I'm thinking of maybe getting a radar detector, but I have NO CLUE on what is good... so would you kind folks post up your opinions on the best radar detectors you've personally tried and think that it is actually worth buying? Please also include brands beside Passport and Valentine one, which I have found to be quite popular among you guys... and also please post affordable units too thanks sooo much!

 

http://search.s2ki.com/search.php?q=radar+detector

 

I have only owned a V1. I can't see how anyone could live without the "Bogey" counter and the directional arrows. I know that is is the most expensive. But IMO it is the best. I never liked the others that only beeped, so I never bought one.

 

I am exactly the same. My experience with the V-1 and my feeling about is is exactly the same.

I never realized how good they were to have until I bought one. Still, a radar detector is no substitute for good driving.

 

They're way too expensive though... too bad.

 

That all depends on what you call expensive. Spend $150 for a bargain basement detector, then add the cost of 1 (or more) speeding tickets and the resulting increase in your insurance premium and the V-1 has paid for itself in no time.

By the way, I vote for the V-1 too. It's saved my ass more times than I can remember.

 

I have had a V-1 for several years. It is great on the open roads where you don't get a lot of false alarms. If the cops use laser or instant on radar you're a cooked goose.

As someone said above a radar detector is no substitute for good driving habits.

 

I've personally tried:
V1 (vintage fall, '00)
Passport 8500
Passport 4600
Passport 4500
original Passport.



I've got the V1 installed in my S2000 and the Passport 4600 in my Prelude.

FOR MY USE, the V1 is the best. It is the most sensitive on X band and equal to the Passport 8500 on K and Ka. Theoretically it should be better on laser, but, like somone said above, no detector for laser gives adequate warning unless your reflexes are faster than the speed of light--which they are not.

X is still used by law enforcement in Wyoming. If someone lived in an area where X was no longer used, the added sensitivity would cause more false alarms.

I love the directional arrows on the V1. The "bogey counter" is a joke, because it way overestimates the number of sources.

The Passport 8500 is just about as good, has a great display, and is about the same size. It is a tad cheaper. Some people prefer it to the V1. I would miss the directional arrows.

If you want "the best," as you stated initially, that is it for choices. If you want to compromise on price or features, there are plenty of choices but then you're no longer talking about "the best." Rather you're talking about the best compromise for your specific situation. You'll never get an absolute "best compromise for my situation" answer.

 

i personally have the escort 8500... a friend of mine has the V1, and although the bogie and the posistion is cool, i really don't look at my radar, i can tell by the different pitches of the beeps what radar it is, and usually i can tell where it is... makes me more aware of whats going on... plus, i'm not sure if u can with the v1, but a friend and myself just spliced some phone wire and ran some wires down so i didn't have that lovely curly power wire for my radar in my face...

-stek

 

Both the V1 and the Passport 8500 use RJ11 connectors and standard phone cable.

The added sensitivity of the V1 ONLY applies to X band. If X band is not a priority for you, both are superb radar radio receivers. X band is being phased out most places. The V1 has nice arrows. The Passport has a better price.

You can order both, compare for yourself, and return the less desirable, or even return both.