Looks like the winner is scort Passport 9500i
http://radartest.com/article_2.asp?articleid=100578

 

all top radar detectors will alert within a couple hundred feet of each other, which is insignificant in my book when we're talking 1/2mile and more. at that point, buyers simply need to pick the one with the features they like best.

 

too bad they didn't do a 3-way and put the sti driver in that competition because if you see the past reviews it kicks both their butts (hence why I sold my passport this past winter)

 

love my v1..would not swap for passport

 

While the performance of 9500i is impressive, im still not giving up the arrows

 

Surprising...I've heard so many good things about the V1.

 

Google radartest.com and you'll find that that site is highly questionable as a source of unbiased information. Among other things, it takes money from most of the big radar detector mfgrs, with the exception of Valentine, which won't pay them. Wonder why Valentine doesn't do so well in their tests?

 

+1. Many believe that radartest.com is biased against Valentine One. I am one of those believers

 

+2

 

V1 saved me many times and never leave home w/out it.

 

Which unit weighs the least? V1 looks bulky.

 

not sure about weight (you must be a hardcore drag racer) but the v1 is the sleekest/shortest design with by far the best mounts.

 

I currently use a 8500 with blue display because I like the similar look with my dash illumination as compared to the red V1 and couldn't see any real difference in range or falsing. That, and the arrows are really no benefit as 99.9% of the time you are moving towards the threat right? They both work. Stay away from any of the cheap Whistler, Uniden, etc. crap.

 

Radartest.com is run by a guy named Craig Peterson who works for Bel and Escort so he bashes the V1 every chance he gets and promotes Bel and Escort products. He got busted trying to sabotage the Guysoflidar.com 2007 radar detector test and he had to part with a couple thousand dollars on top of the $1000 radar gun that he hid under camouflauge on top of a mountain to throw off the testing.

http://www.guysoflidar.com/march-2007/sabotage.html


Nothing beats the Valentine One:

http://guysoflidar.com/august-2007/r...ctor-test.html


Size (from smallest to largest):

Valentine One -> 16.20 cu. in.
Bel RX65 Pro -> 16.33 cu. in.
Bel STi -> 16.33 cu. in.
Escort 8500 X50 -> 18.95 cu. in.
Escort 9500i -> 21.72 cu. in.

Weight (from lightest to heaviest):

Valentine One -> 181.5g (6.40 ounces)
Beltronics RX65 Pro -> 236.6g (8.35 ounces)
Escort 8500 X50 -> 253.7g (8.95 ounces)
Escort 9500i -> 269.2g (9.49 ounces)
Beltronics STi Driver -> 291.6g (10.29 ounces)

The Escort 9500i is the largest in size and the Beltronics STi Driver is the heaviest. The Valentine One is the smallest and lightest radar detector of the top 5 radar detectors made today.

 

V1 is by far the best. Don't waste your time with any other.

 

You are way off....99% of the time they are usful to have the arrows. Cops can enter the hwy from behind and catch up....nice to know when they are speediing up being you with their units on. Also nice to know how many different signals it sees....
I have used many units and the V1 is by far the best, best part to me is I never have to replace it.
Every year or two when technology changes a little you can send your unit in for an update. Also they have great Customer Service!

 

OK V1 for radar, What about laser? I hear the detectors are worthless and you really need a scrambler that transmits false readings. Who has the best?

 

The Valentine One is the best at detecting lidar too but you really need a laser jammer to deal with lidar effectively.

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detector-performance/

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detec...adar-detector/

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detec...ice-laser-gun/

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detec...adar-detector/

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detec...ice-laser-gun/


These are the most effective laser jammers from 2007:

http://guysoflidar.com/march-2007/la...mmer-test.html

The Laser Interceptor was an average of 96% effective against laser guns used in the USA.

The Antilaser G8 was an average of 88% effective against laser guns used in the USA.

The Laser Pro Park was an average of 85% effective against laser guns used in the USA.

The Blinder M40 was an average of 83% effective against laser guns used in the USA.

The Escort Shifter ZR3 was an average of 80% effective against laser guns used in the USA.


They are holding a brand new laser jammer test right now so the new results will be up in a few weeks.

 

Definitely agree with this. Have been running with V1's for 7 years.. I hate to sound like their recent advertisements, but it is all about the situational awareness that the arrows provide.

Yeah, its not AS frequent that you have a cop approaching from behind, but in 7 years it has def happened often enough. The arrows let you know exactly where the signal is, and can help you to understand the police in your driving areas and their tactics. Thats valuable stuff.. don't think it could happen without arrows.

+1 for the V1.. get that thing hardwired with the concealed display for clean setup.

 

The V1 is an incredible unit, you cannot go wrong with one. Thanks for the detailed info RadarKing

 

First, I notice that most, if not all V1 fans have never tried anything but that unit. That's OK, but it's hard to know how it compares to another brand in the real world if you haven't actually used anything else. I do agree that V1 customer service is good. I had a problem with one of the arrow lights within 3 months of purchase and the unit was repaired and back to me in 4 days! However, I still don't agree that the arrows are all that important. Range is most important. If you get an alert that is Ka or laser, you slow down. I don't need to know that the source is behind me, beside me, or in front. When the threat goes away, so does it's ability to track me. It's a nice feature, but the arrows themselves never saved me. Rarely does CHP come up behind you with their radar on (don't ask me how I know ). They rely on pacing you themselves or with an air unit. Knowing that there was a radar source that could track speed is what saved me. It's a great unit and I would still have mine except that the blue 8500 was a gift. After using both for a few weeks, I did not see much difference in range or falsing but:
Max. range goes to the V1. Very little difference, but occasionally, the V1 would light up 1-2 seconds earlier. The Escort was hands down better at rejecting false signals. The V1 would alert for "junk" at least twice as often as the 8500. What's weird is that the performance of the 2 seemed to be greatly affected by the vehicle they're were used in. For instance, the V1 seemed to do much better than the 8500 in the Yukon, but little or no difference in the E or the SLK55??? Because of that, I gave the V1 to a friend who still uses it. I think Mikey said it best: Use the one with the features that you like. As long as you stay away from the Whistler/Uniden low dollar crap, you're probably fine.

 

+1. My V1 and I became best friends for years.

 

^^^^ Look ahead, slow down

<<<->>> Watch out, cruise at speed limit

vvvvv Go back to your original speed

Can't beat that. V1 FTW!

 

+100 My 1st V1 was stolen with the C32, so when I got the E55, I tried the new Passport 9500. I had it 2 weeks commuting and took it back. I ordered a new V1 and have enjoyed it's consistent and reliable performance!