I have used a Valentine One for over 30 years and it is the best. I've only had 1 ticket and that was because I did not pay attention to the warning it gave me. My stupidity. Don't know what the others claim, but they can't beat the V1.

 

Thanks for your help! After 30 years of use I feel it's definitely something worth buying. I'll look I to it more before purchasing mine

 

Let me clarify. I bought my first V1 in 1985 and had Valentine upgrade the software in 1999. Continued to use until 2013 and was going to upgrade it again, but Valentine made me an offer to trade it in on a new one at a greatly reduced price. I bought the new one. Both have worked flawlessly and the directional arrows can't be beat.

 

The V1 has a great following and by all accounts is an excellent radar detector. Escort has some great models too, including one's (like the Redline) that are said to be undetectable by a radar detector detector... a valuable feature if you live or drive thru Virginia or DC, where detectors are illegal.

I'd say check them out and go with whatever seems to fit your needs and budget. And beware - discussions about which detector is best and reach high levels of passion quickly (think IOS vs Android, Mac vs. PC, OS2 vs. Windows, LInux vs. the world, etc).

 

I have an Escort.

It works great against radar, but It's anti-laser performance is just about worthless.

 

Save money - drive the speed limit !! C

 

The V1 is dated, no GPS, no built in upgradeable database, no red light, known speeding traps, or speed camera alerts. I sold my V1 several years ago, all the false alerts drove me batty. When the Escort 9500ix gives an alarm, it's for real. I have one on the bike and one in the car.

I know that those with a V1 don't believe there is anything better, it's a religious debate. The only thing I really liked about it were the directional arrows.

 

I have had a V1 for 10 years since then I have not gotten a ticket. V1 is a different beast I will tell you ahead of the game for many years. Everyone has caught up and now some of them outperform. I would look at all the options but there is something about the V1 that is different. Solid piece of equipment that is a American company that is a mom and pops shop as the founder and his wife work together. Once you get one they are serviceable thru them as you just send your to the shop and they work on them. Its the same detector that has been around since the 80's and keeps on improving over and over again. Instead of you throwing out a 2 year old detector you can go and have it reprogrammed.

Also peoples main complain is that it is too chatting? No the V1 out of the box is programmed for all alerts from just about any type of radar system band. The V1 must be programmed to what the driver wants to hear for alerts. I have mine programmed and I still get some false alarms but to this day no speeding tickets with ten years of use. I speak in terms of me not speeding I really dont but I do rush sometimes and the V1 has never failed. I shows how good it has been when Porsche offers there V1 built into the rear view mirror as a package deal for a reason.


This of course is just an example

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct...=bv.99804247,d.dmo&psig=AFQjCNFrmS5RvV4ClGTIqRpVn1cRlTTclQ&ust=1440071374979080

This

 

I have the Escort Passport 9500ix. I paid around $250 for it brand new at the beginning of this year. You should be able to get it for similar price or cheaper since Escort has the new Passport Max radars out. I like mine a lot, it tells me where the speed trap cameras are and all the red light cameras.

 

I don't remember the name, but I've had a simple one for @ least 30 yrs. It is small with a push button for city/highway and a bar of red alert lights, that whail like crazy when it detects smokey bear. I had not used it in more than 8-10 yrs until a trip to Fl. last summer. I hooked it on the sun visor and it worked flawless for 900 miles round trip. Not bad investment for $50.00, money well spent. JMO.
David g.

 

I own a escort s3 wireless works great for me

 

rescort redline. Good if you travel to states where radar detectors are illegal.

V1 is also good and I really like how it tell you the direction.

 

Long time Escort owner here. Even do custom installs of the Mute button and lights from the optional straight cord.

Prelude.



My last CR-V.



Process of building it. I have a spare unit for this process to mock things up.





Finished unit to be installed.

