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The Valentine 1 is the best non-integrated detector you can buy, and the latest firmware version gets rid of the chirping from other vehicles who use active radar for blind spot monitoring.
However, it doesn't hold a candle to any integrated system where you have sensors in the front and rear bumper of the car. Being mounted behind a windshield is not ideal.
If you don't see yourself changing your driving style, I'd suggest spending the $1500 or so and getting a complete, integrated system. K40 used to make the best ones, but I believe the Passport 9500ci is the top one now.
I have been using a radar detector for many years and have not had a speeding ticket since. I have never driven aggressively, but about once every 2-3 years, I would tend to get caught in a speed trap, which is usually on a downhill grade with an abrupt speed limit drop outside of town. Many local police have nothing else to do 80% of the day.
I had an Escort for a very long time and it worked well, but it would continually need to be reset. It would lock up and get stuck in "calibrating" mode. Finally it quit completely and I now have a Beltone 995 and it is every bit as good as the Escort for a lot less money.
Laser usage is rare around here. I believe this is because they have to get out of the car to use it and it is only really good for close up like when they are hiding behind a tree. They have to be pretty steady to use it. I don't think it is effective for highway or freeway use. I think that the law believes that most people don't have radar detectors anyway, so why bother with laser. So, laser is very rare and KA band is used around here.
Let's hope your next major car accident does not involve anyone else due to YOUR careless and reckless driving.
Peach, trust me, im not stupid. i may not have respect for the traffic law to a certain degree; driving between 80-85 when the speed limit is 65, doesn't stop completely at the stop sign when i don't see other cars around, pass people from the right all the time... but i do have respect for other drivers and my own safety on the road.
i will definitely down and wait when i feel like i have to, but also hit the gas hard when i feel like the situation is safe.
I have been using the Valentine V1 for 8 years now. Excellent range on the highway and even small roads. Lots of false alarms in the city. You might want to look at the new Escort with the arrows.
On the highway, these radar detectors always work best with a "rabbit car." Don't be the lead car, follow rabbit and let him/her go fast.
The arrows are the Escort Max 360, and perhaps other models. That works pretty well, actually. The Max is bigger than the 9500ix, though, which may not be convenient for some.
The 9500ci with some sort of updated laser jammer is well-regarded. I'd check that out, what exactly works best this year, on the various non-scam detector sites. Bet that will be superseded at some point, it's at least five years old.
Problem is the $5,200 price tag including install plus tax. That's for my 911, and in Seattle where labor is outrageous. In Los Angeles, could probably be done for a thou or two less. That whole setup apparently works quite well indeed, in a stealthy way. Guess that's top of the food chain though.
Barring that, which I'm not willing to absorb yet, I have a Escort Max 360 as mentioned above that keeps me out of most jams. The 9500ix it replaced served me until I got a $400 ticket in Oregon, but it least there was sufficient warning (seconds) to get me down from (allegedly) 105 to (allegedly) 90 before being pulled over.
The previous has nothing for laser, though and that's the real kicker. Which leads us back to radar plus jammer, and installation costs. Hmm.
More moving violation horse(droppings), I just call my attorney. He's 3/3 since 2008 on dismissals here in WA. That won't work everywhere, though. Works great here. OP might want to think about trying that, if feasible.
Radar detectors aren't made for you to speed and drive aggressively. They're made for you to be more aware of your surroundings. Are you aware that it's a RADAR detector and not a cop detector? Just because you see a cop doesn't mean it'll go off. It only works if his radar is on. The only problem is once an officer uses laser and once you get alerted, it's over, you already got yourself a ticket. If you're willing to buy one, I wouldn't recommend those cheap $200 ones. They're cheap for a reason. The best quality ones go for over $500. The Escort Passport Max and Valentine are the best and most common.
I was involved in law enforcement for many years and my best advice for you is to slow down and drive responsibly! Unmarked cop cars are getting harder to spot and its important to note that when you're driving always look farther out onto the road than you normally would. Always look on the shoulder, and median. If you see a car of any sort, always assume it's a cop no matter what especially if it's a Crown Vic, Charger, Taurus, or Explorer since they're the most common. If a cop is coming up behind you DO NOT hit your brakes. You'll stand out from the rest and if you hit your brakes then you're well aware that you were speeding so just ease off the gas or go into 2nd gear.
I have been using the Valentine V1 for 8 years now. Excellent range on the highway and even small roads. Lots of false alarms in the city.
Last detector i had was a Cobra in the mid 80s, it would give me up to 2 miles warning on the open road, but was unusable within any metro area due to false alarms. I would have thought that the technology would have improved considerable in 30 years.
How about a little radar detector nostalgia. How many had one of these? I bought this at a flea market a couple years ago just for the schmidts and giggles.
Last edited by theedgeoflight; 08-01-2016 at 07:13 PM..
Reason: speeling :)
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