Radar Detector Recomendations

[White08M3]

I need to upgrade my radar detector as it is now 5 years old, maybe older, it doesnt pick up alot of the new radar guns the state police use. does anyone know of a good radar detector to thro in my M. i would like a battery operated one so i dont have to have chords hanging all over. Your input would be appreiated!

[gadget]

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Valentine V1 is the best

[e46e92love]

Originally Posted by gadget

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Valentine V1 is the best

I always wondered why many enthusiasts say V1 is better than ESCORT 8500/9500

Studies don't seem to show really that much of a difference.....

[JS11]

the arrows are a must for me now after trying v1

[White08M3]

Originally Posted by gadget

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Valentine V1 is the best

sorry about that wrong forum...anyway thanks for the input, i have a cobra right now but its cheap and the state troopers are getting crazy with the radar out here on Long Island, my commute to work i see at least 4-5 people pulled over daily on the parkways.

[!Xoible]

ValentineOne /thread

[ersin]

Originally Posted by e46e92love

I always wondered why many enthusiasts say V1 is better than ESCORT 8500/9500

Studies don't seem to show really that much of a difference.....

Four things:

1. Performance.
2. Direction arrows.
3. Bogey counter.
4. Performance.

It also has great performance. It's superior for laser -- it's about the only one that does more than just announce to you that you're getting a ticked via lidar. It's at the top for Ka and K and the best at X. The direction arrows and bogey counter really help you locate the source and identify if it's a threat or not. And it has great performance.

If you're serious then also get a lidar jammer, a CB, and a scanner (preferably a Bearcat brand with BearTracker).

[Epacy]

Originally Posted by e46e92love

I always wondered why many enthusiasts say V1 is better than ESCORT 8500/9500

Studies don't seem to show really that much of a difference.....

+1, They don't.

I have the 8500 x50 now and about the only difference is the arrows. It can track multiple bogeys as well.

[e46e92love]

Originally Posted by Epacy

+1, They don't.

I have the 8500 x50 now and about the only difference is the arrows. It can track multiple bogeys as well.

Thanks, makes me feel a little better knowing you have one.....I have an 8500 but all the talk about V1 almost had me wanting to switch "sides" (VI and Escort argument is almost as intense as Yanks vs. Red Sox, trust me I know----I'm a Yankees fan) even though on the surface I'm not sure outside the arrows there are any differences.

[ersin]

How about some unbiased (really!) facts? Try this: http://www.guysoflidar.com/august-20...ctor-test.html

Or just poke around on guysoflidar.com. You can also read up on radardetector.net.

[GT3 Tim]

Originally Posted by gadget

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Valentine V1 is the best

+10,000

This is the one and only. Everything else is a compromise. You can hardwire it into the dome light, sunroof, etc. so that there are no hanging wires. I did that on both my previous M3's and my current car too. The V1 is simply the best out there. Trust me.

[bkM3]

Originally Posted by Epacy

+1, They don't.

I have the 8500 x50 now and about the only difference is the arrows. It can track multiple bogeys as well.

i have an 8500 x50.. how does it track bogeys?

[ersin]

Originally Posted by bkM3

i have an 8500 x50.. how does it track bogeys?

I think he means it has a bogey counter, not tracker.

[monsta]

get the V1 and get it hardwired...nuff said...plus you don't have to worry about your battery going dead...

[Epacy]

You can hardwire the Passport as well. I have for years.

Yes, it can track multiple signals, i.e bogeys.

[AwesomeM3]

I had a Passport SR1 custom installed in my E46 M3, and I bought a Solo S2 cordless for my new M3. I didn't want my brand new car ripped apart for the installation of a new Passport. I recommend both models.

[ersin]

Information about the Solo S2 from Mike Valentine: http://valentine1.com/cordless/

[Zirenz2006]

I have the Passport 9500 and it is great! V1 is great too but some people tend to put it up on some almighty pedestal, like there is no equal to it.

[Boost3dm3]

V1 FTW! had my V1 for at least 5 years and its saved me many times. Cant beat the upgradability. Like someone said above check radardetectors.net lotsa good info! Don't forget the navalert!

[ersin]

I believe the Passport, V1 and Bel STI all have 30 day money back guarantees. They are all top of the line. Buy one of each, use it for a couple of weeks, then send the two you don't want back.

But if you drive in Virginia, get the Bel STI, period.

[scollins]

I have the V1 and I like it. But I think the Escort 8500/9500 series are probably fine too. I don't have any experience with them, so I can't really say. The thing that helped me choose the V1 was the Guys Of Lidar information, plus the fact that the V1 was $50 cheaper than the 9500.

Also, if you need stealth capability (anti-RDD), then I think the Beltronics STi Driver is the only real choice. I don't need that, so it wasn't really a contender for me.

But no matter what you choose, a cordless battery operated option is going to simply suck. Valentine's 100% right on that point, it takes power to run these things, and the skimpy power you get from batteries just won't cut it. If you look at the Guys Of Lidar test results, you'll see the battery operated units all scored at the very bottom of the tests, and the is a huge gap between the worst corded one and the best battery powered one.

Here is their latest review: GOL August 2007 RD Test

If you want the "best", get either the V1 or the 9500. I like the V1 for bogey counter and arrows, as well as hearing that the GPS feature on the 9500 doesn't work quite as well as advertised.

[Zirenz2006]

GPS feature on the 9500i has worked quite well for me.