[Powaup]

I hear the Valentine 1 is pretty good but would like to know what are some good alternative options. Also I live in California so I'm not sure all radar detectors are legal here. My ideal radar detector would not be windshield mounted but instead hidden but I think that's impossible for less than 500 correct?

[Jmiller007]

The Bel 500 is $399, but has the same internals as the more expensive Escort model. The GPS is great, as it helps minimize false readings via a weekly download. You can also mark false positives yourself so they don't come up again (unless it is at a different frequency). It is rated one of the best by consumer reports and Cnet, and you can subscribe to Escort Live which is a smart phine application that tracks positive radar readings from other drivers, and show them to you on a map.

[TXSTYLE]

I have used BEL products for 16yrs+. I have a heavy foot. Where I live, K, Ka and Laser are used constantly. I have been spared tens of thousands of $$$ in this time. I am never going away from complete success!
The range and off axis detection is second to none! I've actually tried newer models of BEL but somehow, my couple of Pro RX65 models never fail. Something about the horn design and antennas. It can be had for a couple hundred bucks. If you must have their latest model, the Pro 500 is also a winner!

[ciaranob]

Originally Posted by Powaup

I hear the Valentine 1 is pretty good but would like to know what are some good alternative options. Also I live in California so I'm not sure all radar detectors are legal here. My ideal radar detector would not be windshield mounted but instead hidden but I think that's impossible for less than 500 correct?

The Escort Max is a pretty impressive piece of kit for around that price point - and yes to have say Escort's remote system installed etc. will be well north of $1000 (prob closer to 2k if custom work added in) - my concern with the Escort Max or Redline and other similar performing units is whether or not interference from the assisted driver packages will reduce their effectiveness - seem to be a lot of differing opinions around that topic!

[XMetal]

Radar detectors are legal in California...so no worries there. With your budget of under $500, you’re limited to windshield mounted. Here’s my opinion on the few that I've owned (still owns the V1 and Bel GX65):

Valentine 1 (V1) – Had this since 2005 and recently had it updated. Very sensitive and a bit “chatty” in the city, but various adjustments can limit this (turning off X-band, mute K-band for 30 seconds unless signal strength is above 4, etc…). The arrows are invaluable…once you get used to having the arrows, you can’t use any other detectors. This is still my most trusted detector and it’s the one I bring with me on any road trip.

Escort 9500iX – Decided give this a tried on my 2nd car. The GPS feature is awesome and will auto-lock a false alarm after you pass that location 3 times. My only fear is that it may also auto-lock out real threats (cops hiding near a locked-out location). But that’s just me being paranoid. It’s much less “chatty” than the V1 since its sensitivity is adjusted according to your traveling speed. This made me question it’s functionality at times since it’s so quiet. It will also warn you of redlight camera and speed traps, but you’ll have to subscribe to the service to get updates. The major downside is that it has no directional arrows to indicate where a threat is coming from. When it goes off, I have to guess where the threats are coming from. Decided to sell this after trying it for about a month because I couldn’t get used to using it without having the directional arrows, plus the blue display was difficult to read in the day time (due to my mounting location, the display light sensor wasn’t functioning properly).

Beltronics GX65 – Got this on a close out deal recently (too good of a deal to pass up) since this was being replaced by the Pro500. This is the exact clone of the Escort 9500iX (same internals)…even all the reference documentations looked identical to the 9500iX. The only difference is that the GX65 do not have the auto-lock out feature. You’ll have to manually lock out a threat. Otherwise, it functions exactly like the 9500iX. This still have the same display light sensor issue that the 9500iX suffered. But since it only comes with the red display, it’s less of an issue for me. I still miss the arrows of the V1 when I use this thing, but it's better than not having a detector

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by ciaranob

The Escort Max is a pretty impressive piece of kit for around that price point - and yes to have say Escort's remote system installed etc. will be well north of $1000 (prob closer to 2k if custom work added in) - my concern with the Escort Max or Redline and other similar performing units is whether or not interference from the assisted driver packages will reduce their effectiveness - seem to be a lot of differing opinions around that topic!

+1 - you can go here to find all the latest info and their store to give you an idea of what people are buying.

The bottom line is there is no "best", but a lot of really good ones depending on your preferences. If you like the arrows, but dont' mind chatty it's V1 (I'd get Savvy w it). Otherwise it's the Passport Max, the 9500ix, the redline, or the sti magnum.

I'm in Cali and personally I have a v1 w/ savvy mounted just to the left of the RVM; doesn't get in my way and is easy at a glance.

