So, I've been on the fence from sometime now about a radar detector... I read posts here and they seem save people's asses everywhere... But then I think, "Man, if I had one, I would really be asking for trouble... I live on the highway at 80-100+, and it's all I can do to obey a 35 MPH zone... What in the hell would I be like with some sort of false (or near-false) security?"

Do those of you who have radar detectors ever find yourself being somewhat careless??

u do have a point there but i can speak for myself when i say that in a 35 mph zone its not like i speed a lot, i try to keep myself under 55 and it does help to have a V1 to warn me if there are any cops approaching that area, i do drive fast but i am careful when i drive fast. other than the times i have a race with a rice car or another bimmer i generally stay under 55. there are some ppl who cant even drive safe at 35 and those are the ppl we need to look out for when we are on the road.

There are lotsa crazies out there, y'all be careful.

later......

Which detectors are the favorites???

I feel that I'm a safer driver with the detector. Without it, I still speed, so I'd be constantly scanning behind me, in front of me, every entrance ramp, everywhere, looking for cops. Now that I have it, I can concentrate a lot more on the actual driving. I still scan for cops visually, but a lot less than I used to need to.

I have an Escort Passport 8500. It's excellent.

Originally posted by bfkn
Which detectors are the favorites???

I have a valentine 1 and love it. the best feature is that u can hard wire near the sunroof so u dont have the cord going from the detector to the lighter socket. its a little expensive but its the best.

lemme know if u need any help hard wiring it when u get it.
later....

I have a cheap a$$ bell 890 somethingorother detector and it works just fine for me. I agree that it's safer with a RD because you aren't always looking in your rearview mirror. But detector or not, you still have to watch out not to blow by cops at 90 mph. You're better off having one, no question.

i've never had a RD and have never been pulled over once. and yea i speed everytime i go on the highway. i was actually wondering the exact same thing as u, and i think i'd become too relying on the RD for my own good. just IMO.

favorites that i've seen and read about are definitely the Valentine 1 and Passport 8500.

Anyone have any experience with any RD's you install behind the grill???

Detectors that are mounted behind the grille are great....for catching cops in front of you. Many times there are cops coming from behind and this detector will not pick them up, or will have a vastly reduced signal.

Good point.

My V1 slows me down because it's always catching speed traps even if they aren't pointed at me. I travel very fast and so far it has brought me good luck. The V1 is worth the extra money especially in the long run, when I get something for my car, I get the top of the line product or I don't get it at all, the V1 IMO is the best out there.

Do radar detectors work in an urban area like a town......i dont drive on the express way very much, is it worth it to get one for me? Will the V1 go off every 5 seconds or something if i drive on normal roads?

I turn my radar detector off and put it in the glove compartment once I get off the highway and into Manhattan. It's useless unless you're running from the law and want any and every kind of warning. It does go off every 5 seconds.

For a brief comparison of the Valentine One, the Passport 8500, and a few of their peers, I suggest reading the article found here: http://www.detectortest.com/DS4HEM.html

great article

That article, while decent, has several out and out blatant mistatement (read lies) about the V1's capability-

It says the V1 cannot be programmed, it can.

It says the V1 has no dark-mode, it doesn't mention the fact that the V1 is the only detector with a Full remote display.

It says the V1 can not selectively turn off Bands to prevent false alarms- it can.

I sent a very straightforward email to the author, questioning him on these points (and requesting advice from him for my purchase). He proceeded to suggest a detector to me (bel product), but didn't even comment on my questions to him about non-bais...

just keep that in mind

now, for a REALLY good detector shootout, go to

http://www.speedzones.com

that is by far the most non-biased comparison I found.

I recently purchased a passport 8500 and ran it on a road-trip up to Rochester last weekend-

My feelings-

First of all... BOGIE COUNTERS ARE A MUST! Twice I found myself in a situation where Real threats (cops with instant on) were hiding themselves behind radar radiation thrown off my contruction signs/automatic doors. Fortunately the 8500 has a VERY nice bogie coutner that not only gives you number of signals, but also gives you they type and strength of each incoming... (up to 8)... Not even v1 gives you this much information-

although the passport is a front-facing detector, I found when passing construction signs (that throw off K) that I could detect them for almost a half-mile behind, usually from reflections off on-coming traffic. I now see why many people say that rear-facing detectors aren't exactly crucial- for the most part- a sharp eye protects your from the rear far better than any detector could (in order for a cop to hit you with moving-radar from the rear he needs to have you in plain site for more than 15 seconds- thats why rear radar is rare- by that point most cops would rather just Vascar you, its quicker and less of a hassle (and won't trip your radar detector if you have one).

(vascar is basically timing you from point to point)

I agree- radar detectors are worthless in the city...

but I find them more than useful cross-country...

just my observations;)

-Scott

BmrBoy, thanks for pointing out the inaccuracies of that article... although it did mention the remote display ("Linking the V1 with an optional remote display ($39 plus shipping) extinguishes the light show...").

I find the author's failure to figure out that the V1 is programmable disturbing. I had seen an article on this subject written by him in Automobile magazine (January, '96), so I assumed he was not incompetent... apparantly I was mistaken.

I find speedzone.com's detector test to be quite good, although their rationale behind testing each detector a different number of times eludes me.

Mr. Peterson's general conclusions seem to be supported by the results of the speedzone.com guys; however, his inaccurate comments make all his work questionable. From someone who (apparantly) presents himself as an expert in the field, it is simply inexcusable.

As a matter of fact I came across an interesting article. That sales reps' comments to you weren't just her opinion... it's the company's official position on Mr. Peterson! Valentine Research does not like Craig Peterson at all... read more here, at the official homepage of the Valentine One:

http://www.valentine1.com/lab/V1Hater.asp