I am looking to buy a quality radar detector and was wondering what the marginal benefit of the top of the line detectors is. I will be spending about $300 and am leaning strongly towards the Escort 8500. Does the extra $200 for the V1 or Escort 9500 really make that much of a difference? I know radar detectors are of little use with laser and instant-on, so what is the point of spending the extra money when a mid range detector will suffice?

Lastly, what is the best detector in the $200 to $300 range?

Thanks for the advice!

 

V1 because of arrows >All

It's not even close.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Valentine-One-V1...item27b92fb430

I've heard really good things about this one. If I get one in the future, it would probably be this kind.

 

I have a Passport 8500....seems like a good radar detector. It falses very infrequently...has saved me from a few tickets. If I had unlimited funds, I would have opted for the V1. Directional arrows would be nice. But $400 is too
much cash for a detector IMO

 

I've had many radar detectors over the years but now only buy Valentine 1 and even own two units since I got sick of transferring one between three cars. It is expensive but to me, just knowing which direction the cop is from me, is worth the extra $100. I've been driving across the desert many times, and my old detectors would go off on Ka band. I'd let up and start searching behind, in front, looking for side roads, etc. Now, the V1 goes off and I know if it's in front of me or behind me, or even off to the side. I just slow down, the cop will come up going the other way, and I know I'm done. Or, maybe it'll go off and the arrows show it's in front of me, but I don't see any cop. I keep going and then I'll finally see him off hiding off to the side, where he's partially blocked from view, and then the arrows will go from in front of me, to the sides and then to behind me. It's just a big help knowing where to look and having the arrows change direction as you pass by.

 

i have the Passport 8500 and it works pretty well for me,
i drive mostly city and freeways and always gave me good range even with lazers.
but i dont speed like 10+ over so once it goes off a qwick stomp on the brakes
put me will in the speed limit.

saved me from few tickets, and i dont have anything bad to say about it (:

 

I also have the escort 8500 x50(2 actually). Had it since 05 and am still perfectly happy with it.

 

quoted for truth

i love my V1. I cannot live without the arrows

 

Arrows or nothing. Had my V1 for almost a decade now. Sent it in for $50 to get upgraded to new specs. Middle or the road detectors are good for paperweights. The Escort is a good detector as well, but for $100 more, the arrows are worth it. $400 broken down over a decade, and NO speeding tickets, and the V1 becomes a no brainer.

 

Consider the speed you'll travel at and the distance you'll cover during the second or even fraction of a second of difference in RD performance.

What will or won't "suffice" depends on your goals and the safety margin you're comfortable with. The more layers of countermeasures you have the better off you are. Relying solely on an inexpensive RD isn't the best approach IMO. At least include situational awareness and the use of rabbits.

You need to clearly define "best". The word is fairly meaningless otherwise. If you don't know how to clarify what you're asking for then you need to do some more research.

That's a matter of subjective preference that each person needs to determine for his/her self. Like most things in life, RD's aren't one-size-fits-all. Both VR and Escort offer return periods. If you can, try various options before settling in on one choice. Don't overlook resources such as radardetector.net's forums for research.

I personally prefer the V1. Doesn't mean that everyone else out there will. Each choice has its pros and cons.

Expensive is always highly subjective as well. IMO, $400 (or even the cost of my V1 plus Laser Interceptor) beats the tickets, increased insurance rates, etc.

There's always cruise control if you want the cheapest option.