Radar/Lazer Detectors.

[03AllMotorMach1]

I was thinking of going with a Valentine One ....does anyone have any experence with this brand? good? bad? thank you. I realy need to get a detector. ;)

[2003_shaker]

I've been pleased with my Escort Solo S2. . .

[ValveTubeHead]

I think there are only two detectors to consider: Valentine1 and Escort Passport 8500 x50 ...Ka band and Laser sensitivity are most important features, both are excellent. I believe the Valentine has better rear approach sensitivity and head-up display. I have the 8500...works great on freeways, won't save you in a rural road speed trap situation; nothing will... unless traffic ahead gets radr washed and scatters some tell-tale signal...laser + speed trap=ticket

advice: if you are pulled over, remove detector before officer notices...one glimpse of it, almost guarantees a citation.

The cordless models generally have much lower sensitivity overall.
2c

http://www.escortradar.com/x50.htm
http://www.valentine1.com/

[STG]

I agree with both of the opinions above! I have an Escort 8500 X50 and love it. I borrowed a freind's V1 for two weeks and the arrows drove me nuts! If I get a K or Ka hit, I'm NOT going take a precious second or two to see where it's comming from, I'm going to slow down. In the city, the V1 lights up so much, you start to ignore it. (I did try it in all sensitivity modes.) The V1's band indicators are all red LEDs with tiny unreadable print next to them. In other words, a laser, X band, K band and Ka Band hit at night all look the same at first glance. And unless you vision is 20/10, you won't be able to read the markings in daylight either.

Before buying a V1, ask yourself why Mike Valentine's current ads quote "the lastest" Car and Driver detector test wherein the V1 "trounced" the "Escort 8500"?

The latest C and D detector test took place in 2002 and included the previous generation 8500, not the 8500 X50. C and D hasn't run a test since 2002 and all the other tests I've seen since rank the 8500 X50 and it's twin under the skin BEL equal to or better than the V1.

Rerad the detector test that Autoweek did a month or two ago. There's a link to it on Escort's website. Autoweek's editors tested several detectors in everyday driving situations for two months and picked the Escort Solo2 over both the V1 and the 8500 X50. They didn't like the V1 for the same reasons I don't and liked the Solo2 because it was the most convienent to use and it worked well. Sure the 8500 X50 has more range, but range is worthless unless you're using it.

I ordered a Solo2 for those same reasons. I can keep it in my breif case incase I forget the X50 and I won't have to mess around with a power cord. I ran the original magnesium cased Solo years ago and it was great. If you stick it on the windshield next to your rearview mirror, just below the tint, it places the dector where it is not visable to the Highway Patrol standing at the side of the car. No tell-tale cord, either.

I'm looking forward to comparing the Solo2 and X50. You may want to check out http://radarbusters.com/

Roy Reyer, the proprietor, is a retired cop who was a certified radar gun instructor. He sells most brands of detectors and has a laser blinder that works - and shoud be an easy install with the Mach's drill delete and bumper cover. He's worth a call.

[DTMach1]

I agree with both of the opinions above! I have an Escort 8500 X50 and love it. I borrowed a freind's V1 for two weeks and the arrows drove me nuts! If I get a K or Ka hit, I'm NOT going take a precious second or two to see where it's comming from, I'm going to slow down. In the city, the V1 lights up so much, you start to ignore it. (I did try it in all sensitivity modes.) The V1's band indicators are all red LEDs with tiny unreadable print next to them. In other words, a laser, X band, K band and Ka Band hit at night all look the same at first glance. And unless you vision is 20/10, you won't be able to read the markings in daylight either.

Before buying a V1, ask yourself why Mike Valentine's current ads quote "the lastest" Car and Driver detector test wherein the V1 "trounced" the "Escort 8500"?

The latest C and D detector test took place in 2002 and included the previous generation 8500, not the 8500 X50. C and D hasn't run a test since 2002 and all the other tests I've seen since rank the 8500 X50 and it's twin under the skin BEL equal to or better than the V1.

Rerad the detector test that Autoweek did a month or two ago. There's a link to it on Escort's website. Autoweek's editors tested several detectors in everyday driving situations for two months and picked the Escort Solo2 over both the V1 and the 8500 X50. They didn't like the V1 for the same reasons I don't and liked the Solo2 because it was the most convienent to use and it worked well. Sure the 8500 X50 has more range, but range is worthless unless you're using it.

