quirky ergonomics, an exceptionally chatty nature and stiff price tag--the competition has clearly passed it by."
Auburn
Well-known member
I'll believe that when I get stopped and the V1 hasn't given a pre-warning. I have had my V1 for more than 5 years and have yet to be stopped or not get adequate warning. I can't tell you how many times that I have driven through a trap that I counted more than one radar in use. It is funny to watch someone go through the obvious radar trap and then take off at rabbit speed again only to get pulled over a mile down the road. I have had as many as 6 different radars counted at the same time on the V1 (which I could visually confirm).
Now it may have something to do with my driving habits, I do look as far ahead as I can see and look for things that might be a speed trap. I figure that if I were stopped everytime that I got a warning and ignored it, I would have paid many thousands of dollars in fines.
Nothing is going to warn far enough in advance for laser. All the detector is going to do is confirm you have been checked anad the red and blues will confirm if you were above their threshold for a conversation.
I hear the passport is very good too. I have no personal experience with it.
If you drive blindly by the detector alone, then you will get stopped. It is just a tool that has to be used properly IMHO.
This topic is like tires and oil, your opinion will vary.
Rubbersidedown
Active member
That is quite the opposite of what I was getting at in my post. My point is that oversensitivity of the radar detector will lead to a high false rate. If you look at the test comparing the Valentine One and the Bel GX65 which uses GPS to eliminate common false sources the number of false alerts they got from the V1 was extremely high compared to almost nothing with the Bel. It also uses the GPS to determine your speed and decreases the sensitivity at lower speeds so that when you are stuck in traffic with a cop behind you it doesn't keep reminding you he is there as you crawl along at 45 under.
A high false rate makes it more difficult to put any faith in the detector, so you either have to slow down every time it goes off and wait to see if it was right or not, or you will do what I do and not pay attention unless the signal strength is higher. The latter strategy doesn't always work out in my favor as it often doesn't leave me enough time to react and slow down if there is a threat, but I have never been issued a ticket in a car or bike when using any detector. Odds are, though, that is because I don't drive much more than 5 over after being stopped for speeding (with a detector) several times and talking my way down to a lesser ticket or warning.
I will never rely solely on a detector, nor ride above my threshold for risk of being caught, but if I hear it going off I want to know with relative certainty that there is a good reason for it. Especially at that price. For $150 I'm willing to put up with some falses or less of a warning, but I'd expect the slightly decreased sensitivity to filter out some of that while still providing timely and accurate warning.
By no means am I saying I think the Valentine One is a bad detector. All I mean to say is that for $500 there are devices that have more advanced technology that will make the tool that much more useful.
DailyCommuter
Illegitimi Non Carborundum
I enjoy Alans posts soooo much, :clapping: If you've ever spoke with him on the phone, and you can put a tone and a voice to his text, the post's are most entertaining......
I mean nothing but repectful joking around here Alan....
ionbeam
2 FUN
[Friday Hijack]
Rushes saying the phrase:
What was said to me by nearly 90% of the people at EOM that I met for the first time.
[/Hijack]
"You sure aren't who I was expecting!" --or-- "You sure aren't who I thought you were!"
Rushes saying the phrase:
What was said to me by nearly 90% of the people at EOM that I met for the first time.
[/Hijack]
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Phugedaboudet
Well-known member
what's the best way to mount/secure/waterproof a Valentine? I ride daily, in all weather. I need a quick disconnect mount and all/severe weather surviveability. I'd love a Valentine and swap it between the car and the bike but not if it can't handle constant abuse/vibration/bad weather and mounting/dismounting twice a day at minimum
Rubbersidedown
Active member
There are some plastic protective cases that fit specific models. I think cyclegadgets.com sells them. They range from 25-65 dollars. If you haven't already bought the valentine and you are willing to drop that kind of coin, I would look at the Bel GX65 or the Escort 9500s. For the same money you get the same range or better with a super low falsing rate. Just my .02
Gilf Hunter
Active member
I agree HotRodZilla. I run both radar and lidar and have written plenty with "radar/laser" detectors. Radar detectors work great if there are several other cars nearby to "tip" your detector off. Lidar (laser) can be detected, but by the time you throw out the anchor, your speed is already on the lidar unit. Cops can single out each target with the lidar, but not with the radar. I wouldn't spend the money because they are a waste of money. Same thing with radar. If it's just you on the open road, you're screwed. When your radar detector goes off, the cop already has your speed on the radar unit. Some states require the officer to "lock" your speed on their radar unit. If you can dynomite the brakes fast enough and catch the officer napping, then you might catch a break. If you think you've avoided tickets by having a detector, it was probably the cop ignoring your speed on their way to a call or you weren't going fast enough for them to put in the effort. Listen to Zilla and I, if you're on the open road and with little other traffic, stay within 10 mph of the posted limit or check all the over pass areas and medians as best you can and good luck. I've just been lucky because I know where to look ahead of time. Best advice is to keep your eyes open and don't get tunnel vision when traveling at 110 mph.
