View Poll Results: Which Radar Detector Rules?
BEL 980
8
9.30%
Cobra XR-1050
1
1.16%
Escort Passport 8500
16
18.60%
Uniden LRD 987
0
0%
Valentine One
60
69.77%
Whistler 1780
1
1.16%
Voters: 86. You may not vote on this poll
Radar Detectors: Tough Choice?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 692
Likes: 0
From: NJ
'05 c240 4matic wagon
Radar Detectors: Tough Choice?
As promised, I'm launching a poll to see which is the most popular radar dectector with C pilots (trolls welcome 
).
Perhaps I should have started it on a more general forum, but if it gets moved at least there'll be a pointer to it on this one.
I picked the entrants from Car & Driver's
"The Great Detector Test" from the February 2002 edition.
In addition to voting, please post your opinions, experiences, and preferences.
As I mentioned in an earlier post (see thread on online purchases), it's nice to save money buying the one with the highest bang/buck ratio, but in the end you save money only by not getting caught. Tickets and points, ouch - they quickly eat up the difference between a Whistler and a Valentine One
Anyone here in the market for one of these little buggers?
).Perhaps I should have started it on a more general forum, but if it gets moved at least there'll be a pointer to it on this one.
I picked the entrants from Car & Driver's
"The Great Detector Test" from the February 2002 edition.
In addition to voting, please post your opinions, experiences, and preferences.
As I mentioned in an earlier post (see thread on online purchases), it's nice to save money buying the one with the highest bang/buck ratio, but in the end you save money only by not getting caught. Tickets and points, ouch - they quickly eat up the difference between a Whistler and a Valentine One
Anyone here in the market for one of these little buggers?
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 500
Likes: 1
From: NYC
C32 AMG, C300 Sport
Although I voted for the 8500
I also think the V1 is an excellent detector. After this amount of time its all about loyalty. I have been buying Cincinnati Microwave products (now called Escort) for over twenty years and they have all been very good to me. And now I see the upgrade for the Laser detector. Very cool. But either way, you will be happy and they will tell you where "the man" is hiding. Good luck with your purchase.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
V1 for directional locators
That's why I still love mine. It's certainly not for cosmetics - it's the biggest, ugliest thing out there. It does fit nicely into the armrest storage area, though. And it's a very sturdy unit, with lifetime upgrades available, but not free.
I'd recommend it highly.
I'd recommend it highly.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,924
Likes: 1
From: Sitting behind thing freakin desk of mine. Dreaming I was playing my Taylors, and driving my Benz. Long Live The VRAA!!!!!!
C230 Sports Coupe
Love my V1.. What a minute, you mean there are other detectors besides V1?
Trending Topics
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 644
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, FL
2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe
When choosing between a Valentine 1 and an Escort Passport 8500, I selected the Passport 8500 for the following reasons:
1. Substantially reduced falsing. The Passport 8500 in all tests reported substantially less falsing than a Valentine 1. This is a personal peeve with me. My old Whistler falsed 9 times between home and work. My new Passport 8500 falses 0 times. That's right, it does not false in that critical drive. I can also set a "NO X Band" city mode for almost zero falsing on other routes.
2. Lower costs. The performance was as good as V1 (in some tests V1 did better, in some tests 8500 did better in the critical Ka band testing).
3. Focused front-rear sensing. As cool as the V1 'side' detector arrors are. I find them useless in real-life. The cop can't radar me sideways, so why do I need to even know they are there? The Passport ignores these side signals, reducing the useless radar noise. It concentrates on forward and back.
Both V1 and 8500 are excellent Radar Detectors. These are simply my personal reasons for my selection. Your mileage may vary. My own opinion may be warped.
1. Substantially reduced falsing. The Passport 8500 in all tests reported substantially less falsing than a Valentine 1. This is a personal peeve with me. My old Whistler falsed 9 times between home and work. My new Passport 8500 falses 0 times. That's right, it does not false in that critical drive. I can also set a "NO X Band" city mode for almost zero falsing on other routes.
2. Lower costs. The performance was as good as V1 (in some tests V1 did better, in some tests 8500 did better in the critical Ka band testing).
3. Focused front-rear sensing. As cool as the V1 'side' detector arrors are. I find them useless in real-life. The cop can't radar me sideways, so why do I need to even know they are there? The Passport ignores these side signals, reducing the useless radar noise. It concentrates on forward and back.