I ordered a Solo2 for those same reasons. I can keep it in my breif case incase I forget the X50 and I won't have to mess around with a power cord. I ran the original magnesium cased Solo years ago and it was great. If you stick it on the windshield next to your rearview mirror, just below the tint, it places the dector where it is not visable to the Highway Patrol standing at the side of the car. No tell-tale cord, either.

I'm looking forward to comparing the Solo2 and X50. You may want to check out http://radarbusters.com/

Roy Reyer, the proprietor, is a retired cop who was a certified radar gun instructor. He sells most brands of detectors and has a laser blinder that works - and shoud be an easy install with the Mach's drill delete and bumper cover. He's worth a call.

Are you adding spelling errors on purpose? :)

Nice write-up, despite the obvious ;)

edit: just poked around that website, very cool! Guess its time to replace my 7500 :hehe:

edit again: why does this guy refer to Doppler as "droppler"

[MIB]

Thanks Stan.. I need a new detector, but forgot about that website. It is a good one. :beer:

[grey03mach1]

Here is the bestest link in the whole wide world:http://www.radardetectortest.com/article.asp?articleid=9090

I really thought their test was informative. It appears that the Bel Pro RX65 is the best overall.

[Lonestar 7]

It’s hard to beat Escort since all you really want is fast warning so you can get on the brakes. My brother had an old Unidien that worked really well till it died. If you do a lot of highway driving go for the Escort it’s usually cheaper than one ticket now and with the insurance increase your money ahead. Plus the Insurance lobby has give Marauders to the State troopers in some states to help boost insurance revenue.

[DTMach1]

It’s hard to beat Escort since all you really want is fast warning so you can get on the brakes. My brother had an old Unidien that worked really well till it died. If you do a lot of highway driving go for the Escort it’s usually cheaper than one ticket now and with the insurance increase your money ahead. Plus the Insurance lobby has give Marauders to the State troopers in some states to help boost insurance revenue.

Uniden? Holy crap man! Was he getting pulled over by the pony express in his Model-T?

[El Latino]

I would strongly suggest the Passport 8500 X50, or the 8500. I never leave home without it and from my understanding, the only unit that reads new signals and records them into it's memory, thus never becoming obsolete.

[STG]

I would strongly suggest the Passport 8500 X50, or the 8500. I never leave home without it and from my understanding, the only unit that reads new signals and records them into it's memory, thus never becoming obsolete.


I agree with you about the X50, however it doesn't record new signals into its memory. I believe your refering to the ability for Escort to update the detector at a later date.

[dbsample]

The x50 has certainly saved me from receiving several tickets. The only complaint is that lately it hasn't been working. If I remember right, when I bought it, I also purchased the extended warranty, so hopefully it is still covered. I'll find out on Tuesday when I return it to the store for repair.

[03AllMotorMach1]

i went with the escort....and so far it is pretty good. im doing some highway driving this weekend and im gunna see how it does...thanks for all the help! :beer:

[GrimlokTT]

http://www.speedzones.com/

http://www.radardetector.net/

[ValveTubeHead]

cute :p
happy detecting 03AllMotor !!!
...be careful out there.
http://www.speedlabs.com/images/Gor2.jpg

[03AllMotorMach1]

cute :p
happy detecting 03AllMotor !!!
...be careful out there.
http://www.speedlabs.com/images/Gor2.jpg



HAHA thanks agian to every one for the help and tips.... :beer: :allhail:

[dbsample]

:bcl: Wow, good news, I went today instead of Tuesday to the store that I bought my X50 from and It turns out that I had purchased the extended warranty. So no questions asked, I got a brand new one. I have to say that I felt almost naked :hehe: driving around without one.

[STG]

It’s hard to beat Escort since all you really want is fast warning so you can get on the brakes. My brother had an old Unidien that worked really well till it died. If you do a lot of highway driving go for the Escort it’s usually cheaper than one ticket now and with the insurance increase your money ahead. Plus the Insurance lobby has give Marauders to the State troopers in some states to help boost insurance revenue.

Gieco BOUGHT a laser gun company and is giving away laser guns to any police department that want them. All they have to do is promise to use them. Wanna bet that only PDs in states where Gieco sells auto insurance get free laser guns?