I'd probably get a remote mount gps w/ jammer if I was going all out but I haven't needed it - I just put up my V1 if I'm going on a road trip or for some spirited driving and otherwise use good judgement and/or rabbits; there's always a rabbit in cali!

Edit: Waze and (the other one, can't remember the name) work pretty well too ... almost better than a detector in high traffic areas

[Jamesons Viggen]

Bel RX65. Only detector I have ever sworn by, had it for like 10 years. Had 3 people buy it per my recommendation and they are smitten as well.

[M3WC]

Originally Posted by XMetal

Radar detectors are legal in California...so no worries there. With your budget of under $500, you’re limited to windshield mounted. Here’s my opinion on the few that I've owned (still owns the V1 and Bel GX65):

Valentine 1 (V1) – Had this since 2005 and recently had it updated. Very sensitive and a bit “chatty” in the city, but various adjustments can limit this (turning off X-band, mute K-band for 30 seconds unless signal strength is above 4, etc…). The arrows are invaluable…once you get used to having the arrows, you can’t use any other detectors. This is still my most trusted detector and it’s the one I bring with me on any road trip.

Escort 9500iX – Decided give this a tried on my 2nd car. The GPS feature is awesome and will auto-lock a false alarm after you pass that location 3 times. My only fear is that it may also auto-lock out real threats (cops hiding near a locked-out location). But that’s just me being paranoid. It’s much less “chatty” than the V1 since its sensitivity is adjusted according to your traveling speed. This made me question it’s functionality at times since it’s so quiet. It will also warn you of redlight camera and speed traps, but you’ll have to subscribe to the service to get updates. The major downside is that it has no directional arrows to indicate where a threat is coming from. When it goes off, I have to guess where the threats are coming from. Decided to sell this after trying it for about a month because I couldn’t get used to using it without having the directional arrows, plus the blue display was difficult to read in the day time (due to my mounting location, the display light sensor wasn’t functioning properly).

Beltronics GX65 – Got this on a close out deal recently (too good of a deal to pass up) since this was being replaced by the Pro500. This is the exact clone of the Escort 9500iX (same internals)…even all the reference documentations looked identical to the 9500iX. The only difference is that the GX65 do not have the auto-lock out feature. You’ll have to manually lock out a threat. Otherwise, it functions exactly like the 9500iX. This still have the same display light sensor issue that the 9500iX suffered. But since it only comes with the red display, it’s less of an issue for me. I still miss the arrows of the V1 when I use this thing, but it's better than not having a detector

Great post.

V1 was too chatty for me as well. Been using a 9500ix for the last year, so far so good. Losing arrows didn't bother me, as I slow down anyways the instant it goes off. Red display is an option on the 9500ix.

Escort Max is not getting the greatest reviews. Seen a number of peopel returning them and going back to the trusty 9500ix.

[Powaup]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

+1 - you can go here to find all the latest info and their store to give you an idea of what people are buying.

The bottom line is there is no "best", but a lot of really good ones depending on your preferences. If you like the arrows, but dont' mind chatty it's V1 (I'd get Savvy w it). Otherwise it's the Passport Max, the 9500ix, the redline, or the sti magnum.

I'm in Cali and personally I have a v1 w/ savvy mounted just to the left of the RVM; doesn't get in my way and is easy at a glance.

I'd probably get a remote mount gps w/ jammer if I was going all out but I haven't needed it - I just put up my V1 if I'm going on a road trip or for some spirited driving and otherwise use good judgement and/or rabbits; there's always a rabbit in cali!

Edit: Waze and (the other one, can't remember the name) work pretty well too ... almost better than a detector in high traffic areas

What is the Savvy mount? does it help mount the V1 on the rear view mirror and helps hide cables? I'm completely new to this

[accce]

The Redline is the best radar detector I have ever owned. It is a little on the sensitive side, but you can fine tune it and I would rather it be too sensitive than not enough.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by Powaup

What is the Savvy mount? does it help mount the V1 on the rear view mirror and helps hide cables? I'm completely new to this

Savvy plugs into your OBD port for both power and has a wheel in it to mute your V1 below a certain speed - I have mine set to 45MPH. That way the V1 isn't always going off while you're in the city and don't care. The Savvy also has an accessory plug which I use for a bluetooth antenna to send the V1 output to a tablet or my phone - it allows you to shut off the V1 display and / or adds more info.

I routed the power cable from my Savvy down at the OBD port up the door seal, around and up along the A-pillar, across the windshield, and then out by the RVM. I mount the V1 with the suction cup mount just to the left of my RVM. Installing the whole thing took about 5 min with an additional 5 minutes to wrap up the Savvy and V1Connection with gaffers tape to keep it from flopping around. You don't really even have to measure the power cord since the extra stuffs down into the kick-panel by the OBD port.

