ipozestu

iTrader: (18)

http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=9090

RenzoK

That is an interesting website, in fact I've read pretty much everything that guy has to say. However there are a few things to note from various things I've read about radar detectors over the last several months. First of all the Bell and Escort models presented are basically identical. They are now the same company, I'm not sure if Bell bought Escort or vice versa. But Bell is the flagship model and the Escort has been slightly crippled to help give Bell the edge, between the two, the Bell is the way to go, no question. However, I am rather disturbed at the way the V1 is compared to the other two. When you're dealing with a Radar detector, do you care if it has auto-muting? Does it really matter if there is a voice telling you the band? Do you need to alter the way it handles bogies? If you answered yes, then sure... go for a Bell.

If, however, you want the most sensitive, reliable, and informative detector available, get a V1. After owning one for more than 6 months, I can tell you that having the directional arrows is invaluable, once you rely on them, you won't go back. Sure, the V1 only uses tones to let you know which band is nearby, but, for me, as soon as I hear a beep, I look at it... and I know where the bogey is, how strong it is, and what band. Most of the time I ignore X-Band as it is not the police. When I see K band, I pay attention, and when the V1 says KA, I hit the brakes. However, after using it for a while you tend to get a feel for it and your surroundings, more than ever you begin to spot where photo radar *might* be when you get an alert, and you realise that weak signals are *rarely* police, but if something suddenly appears strong, then there's a cop around.

Regarding this guy's comments about highway use... I'm not sure how things are in the US, but in Alberta, Canada I would have lost my license a few times by now without the V1. I have driven several times between Edmonton and Dawson Creek(BC) with the V1, about 800KM, and the only times it beeped on the highway was the the police were around. I was once going approx 180KM/H when I got a signal, right before a long curve in the road, I instantly hit the brakes, went down to the legal limit, and then about 5 seconds later the cop came around the corner.

Sure, the V1 may require more vigilance, it may force you to be more more aware of what the cops may be doing in the area you are located in... But, doesn't that make you a better, safer driver? I believe that I have actually become a safer driver since using the V1, I may go faster more often, but I definitely do pay more attention to what is going on around me. Regarding sensitivity, I have had the V1 find cops anywhere from 10 to 60 seconds ahead of me, KA goes nuts, I look around to see what kind of a car could be doing it, eventually a grey crown vic with cop rims shows up and passes me on the other side of the road.

BTW, I have mine mounted just under the rear view mirror, slightly to the driver's side, never had any vision obstruction issues. Any specific questions, let me know, *nothing* beats the V1.

- Renzo

Mulder

FYI radartest.com is a biased site. The site owner has a long-standing beef with Mike Valentine (don't recall the specifics) so they will never give the V1 a glowing review. No matter, I've had mine for many years and done several upgrades, wouldn't have anything else.

RenzoK

Yeah, it really makes me wonder if radartest.com is run by Bell/Escort. The don't say anything specifically incorrect/slanderous about the V1, but they do downplay it's effectiveness. I spent a few months on the internet checking out forums trying to find the best detector. Over and over again, anecdotal reports by consumers keep saying how fabulous the V1 is. I haven't tried anything else, but I can say that it has been *well* worth the money paid. When it comes to paying $400USD vs losing your license? No contest. And then there's all the other tickets I've saved. Edmonton has *lots* of photo radar, I can spot it every time. I managed to use a regular 15' phone cable and connect the V1 directly to the fuse for the radio... that way I don't even have to worry about about unsightly wires getting in the way. It "just works."

- Renzo

ipozestu

iTrader: (18)

I've had my Escort 8500 for years now. I trust it more than I trust my wife . I've never had a V1, but everything I've read has been comparable to my Escort. I say if it aint borke don't fix it. I'll keep mine.

04blkWRX

+1

(before this degenerates into a V1 vs. The World argument)

pdqwrx

iTrader: (3)

Radar tests done by independant labs always seem to be less then independant...I sell K40 and they always seem to do well in the tests that they patition for. I also sell Escort and they seem to do well in there tests. The problem is that they both use radartest.com.
It seems a little more then convient that everyone seems to have a radartest.com test that they did well in. How can everybody be the best.

Group B

iTrader: (3)

V1 FTW...

I don't know what I'd do without my latest-version V1, with dual POP, etc.

ish

iTrader: (7)

I would never buy anything but a V1. Unless maybe of course one of the other top detectors offered directional arrows. I can't live without them.

Group B

iTrader: (3)

Roger that!

ipozestu

iTrader: (18)

I don't see the need for the arrows. once you are acustom to the signal strength and step in the tone you can figue out if you are being tailed, approached,. Besides with a reliable detector your reaction should always be the same. Slow down!!!

bcblues

I have 30 years experience with radar detectors (first black box "Fuzz-buster" of the 70's). I have run passports and Valentine, and I prefer the V1. I mount my V1 above my rearview mirror, thereby maximizing the range/performance. I run a remote power lead (simple ultra-thin telephone wire) around the weather stripping of the windshield and down from the rearview mount, providing an ultraclean mount. The Passport did not fit well in this area, and I had to run it stuck onto the windshield down low (so that I could see out the windshield well). In that position, it was hard to reach when belted in. I also prefer the V1 arrows. Granted, the interface of the v1 is a bit antiquated, but the build quality is great, the metal case feels stout and quality, and the mount is very well thought out and solid. My 2 cents on the arrows is that it is nice to see where the radar is coming from, and the "bogie" counter is great for avoiding multi-source traps, and especially in town. In the end, some will prefer the Passport, others the v1. They are both qualityunits. I have no experience with the Bel, so I cannot offer an opinion on them.