Well, I got a ticket yesterday and honestly there's not much that a radar detector would have done to avoid it. Got short range hit going around a curve with the "instant on" radar. The thing is that my radar detector never even went off. I've got a 10 year old or so Passport 4600. It's been a good one, but I don't rely on it. I generally try to stay within 7 to 9 over the speed limit and generally don't have any issues, but I had just transitioned into a slower zone and didn't change my cruise control as I was busy eating french fries.

Ok enough of the sob story, I got caught and I basically deserved it, but I do want to upgrade my radar detector to help avoid this in the future.

I read several reviews and basically the best are

Escort/Passport 8500 V50 $244 shippped
Bel Pro RX65 $223 shipped
Valentine V1 V1.8 $400 plus shipping

The first 2 are basically the same unit as Cincinatti Microwave bought Beltronics and basically have the same processors, etc. The Valentine is said to have better laser protection but honestly I've never had the lazer alert go off on my current one and I've read by the time it signals, your speed has been recorded. What I like about the Valentine is that if new technology comes out, it is upgradeable......that is why it is still on the list at nearly twice the price even though the sources I've read say that all 3 above are basically even.

Any thoughts or experiece on these? Is the upgrade ability of the V1 worth it? Thanks for any input, Matt

 

A guy I work with swears by this one.
I'd never heard of it before, but he says it's better than the Valentine.

http://www.rockymountainradar.com/

 

why not save the money and just not speed....???

 

I am with gerry on this one.

I think the only thing those radar detectors are good for is to lull you into a false feeling of invulnerability. You end up thinking you are covered as long as you use one of those, so you drive even faster and then get hammered with a BIG ticket.

Better off to back off a couple MPH, you save money via fuel costs, you save the money you could have wasted on one of those detectors, and more importantly you may save a life or two

JMHO

Hasn'thadaticketsince1985Lary

 

I have had the Valetine 1 radar detector for years and will say it is a quality unit and they do software upgrades for free. I used it in my BMW but now I do not use in my truck by the wife uses it. The key for laser warning is to pick up an alert when he gets the guy in front of you, but sometimes you have to react fast.

Just my thoughts,


Jim

 

I have a Whistler brand radar detector. I love it. It is by far the best one I have ever owned. I've used several brands but this one by far is the best. I have the one that also gives out Weather warnings by the national weather service. I have been following my wife and hers will not do a thing and mine will go crazy and then about 2 miles ahead there the cop sits.

 

i've got both the whistler and rockymountian electronic radar/scrambler. the little $40 whistler works just as good as my buddy's valentine without the cost.

with the rocky mountian you get a great radar detector as well as a scarmbler for less than a top of the line passport or cobra.

course it's your money, and nock-on-wood i've only had one speeding ticket with the whistler, but it was my own fault for not paying attention

 

I think my Whistler was 135 in the store but I went online and the whistler company will allow you to trade in your old whistler detectors and give you credit towards a new one. I had an older one that the voice recognition had quit working. I paid 70 for it at walmart and had it for 3 yrs. They offered me 75 for it towards the one I have now. My new one was 170 online but was 135 at walmart. So I paid $100 for it. I thought that was pretty cool of them.

 

I had a valentine in my eclipse and bought another one for my truck. It is amazing. Once you drive with it, you won't want to drive without it. The cops around here are VERY sneaky and it's nice to know what is up ahead before getting there. The arrows are a great feature, knowing where to look when a beep is heard is great! I don't speed alot but I like knowing when/where the cops are before I get there. And you do wait for it to go off when they hit cars in front of you then you react. Also around here whenever the laser is being used for some reason it also sets off the x band as high as it can go so I kinda know whats going on. It is very nice worth the money imo

 

Why don't you answer the questions asked and don't be a troll?

 

I appreciate the opinion Lary, but I dont' rely on them, It is a nice tool to help your eyes catch the law. I've had one for years so I'm used to having one and I want to have the best. I just like to have one that will be up to date for the latest radar just in case I make a mistake like this time of going into a slower speed zone and missing the signs. Like I said I'm usually only doing 7 oto 9 over depending on my sense of urgency but I got nailed this time by missing the zone change.

 

Thanks for the link Ed. The reviews I read on the RMR units weren't very favorable. They also have been sued several times about their claim of "we'll pay your ticket if you get one". There was lots of fine type in terms and conditions. My brother has one of their units and likes it, and I must say I was surprised to read the poor reviews. Thank you again, Matt

 

Wow, free upgrades!? That's great if that's true. I noticed on the Valentine site that if you enter your serial # that they will tell you what the latest updates will cost you. I have to say, either way, I do like that it won't be obsolete in a few years with the newest tech upgrade. It may be worth the additional fee for that reason alone. Thanks for the response!

 

Wow , you old Top! You ain't had a ticket since before i was around...

 

Great review of the V1. Thanks! I do like the "cool factor" of the arrows but probably useful too so you know when you are past the hazzard.