aftershock00

I currently have a radar detector($150) but im looking into getting a real serious one now that i have a mustang. Im torn between the valentine and the newest escort. Like many things, there is confusion. Some tests claim the escort is the latest technology while the V1 is a dinosaur. Valentine claims many of these tests are rigged and misleading or that v1 was not credited for features it has. Has anybody had any experience with these detectors. I ordered the V1 but i can return it if i dont like it. I was thinking about getting the escort too and then returning whichever i didnt like but thats kinda annoying. So whats teh verdict?

I dont care about ergonomics much. I care about detection and false alarms. thanks for any imput.

aftershock00

and the v1 can be upgraded (for a fee) so it never becomes outdated (although some are saying its already outdated)

P.S.I.cho

theres another thread on here somewhere with a whole article on radar detectors

Chopper

The V1 is a top of the line Radar Detector.After you use the directional arrows you won't be able to live without them.They will tell you where the radar threat is coming from so when you pass a false alarm you will know it's a false alarm and is no longer a threat.The other detectors I have used would sound off untill the signal faded regardless of where it was coming from.When my current V1 starts acting up i'll replace it with another V1.BTW take your radar detectors out of the window when your not using them,heat is the worst enemy of electronics.(and thieves)

OneGearhead

plus with Valentine, if you get a ticket with the radar detector on, i believe theyll pay the ticket. they gaurantee it i think........could be wrong, but, also, Maxim tested 'em and said the Valentine is THE #1 detector on the market !!!!! if anybody cares what Maxim says

Chris C

Get the V1. It works great and wins the car and driver radar test everytime. My V1 has saved me more than once.

vfast

I have the BEL PRO RX65..I'd put it up against any other radar detector

P.S.I.cho

actually vfast car and driver did put it up against other detectors, how ever it did ok but not great, it scored in the middle the V1 the passport then the BEL and some other junky ones below it

vfast

I read that is was equal to the valentine..and I got it for 210.00 shipped was the deciding factor

vfast

Tests & Reviews on the Bel Pro RX65 Radar Detector


















Tests results from Speed Measurement Labs Inc.

About Speed Measurement Labs Inc.
During Speed Measurement Labs' tests, all radar and laser guns are operated by certified police officers told to operate the guns as they do each day when writing tickets. All performance figures are reported and recorded by police officers. This is a very expensive way to conduct field testing, but it is essential for fairness and accuracy. No one else does this. SML staff does not operate radar or laser guns during field testing to avoid any hint of bias.
Bel RX65 Instant On & Constant On Test Results
2½ mile cone 2 mile cone 1½ mile cone
Constant Instant Constant Instant Constant Instant
X K Ka X K Ka X K Ka X K Ka X K Ka X K Ka
N N N N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y YF YF YF Y3/6 YF Y2/6

For the instant on / constant on, test cones were placed at 1½, 2, and 2½ miles from the radar guns. The cone at 2½ miles was slightly over a hill and the test vehicle was out of sight of the radar van. Test vehicles were stationary. Officers triggered the radar guns for less than two seconds in the instant on configuration and for approximately five seconds in the constant transmit position. A MPH K-55 X band gun was used along with a Decatur GHD K band and a MPH Bee III (33.8 GHz). Police officers were in the test vehicles and reported the radar detector results. Radar detector makers accompanied the police officers in the test vehicles. All test vehicles began at the 2½ mile cone and after all detectors encountered all radar guns, two tries each detector, the test vehicles move to next closer cone. "Y" stands for Yes and means the detector correctly reported radar. "N" stands for No and means the detector did not detect radar. Beginning at the 1½ mile cone signal strength was recorded. "YF" stands for Yes/Full and means that the detector correctly reported radar and the detector was in full alert. "Y3/6" stands for Yes radar was correctly reported but only 3 of a possible 6 leds were being illuminated, indicating signal strength. Every detector tested had two tries. - SML 2004 Detector Test (June 11-13, 2004)
Bel RX65 POP Radar Test Results

To test POP mode, cones were placed at ¼ mile, 1,000 feet and 500 feet. The test vehicles were told to drive toward the radar van at a speed they determined. They announced their arrival at the 1,000 foot and 500 foot cones. The POP mode was then fired and the operating officer announced the test vehicle’s speed as shown by the Bee III POP Radar Gun. These two distances were chosen as the amount of POP signal strength is greater at the 500-foot cone consistent with the rule of least squares for radar reflectivity.

Results: Bel Pro RX65 consistently alerted the driver to the presence of POP radar at each of the tested distances and on every test run - SML 2004 Detector Test (June 11-13, 2004)

Conclusion: The Bel Pro RX65 ran a close second to the Escort 8500 X50 in the instant on and constant on test results. It tied the X50 for first in the POP radar detection tests and it tied the X50 for first in the Long Ranger test alerting at an astounding eleven miles from the radar guns.