NickTH

I have 10 & 15 yr old Valentine 1 radar detectors. Looking to upgrade to latest & greatest.
V1 site says upgrade cost are $300 ($400 - $100 credit). So basically they're sending me a new one when I turn in old V1. Don't think that's a good deal.

Amazon currently has the Escort Max ll HD Radar Detector for $300 & Passport 9500IX for $260.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...ag=tbdirect-20
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...ag=tbdirect-20

Good deal?

Thanks,

Pntblnk

Both units are really good detectors. The 9500ix was the top dog and first highly sensitive detector with manners thanks to the GPS lockout. The Max 1 or 2 are a step above the 9500 with a smarter program to filter out false signals. Both prices are good and I'd go for the Max II.

Enjoy the purchase.

mikemargolis

I think a radar detector just encourages you to speed and drive unsafely.

I set the cruise control at 5 over and will never be ticketed.

Radar detector or not, if you speed, you'll get caught eventually.

Slow down, smell the flowers, put some Beethoven on the radio, relax.

Abrown3mtg

Read up on rdforum.org. V1 is still one of the top detector options. Sell your old one on eBay for 200 to 250 and then replace it with the new model. Skip the max. The range of the non m3 horned escort detectors is not very good nor is the filtering.

jonUF02

I have the Passport 8500ci plus, I have it tuned out to only detect KA and Laser signals. It always surprises me how few times this actually goes off. My own paranoia keeps me speeding less than what is probably possible. It's not annoying like old detectors, and I love that it's just a small display panel, not intrusive. One feature I like is that you can set a speed where it warns you, mine is at 85mph. I find myself constantly drifting past that on the highway because the car is so smooth, but that's pretty much the ticket threshold around here, so I try to stay below.


There are multiple options for adding sensors and modules with the built-in Passport systems too. I think mine is just basic, with one sensor in the front, and it has the GPS module. You can also lock out know areas of false-positive based on the GPS location and I think there is a way to update the internal database of speed traps and things, but I haven't done it.

porshah

If you are going to replace your old unit, make sure you get one that has the capabilities of blocking out vehicle technologies (lane departure, blind spot monitors, etc) that can make the detector go off constantly.

flipstah

I love my 9500xi, and the V1 is still a monster so you can't go wrong either way.

Oh dang, that's good to know. Thanks! Which band(s) do the Merc sensors reside in?

Abrown3mtg

V1 paired with and android phone and the yav1 app is one of the best/quietest/most accurate detectors on the market today. It would hands down be my first choice for a windshield mount. I actually plan on picking one up soon to cover my k band needs and directional awareness for ka. The installed 9500ci has a bit more range on Ka (m3 detector horn), but is annoying as hell with k band. I will be using ALP Jammers for the laser side of things.

NickTH

Great info.
But do I have to have the latest V1 (mine is 10 yrs old) to pair my android to use the yav1 app?

sprfrkr

Waze is the best radar detector I've used.

porshah

I believe most IVT technologies are using K band. It definitely gets annoying.

badbenzz

C'mon the directional arrows are the best thing about the V1. When Escort came out with the new directional detector I bought it and returned it immediately as it is way to big to mount on the windshield and the mounts are very limited. Get another V1.

babacah

Was thinking the same thing. With Waze I know about 98% of speed traps 5 miles before I hit them. You also can't beat a laser or instant on Ka if your the only target so not much security in those devices IMHO.

For the "just don't speed" crowd, I don't drive around like a maniac but sometimes my speed drifts higher than it should. I also find the directions and speed of traffic/accident warnings to be the most useful function of Waze.

badbenzz

Using Waze in conjunction with a good radar detector is your best protection from unwanted tickets.

NickTH

Wished some tech kids would integrate radar detector + waze right onto the Nav screen...

Abrown3mtg

There is an app now that integrates waze and Escort live alerts into one app. I wonder if the new comand 5.1 (I believe that was the newer one Chris the Swede retrofitted into a pre-facelift) which allows mirroring could accomplish doing so?

Another random option for a radar detector that have been getting great reviews are the Radenso units. Pro SE, and XP models from what I've read bost both great k band filtering and some of the longest Ka range in the market. I bit less fiddly than the V1 paired to a phone, however I would still select the v1 as my top choice for a windshield mount.