[SFMach1]

I also have the Escort 8500 X50 and it has saved me from getting tickets. I did get a speeding ticket but it was in a rental that my dad wanted me to take for a ride :thud:

[El Latino]

I agree with you about the X50, however it doesn't record new signals into its memory. I believe your refering to the ability for Escort to update the detector at a later date.

This comes straight from their web page and owner's manual:

New Reprogrammable Microprocessor

Passport 8500 X50's on-board computer can be reprogrammed to detect new radar and laser threats, making it a solid investment.

http://www.escortradar.com/x50.htm

[STG]

I would strongly suggest the Passport 8500 X50, or the 8500. I never leave home without it and from my understanding, the only unit that reads new signals and records them into it's memory, thus never becoming obsolete.

I agree with you, El Latino. But, your original post made it sound like the X50 could actually find new signals (new frequencies) and record them into memory all by itself. (How do it know?)

Like I said earlier, Escort can update the unit to read new frequencies but you have to send it in. I own one too!

[C.W.]

i got the Passport solo 2. its nice with the wireless set up, but it will eat some AA batts for sure. i went to there web sight and got a cord so i could hard wire it into the car. didn't do it on the mach yet but it works great in me bronco and acts like a batt volt meter as well (tells you how many volts its recieving)

c-dub

[STG]

i got the Passport solo 2. its nice with the wireless set up, but it will eat some AA batts for sure. i went to there web sight and got a cord so i could hard wire it into the car. didn't do it on the mach yet but it works great in me bronco and acts like a batt volt meter as well (tells you how many volts its recieving)

c-dub

I just got my Solo2, too. I plan to use it as a back up in case I forget the X50. So far I like it, but the display is worthless for 40+ year old eyesight, unlike the X50.

[El Latino]

I have adapted so much to my unit that I don't even have to look up (clipped to the visor) to see what it is picking up. I can tell just by the sounds it starts to let out. The unit also begins to turn itself off as you get closer to the source and gradually turns itself back on as you further your distance. The Passport 8500 is definitely the way to go.

[STG]

I have adapted so much to my unit that I don't even have to look up (clipped to the visor) to see what it is picking up. I can tell just by the sounds it starts to let out. The unit also begins to turn itself off as you get closer to the source and gradually turns itself back on as you further your distance. The Passport 8500 is definitely the way to go.

I pretty much "listen" to my 8500 X50 more than look at it, too. A clarification is in order. The 8500 X50 has an auto-mute feature (that you can turn off). When it receives a radar signal, it will sound an alert at the volume you have selected with the volume control dial. If the alert lasts more that a few seconds, the auto-mute feature reduces the volume until the alert ends. The unit does not turn itself off and back on gradually, it reduces the volume of the alert if you have the auto-mute feature selected (factory default setting). Once the alert ends, the 8500 X50 reverts back to the full pre-set volume for the next alert. If the detector receives multiple alerts, each alert will sound at full volume. For example: The dector picks up an X-band signal, alerts then auto mutes. While still recieving the X-band signal and alerting now in auto-mute, it picks up a Ka-band signal. It will immediately switch to a full volume Ka-alert, then auto-mute the Ka alert.

[grey03mach1]

I pretty much "listen" to my 8500 X50 more than look at it, too. A clarification is in order. The 8500 X50 has an auto-mute feature (that you can turn off). When it receives a radar signal, it will sound an alert at the volume you have selected with the volume control dial. If the alert lasts more that a few seconds, the auto-mute feature reduces the volume until the alert ends. The unit does not turn itself off and back on gradually, it reduces the volume of the alert if you have the auto-mute feature selected (factory default setting). Once the alert ends, the 8500 X50 reverts back to the full pre-set volume for the next alert. If the detector receives multiple alerts, each alert will sound at full volume. For example: The dector picks up an X-band signal, alerts then auto mutes. While still recieving the X-band signal and alerting now in auto-mute, it picks up a Ka-band signal. It will immediately switch to a full volume Ka-alert, then auto-mute the Ka alert.
Damn, these things have become smart and complex. I am also in the market for a good radar detector but I'm to cheap to pay 300-400 dollars for one.

[carmickle]

I would strongly suggest the Passport 8500 X50, or the 8500. I never leave home without it and from my understanding, the only unit that reads new signals and records them into it's memory, thus never becoming obsolete.
You are from VA, aren't they illegal there? :thumbs:

[MIB]

You are from VA, aren't they illegal there? :thumbs:

Only if a cop sees it :D