[Official] What's the Best Radar Detector?

felix0121

Just recommend you to remember three brands. Escort, Betronics, and Valentine. I bet that all the other brands are just like money-wasted.

IMO Escort Passport 9500ix highly recommended that it gives you least false alarms with its own GPS. It also outperforms almost all the other competitors for K and Ka band detection. In most states the old X band is no longer used. and is excellent for off-axis detection for 360 all-round full.

Many say you cannot get safe from lasers, but actually you can. Not all LEOs are practiced enough to run laser (speed gun) if can slow down within 2~3 secs then if fortunate you can beat it.

Beltronics is in the same company Escort, but just different brand. They even share same parts inside. is good, too.

Valentine V1 is kind of unique. yeah it is good, and especially unrivaled to any other RDs that only V1 gives you an arrow that you can get exactly in what direction the radars come from. when you need the arrow, then that's it no hesitation.

I'd also used Passport 8500 Black X50 - the best trim on 8500s but don't recommend it when you 370Z driver. For if your Camry or Altima then 8500 worthy but not for 370Z - it needs a better.

Recently Escort made new RDs like Passport MAX, and MAX2 but have no idea for those at all - sorry.

But say again, all the three brands only - Escort, Beltronics, and Valentine must be in your choice if you need real protection, not an accessory.

Read T

I've always heard V1.

That being said, I've been driving sporty cars since I was 16. I've never had a radar detector and I have never had a ticket.

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felix0121

Agreed, but partially.

It is true that laser is a hard thing it works in so short time.

But with my RD passport 9500ix, I had my experience that I got safe from laser when slowed down immediately within 2~3 secs. Not all the LOEs are so goot at the laser.

Literraly, "better than nothing" - so had better keep a RD even for your peace of mind, and can beat the laser if fortunate.

XwChriswX

I have the Passport MAX2 now, and with the included bluetooth feature, it pairs to my phone so I can use the EscortLIVE app and connect to other people using the same app similarly to the Waze app if anyone has that. I get alerts from other drivers on the same roads I go through, it's awesome. It has all the tried and true Escort features of Radar/Laser detection, and GPS learning as well. That's still my favorite feature for false signals. Other than that, I can say that it's only downside is the startup beep is EXTREMELY loud and high pitched, and is not controlled by the volume buttons. They only control the alert volume.

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Bshields22

Lots of people are saying V1 when the poll shows Escort. Interesting.

I have an Escort 8500 X50 and it work beautifully. On open free way I can get Ka Band about 2-3 miles out.

I think anyone that has had a radar detector can agree that all radar detectors struggle in city with so many things blocking the radar signal.

My buddy has the V1 and when we cruise together it seems I am the first to get the signal and begin slowing down. The V1 shows the direction of the signal but who cares...if there is radar in the area you will slow down regardless.

Just my 2 cents. I'm sure people will disagree lol

felix0121

I'm using my 9500ix. Good design with outstanding performance. All I want to have more is just the warning for Air Patrol.

V1 I believe must be good. also have seen so many positive evaluations on the Valentines. It shows an arrow for the direction of the police radar. Rather the Escorts show a distance bar. Which to choose? - It is totally up to user's preference.

But there's something more than that. Different antennas work differently. Among the Escorts, the old S7 goes better for the off-axis detection. Recently they go with M4 for better detection range. The unique M3 is only installed on the Redline that it is invisible to all police's RDD (Radar Detector Detector).

Just remember the three brand names - Valentine, Escort, and Beltronics are only worthy to depend on. For me all the others are just expensive accessories to show off.

RumbleFish

I'm biased as I've only ever had the V1. That being said, it's never let me down and has paid for itself many times over. I've had my V1 since '99

Aside from the arrows, which I love, do the other makers offer periodic software upgrades as radar tech changes? Valentine does.

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felix0121

Dr.Valentine is really competent.

Yes, there were many updates on the 9500ix firmware.

One day I want to try the V1.

Z-Girl 12

V1 for the past 15yrs

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Z-Girl 12

I can't stand people like you

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DOOMMONKEY777

Well lucky 4 u to live in no cop land.

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felix0121

maybe must have not speeded at all ??

just kidding never mind

Hope you keep your luck.

Tadpole

No radar detector is fullproof. I was a cop in the military and I use to lock the gun waiting on a speeder. Once they got close enough, I pulled the trigger, locked the speed, and watched the front end dive of the car if they had a detector.
Honestly you do not need to spend a ton of money on a detector but you need to learn on how to use your detector in traffic and watch for hills, over passes, corners, and blind spots.
I have the cheapo Cobra detector and it works fine although it does pick up a lot more falses than the higher end models mentioned here.
If you have the funds I would say go for higher end models with the GPS to establish and remove almost all falses then after that the 100-200 range models are your best bet.

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FERRARI

I also have been driving since I was 16 with no speeding ticket.......I will be 70 next month.......but I do love my V1

Naples370Z

I had the K40 With Laser Diffusers for years Worked great Didn't get a ticket for over 20 years. when K40 changed their system to blue tooth and then to the RL360 series. The detection ability seemed to suffer and there were a lot of startling false alarms. I changed to Escort 9500c1 about a year ago. miss the directional lights of the K40 slealth install (right for rear,Left for front) but like the silent operation because of GPS. Looks like it's a keeper. Have it in 2 cars.