I know I'm new to the site, but I'm a car forum veteran and I know radar detector superiority leads to flame wars. IMHO (and I have experience with each)... Bel Sti > Bel Pro RX65 > Escort Passport 8500 X50 > V1.

Now in case you're wondering I have an Escort Passport 8500 X50. I just hardwired it in my G the other day -----> CLICK HERE

Escort has a new detector on the way that will supposedly blow them all away and include a GPS antenna to mark areas on your routine drive that are common false points.

Anyway you really can't go wrong with any of the top end detectors. I.E. the 4 I listed, but I will say the arrows are overrated. I prefer better range and fewer false alarms. The V1 falses like crazy.

Oh and I wouldn't base my decision on radar detector simply on how it looks. If you hardwire it where mine is place you barely even see it as is.

 

I just did a hardwire myself, but I used the invisicord that many others here on this forum have. It just plugs right into the power cord for the rear view mirror and took me all of 2 minutes to install.

http://invisicord.com/

I did call valentine recently and asked about tint and radar. They said if you have METAL tint on the rear windshield, it will decrease the radar effectiveness from the rear. If you also have it on your front side windows, it will also affect detection from the sides. Just FYI.

 

thanks for the info guys. im getting the rx65 this week. cant wait

 

www.speedzones.com

 

I had metal tint in my A4 for 4 years and my radar detection was nothing short of great even from the rear. Now I have heard that carbon based tints mess up radar detection, so who knows

Also hardwiring to the fuse panel really took about 15 minutes tops and then you have the peace of mind that the detector has it's own fuse and in case the suction cups fail it can dangle from the phone cord without crashing down to the dash.

 

I have used Bel for years with good results. Look for one that supports pop radar.

 

I have the newer V1 but my boss (who happens to drive a G too and is a major gear head too, hehe) has been using the same V1 for like 10 years and swears by it as well. I don't get many false readings where i'm at. But there's also a setting that lowers the Xband or can take it out all together. I've tried other radars and the arrows are invaluable to me. I can't even count how many different scenarios the arrows have helped me out and saved my @ss. I can take comparison pics of the older vs. newer ones if anyone is still interested.

I highly recommend the Valentine one. I've earned back the purchase price many times over already, hah...

 

I'm just curious what the arrows accomplish that makes them invaluable. I'm not trying to be argumentative, but Ka-band and K-band radar = me adjusting to speed limit. There would never be a scenario where I'd be picking up the radar and continue to speed. That's just my take. I think in the entire time I've had my x50 I thought that the arrows would have helped me once (saved me never). I say could have helped me because I had a persistent Ka-band signal at strong strength for a good 10 miles straight of highway driving. In this instance the cop was behind me (not in sight range yet) and essentially driving the speed limit that I slowed down to. It took ~10 miles for him to finally catch up and pass me though. That said even still in that instance knowing the radar was coming from behind would not have changed my decision to maintain speed limit until the radar source was determined.

That leads me to reaffirm that in my experience the arrows are overrated. Now sure I wouldn't mind having arrows, so don't get me wrong there. I simply care about other factors before arrows and those other factors weigh into the decision more.

 

I agree.. I hear an alert.. I slow down.. doesn't matter where the arrows are pointing. The V1 is a very good detector.. and was the best of breed for several years. The competition has advanced and there are many good alternatives for less.

 

That's exactly why I was wondering what could make the arrows invaluable.

 

Honestly, theres no reason not to get a V1 if you have the means to do it. I had a v1 and then sold it back in 2000 for a passport 8500. Sure it was slimmer and was more programmable. But when I gave it to my father a year ago I purchased a new V1. Wow, I cant believe I thought the 8500 was better. My V1 has significantly longer range and fewer false alarms with the newest programming. Plus living without the arrows is a big mistake. I figured with the 8500 all you had to know was how many bogies to watch out for. With the V1 you actually know where to look, HUGE advantage. I will never go without a V1 again. Plus its forever upgradeable.

Edit: For those who want to know WHY the arrows are important. Im one of those who dont always slow down when I hear the alarm because I like to see where its coming from first. People who do that are "freakers" that slam on the brakes because they get scared of being ticketed. When that happens it catches a lot of drivers off guard who might be on the road with them. If its a false alarm, you just slowed down probably 10mph for no reason. However, if there were people behind you pacing you, they just had to slam on their brakes to avoid hitting you. If the signal is coming from the other side of the highway then you can just keep the speed up. If its coming from behind you, they have to pace you to confirm that youre speeding(radar doesnt work from behind). Plus you can see when youre driving by a false via the arrows.

 

First of all are you talking about an 8500 X50 or just an 8500?

There is a big difference here. The V1 has the most false alarms of the "big 4" and that is not really debateable it's more just a fact. Also range wise The Bel detectors have the Ka range, followed by Escort, followed by V1. For K range the Escort is the best, Bel next, then V1.

The V1 beats the competition in laser detection which is essentially a waste because 9 times out of 10 if you detect laser it's too late anyway.

You still haven't exactly answered what the arrows do that make them "important".

I for one prefer better range and fewer falses to arrows.

With the Escort 8500 X50 for instance you get a bogey counter and range for each bogey so you're not missing out there.

When have you been in a position where you said oh the source is behind me, I'll speed up? .... I hope you answer never.

I have experience with each of the big 4 detectors and I have always seen the V1 as being slightly overrated. The upgrade program is probably it's best asset, but that alone wouldn't make me switch over.

 

Read edit. Also it was just an 8500.

 

Then that is not really a fair comparison to make. The 8500 X50 made a major improvement over the 8500.

 

And the newer v1 is a vast improvement(programming wise and size) over the older one as well.