Both V1 and 8500 are excellent Radar Detectors. These are simply my personal reasons for my selection. Your mileage may vary. My own opinion may be warped.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: NYC
2005 C320 4Matic
I picked up the Escort 8500 X50 with Blue display from Best Buy on Friday, before a 400 mile roundtrip. It worked well in that all the K and Ka warnings were legit and in time to slow down before reaching the source. I didn't get any Laser warning. All the X warnings were false positives.
I'd like to get the Valentine 1 though. I think the rear detector and directional arrows would be informative. That and the cost of the escort when you factor in the extra cord that is needed for the permanent install is $340+$30=$370, only $20 less than the V1. I picked up the X50 because Best Buy stocked it and because it had a blue display, which I prefer to the red one of the V1 (and other detectors).
Anyone want my Escort? It's four days old.
I'd like to get the Valentine 1 though. I think the rear detector and directional arrows would be informative. That and the cost of the escort when you factor in the extra cord that is needed for the permanent install is $340+$30=$370, only $20 less than the V1. I picked up the X50 because Best Buy stocked it and because it had a blue display, which I prefer to the red one of the V1 (and other detectors).
Anyone want my Escort? It's four days old.
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,692
Likes: 58
From: So Cal.
2019 GT3 RS, 2017 M3 30 Jahre
Originally Posted by MBUSA503
NON SR7+Z3 Shifter=SRX Rader Blocker.....or if you live in California K40 Laser Defiuzer!!!!!Cant Get any Better Than Those!
V1 hands down.
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,684
Likes: 12
From: West Los Angeles
Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
Originally Posted by nlpamg
if you live in CA? the chippies use POP! none of those has POP protection!
V1 hands down.
V1 hands down.
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,692
Likes: 58
From: So Cal.
2019 GT3 RS, 2017 M3 30 Jahre
Originally Posted by drexappeal
Phil, I remember you saying that you had the v1. Where do you have it mounted? I didn't get to check that out. I'm seriously considering getting a detector (especially since I'm on Sunset almost every day and got caught). Is there any way of mounting the v1 to be stealth or is it too bulky to do that?
Here is a pic and here's a link to what my hardwiring ended up looking like: https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w203/109780-help-electrical-wiring-v1-install-please.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,498
Likes: 4
From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
Originally Posted by MBUSA503
if you live in California K40 Laser Defiuzer!!!!!
Carlos
Saprissa@aol.com
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 0
A box on 4 wheels
V1, there is nothing that can beat it, if you can afford V1, save up, because there's no point in paying for something that isnt accurate. If you really dont have enough money get Passport X5 but its quality is only 40% of what V1 can do for you.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,848
Likes: 15
From: Orange County
2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)
If Valentine were smart he might build a detector that mounted behind the grill and wedged data into the ipod kit to show the warnings in red on the multifunction display.
Couple that with a dozen superbright IR LEDS pointed forward to blind Lidar. It would level the playing field against cops who hide, fake traffic surveys, and then lie in Court.
Couple that with a dozen superbright IR LEDS pointed forward to blind Lidar. It would level the playing field against cops who hide, fake traffic surveys, and then lie in Court.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,445
Likes: 3
From: WOT somewhere in the Bay Area
1951 Caterpiller D6
Originally Posted by Moviela
If Valentine were smart he might build a detector that mounted behind the grill and wedged data into the ipod kit to show the warnings in red on the multifunction display.
Couple that with a dozen superbright IR LEDS pointed forward to blind Lidar. It would level the playing field against cops who hide, fake traffic surveys, and then lie in Court.
Couple that with a dozen superbright IR LEDS pointed forward to blind Lidar. It would level the playing field against cops who hide, fake traffic surveys, and then lie in Court.
Admin Alumni
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,143
Likes: 19
See Garage
Why does every radar detector thread turn into a V1 worshipfest? I very much enjoy my BEL 980, and it's infinitely smaller, and lighter, hence more flexible in where you mount it/conceal it. It doesn't have the directional arrows, but I really don't need to see where the threat is before slowing down.
The voting appears to narrow the field to the BEL, the Passport and the V1, as in every similar thread in the past.
The voting appears to narrow the field to the BEL, the Passport and the V1, as in every similar thread in the past.
