Anybody out there that can enlighten me on radar detectors? Whats good whats not? What about that directional radar retector I heard about by Valentine?

 

I don't have any personal experience with radar detectors, but from what I have read and conversations I have had with others I think I am going to buy the Valentine 1. I like the fact that it has the directions to let you know which direction the radar is being shot from. Also from what I was told once you buy it you never have to buy another one. As they update their technology all you have to do is mail them your unit and they will upgrade the software for free as opposed to having to buy the lastest models from other companies as they hit the market. Thats pretty much all I know, but I'm sure somebody with personal experience will be along shortly to give their input.

 

According to the radar decetor reviews and test I see in the magazines, either Car and Driver or Road and Track, they always seem to really like the Valentine. I had a radar detector back in 1996 or so and got pulled over. I have never used one since. I just don't trust them. A few of my friends have them and they either rely on them way too much or they get annoyed that they are always going off and then they shut them off, what good is that? LOL

 

The V1 by far is the best unit on the market in my opinon. I have one since 1999, its the best 400 dollars you can spend. Even if you don't drive fast or alot, its well worth it. The only thing is that its not pratical for the city or populated areas, but then again you can't go fast there anyway. You have to think about it, because it is more expensive then most other units but if it saves you one ticket its worth it (especially for insurance). I stongly recommend it, hope this is helpful

 

Thanks for the replys!

 

Quanlity and performance vary a lot among radar detectors. Some barely work at all, but those rated high in any comparison test by a reputable mag are roughly as good as one another_ the small differences could be due to the way they tested them of the align mor jupiter and Mars on the day of the test or just variations from one production model to another.

And radar detectors work, in the greater sense that they permit you to exceed the speed limit without much chance of getting a citation for doing so. But they are not foolproof, and I don't use them, as I think that eventually they will lull you into a sense of confidence that gets you in trouble.

 

Another vote for the Valentine 1. It has saved me in situations where a "traditional" detector w/o the bogey counter and arrows would have let me down.

You can also send it in to upgrade when they update technology and pay a portion of the cost of a new one, but you get a brand new model in place of your older one.

Get a Blinder laser jammer and you'll be very well off.

 

What is a blinder radar jammer?

 

cobras a good one

 

I highly recommend the Escort 8500 X50. It shows how many singnals, what band and what strength they are. I've got one on the bike and one in each car. One thing a lot of people don't realize is that all a radar detector is, any detector, is a microwave receiver. The sooner it detects an emission the better off you'll be. However, if you're travelling alone, go over a hill and a patrol car is running instant on, he'll turn it on at the instant he sees you, and zap, yes -your detector will go of but it'll be too late. If you notice random weak signals coming and shutting off, you can figure there's someone running radar somewhere-slow down. Escorts owners manual is actually quite informative in how to read your detector and what it's telling you. The valentine is also a great unit, is it worth 100 dollars more than the Escort? IMO-no. Others will argue that it is, only you can decide. I wouldn't use any other than those two. Good luck!