 

or just use the waze app and itll tell ya where the speed traps, red light cameras, road kill, potholes, construction, traffic, bad weather, accidents, and all that jazz are. (and it gives directions too) I have an escort and a V1 somewhere in the garage, but havent used them in about a decade. When I did, I preferred the Valentine. The problem with these devices was that by the time you detect them, they probably detect you too. They also can sense that you have one, in many cases, and may be biased to pick you out from the crowd. (maybe) hehe

PS That custom Escort install looks GREAT! Looks like a factory install

 

or just use the waze app and itll tell ya where the speed traps, red light cameras, road kill, potholes, construction, traffic, bad weather, accidents, and all that jazz are. (and it gives directions too)

My thoughts as well. I've been using Waze regularly for about 2 years and no tickets and rarely come across a speed trap that hasn't been reported. Of course it's only as good as the people who use it and report, and like Honda4Life said, it isn't as effective in low-traffic areas.

I use Waze on my Galaxy Note 5 with a dash-mount and it works great, and better display than any GPS I've ever seen by far.

 

I like Waze but it sucks data and battery. My IPhone sits really nice on the open CD storage door.

Also the directions are not text-to-voice like Google maps directions.

Redline and V1 are great for highways. I just got an Escort Max that is great for those who travel the same routes. It Learns the false alerts during driving and mutes them so it is MUCH quieter than the V1.


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

^^^ Have had the Max about 2 yrs now. Honestly liked my 9500xi better. Definitely loved the old windshield mounts more than the crappy "sticky" mount. Dont take it off a windshield more than like 2 times and it want to hold anymore. Talked to a few other that hate the mount too.

Dont like the fact I cant have both the GPS speed and voltage reading at the same time. The one box is always blank unless you set a speed warning. So stupid. I dont need an alarm, I know when I am and am not speeding.

For me anyways, the Max is not on my top list of Escorts.

Im skipping the Max2 and gonna try the Max 360 out this spring. Despite the mounts. That will make like my 7th Escort in a row I believe.

As for APP based stuff, doesnt work for me. Why, I drive a lot of back roads where not many are out to report, whatever has happened. Besides, my GPS tells me everything but where the cops are.

 

^^^ The Escort sticky mount IS big, I hate that about it too.

The sticky cup holds a lot better than a plain suction cup. Don't forget, you need to rinse it off with plain water to make it stick better. OR, you could call Escort and tell them it bounces too much. Ask for a sticky cup mount for a MAX360...they are MUCH more solid.
If your MAX is under warranty, you can send it in to have the top cover changed to the Magnetic Mount...then it just slides on and off easily (no fumbling with the latch).

++++++++++++++++

But anyway, 05CRVEX should visit the Radar Detector Forums to see other opinions.

https://www.rdforum.org/forumdisplay.php?f=55

There are also videos from users that show how well many models operate and how effective they are...

 

I'm using it with Galaxy S6 with suction cup mount installed in the imid display bucket. It fits in there perfectly and doesn't obstruct my view. There's another thread about the bracket, with some pictures. It also has wireless charging built in.

 

I use Waze all the time even going to work (off hours) and in busy areas many do report, it gets me down to traffic speed before I get there. Rural and neighborhoods (main pass though 40mph) not so much. My V1 is very noisy on most trips now. Still on every day and has saved me many times. Had an old Passport that died. Replaced with Newer version that also died (many years on both). Decided between 9500ix and V1. Bought both to try a about 8-10 years back. Easter weekend trying both on opposite sides of car. Both went off almost same time with plenty of warning, passed the threat, both kept beeping, V1 beeped twice and front arrow was flashing, rear stayed lit, Escort just stayed lit as it was no direction. Next turn in road 2nd speed trap with many cars pulled over. Escort got returned the next day.

Newer cars and heavier traffic V1 is noisy as so many have cars have the radar based cruise/blind spot etc. I know I can turn off the X and might but some places I go the PD still uses it. Awareness is catch 22. choices are get numb to constant noise and mute often, shut down and not know, ignore.

 

By the way- Thanks for this thread. I just printed my shipping label to send V1 in for upgrade. Newer software to help filter the issues from cruise/blind spot etc.

 

I wonder which models give an alert when they detect the radar from the ACC? On a recent trip to OK, we noticed several instances of people hitting their brake lights as we came up on them.

 

From what I have read, it is more likely the blind spot monitor that is doing it as it is K band. Some detectors give a false reading while others don't.