Here's the thing - the V1 is SUPER chatty, especially with the blindspot warning on other cars ... I may just shut off K-band ... and there's something on new cars now that sets off the laser detector too although I haven't figured out what it is.

Bottom line: if you're the type of person that will ignore alerts because the thing is going off all of the time (and i half way am) then DO NOT get the V1 - buy something with GPS and/or use Waze or Trapster instead (which costs $0 assuming you're in an area where people use it - the bay area is). That said, when the V1 shows KA, you can be assured johnny's hunting and the arrows tell you where the shot is gonna hit you from.

I used to have an Escort 8500 X50 which was good - not as sensitive as the V1 but only marginally so - when it didn't have calibration errors. Which started up 1 week! after the warranty expired and they wanted $70+shipping to "re-calibrate it" I raised hell with them and they wouldn't relent so I reported them to the BBB. Probably over-reacted but I regret nothing.

Sorry for the book post

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by accce

The Redline is the best radar detector I have ever owned. It is a little on the sensitive side, but you can fine tune it and I would rather it be too sensitive than not enough.

+1 literally the only complaint I have about mine is lack of the volume scroll wheel on the side like my X50 used to.

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

Here's the thing - the V1 is SUPER chatty, especially with the blindspot warning on other cars ... I may just shut off K-band ... and there's something on new cars now that sets off the laser detector too although I haven't figured out what it is.

I was considering shutting off K-band as well until I ran into a Highway Patrol that was still using K-band on my recent trip to Yellowstone...can't remember which state it was in. Most CHP cruisers use Ka, but motorcycles are most likely to have laser - this is the trend that I'm seeing in Southern Cal...not sure about Northern Cal.

Cars setting off the laser detector are those with adaptive cruise control...mostly Infiniti's. The V1's laser detector is mostly just an Infiniti spotter now - HATE those things

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by XMetal

I was considering shutting off K-band as well until I ran into a Highway Patrol that was still using K-band on my recent trip to Yellowstone...can't remember which state it was in. Most CHP cruisers use Ka, but motorcycles are most likely to have laser - this is the trend that I'm seeing in Southern Cal...not sure about Northern Cal.

Yeah same here ... I might shut off K for my normal canyon drives (I don't use the V1 on a daily basis) and then put it back on for road trips.

Originally Posted by XMetal

Cars setting off the laser detector are those with adaptive cruise control...mostly Infiniti's. The V1's laser detector is mostly just an Infiniti spotter now - HATE those things

ah man that sucks that I know that ... now I will have to look at infinitis


Welp, back to the KOFY Dance Party

[verbs]

Originally Posted by XMetal

Cars setting off the laser detector are those with adaptive cruise control...mostly Infiniti's. The V1's laser detector is mostly just an Infiniti spotter now - HATE those things

My cell phone sets off my V1 laser when it gets too close.

[sherm]

Escort Redline.. I've had a 8500 and 9500 and the range on my Redline is much better IMO.

[themishmosh]

Originally Posted by sherm

Escort Redline.. I've had a 8500 and 9500 and the range on my Redline is much better IMO.

+1.

And in Ohio with traffic speed sensors, Escort's TSR is a valued feature.

[SAM135iAM]

Originally Posted by themishmosh

+1.

And in Ohio with traffic speed sensors, Escort's TSR is a valued feature.

+2 best birthday present I've ever received

[SteveSpy]

Guys

I want a built-in radar detector and the two options I see are the Escort 8500 and 9500 but there us a huge disparity on price between these two because I am being told that the 9500 has a laser jammer built in.

1) Is that true?
2) Is it worth the significantly higher price than the 8500 for that feature?

[XMetal]

1. Laser shifting (jammer) is an optional accessory.
2. The GPS feature alone is more than worth it for me to go with the 9500iX over the 8500. As indicated in my earlier post, if you can still find a Beltronics GX65, get that for what is essentially a 9500iX for the price of an Escort 8500!

[M3WC]

Originally Posted by sspyrops

Guys

I want a built-in radar detector and the two options I see are the Escort 8500 and 9500 but there us a huge disparity on price between these two because I am being told that the 9500 has a laser jammer built in.

1) Is that true?
2) Is it worth the significantly higher price than the 8500 for that feature?

Go with the 9500ix. Keep an eye on Amazon, they have had it listed on and off for $379.

[M3WC]

Anyone have any experience with Escort's new Laser Shifter Pro? It is made by Laser Interceptor, who are well known for their quality.