This thread has gotten me back to searching for a good deal on a current one over the past week... grr..

cc16177

Deleted

Pntblnk

The Radenso units are getting great reviews over on the RDForum.net and are on sale through the weekend. Top of the line unit is now $399 down from $499. https://radenso.com/shop They are coming out with a new remote option sometime in early 2017 with front and rear radar sensors....arrows on yet another model.

Vortex has a pretty good review of the top windshield detectors on his YouTube channel. http://www.vortexradar.com/ which talks about the Radenso units.

Abrown3mtg

The remote model has already been released! (HD+). They also sell it pre setup for integration with the alp jammers. Reviews are really good so far. I also read the rear antenna option as well and heard the potential for arrows to come (I believe the rear antenna option may already be available although I could be mistaken, without arrows at this time regardless)

Pntblnk

Spot on- I should have clarified. Radenso does offer a remote RD but is rumored to be working on a duel antenna option that will provide arrows similar to the MAX 360 / V1 in early 2017. The hardware is there and they are trying to sort the firmware to accompany. Supposedly a new display / cpu as well. Anxiously awaiting the release to see if I want to upgrade my bel STiR+ w/ Midcity module.

Abrown3mtg

I don't for see my self swapping from my M3 horn (9500ci) for Long range Ka any time soon, although I have been considering adding a swept v1 with yav1 for directional awareness and k band (which additionally will be able to be utilized when driving my girlfriends Audi A6 on longer trips which gets better fuel economy and I'm less concerned about mileage on). I will allow the Alps to run stand alone. If starting from scratch, the HD+ dual antenna with alp integration and arrows will be an absolute game changer for remote units; performance that is top notch and at a very very reasonable cost. Stinger VIP had a lot of promise but seem to be falling on their face. Silly expensive, and both hardware and firmware issues....

BlownS4

Abrown3mtg forgive me but what is Alps? I love my V1 but I have not upgraded it since I bought it back in 2000. I guess it's time for an upgrade.

Abrown3mtg

Alps are the shortened version of Al Priority laser jammers. They make it so that police LIDAR (laser) can not read the speed of your vehicle until you slow down and shut them off allowing the officers to get a speed that doesn't result in a citation. This is called JTK or Jam to Kill. You can JTG (jam to gun) but then the cops know you are doing something and will pull you over and can see you have a defense system vs thinking they just didn't get a lock quickly. You use this system parallel to the V1. Laser detectors are worthless it's an isolated beam and if it lights up, you basically just got an advance notice that you got a ticket unless the cop decides you were not going fast enough. Scatter (deflected beam that you pick up from another targeted vehicle).

The V1 is incredible. I you haven't updated since 2000, you should go to the v1 website and see update charge (the rework the internals). In many cases depending on age, you are better off selling it on ebay or craigslist for 250 or so and buying a new one for 400. You can check yours on the valentine website.

As for saying there is no defense against i/o ka and laser (another prior poster):

Not true: Laser jammers protect LIDAR threats, and a GOOD detector with excellent range will alert long before you are there assuming someone else has been checked. You are right however that there is no protection against i/o ka if you don't have a rabbit or are alone on a highway and the LEO hasn't checked speed on anyone else.

I am "waze royalty" and run it every time I'm in the car. I also have jammers and a detector with great range. I find a rabbit (faster vehicle). give them a 1000 yard lead and pace them. So far so good!

babacah

So how reliable are the laser Jammers? I looked into them and there seemed to be some debate still on their effectiveness and the gun makers were stepping their game up to beat them. Are they still $600+?

Yes, a good rabbit beats everything else, I just need to see their brake lights.

I drive 3 different cars and i'm not going to outfit each with $1000+ radar/laser fighting systems so i'll stick to Waze i guess.

Abrown3mtg

The AL Priority system is in 750-1250+ range for laser but is absolutely effective against all current threats.

That said, I'd use waze and add either a v1, radenso pro se or radenso xp, or redline which can be swapped between cars. While you won't be protected from laser hits, you're well covered from all radar.