edgalang

THere is no doubt the V1 is better. Is it 3.5 time better? IMO NO, and yes I've owned both. Like I said, if you DO NOT have a detector now, $130 for an RX65 is a no brainer.

PeterHyatt

How about the
Escort Passport Max2 HD

Have you seen "the ten best" list?

I am going to be traveling a bit soon, and need to make the purchase.

Skyline45

When discussing radar detectors, it is always my opinion to go with the best regardless of price. If you're not looking to get one installed into your car, and just want one that sits on your dash Valentine One will always be the winner. From what I've been told Escort will be the best if you want to get the actual radar components built into your car.

http://www.valentine1.com/

edgalang

The problem with "best regardless of price" comment is that "best" is subjective once you reach a certain price point (example: ~$400). In "general" the higher price you go, the better unit you'll have (at least this is true in the Radar Detector world), and at the $400 price point, you probably can't go wrong choosing any of the major players.

FYI...I have personal experience with hard wiring the following (V1, Escort 9500ix, Escort 8500's, Beltronics Pro 300, Beltronics RX65) and a few others not worth mentioning.

Personally I mandate that all cars in the family have a hardwired radar detectors. A few friends choose not to, but the end result always remains the same, where the radar unit tends to live in the glove compartment more so than the windshield. And with the above list I mentioned, while I use to believe that the V1 was the best, however I no longer share this opinion.

The arrows are fun, but if you live in a major metropolitan area, you might as well have it off (at least with X, K and LASER). The GPS enabled detectors however is a godsend. With it, I can now drive my daily commute in COMPLETE silence, and moving forward, I'll gladly trade a small percentage of detection for more accurate reports. My in-laws still use the V1. However I find it funny that they have to turn off every single band except for Ka for them to be able to live with it daily.

w204_Generic

In my opinion either the Beltronics STiR-Plus or the Escort Passport 9500ci are the best radar detectors on the market. I used to think the Valentine One was the best radar detector, until I was introduced to these. I currently have two Valentine radar detectors that are not being used; I was tired of the false alarms as well as the faulty arrows in metropolitan areas. Anyways, with addition to the ZR4 Laser Shifters you are pretty much invulnerable with speeding if you have the STiR-Plus or 9500ci. However, even though these radar detectors are over $1,000 they need to be custom installed for best performance. If you are in the market for one you should check them out; this is why I agree with edgalang and I believe only hard-wired is the way to go. These radar detectors are basically the same since Escort and Beltronics merged together, it is preference at this point. They both perform and look the same.

https://www.escortradar.com/passport9500ci/

https://www.beltronics.com/store/stir-plus.html

Anyways OP, to answer your question about how the C300 performs at high speeds, it handles great. I noticed you have a 2011 C300 sport as well, so I figured I would answer your question directly; Do you have a 4Matic also? Due to the engine's high compression ratio as well as the design factor to handle "Autobahn" speeds over 100 miles per hour, it feels like you are going 70 miles per hour, smooth wise. I have hit the governor on the car before; irresponsible I admit, but I was curious to see how my automobile handles at higher speeds.

Quadcammer

lol.

And care to share what the engine's compression ratio (and at 11.1, its nothing that impressive) has to do with whether the car feels like you're going slower than you are?

w204_Generic

Can you not read?
Must you challenge my post?
Notice how not one performance company had made any forms of forced induction for the w204, due to high compression and the need to rebuild the motor in order to handle boost?
I said it feels like 70 miles per hour smooth wise when did I say it feels slower?

Obviously it's nothing impressive, it is a C-Class and not much of a performance automobile. High compression of a 10.7:1 ratio equals the perfect balance to travel at higher speeds.
Why else does Mercedes recommend 91+ octane for our high compression engines?

Quadcammer

Your post is idiotic and has no basis in fact.

I have no clue what "it feels like 70mph smooth wise" means because it is a meaningless statement.

Again,
"high compression of a 10.7:1 ratio equals the perfect balance to travel at higher speeds". What? Says who? Based on what?

Do you have any factual support for your statements or do you simply enjoy talking out of your ***?

w204_Generic

Factual evidence? Hahaha it's common sense kiddo; talk about my post being idiotic?

Must I provide you a picture of the Mercedes-Benz manual that clearly states to use 91+ octane due to the compression ratio of our engines?
Go on ahead and ask a performance tuning company to provide you with a forced induction options, you will get the same answer and you should gladly post their response here. That will be your factual evidence Skippy; not to mention the picture of the manual.

