Radar Detector Advice

[gtMc]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

It will always be never ending.

I have a 8500x50 and want to sell it for a V1

Let me know if you want to buy it.

thanks.... I myself have been on the V1 bandwagon for a long time. Probably going that route....

[GammaZeta]

I don't think you will go wrong with any of those models. I'm not a radar/laser detector expert, haven't done any side by side testing, but I do know that having owned the RX65 for just under 2 months, that it has detected every single radar that the police have used and gave me plenty of time to "adjust" my speed accordingly.

I paid $199 for the refurbished model, which is supposed to give a broader range, but is still under factory warranty.

I think you'll be happy with whatever one you get.

There is that moment you experience as you drive by the speed trap at 34 mph in a 35 mph zone and just have a smile on your face...

[gtMc]

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

I don't think you will go wrong with any of those models. I'm not a radar/laser detector expert, haven't done any side by side testing, but I do know that having owned the RX65 for just under 2 months, that it has detected every single radar that the police have used and gave me plenty of time to "adjust" my speed accordingly.

I paid $199 for the refurbished model, which is supposed to give a broader range, but is still under factory warranty.

I think you'll be happy with whatever one you get.

There is that moment you experience as you drive by the speed trap at 34 mph in a 35 mph zone and just have a smile on your face...

Nice... good move on the refurb, save some coin there. well, then let the hunt for cost savings begin before I go paying full retail. half the fun is the hunt...

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by gtMc

Nice... good move on the refurb, save some coin there. well, then let the hunt for cost savings begin before I go paying full retail. half the fun is the hunt...

If you're buying a V1 get the coin and get a new version.

There are so many version changes with the V1, older ones are inferior w/todays technology.

[gtMc]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

If you're buying a V1 get the coin and get a new version.

There are so many version changes with the V1, older ones are inferior w/todays technology.

good point, thanks for the nudge. i usually give up after 5 minutes of looking anyway and just pay whatever is needed. 'hassle' and I dont mesh well.

exception: when I bought the M. I spent 18 months on that hunt.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by gtMc

thats it, i want one. so does the debate continue on about a Passport vs the RX65 vs the V1? or is it really just personal preference at this point? have read the whole thread...

Originally Posted by gtMc

Nice... good move on the refurb, save some coin there. well, then let the hunt for cost savings begin before I go paying full retail. half the fun is the hunt...

You not only save on money but the refurb is actually considered the better unit since it uses their older radar which is actually better at k-band segmentation.

As others said you can't go wrong with either and as you know I did both. The V1 isn't as expensive as folks think. Whatever resellers you see on Google often times charge more than what you'd pay if you bought from V1 directly. Their prices have come down by $100 or so in the last few years. I remember my first V1 was $500 but I think I picked up this last one for $399 new from V1 direct.

If you're on a budget go RX65 refurb off eBay (and make sure you buy from Escort / Beltronics directly). It really is a solid radar and you WON'T find anything better under $200. If you can shell out more cash, definitely go V1. I still rely on the directional arrows and use that as a sanity check for areas I've driven in before that typically give off false signals. And if money is no object, go with the king of all setups - Sti-R + lol.

LIDAR is tough... I've definitely had 2 saves so far, one on 80E and the other on GSP. And truth be told, even I opted for decent hardware, their placement on the Z4 is pretty limited, most likely requiring you to install them a bit low leaving you vulnerable to headlight shots.

[gtMc]

Dubbed, good color ^. All of this is really great input.

I have no issues spending the money on a new V1 and planned to get it direct. the Sti-R seems a little overkill in all honesty. I'm not looking to go nuts here, i just dont want to get picked off too easily - I have lasted 18 years without a speeding ticket just using my eyes and prudence.

Time to go long.

[gtMc]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

There are so many version changes with the V1, older ones are inferior w/todays technology.

after thinking more about this, wouldnt this technically hold true for all makes and models in the sub $500 price range? And if so, how often is it necessary to replace any model, let alone a v1?

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by gtMc

after thinking more about this, wouldnt this technically hold true for all makes and models in the sub $500 price range? And if so, how often is it necessary to replace any model, let alone a v1?

No.

Escort 9500xi is just a model, there are no revision done to it.

V1s have 3.892 (or whatever version they are on). It keeps on changing

[gtMc]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

No.

Escort 9500xi is just a model, there are no revision done to it.

V1s have 3.892 (or whatever version they are on). It keeps on changing

ok.

well tomorrow I place a call to these guys to find out exactly where the actual detection elements/unit gets mounted: http://www.radar-mirror.com/

Then, its time to get this done either as a stand alone or something more integrated into the car - and join the rest of you!

Originally Posted by Blind32

I bit the bullet and purchased a V1 last week. Should get here today. Can't wait to fire that baby up.

Blind, hows it working out so far?

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

I really don't want to mount a traditional looking radar detector due to theft and vandalism concerns.

I really want to avoid any type of suction cup mounting.

Gamma, you were hell bent on non suction cup in your first few posts, how did you end up mounting it? After looking at the in-mirror display, i think it defeats the purpose as you stil need the unit mounted somewhere near the glass or you have to run a stealth unit. (I'm thinking just do the traditional hardwire/suction cup and be done with this). thanks.

[GammaZeta]

I bit the bullet and did the suction mounts. I hard wired it in to the map light, and attached it directly behind the passenger side of the mirror. I also put the lights in "dark" mode.

