After getting another speeding ticket last Friday I am currently looking for a radar detector. I would love to get a Valentine because it is the industry standard and by far the best, but I don't particularly want to spend ~$400. Any other recommendations for quality radar detectors for a reasonable cost. New or used...

 

Any link for this?

 

If you want something in the V1 area of performance you're going to have to pay about the same amount as the V1 (Redline, 9500ix, STi, etc). The comparable devices in that range aren't cheap. If your budget doesn't allow for that then you'll have to settle. Consider researching on radardetector.net. This site doesn't get a whole lot of RD chatter and you should use a site that specializes in the topic (you don't go to a generic Honda site for S info, right?).

It's one of the higher end dash mounts but I wouldn't call it (or any other RD) "industry standard". Selecting an RD, like buying anything else, involves a bit of subjective preference. There are those that prefer the V1 in this class of RD's. There are those that don't prefer it. You need to figure out where you stand. You may want to try several before making your final decision.

Best is always highly subjective and it's no different with RD's. If the V1 was universally best then everyone would be using it. I prefer the V1. That doesn't mean that you (or anyone else) will. There are always pros and cons to any decision is real life. You need to figure out which option has the best balance of pros and cons for you. Never assume that your preferences are universal.

"Reasonable cost" is also highly subjective. The V1's new price is very reasonable to me. If $400 isn't reasonable then qualify exactly what you mean. What's your budget? Again never assume that what you consider to be the definition of a subjective term to be universal.

 

Seeing that you seem knowledgable in this subject, let me put it this way. With a maximum budget of $250 and the main concern being protection (I don't care about how loud it is, or if it has voiceover) which radar would you buy?

 

Save up and get a V1. I've had cheaper radar detectors and they are crap. If you want to beat the coppers...don't skimp.

 

I wouldn't bother. As I said, it's a highly subjective process and you need to use your requirements. My requirements obviously aren't relevant. I'm not willing to deal with compromises that I'd have to make with a lower budget. People at radardetector.net will be more than willing to assist though.

Save and get a good RD -- whatever you decide on. The V1 isn't for everyone.

 

save up and get a v1 or high end passport. Anythign else is just a waste of money. I've had my v1 for 4 years now and zero tickets

 

I can't believe that there are not any members that have passports, bels, whistlers, and cobras that like theirs and are not speaking up?

 

V-1 here

 

I'm sure there are plenty of people with those brands who are happy, but it's kind of irrelevant, because
the fundamental differences are feature set, which is highly subjective, and at the lower price point
you aren't getting exotic features anyway, and range, which is best measured through carefully
constructed comparison tests by people with no axe to grind.
Historically, Whistler, Escort/Passport/Bel (same company), and Valentine made good units; other
companies (Cobra?) may, and for those companies that make multiple models, I have no idea if they
vary simply by features or in performance as well.
There are good resources out there; in addition to the previously mentioned forums at radardetector.net,
guysoflidar.com have some comparison tests.
I'd avoid tests from any site that sells detectors due to the inherent conflict of interest.