Radar detectors!

[imnotplutonium]

^^ what does the concealed display do? I mean how is it any different than the actual detector? just a easier mounting/visual place?

[imnotplutonium]

ok nevermind, I went to the site and read it. The detector goes dark and all the lights go to the concealed display. what about the wires? I am trying to hide all the wiring etc. maybe that will not be an option for me. also how well does it fit in your ashtray?

[docron1]

Escort 8500 since I got my G in Jan. 2004.

I mounted my 8500 to left of rearview mirror under stock window tinted strip, ran a telephone cord with RJ11 adapater under headliner, down under pillar A to near fuse box, connected stock Escort 12V plug to RJ11 adapter, run wire under plastic piece under steering wheel and plugged into driver side 12V plug left of HVAC. No spiral wires seen, cord is hidden from detector to 12V plug. You can even hardwire to fuse box near driver's left foot if you want.

Only problem I have with 8500 is when the unit gets too heated from direct sunlight, when my car sits in a parking lot too long in 85+ degree heat, it starts whigging out saying "self-calibration" and "Service unit". But, then again, that's only when its in direct sunlight in 85+ degree heat for too long. So when I know its gonna be hot, I just unplug it and leave it out of the sunlight.

doc

[Deepdiver]

Originally Posted by Virus

Deepdiver: Every single radar detector has false alarms. Some are better than others, but it's impossible to build a radar detector within a reasonable price point that doesn't have falses.

Ok, maybe I should have said very, very few (and honestly w/ this detector (in my experience) if any). The Bel runs around the $300 range. I have had cheaper detectors in the past which would go off driving thru town or going past an industrial area. With this detector you can selectively turn off bands (i.e. X band) that are used by automatic doors, allowing it to be extremely discrete; CHP and most city PD's in california run Ka and Lidar. I've been running this detector for about 8 months and the only time it goes off is if a black and white was in the vicinity.

[ScubaSteve312]

Originally Posted by Joe_Camel

ScubaSteve, the invisicord is way easier to install, you don't have to run wire under the interior trim panels, and it frees up a power outlet to plug in other stuff.

wait, so where the heck do you run the wire? straight to the battery??

[G35Now!]

Originally Posted by NCG35S

I have had a V1 for over 12 years and never had any performance or use issues.

One additional feature Valentine offers is an electronics upgrade. You can enter your serial number into their site and receive a quote. I checked mine a couple of years ago and it was a $250 upgrade charge (I haven't done this yet).

I plan on ordering the invisicord and mirror mount this fall.

Lots of good units out there, so it would be hard to go wrong with one of the higher-end models.

Good luck!

+1 - exactly right, I use a V1 but also liked my Passport 8500.

[imnotplutonium]

Originally Posted by ScubaSteve312

wait, so where the heck do you run the wire? straight to the battery??

no, use the link provided, it wires to the power going to your mirror. just two simple taps that go into the mirror harness and then you are done. only a 8" wire to wrap around the stock mirror power wire to conceal. pretty easy from all that I have read. I will def. be using it.

[Virus]

Originally Posted by Deepdiver

Ok, maybe I should have said very, very few (and honestly w/ this detector (in my experience) if any). The Bel runs around the $300 range. I have had cheaper detectors in the past which would go off driving thru town or going past an industrial area. With this detector you can selectively turn off bands (i.e. X band) that are used by automatic doors, allowing it to be extremely discrete; CHP and most city PD's in california run Ka and Lidar. I've been running this detector for about 8 months and the only time it goes off is if a black and white was in the vicinity.

The RX65 is definately a great detector.

[Virus]

Originally Posted by imnotplutonium

ok nevermind, I went to the site and read it. The detector goes dark and all the lights go to the concealed display. what about the wires? I am trying to hide all the wiring etc. maybe that will not be an option for me. also how well does it fit in your ashtray?

I ran the wires under the headliner, down the pillar. The concealed display fits perfectly in the ashtray. I merely cut a piece of black plastic off an old radio fit kit to cover the top. I do wish that I could take the analog clock out and install it there, but it's a tad too big and would require modifications to the dash that I really don't want to do.

The V1 tends to be a little more chatty than The Bel STi, Bel RX65 and Escort X50. You can program the V1 to act similarly to the other detectors "city" mode. You can mute k band for up to 30 seconds. When in small L mode you see the alerts visually, but don't hear them until your programmed time is up or your programmed fail safe 4-6 leds for signal strength are reached. You also have seperate volume controls for your master volume and your mute volume.

Another caveat is Valentines upgrade program. It's a ton cheaper than buying the latest and greatest detector. You can also sell your V1 on ebay for full price or damn close to full price and purchase another one. People outside the states always seem to want to pay high dollar for the V1.

[patman530]

Escort Passport X50
Invisicord
Mike's Mount

[imnotplutonium]

where can I find this "Mike's Mount?" I saw the one I linked to in my first post but if this Mike's Mount is recommended by you guys and is cheaper than $39.95 plus shipping then I'll grab one of those.

Just ordered the invisicord and am still debating about the radar... I like the fact I can just go pick up an escort, but the upgrade program with valentine is great too. Anyone have installed picks of the valentine with mike's mount?

[Tian]

I have a Beltronics STI and its never failed. I feel like its one of the best out there..... heres an article : http://radartest.com/article.asp?articleID=100542

[Virus]

Originally Posted by NISMOG350GT

I have a Beltronics STI and its never failed. I feel like its one of the best out there..... heres an article : http://radartest.com/article.asp?articleID=100542

Horrible, horrible guy Craig Peterson is. Guys of Lidar are suing him for sabotaging their latest radar testing. Craig has had a huge grudge against Mike Valentine for years after Mike Valentine declined to use him as a "radar consultant". His tests are very biased. Guys of Lidar and Speedzones are true and honest testing. Here is a link to Craig Petersons sabotage video of the Guys of Lidar test:

http://www.guysoflidar.com/march-2007/sabotage.html

Anyway, yes the STi is great if you have the 33.8ghz fix. Otherwise you might not pick up 33.8ghz until you are right on top of the officer or not at all. Bel has not officially admitted this problem publicly, but if you call them up and tell them about it they will RMA it and flash the firmware for you. Here is a link on how to do this:

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=27812

[Virus]

Here is some links to recent testing. Very good testing.

http://www.guysoflidar.com/july-2007...ctor-test.html

http://www.guysoflidar.com/march-200...ctor-test.html

[imnotplutonium]

^^^ good reads. The valentine seems pretty sweet but I think I am going to go with the 8500 x50. I like how it looks and it performs well for the money. I don't think I want to pay the extra $100 for the valentine, that and I would rather just run to best buy and pick up the escort without having to place an internet order and wait.