Esteemed Forums attendees....

With my sights set on a W124 (Either E420 or 500E/E500) in the near future, thoughts have turned to radar detectors (since my current '77 300D would have little use for one ).

I'm sure the opinions on brands/models are as varied and vehement as motor oil and tires, and to avoid a tpoic that may have already been beaten to death - does anyone know of a good online comparison of different Brands/Models and they benefits/drawbacks?

TIA,
- Ryan

you can start with pages like:

http://www.radartest.com/DS4HEM.html

results are as expected. i'm sure you can find more yourself. i like the BEL myself, it's priced right and has most of the bells & whistles...

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joE
1993 300e-2.8 - gone now <sigh>
"Do not adjust your mind, it's reality that's malfunctioning"
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Other than the bulk, I've been successful and highly satisfied with the Valentine One detector.

I like the Valentine one. Very sensitive, and lots of useful information, including band detected, number of sources and direction. Best one bar none when I bought it 3 years ago.

Around town it is almost TOO sensitive, going off when driving by shopping centers (triggered by automatic door openers).

But out on the road it is great. Some newer units claim better sensitivity, but I would have to see it to believe it.

Someone on this forum mentioned that the test cited above may be biased. Check out the valentine web-site.

Tom Elerding

Thank you all for your valuable input!

Whether I can find an E500 (fingers crossed) or if I end up with an E420 (just fine too), there will have to be some kind of help in this area. These cars are far to capable of exceeding our speed limits. While not a speed demon personally, I can see how they can make you one (test drove a '92 500E the other night for the first time - WOW)

Regards,
- Ryan

There's an E500 on ebay that has 58K on it in Black/Black:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=597416421&r=0&t=0

I would consider it, but it looks like it's been through about 4 owners, and mostly a fleet car. So, that could mean good or bad things.

On topic, i just ordered another V1.

I loved the V 1 for ages, but It failed once on my father on the new KA bands being used I guess cause warning sucked. (He also pointed out that the V1s suck with the ever popular new guns, i guess it had to be KA)

He kept it though finding the direction indicator nice. So with that in Mind, went with the Passport 8500. Love it. Talk about an edge. IT throws everything away. Don't wast ur oney like I did on jamers, don't work anymore. Until Mike Valentine remodels his detectors and totally redoes it, the 8500 is here to stay. Till then, 4get K40, never worth it.

I drive between DC and NYC alot, and I make Times not imageinable. 8500 is a life saver. Looks great to..Def a best bang for buck.

Too bad they are illegal in DC and Virginia.

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Chirag (Charlie) Patel
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- 03 Mercedes S600 Sport TTV12
- 97 Acura NSX-T
- 99 BMW E36 M3 w/500+ HP
- 04 Lexus RX330
- 04 Dodge Dakota Quad 4x4 V8

4 Sale:
- 99 BMW M3 E36 Coup with Dinan SC, Upgraded to an RMS Stage 3 with Aftercooler, 12psi, and 500+hp @ flywheel.

I have been running detectors since 1976 (super snooper). Probably owned 60 different ones. Even tested them with my state trooper friends. Valentine One is the way to go. You will never have to buy another, because when he updates the model you can send your old one in for the update.

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1995 S-350
370K + SOLD
1952 220B Cabriolet
39K kilometers + SOLD
1998 E300D
310K +
2012 E350 BlueTec
120K