Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General Radar Detectors

Anyone believe this? If so, read this page and take note of the part where Mike Valentine says that he didn't copy the Escort design he originated in the 70s (which is the basis for many detectors out there). It's not like the V1 is a rebadged Cobra (POS) with a few extra LEDs or anything.

Or like someone else said, spend $100 and make sure you bidget the other $300 for the tickets you'll get with a POS detector.

hang on there GSRguy!

well, there is only one model of the V1 and i don't know about BEL, but with escorts the internals are not the same! the escort 8500 and 7500 have completely different internals and firmware than the "lower market" models. that's why they are able to handle some of the "fancy add-ons" like signal strength and freq. display, multi-source detection, spectrum refraction compensation (being able to detect a bounced signal even if the refraction changes the frequency which can happen when hitting objects with many different surface materials (i.e other cars)), anti-detector detection, road hazard and safety warning, etc.....

i would say that you would be fine with either the V1 or the 8500, and when dealing with K band the V1 wins hands down - the 8500 still gives you over 2.5 miles straight line detection in K, however. for most of the other bands - x, ka and including laser - the 8500 wil beat the V1 for distance, non-false signal detection and refraction spray (signal bounce from other vehicles and objects).

blah. blah. blah.

my two cents...

I should have taken the time to find this URL the firts time. This should clear up a lot of questions as to why the Valentine 1 is the best detector out there.

http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddri...etectors&page=1

of course this is just one magazines opinion (car & driver) Facts, schmacks. No matter how good your radar detector is you still gotta to be able to read the road and know the area you are driving in. if you come to a different state you better know the rules and what thier police cars look like. Don't be afraid to stop and ask someone in a mini mart/gas station when you cross borders. Don't forget about hills and corners ect, ect. There are ALOT of different things you have to know about other than just detecting cops.

Not to mention what to do when you get pulled over.

rainshdw

I agree with Evo. I was skeptical at first but then I tried a friends V1 for a road trip. All the features seem hokey and unecessary but they work! It saved my ass FOUR times. I was convinced so I sucked up and bought one. Best investment ive made to date. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

I know folks with the Valentine, they swear by them. I, however, could only afford the Walmart variety. Bought a Bel, died in about a year. I remember reading a board where a lot of folks were conplaining about Bel units crapping out. I've had a Uniden for about four years now - it's much more effective in Florida than when we lived in PA - definitely a terrain thing and the fact that more of my driving is in less congested areas now. Not too much instant on used around here, local cops seem to drive around with X on all the time.

Bottom line -
1) Where you drive and what they use
2) How much you can spend
3) Learn the signal patterns where you drive routinely (that new blip on the way to work could be bad news if there no other cars close enough to false you)
4) Pass and get back in the slower lanes (when there is forward space to maintain your speed)as quick as possible - staying out there makes you an easier target.
5) At night you are at risk, beware of whats behind you and what you are approaching - make sure you have a good look, even then, I suppose oneday I'll get nailed by an unmarked Hyundai Excel, Kenworth, or some other creative crap.
6) Try to be somewhat respectful and don't push it on residential streets (yeah, age talking here - but even animals don't **** where they live).
7) Don't EVER drive through Summersville, WV with out os State plates if you can help it. One of the most well known Traps in the East. The hog trash routinely, blatantly lie about your speed - gonna go back and fight it in two months? *******s, my unit went off in a 50 zone, had the cruise set about 52, never touched the brake. Officer terrorist wrote up 62 (just high enough for the 11+ over extra big fine. Smiled, said I could tell the judge if I wanted to come back, gave me info on their online traffic school (no points) with **** eating grin.

I'll chime in with the Passport 8500. It's won as many competitions as the Valentine 1, and is a considerably better value. The 8500 is a lot better than the 7500, although the 7500 is a good one too (I've driven with both).

It's a matter of which features you want. To me, the directional arrows are useless, as differences in signal strength tell you the exact same information. I like the 8500's Expert Meter, which tracks the signal strength of up to 8 separate signals. I also like the voltometer display, adding a gauge the Contour lacks. I also like the extra $100 or so in my bank account.

It's a matter of opinion. The radar detection quality is equal, if you average out the multiple tests, so it comes down to a matter of features and price.

BUT, the K-40 does have that one year ticket guarantee. It works! They do pay up. BTW, where I got my ticket, no detector would have caught that.

I've got an old passport that still works great... but here's another reference to check out:

RadarTest.com

I no longer trust these magazines because you don't know what variables came into play in their tests. perhaps Valentine 1 has advertised more over the years and they want to make sure they keep that advertising revenue coming in. I'd much rather ride in someone's car who has a good detector and gather your own thoughts about it.

I bought a Cobra 9100 for about $75 around Christmas time and the thing sucks donkey balls. I'd say it catches maybe 25% of the speed traps if that. Only reason I purchased it was because Motor Trend said it was the best value in detectors under $200 and to hold me off until I had the extra loot for a V1 or Passport. It was a waste of money for the most part, the thing has more false alarms than anything else.