Whats the deal? Hav'nt had one in many many years. Whats the best and what am I looking at spending. Realized after my first weekend in the new car I'm gonna need an extra set of eyes. Basically anything is legal where I am, so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

The two top detectors are:
1. Escort Passport 8500 X50 for $299 for a red display or $339 for a blue display. This is a new version (May 2004) with added features.
2. Valentine 1 for $399.

There are fans of both and arguments from both camps that will claim superiority over the other; the best thing is to check out the sites yourself:

Escort (http://www.escortradar.com/x50.htm)

Valentine 1 (http://www.valentine1.com/home.asp)

If you ask around the boards, there seems to be more users of the Valentine 1; they will rave about the directional arrows.
The owners of Escorts seem to be more low key; they like their detector but they don't seem to talk about them very much.

BTW: I own the earlier version of the Escort. I'm very happy with its performance.

thanks, helpful. Figured it was either one or the other. Cordless?

ORIGINAL: gman

thanks, helpful. Figured it was either one or the other. Cordless?

Escort makes the Solo, which is the same as the 8500. I don't think it has the updated software/components of the new 8500 X50 though.

The Valentine does not come as a cordless model, but it has an option for installing a remote location of the display.

There is no option for a remote location component that is offered by Escort, but there is a nice article on hardwiring the Escort on AW.
"Hardwiring an Escort Radar Locator" (http://www.audiworld.com/tech/elec76.shtml)

I'm working on a (secret) project for the Escort. It will be a hardwire and remote location modification. Don't hold your breath - I've been working on it very slowly for over three months!!

I own both (V1 and Solo) and to me there is no comparison. Valentine 1. I've run them both at the same time and the Valentine consistently alerts quicker than the Escort. Fewer falses with the V1 as well. My wife uses the Escrt now and I run the V1 hardwired into the fuse box.

Interesting Doose... I believe the Solo uses the older software and it's sensitivity is lower than the 8500, let alone the 8500 X50.
Motor Trend's latest article puts the Escort 8500 X50 and the V1 neck-and-neck, but the Escort 8500 X50's new software edges out the V1. Here's the summary from the article:

Escort Passport 8500 X50
(94.9 points)
Top Protection Dashtop Radar/LIDAR Detector
The Passport 8500, with its high-sensitivity, state-of-the-art POP mode capabilities, small size, and high-quality construction, remains at the top of the pyramid for overall radar and LIDAR detection. With its optional ZR3 laser shifter ($500 MSRP), it's the lone high-end detector offering the ability to legally interrupt most laser guns, making it the choice in laser-rich driving environments.
WHAT'S HOT · Available optional plug-in laser countermeasures, with POP mode protection
WHAT'S NOT · X-band performance falls just a bit short of leader
BOTTOM LINE · Remains the gold standard in radar/LIDAR dashtop detectors
Price: $299 (manufacturer direct) Escort: 800/433-3487 (http://www.escortradar.com/)

Valentine One
(94.8 points)
Although the external case has remained basically the same through the years, the Valentine One V1 is a top-flight instrument to detect all bands of radar as well as LIDAR. Owners swear by the effectiveness of its front-panel direction arrows. While it offers the highest level of sensitivity, its level of user-friendliness, overall protection, and value falls just a bit short of competitive units.
WHAT'S HOT · Designates direction of the threat; high sensitivity in all bands
WHAT'S NOT · Less POP mode sensitivity, size of case
BOTTOM LINE · Great protection overall, but at a premium price.
Price: $399 (manufacturer direct) Valentine One: 800/331-3030 (http://www.valentineone.com/)

True, it does use older software. The Solo is also less sensitive when running on battery. There is always at least one article in Car and Driver every month, I'll check and see what they say too. Is the new Escort a cordless too? My V-1 has saved me more times than I can count, certainly more than I spent to buy it. It's proabably like anything else, you get use to how it works and know what to expect. I haven't used the new Escort, but I wouldn't trade my V-1 for anything at this point.

I like the fact that the X50 is Shift+Link compatible with the Laser Shifter ZR3, too. Expensive unit, but the ultimate protection.
The X50 has 50% more range on K and Ka bands than the previous 8500.

And no... the X50 is not cordless.

What is the laser shifter ZR3? We haven't seen that here in Indy yet. But it would be nice to be preapared when it does show. The only need I could see for a cordless would be in a rental car with a disabled lighter. It's too easy to hard wire them to worry about cordless.

