Radar detectors - do they actually work?
 

Are radar detectors really worth the money? Does good science support spending $400?

Tom
About to take a 2000 mile road trip in his new 500E

Yes, radar detectors work (depends upon which one you buy as to how well, though). I've had a Valentine One for about 3-4 years now and wouldn't drive without it! It works very well. Before that, I had a Passport 4500. It was good, but nowhere near the V-1.

Scott P.

Ditto what Scott said. I won't even go to the convenience store without it. If you drive above the posted limit, V1 is the only choice.

V1 saved my a$$ numerous times.
Da best in radar detection,but
watch out for them choppers.;)

The V1 gets is tops in my book too. I think it is worth the extra money just to have an idea of the direction the radar is coming from, plus the bogey counter is a wonderful device for roads often traveled. No detector will prevent you from getting a radar speeding ticket though, they will help put the odds more in your favor. If you are the only car on the road and you get nailed with LASER-it's all over. Once saw a radar cop parked on the side of the highway who tried to follow me and nab me from behind. Lucky the V1 kept up it's directional alert as long as he stayed behind me.
Gary

V1 is the only way to go. I wouldn't cross the street without it! I've got a window mount in each of my cars and I just move it around depending on the car I'm in. Here in Dallas everybody drives 20 over and the cops just love to hide in different places every day.

You still need to speed smart on the freeway. If you don't have some bear bait and blast over a hill you'll eventually get busted.

Randy

With the hi-perf toys I drive, I'd be in jail if it weren't for my V1.

Another vote for the V1. I have over 100,000 miles with it, saved me more times than I can count.

You have my attention
 

OK, I have read the praises for the V-1. I see they sell it for $399.00 right from their web site (https://store.valentine1.com/store/).

Anyplace to get it cheaper?

For some reason I now NEED ONE of these. :-)

Dave

Someone is selling one that is a few months old with all the accessories for $360 on www.mbnz.org Look in the classifieds under miscellaneous items I think (its not in the parts section). Make sure it has a serial number b/c the V1 people won't upgrade units if they've been removed (ie stolen).

Randy

well what do you guys think of lesser model radar detectors? Such as a cobra or the sub $150 like? I don't care about the bogey detector, as the local cops use Ka instead of x (the supermarket type) band anyway, and the direction finder while usefull is not something I really care that much about, I mean, I don't go over very often, I just want to make sure I don't get busted doing a quick pass.... I just want something that will warn me of a radar and laser before the flashing lights....

If you are a fast/aggressive driver or do alot of driving, why get a inferior radar detector? The first time the V1 saves you, it has paid for itself 3 times. It will cost you atleast $1200 for a ticket with fines and insurance surcharges over the years.

hehehe.... I don't drive much or all that fast. I might do the occasional highway speed jaunt chasing an m5... but thats about it. For that I can't justify paying big money for a v1... But, I like having a little security just in case, especially when you are following in a "caravan", I mean, who is the cop gonna pull over? The white cavalier in front, or the dark blue Mercedes?

Well, I'm convinced. I ordered a Valentine One yesterday - hope it gets here on time. I am flying out on Friday to pick up the 500E.

Valentine on its way.
 

Mine should be here tomorrow!

++db

I have two friends who have Escort Passport 8500's, and have been using Escort for years and swear by them. They didn't think the convenience of arrows (which is nice I'll admit) wasn't worth the extra $100.

As far as detection range, the 8500 has been rated the best detector for the money in both Car and Driver's test and on radartest.com of which the V1 was it's direct competition. It's for the extended coverage that the Escort will win my dollars. I'm in no way bashing the V1, as it's record speaks for itself, but there are other, viable brands as well...

Me? I'll make do with the hand-me-down Escort 5000 till I find employment and go for an 8500...

Regards,
- Ryan

How about a radar detector for under 100 bucks I need one but I'm still on a tight budget.

Looking at something like this
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1359622406

I heard Montana tried no speed limit for a while then went back to one about done rebuilding supension on my Euro 500SE was planning trip to Montana this summer aw shucks.......
William Rogers.....
74 240 D
81 Sd
86 Euro 500SE
81 2wd 454 Blazer "a handfull on gravel"

V1 probably is top dog, directionals for where the heat is coming from is helpful. However, for $100 less I have a new Passport 8500 and it has served me well.

Yep, Montanna's "Prudent" Speed Limit was taken down in the Spring of 1997. We just got our 300TE wagon the previous fall of 1996, and the wife suggested we take a vacation through the National Parks in Utah and Montanna, while at the same time visiting her grandmother in Billings, Montanna.

The Montanna Autobahn was to be repealed at the end of May, so off we went. It was fabulous. 115-120 all day through Montanna, conditions permitting.

I was told the Federal Government threatened to withold the monies for roads if Montanna did NOT put up at least a 70MPH speed limit.


FWIW, in sparse stretches of Montanna road you can still go 90MPH and the cops don't mind, conditions permitting (e.g., you have Montanna plates) . . .

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

My Whistler 1780 has already paid for it self four or five times. All the times it saved me my tickers would have landed me in jail or with a 200+ ticket. I could'nt afford a V1 so I went for the whistler brand becasue of a friends 1655.

Has anyone had experience with the K40 "invisible" system? It's the type you permanently install in the car, it's nor portable. New they're $800-$1000 installed. I got my hands on one free from a friend, new, never installed. I was just curious if it was at least close to the V1 in performance. The K40 isn't too common due to the price, although they have a great warrantee - they'll "pay all speeding tickets you get for one year after purchase." Too bad they won't also pay the higher insurance premiums for the next 3 years too!

http://www.k40.com/K40Radar/CustomRemote.htm

http://www.k40.com/K40Radar/K40Guarantee.htm


Neat thing about this is that it can be totally invisible to the cop and your passengers, no black box anywhere.

You can make a V1 invisible too, they have a concealed display unit you can buy that is a 1.5" cube, just displays the arrows, bogey number and signal strength.

My V1 saved me countless numbers of times, I think i'd still be in jail if I didn't have it. I refuse to use anything else. I have about 100,000 miles with it.