Based on your posts, why can all German cars handle Autobahn speeds, which in case you didn't know, can be over 100mph. Is there some magical fairy granting them the ability to go above 100mph? Or is it the way the engines are manufactured? Oh I don't know, maybe high compression?

Meaningless statment? You expressed its meaningless but never stated how so? Use evidence to support your claim, otherwise it looks like you lack the mentality to form a conclusion based upon your analysis.

Browsing through your previous posts I can form the conclusion that you have no intellect as well as your posts are in fact meaningless. For example you post "k" immature much and very helpful?

Quadcammer

I see, you have no evidence.

Yes, I am not arguing that you need to run 91 octane (which btw, is not terribly high octane). Whether there are forced induction options or not is meaningless.

Explain again, if you would be so kind, how that affects it "smooth wise".


Just about any car produced within the last 10 years can easily and safely exceed 100mph with nary a concern. From korean to italian. Some of them even have compressions of less than 10:1.

Its not fairy dust, its a combination of aerodynamics, engine power, and gearing. Mind you, compression ratio plays but a small part in that second factor.

Care to explain what your point is?

gladly. "It feels like 70mph smooth wise." Smooth wise? Is that a phrase with meaning in the english language? So the car feels smooth at 70.

Again, what does the smoothness of the vehicle at any particular speed have to do with compression ratio. To extrapolate, does a car with anything other than the c300s compression ratio not feel smooth at certain speeds? Do different compression ratios affect at what speed the car is smooth?

Please one-of-great-mentality, share with us.

Look kid, I hate to beat you up here, but don't say things when you don't understand them.

w204_Generic

Once again, apparently you cannot read. 91 is a pretty high octane considering that in America, only California, Nevada, and Arizona are states that have 91 as the highest option octane. Normally, cars that have lower compression engines, their manuals say 87 unleaded octane is fine.

Did you not know octane is a key variable pertaining to High compression engines? Why did you completely change the topic and blow it off? I guess I will have to provide you with a picture of the manual stating that due to high compression, 91 octane is needed.

How is addressing forced induction options meaningless? The reason why there are no such option is due to the way our engine is built with higher compression? Stop diverting the argument.


Obviously cars can reach 100 miles per hour now a days, stating the obvious much? But can these cars provide the performance to remain at a constant 120 miles per hour? The reason for this is due to lower RPMs at higher speeds= the factor of higher compression.

German cars are meant for Higher speeds, so you addressing aero dynamics, engine power, as well as gearing is irrelevant of the manner of the argument. German engineers are far more educated than yourself and they designed the w204 as well as every other Mercedes to be able to handle the speeds.

Like I said it's common sense. You apprently have no idea what you're talking about and I should end the argument here, it feels like I'm talking to a brick wall or a 7 year old. You can choose which one.

Also, you still haven't answered my question, where is your factual evidence to support your claims? You really like to bash my statements even though I provide you with valid proof, but I have yet to see valid proof from yourself.

Quadcammer

I read just fine, thanks. Octane and compression are only two parts in a more complex equation regarding combustion. But again, are you trying to show that the C300s compression is really high or something?

I concede that the c300 requires 91 octane for best performance. But how does that relate to "smooth wise"?

Is that why? Maybe the market for it is too small. Maybe spending $10k for a supercharger/turbo kit is unlikely for people buying C-classes. Can you run forced induction with 11:1 compression...hell yes. Careful tuning and a cool charge are required, but thats basic stuff.

If they can reach it, they can maintain it. Whether the components can handle the heat build up for hours, who knows, but thats not really the argument.

um, what? Firstly, the rpm at any given speed is a function of gearbox and differential gearing. Certainly compression has a small impact on producing adequate power, but what about displacement, head flow, cam timing, etc.

And again, what does this have to do with "smooth wise".

My s500 has a compression ratio of 10.5 to one. I thought that was too low for smooth cruising. It was designed by mercedes. explain.

this requires no additional response.

w204_Generic

I really hope you're not serious about the above quote, I explained this multiple times. Have you not heard of knocking?

Go on ahead and drive 110mph in a Honda Civic and you tell me how it can handle. Tell me how much maintenance will cost with parts breaking due to those speeds. Irrelevant of that manner however.