From the drivers seat, you can only hear it, and can't see it one bit, which is what I was looking for. You can see it from outside the car on the passenger side, but from the drivers side it is non-distracting to my field of view and impossible to see.

I was thinking of doing a visor mount but I'm living with the suction cups.

[txz4]

love my v1... LOVE IT! the directional arrows are the best part.

[gtMc]

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

I was thinking of doing a visor mount but I'm living with the suction cups.

Yeah, i hear you. not the end of the world really considering the cost/benefit of other mounting options. (I still cant bring myself to mount my EZpass thingy).

Originally Posted by txz4

love my v1... LOVE IT! the directional arrows are the best part.

Nice - i'm ordering one tomorrow...

[jrich4411]

I originally purchased the V1 & used it for a year or so. I found it to way too "chatty" for where I drive. Every time I drove through town - which is most days, & usually several times per day - it was going off at every pharmacy, grocery store etc, even with X band turned off. I found an electronics sale at Amazon for %20 off which at that time brought the price of a Passport 9500ix down to $400, so I picked one up. The Passport has a GPS built in that will remember when it sees a particular radar signal in the same exact spot 3 times and will lock that signal out. I ran both side by side for almost a week. I found that both units always picked up a radar signal within a second of each other, with both units taking turns as to which one went off first. If I remember correctly, the Passport was slightly better in the K band with the V1 slightly better in the Ka band. Both consistently gave ample warning, except as others have stated here, when the cop used instant on radar, in which case your screwed anyway. Somewhere on one of these boards I did a write-up on the comparison.
I ended up moving the V1 into the pickup that my wife uses to haul her horses around with. She had actually been stopped a couple years ago for speeding while hauling the horse trailer! Fortunately, we know the local county Sheriff & got the town cop to drop the ticket. HOWEVER, about 2 months ago she was hauling the trailer up to Maine, and had turned the V1's sound down because of the chattyness. Fortunately, this cop just flashed his blues on for a couple seconds & warned her to slow down.
SO... to sum up my long winded story - If you drive in an area where there are lots of stores with automatic door openers, consider a Passport with the GPS. Either way, you can't go wrong with the V1 - one of the best on the market.

[gtMc]

^ thank you...

[3002 tii]

Some radars offered by Bel allow you to update the firmware from your computer so in that sense, they don't become "outdated". However I still like the V1 the most given that I do a lot of freeway driving and range is of the utmost importance to me. Yes the V1 can be chatty but if you read through the manual, you can disable certain frequencies. Since we live in NJ where x-band is still used, you really have no choice but to keep everything on. So yes, still chatty but the arrows help eliminate false signals since most times I drive through areas I'm pretty familiar with.

I had the 9500ix in between my 2 V1's and I found it to be good for city driving. Firmware updates, redlight database and storing false signals was great. But end of day, it didn't have nearly the range of the V1. (Greg - few times I had the 9500ix on the PIP, luckily I was not speeding but had I been, I'm almost certain it wouldn've have given me enough advance notice). Also whereas the V1 was chatty, the 9500ix also would give me alerts to redlight cameras that were not there, specifically when you're driving on an under/overpass and the actual redlight was above or below me.

No radar is perfect, but it really come down to what things you're willing to sacrifice and your budget. I was willing to give up on the GPS functionality in order to gain max range from the V1.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by gtMc

ok.

well tomorrow I place a call to these guys to find out exactly where the actual detection elements/unit gets mounted: http://www.radar-mirror.com/

I'd pass, expensive hardware and no real benefit - assuming you're looking at the option where it allows you to install the remote display in the mirror, but it does NOT replace the radar itself. Which in that case you still have to find a place to mount the radar, and in order for it to be most effective, it'll most likely be mounted in the typical spots - high up, on your windshield.

If you can find a creative place/way to install the radar away from the front windshield while still keeping its effectiveness, then it might be worth it. I've thought about it but really don't see a solution. Stealth mounts outside don't work as the V1 or any radar for that matter wasn't meant to handle mother nature. Even thought about mounting it where the sunglass holder is, perhaps under the liner or something - way too expensive/custom and again I'm pretty sure you'll lose the range seeing how the antennas are covered.

If you're looking at the option where the guts of the radar are actually installed in the mirror, super cool but not $1000 cool imo. I'd rather spend the extra $500 on a quality jammer setup =P

[gtMc]

Dan, great color all around, I came to the same conclusion about the remote install with the in-mirror display: the unit still needs to be mounted somewhere, and its really just a pain and costs more money.

I just hung up the phone w Valentine, the V1 should be here in about 4 days.... $409 shipped. NIIICE.

[gtMc]

I've never been so happy to see the word 'Valentine'...

[Devious21]

I never posted pics but here are some quick ones of my V1 Hardwire setup on the Z4M Roadster.




Pretty much unnoticeable from the road.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by gtMc

I've never been so happy to see the word 'Valentine'...

Be sure to use the add-a-fuse, much simpler install and just as clean as tapping the domelight.

[Devious21]

I haven't done the add-a-fuse install but while it's simpler(don't need to tap into any wires), I'd imagine it's more work.

The dome light install was very quick. For the add-a-fuse install, you have to run the wires all the way up to the V1, right? That means removing A-Pillar and other stuff to hide the wires?