Adding my 2cents here. I just bought a bell rx65. I found a plastic box for $15. Drilled two holes in it for the radar connections, put rubber gromets in the holes. Painted it black. Done. Attached the Marc panes visual alert to it and so far, works great! Sorry, don't have any pics on it. I'll try to take some if anyone is interested and or give the site where I found the box.
Gilf and Zilla, I appreciate hearing your Law Enforcement perspectives.
But I do not quite agree with your generalization that "it's not worth the money" to buy a radar detector. Yes, when traveling on an open road you will always be vulnerable to instant on radar and lidar. So in that circumstance you either have to keep it down to 10 over or take your chances with a ticket. Which is exactly how you would ride if/when you don't have the detector onboard. But more often than not you will be riding with other vehicles that are traveling at higher speeds and use them as your decoys. When the LEO clocks one of them you will get your early warning.
But the main reason that I (recently) bought one is for riding secondary roads. The LEOs in the towns and villages (at least around here) tend not to use pulsed radar. They seem to like to drive around with the radar blasting all the time so when they come upon a speeder (going in the opposite direction) they will get his speed before the oncoming motorist even sees the marked car. They do not need to be very sophisticated as they can easily fill their quotas since nearly everyone speeds here. Even the little old ladies in their pristine K-cars are driving above the speed limit. But for many of these small town cowboys bagging the 2-wheelers is a preferred trophy. Especially anything resembling one of those "crotch rockets"...
Based on my intended use, I see no point in buying one of the best unit out there. To me, the laser detection that even my inexpensive older model has is a bit of overkill. As others have said, it will just tell you that you'll be getting a ticket soon. And any of the new > $500 detectors is going to be no more effective than my old school Passport 8500 at detecting an instant on radar. So yeah, it's worth $150 to me have something. I do not expect it to protect me in every situation. But I agree with you that it's not worth $500-600 dollars for the minimal added protection you get from the best/newest ones.
I'd be interested in what box you used.
But I do not quite agree with your generalization that "it's not worth the money" to buy a radar detector. Yes, when traveling on an open road you will always be vulnerable to instant on radar and lidar. So in that circumstance you either have to keep it down to 10 over or take your chances with a ticket. Which is exactly how you would ride if/when you don't have the detector onboard. But more often than not you will be riding with other vehicles that are traveling at higher speeds and use them as your decoys. When the LEO clocks one of them you will get your early warning.
But the main reason that I (recently) bought one is for riding secondary roads. The LEOs in the towns and villages (at least around here) tend not to use pulsed radar. They seem to like to drive around with the radar blasting all the time so when they come upon a speeder (going in the opposite direction) they will get his speed before the oncoming motorist even sees the marked car. They do not need to be very sophisticated as they can easily fill their quotas since nearly everyone speeds here. Even the little old ladies in their pristine K-cars are driving above the speed limit. But for many of these small town cowboys bagging the 2-wheelers is a preferred trophy. Especially anything resembling one of those "crotch rockets"...
Based on my intended use, I see no point in buying one of the best unit out there. To me, the laser detection that even my inexpensive older model has is a bit of overkill. As others have said, it will just tell you that you'll be getting a ticket soon. And any of the new > $500 detectors is going to be no more effective than my old school Passport 8500 at detecting an instant on radar. So yeah, it's worth $150 to me have something. I do not expect it to protect me in every situation. But I agree with you that it's not worth $500-600 dollars for the minimal added protection you get from the best/newest ones.
I'd be interested in what box you used.
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rushes
Well-known member
IMO, Bell, RX65 is what I bought. Good old ebay - under $250. Their pro models will work with visual alert, so you can actually go less expensive.
Btw, I bought mine for similar reasons as above, in town and back roads riding. Some of the local PD's can be sticklers...so it's a reminder to me.
It's tough not to fly with the FJR!
ionbeam
2 FUN
Consider looking into a referb detector. Even though a detector like the Passport 8500 isn't an 'est (latEST, greatEST) is is still a very respectable performer.
Zorlac
Well-known member
"I'd be interested in what box you used."
Carbon fiber, opaque to microwaves. <_<
Carbon fiber, opaque to microwaves. <_<
I got one of these when Squeezer alerted me to the deal: Refurb Passsport 8500 w/ warranty - direct from Escort - $150 shipped
I'd have to double check...however...I believe the site was https://www.apogeekits.com/case_g416.htmhttps://www.apogeekits.com/case_g416.htm
I drilled holes in the front and back....again...I have take pictures to show the final look
