Radar Detectors

[HIS2006]

OK riders if anyone has used the Escort 8500 X50 Red or the Valentine One radar detector I would be interested in hearing how they perform? Pro’s or Con’s would also be helpful. Are there any others that compare to these two?

Thank you for your input.

 

[Toecutter]

Mine's the best 'cause I haven't got any tickets yet.

Edit- Before you get hammered for not searching, Valentine's the best if money's no object but Escort is a good value in a capable unit. And it's better looking in a nicer color, IMHO.

 

[SkooterG]

Whoever owns each will say theirs is the best.

I'll start. Since I own a Passport 8500, it's the best.

I went with Passport because I have always had good luck with Escort Radar Detectors, and the fancy arrows on the Valentine did not justify the extra cost (for me). Also, IIRC, getting audio out of the Valentine to speakers adds extra $$$.

Those with the Valentine will swear that you can't live without the arrows. Well, so far I have.

I also like that my Passport has a voltmeter function. And, I believe the Passport may be a bit more rain/water resistant.

They are both outstanding detectors and you can't go wrong with either. So pick your poison.

 

[ponyfool]

I equate V1 ownership to Harley ownership. Bragging about something that has no evidentiary value over a competitor, but absolutely buying into the hype.

Having said that, I see fewer of either of these than I do the Whistlers or Cobras. That could be because they are more expensive, or because they are less effective. Regardless, if you want even remotely successful lidar detection, install remote sensors for the license plate and headlight area. Even with the sensors, if the cop has a steady hand with a lidar, if you are within 500' you may not even get an alert, and if you do, it's already too late.

 

[Ignacio]

...bragging about something that has no evidentiary value over a competitor, but absolutely buying into the hype.

I'm glad you don't buy into the hype. I don't either. Ignoring the variety of tests out there, anecdotally, the V1 is the best in my opinion. The main part for me is because the V1 arrows aid in threat directional identification. If arrows are ahead I can concentrate on looking forward as opposed to the rearview mirror. As the threat moves to the side and rear I can make an easier judgment if it's a false positive (yeah, V1s have them just like all the others) or a real threat. And regardless of real or a false hit I can more quickly resume my wicked ways with a naughty right hand.

Having said that, I see fewer of either of these than I do the Whistlers or Cobras. That could be because they are more expensive, or because they are less effective.

The former is absolutely true.....and probably not the latter. I've also got a Passport 7500 and it's just about as good on detection and counts the number of threat sources in Expert mode, but I still don't think it is nearly as useful as the arrows.

Regardless, if you want even remotely successful lidar detection, install remote sensors for the license plate and headlight area. Even with the sensors, if the cop has a steady hand with a lidar, if you are within 500' you may not even get an alert, and if you do, it's already too late.

I concur. You're usually toast with lidar regardless of detector brand.

 

[HIS2006]

Mine's the best 'cause I haven't got any tickets yet.
Edit- Before you get hammered for not searching, Valentine's the best if money's no object but Escort is a good value in a capable unit. And it's better looking in a nicer color, IMHO.

Thanks for the suggestion about searching the forum before posting, I'm still in the learning mode.

This topic was moved very quickly to the Never-Ending Pointless Recurring Thread. I understand now.

 

[OhioFJR1300]

I have a V-1 and an Escort Solo, the V-1 detects radar a good half mile before the Escort. They bot work well and warn far enough away to give you time to check your speed. Check out www.radarbusters.com, they test and report on a lot of the different ones.

 

[Bounce]

Had a Fuzzbuster (yep, that's right), a Whistler, and a V1. By far, the most useful has been the V1.

 

[TriggerT]

I had had a V1 for several years, and while it is the best I have found, I still don't use it all that often. The IL state troopers are using laser almost 100% of the time now, so any detector is only good for telling you it is time to pull over for your ticket.

Locals are almost all using the radar with the "Instant on" which you can slam on your breaks for, and try to keep them from getting a lock on you, but you are probably still screwed.

 

[radman]

Instant on has been around for years, and there has never been a good defense against it, if the cop is smart, not greedy and spacing/timing his hits. A detector can still work to warn, however, if it's operator is also smart. Those that are good with a detector know this, and can and do avoid instant on radar hits. Thusly comes the biggest problem with detectors for years-false warnings, especially when in an urban area, where they used to come so thick and heavy that one could no longer tell what was real and what wasn't. You beat instant on by detecting hits on other cars, a strong quick blast and then nothing. Or even a weak blast then nothing, if quite a distance from the source. Hills could mess up the signal, weaken it so that it seemed a falsie, till you topped the hill and joined the legions of contributors this radar method gathered. IMHO the biggest improvement, and most important, was eliminating falsing, so that one could trust the warning recieved. And this is probably where the V1 shines, the arrows indicate direction, helping determine whether the threat is real or not. Combined with the elimination of falsing, these improvements are what might get a detector back onto my dash/bars.

