All the threats from Officer Bob in Ashville have made me nervous and I think I really need a radar detector. I've been checking out reviews on the web. Most rate the following as best picks:

Escort Passport 8500 --- $300
BEL 980 ---------------- $290
Valentine One ---------- $399

I'm also interested in the Escort Solo because it is battery operated and would be easy to move from car to car. Important if you have a driveway full.

Escort Cordless Solo --- $199

I'd be interested to hear any b*tches or testimonials to help me decide.

Also, if anyone else is interested in a radar detector I'd be willing to look into a group buy, although I don't know if a better price can be found. I'm sure it would depend on quantity. Anyway, let me know --- if there's enough interest I'll make a few inquires.

 

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I'd be interested in a GB... How hard are they to install?

 

I also have the cordless Escort Solo and am not happy with it. I've received 2 tickets with the Escort, no warning until I spotted the lovely officer on the side of the road.
From what I've read and researched, The Valentine 1 has my vote.
The $399 will be worth me keeping my license. I'd love to participate in a GB but I doubt you'll find a cheaper price.

 

I went to a high end stereo shop the other day to see about getting some new speakers and an alarm. The guy there asked me if I liked to speed. Then he showed me some laser diffusor installs they did on a Ferrari, and asked me if I wanted one. When i asked how much it cost, he said $2000. Aparently it's undetectible by the laser guns. It confuses them and they give error messages instead of a readout.

 

Don't forget all... that according to sondra, if you call valentine 1 on the phone you can order a refurbed unit with all the same specs and warranty of the new ones for like
$40 less.

Oh an my vote is on the V1!

 

I too had the Passport 8500 and V1 in mind. My friend has a V1 and having seen it work numerous times, I bought it. No regrets! It simply has way more features that the others don't.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by huyto
[B]I'd be interested in a GB...

 

Chuck, I don't know if you noticed, but both Jason and I had V1's hanging proudly on our windshields. IMO, it's the best freaking detector I have ever used, had, owned...anything.

No, it's not the most elegant shape or physical design, but as for me, I could give two hoots in Hades about what it looks like. The damn thing WORKS...! It amazes me!!

That's my vote, anyway!

 

This may help sway the argument further.

I have had the V1 for 11 months now. I currently own a 2000 C5 6sp vette (my yellow S2k is on order). Naturally the C5 is a very fast car and I wanted to be protected.

Let me just say that I have NEVER been caught with my V1. I did get just one ticket for 5 over....but that time, I did not have my V1! My error!

Loki, I am a little curious as to how effective your particular V1 actually is? It seems to me that you have the front of the unit (in the pic anyway) pointed down toward the road. It's not going to work too well like that!!! For the V1 to be effective, it needs to be perfectly level.

IMHO, the V1 is by far the best choice. It has the best reputation (ask anybody to tell you anything bad about the V1 - I dare you!), the best build and it flat out works! Every test consistently ranks it number one. The only other one to consider is the new Passport at $300.

However, the V1 has an optional concealed mount which is awesome. The Passport remote mount is simply a cigarette lighter power cord with a mute button. The V1 concealed mount is only $40 more and allows you to see everything the main unit is showing you.

One of the best features of the V1 is its directional finder. This baby will tell you which direction the threat(s) is/are, how many threats there are and which threat is strongest. NO OTHER detector on the market can do this. Did you also know that the V1 is the ONLY unit on the market with a metal body?

Also, if you ride motorbikes, you can buy an optional ($40) unit that you can connect headphones to.

Also, it is my strongest advice to steer well clear from any cordless detector. They might look great and seem to be a worthwhile thing, but in every test the magazines ever ran, the cordless detectors consistently were the worst performers!

Look, it's really as simple as this......once you spend your $399-439 on the V1, you will forget that you ever did pretty quickly. It is just such a great unit.

Don't be coerced by 'cheaper' deals on inferior detectors. The old adage 'you get what you pay for' really rings home here.

Cheers,