Too much reading for me to waste my time; I stopped midway because you are yet again bringing up meaningless factors. I know for a fact that I am completely right and you, I don't even know what your point of argument is. You divert to other things too quickly such as bringing other cars into the equation as well as listing other factors such as gearing and aero dynamics. Were we not discussing the manner of high compression and how it has a factor on high speeds? Or should I say "I" instead since you change the direction of the argument? We were not discussing about how and why cars can go high speeds in addition to other key variables. You even did so without providing evidence.

Back on topic please.

C3504M

stop arguing like kids.

Skyline45

Bro, you don't even own a W204 according to your profile.... so, why must you troll? It's not even good trolling...

PeterHyatt

It is not the 4matic.

The snow tires are studded and have handled well in the snow, thus far.

I won't be getting the radar detector hardwired...not in the cards right now due to finances.

The MB is a mark for tickets in Maine. There's more than one reason, but it is target for being ticketed.

I'm enjoying reading the reports on radar detectors, including brand loyalty. I am grateful to see how many responses I have gotten since joining where some of my questions are a bit elementary and the responses are patient.

thank you.

300 Drivers: what is the top speed you've hit??

w204_Generic

Oh okay the reason why I asked if you had the 4Matic is because the top speed is governed at 130 miles per hour, which is the speed I hit once in my C300. The normal rear-wheel drive C300s are governed at 155 I believe.

At the time I hit 130 miles per hour, which once again I admit was irresponsible, I wish it would've been governed at 155 so I could've seen the full potential of the C300.

black lavender

Those "Top-Ten" lists on radar detectors are usually biased advertisements and shouldn't be taken seriously.

That being said, if you can afford it.. the Valentine V1, Escort Passport Max V2, and the Escort 9500ix are the best detectors.

You're just going to have to go with your gut because everyone is going to have a different opinion.

Never buy a Cobra or Whistler. These must be avoided.

PeterHyatt

thoughts on this site?


http://radar-detectors-review.toptenreviews.com

Thank you, gentlemen!

The only thing worse than driving a MB in Maine as a target for tickets, would be to add a NY Yankee bumper sticker! Thankfully, I grew up a Mets fan! I tell them here, "Oh, I love Bill Buckner!" dating myself.

The website reviewers are obviously high on the Escort Passport Max 2: Can I use this without having it hard wired? Amazon has one returned, with some scratches for $75 off.

PeterHyatt

I appreciate reading opinions. Having lost money for myself and my sons on Cobra...I'm with you. Not one of ours lasted 12 months before dying.

The idea of having a GPS with it is very appealing. I want to keep it portable. I don't know who to ask to hardwire, nor how much they would charge...the local MB dealer: I did not buy from them, simply because I drove a few hours distance because of a great deal: the 2011 had only 12,500 miles!

I've never loved a car before this.

PeterHyatt

Update on Radar Detector:

Found a good deal at Amazon warehouse: $75 off saying that there may be slight cosmetic issue of a .25" scratch, otherwise perfect.
It arrived and I can't find scratch.

I tried to register it under my name so I can avail myself of warranty, live updates online, and so forth.

Escort would not register it until they "re-set" the serial number. They could do it while I waited online...just a quick reset.

However, they did want to charge me $19.95 to change the name to my name.

edgalang

Haha......sounds like you got a 9500ix after all. Perfect choice for a casual daily driver IMO. (NOW GO AND HARDWIRE IT). Remember, regardless on how much you paid for one, an inexpensive detector that's on 24/7 while you drive is always better than the top of the line detector sitting in the glove box.

PeterHyatt

It is the max 2. it comes with the app, but the population here is not going to have many people on it LIVE!

PeterHyatt

I can't compare it to Valentine but it got good reviews at Amazon and at a few online places.

Its not easy finding a comparison of RD's done by someone NOT selling them.



I did find a news story about Rocky Mountain Radar which was comical...the radar jammer worked really well, but only in the demo, from 2' away from the radar gun!

An expose was done by a TV station and made the owner look rather...

foolish.

They said that he will pay for any speeding ticket due to failure of his equipment and then quoted the "fine print" which shows why he will never pay a single ticket.

Everyone's gaming the system anyway they can.

PeterHyatt

PS: The 'cosmetic' issues with the Amazon RDs...

the one I got --I could not find a single scratch.