 

[Sherman]

... And this is probably where the V1 shines, the arrows indicate direction, helping determine whether the threat is real or not. ...

How does having a forward/backward arrow help determine if a threat is real or not? What difference is there if the threat (cop) is in front or behind me? (unless we wish to outrun him?)

 

[radman]

... And this is probably where the V1 shines, the arrows indicate direction, helping determine whether the threat is real or not. ...

How does having a forward/backward arrow help determine if a threat is real or not? What difference is there if the threat (cop) is in front or behind me? (unless we wish to outrun him?)

Well, an arrow to the side might indicate a burglar alarm, or a cop on a side street, neither of which (informed guess here) would be a threat-side radar hits do not give your speed. Front or rear-real threat. I don't have a V1, so I'm only guessing how functional the arrows really are, but I would imagine thats how they help. Front hit, instant on possibility, rear hit, cop traveling on your 6. Steady front, cop traveling opposite side, radar on. Quick on-off hit rear, cop behind doing instant on, most likely no longer a threat, but in any case, it tells you where to look. Rarely have I seen traveling instant on in same lane.

 

[TriggerT]

I find the arrows on the V1 to be one of the best features. They at least give you a dirrection to look in, and if, for example, you get the V1 telling you there is something up ahead along with seeing someones break lights, then you know it's time to slow down.

I used the v1 for several years, but have changed my driving habits a little bit, and found that with the changes being made by the LEO's it just wasn't worth the hassle.

Hmm..maybe I should sell my V1.

 

[jestal]

Said it before and will say it again....

I have heard of a LOT of people finally buying a V1 and saying they wished they had bought one in the first place instead of buying other (cheaper) detectors and becoming disatisfied with them and thus spending more money in the long run.

I have NEVER heard of anyone buying a V1 and then subsequently going to something else because they were dissatisfied.

Hardly "following the hype" ,ponyfool, when you have bought and tried other detectors and spent the money for the V1 when you had other, perfectly good detectors already....a box of them, actually. Want a used Passport, Escort, Bell, etc...??...LOL.

NO detector is going to protect you from all threats....I just proved that with a little laser encounter two weeks ago....but anything will improve the odds and the V1 improves the odds more than anything else.

The arrows are very usefull when a signal does pop up. Lets you know immediately whether it is a cop following or in front of you. Gives you immediate notification of a stationary source (cop on the other side of the expressway on a ramp you cannot see) as the arrows change from front to side to rear as you pass the source. Lots of other scenarios where the directional arrows help a lot.

 

[bikerkash]

The passport 8500 had been an excellent unit for me. You might also want to check with cyclegadgets.com as they sell a very slick magnetic easy on & off mount. I also use a produce from visual alerts which is a very bright LED light that you mount where you want, I mounted mine on top of the dector and it has worked very well. You will never hear or see the alerts rom the dector if you do not use some thing of this nature. Avoid tickets & RIDE SAFE

 

[turbodave_98]

OK riders if anyone has used the Escort 8500 X50 Red or the Valentine One radar detector I would be interested in hearing how they perform? Pro’s or Con’s would also be helpful. Are there any others that compare to these two?
Thank you for your input.

On my 05 FJR, I have an Escort 8500 with a radar Screemer integrated for audio warnings of radar detections. It works great and knock on wood, my been LOE free for all 50k miles with the setup. Also have a Cobra 1010 and it does not come close to the Escort in effectiveness.

Hope this helps.

 

[zzkenoman]

I have the Beltronics 980, seems more sensitive than the V1, and picks up far ahead of the V1, which seems to save our butts on our rides.

 

[painman]

OK riders if anyone has used the Escort 8500 X50 Red or the Valentine One radar detector I would be interested in hearing how they perform? Pro’s or Con’s would also be helpful. Are there any others that compare to these two?

Thank you for your input.

On my 05 FJR, I have an Escort 8500 with a radar Screemer integrated for audio warnings of radar detections. It works great and knock on wood, my been LOE free for all 50k miles with the setup. Also have a Cobra 1010 and it does not come close to the Escort in effectiveness.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for that info Dave, I've been wanting such a device and really didn't want to pay the extra dough and have the extra hassel of hooking up a sensor on my helmet. The screemer is what I will need. PM. <><