Valentine radar detectors.

[Cerwin Vega Fan]

Yeah I got a warning not long ago and wasn't happy about it (70 in a 60). I have been looking for a good radar detector and I have heard this is one of the best. I was wondering has anyone else used these detectors? This thing may have been good say 3 years ago, but it seems this unit has been the same for years. Since it has no updates, can it keep up with the times?

http://www.valentine1.com/home.asp

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

My recommendation goes to the Escort Passport 8500.

[94blackbullet]

go with the valentine 1!!!!! valentine is god! it is $400 but worth the fact that it will save you from a pretty bad ticket. i have one and have never received a speeding ticket. go with the valentine, it tell you what direction the pig is!

[xxRillixx]

A warning???? I got a ticket for 80 in a 70 - clear open road on a beautiful day.

I also recommend the passport escort 8500... i have one, and it works GREAT! And also works for laser. But... from what i hear, the Valentine1 gives you one feature better; Direction... but it will cost you.

Police are slowly but surely switching to laser... whats nice about the escort 8500 is it can be hooked up w/ a laser defence system (makes you invisible to lasers). Here are some sites so you can check the differences:

product tests

annual detecter test

passport escort 8500

P.S. - you can find them on Ebay for way cheaper... thats where i got mine.

[immgeorge]

I've got a Valentine 1. It was given to me, so I didn't have to fork out the bucks. It is absolutely awesome. BUT... It is pricey...

For the money, the Escort 8500 is a better deal.

[Christopherrr]

The escort is cheaper by about 100 bucks...but the Valentine 1 is superior...I have tests on them both.

The case is the same over the years, but models have updates, so your not stuck with 3 year old tech.

The Valentine 1 is no joke...but the 8500 is almost as good..and for 100 bucks less, it's a serious contender; but, if you have the money, Valentine gets my vote.

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

I did a lot of research into it before I chose the 8500...

There were 3 or 4 tests I read, and the V1 and 8500 always finished 1-2. There was one test where they ranked the 8500 higher, in the other tests, the V1 won.

The second I heard the V1 described as the "chattier" detector -- as in, it gives more false alarms, my mind was made up.

3 years with my car. Countless speedtraps. Never been pulled over. You can argue tech numbers all you want, that's what really matters.

I know I am only one circumstance, but it's been a great purchase. So take it for what it's worth.

[Christopherrr]

Originally posted by Jay 02 TA ws6
The second I heard the V1 described as the "chattier" detector -- as in, it gives more false alarms, my mind was made up.

true that...false alarms are 3-1 verses the 8500...the Valentine is very sensitive...

You can't go wrong with either one...but are great pieces...

Besides, I think the V1 black case looks better...the silver case on the 8500 is too much...

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

But the 8500 has a display mode which shows a red LED scanning back and forth! It looks like Knight Rider!!!!!

[Jeff_in_Atl]

Thanks for the independant products research links. I love that info.

After having a Bel Express for 18 years, yes I bought it in 1986, and it has just started to do something weird, I will buy a new Bel.

[Dave M]

I've gone 7 years without a radar detector and haven't gotten a ticket either... hmmm..... And it certainly isn't because I obey the speed limit. My normal cruising speed is 80-85 in a 65, with occasional bursts even higher when someone p!sses me off or I'm passing. I used to drive with a radar detector but got tired of the false alarms and found that I could usually see the cop before the detector did (instant-on radar sucks!). Not to mention it tends to make you overconfident. It doesn't protect against other forms of speed enforcement. Being alert to your surroundings is the key, not radar detectors. Not to mention it makes you a much safer driver if you're more tuned to your driving than talking/daydreaming/listening to stereo. I'd spend the $400 on a mod instead of a radar detector, but that's just me.

[Jeff_in_Atl]

Originally posted by Dave M
I've gone 7 years without a radar detector and haven't gotten a ticket either... hmmm..... And it certainly isn't because I obey the speed limit. My normal cruising speed is 80-85 in a 65, with occasional bursts even higher when someone p!sses me off or I'm passing. I used to drive with a radar detector but got tired of the false alarms and found that I could usually see the cop before the detector did (instant-on radar sucks!). Not to mention it tends to make you overconfident. It doesn't protect against other forms of speed enforcement. Being alert to your surroundings is the key, not radar detectors. Not to mention it makes you a much safer driver if you're more tuned to your driving than talking/daydreaming/listening to stereo. I'd spend the $400 on a mod instead of a radar detector, but that's just me.

That's exactly right. Add friggin cell phones to the list of distractions.

To make it worse, in Atlanta, the GADOT has set up x band radars all over the place to monitor traffic speed looking for problems. They are not false alarms to any radar detector so they make it go off all of the time. Doraville PD know this and will sit right after the sign with the GADOT radar on it. Turds. LOL FYI you can see the radar speeds at http://www.georgia-navigator.com/maps/atlanta . I usually go here before I go home to see which route I will take so it is handy.

[Dave M]

In PA, PENNDOT's electronic message signs emit an X band signature. Around the cities, these signs are every few miles. I routinely pass cars with radar detectors. One, because they're probably getting alarms, and two, I have more confidence in my driving ability than they have in their detector. I got pulled over more when I had a detector than when I didn't. I relied to heavily on the detector to watch the road, and I was reacting to it, instead of proactively looking for hazards/cops.

[Dave M]

BTW Jeff, that site you posted is sweet. I wish we had something like that around here with realitime updates on speed and accidents. I hate for a report on the radio, and they won't tell you where the slowdowns are, jsut the accidents.

[Jeff_in_Atl]

Originally posted by Dave M
BTW Jeff, that site you posted is sweet. I wish we had something like that around here with realitime updates on speed and accidents. I hate for a report on the radio, and they won't tell you where the slowdowns are, jsut the accidents.

Go to that sight (the map of Atlanta) and check the box for cameras. Then click on a camera. You can see what the camera sees updated about every 5 minutes.

It was really strange when Bush came to town and they shut down the freeway for him (before anybody says anything they did it for Clinton too). You could pick a camera and not see a car in sight. Or just the opposite, when a big accident happens, the camera will be looking right at it. You can see it real time.