ORIGINAL: Doose

What is the laser shifter ZR3? We haven't seen that here in Indy yet. But it would be nice to be preapared when it does show....

Go here: ZR3 link (http://www.escortradar.com/zr3.htm)

Thanks. Sounds like a jammer I use to have, it worked only on K, Ka and X bands not laser.

I have the passport 8500.... I love it, it's saved me a bunch of times... If you know someone that works at best buy you can get for $199!.![sm=smiley20.gif]

This is not to say that the V1 is not worth your money. There are plenty of V1 users that swear by it.

I think youcan't go wrong with either.

I think youcan't go wrong with either.

Thats ture![sm=smiley20.gif]

About how far in advance will your guys guns pick up if a cop is running active radar.

wont use anythign else but a V1 although it is ugly as shit

ORIGINAL: David_K

wont use anythign else but a V1 although it is ugly as shit

Hehehe! :D

ORIGINAL: audiboy1618

About how far in advance will your guys guns pick up if a cop is running active radar.

I'm not sure I'm clear on this question.

If you mean how far away can I pick up radar, then the answer isn't truly a scientific fact. There are too many environmental factors. The best (read: ideal conditions) that I've experienced is a bit over two miles - the detector went off, I continued to drive down a long incline while the detector continued to beep. I saw the cop sitting under the overpass at about 1 mile and the detector continued to beep until I passed the cop; the total distance was 2.2 miles.

You can probably get quite a few answers here radar busters (http://www.radarbusters.com)

If I remember correctly, I don't think this guy was too keen on V1 though he still ranked it pretty high. Personally, I'm looking to acquire a Escort Passport 8500 X50 eventually.

I'm sure it has been said before, but I have to put my opinion in because I so pro-Valentine 1. I've had mine for about 4-5 years now and I can't begin to tell you how many times it has save me. I lost track after 6th close call. If you are an aggressive driver, I would be very surprised if it doesn't pay for itself in the first year. I know people love the 8500, and I'm not baggin it, but the locator on the V-1 is absolutely priceless. You have no idea how useful it is until you don't have it anymore. Not to mention the range is insane. On I-5 where it is flat, I have literally picked up a signal (mind you this is much more likely an understatement than overstatement) over 2 miles away!! I know this is true for a fact becuase I drive by the same cop in the same spot nearly every time I go up I-5. The only time I don't pick up his signal is when he isn't there!!

Just don't let a cordless feature sway your decision, because cordless never perform as well. If you are that gung-ho about no wires, you can just hard wire it and run the cords under the headliner. It was well worth the $400. If I had known it would perform this well 5 years ago, I gladly would have paid $1000!!!

OK, one more story cuz this was one that totally sold me on it's capabilities.

Bout 4 years ago I was drivin home at about midnight in Monterey (and if you know Monterey, NOBODY is on the street at midnight). I was goin about 45 in a 25 and I came over the top of a hill and the V-1 went crazy so I slammed on the brakes and slowed down to 25. Mind you there are no lights out except my headlights and the arrow on the locator is pointng straight ahead. So at this point I'm thinking "F***, I'm screwed!" because I got a ticket for 60 in a 35 one and a half years prior for the same type of thing(when I didn't have the V-1) and ironically I was using a Passport at the time! But to my surpise I drove about another half-mile to a stop sign where I paused, and a sheriff turned on his headlights, drove out from behind some bushes, and went up the street for something else... There was absolutely no way I would have seen him there hiding if he hadn't moved at that moment. So, at that point my heart was beating about a million miles a minute and I turned to my friend next to me, and he said "So how much do those things cost? Cuz I need to know how much of my stuff I need to sell to get one!"

This may sound too good to be true, but try it yourself, and THEN call me a liar!

In my mind, just short or a radar jammer, there is nothing that even compares!

I know someone at best buy, but haven't talked to them yet... I don't see any radar detectors at the online website.

They cant put them on the website. against story policy i think, cuz its illegal in VA and DC

the V1 is the best, hands down.

Damn straight. thats what i used till it got stolen

V1 all the way

Something of interest... how about a Valentine installed in the rear mirror?:D
I'll see if I can track it down, I've seen it around.

another vote for the v1. get that and get the hideaway unit. When you buy a valenting one you can send it back and get it upgraded as the software programs are improved to help keep you a step ahead of the po po.