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Best Overall Radar Detector


Boomin850

Valentine 1 Or Escort Or Other  

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radartest.com rated the Escort Passport 8500 X50 first place in their most recent test. That's what I've got. It has saved me a number of times in Illinois and Indiana, but it totally depends on the state. In Michigan it's pretty much useless because the state boys pretty much all use laser and instant on. I got nabbed with instant on a few months ago. Luckily I pulled the detector down before the cop saw it and I was able to get him to knock the speed down. No detector can protect against instant on unless you catch it when they use it on the people ahead of you (which i've been lucky enough to do a few times...but obviously not that time). It catches laser most of the time but I never know whether it gets it in time. It's definitely a good idea to do a little research into what kind of radar is used in the places you drive the most. I basically don't speed in Michigan any more because they're so Darn good.

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Instant on is K band. Good radar detectors are good at detecting K band. You'll often detect it when the cop hits another car, so you are protected from instant on as long as it isn't instant on you *before* you detect it on someone else.

POP is like instant on but it is at a very specific frequency/wavelength very quickly and isn't normally detected by radar detectors. Basically, you use POP before instant on. The POP checks each vehicles speed without alerting other oncoming vehicles that there is radar ahead, unlike with instant on. Then, when you see that the vehicle is indeed speeding you go into conventional mode so you can lock the speed into your radar gun and get a tracking history, as is required to issue a ticket.

If you have POP detection you can actually receive those POP bursts.

By the way, this is a terrible poll. Most people haven't owned both, and the V1 is more popular around here.

Either the V1, X50 or Bel will keep you safe, what matters is that you pay attention to them. Fact is any of these detectors will detect POP radar, none of them will save you from LIDAR, they all detect radar coming from behind as it bounces off of other objects into your front sensor, and they will all catch X/K/Ka Radar from around 9 miles away if there are no obstacles.

Your comparison is similar to asking, "Which is the best brand of toothpaste?" to a bunch of guys who brush their teeth three times a day, flosse and use mouthwash.

Whatever they use, they are voting for.

Check for comparative reports. MotorTrend has some every once in a while, and there are tons if you search Google.

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As of right now Im really leaning twords the Escort x50. The valentine seems really outdated in every review I've read + gives off a ton of false alarms. The Bel RX65 is really good...but lacks the update feature...so once it's old technology, it stays old. The Escort is just seeming to be a better buy more and more...

-MIKE D

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kind of off topic, but it sounds like in a lot of states it is necessary to hide your radar detectors. Just out of curiosity, does anyone have any pictures of custom integrated radar detector installations to share? I remember seeing an integra owner that had replaced the little clock in the middle of the dash with a radar detactor, it was really nice.

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As of right now Im really leaning twords the Escort x50. The valentine seems really outdated in every review I've read + gives off a ton of false alarms. The Bel RX65 is really good...but lacks the update feature...so once it's old technology, it stays old. The Escort is just seeming to be a better buy more and more...

-MIKE D

I thought all those reviews said the BEL was a little better? :unsure:

Maybe I need to reread them.

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Yay for like my second post evar in the audio forum.

I've used both the 8500 X50 and the V1. I have to say that I prefer the Escort due to it's easy to read LCD, very good range, and just a better overall feel of quality. I mean, people say that they like the V1 b/c of the arrows, but honestly guys, if there's a cop within 100 yds, who cares where they are. You're gonna slow down. I also hate the little tiny LED's on the V1 that indicate the radar band b/c when one LED lights up, it looks like two of them are lit up and it's not like you can quickly glance over and see which band it is. With the Escort, it's clearly spelled out on the LCD screen with the accompanying sound.

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dont know if you saw mine...

kind of off topic, but it sounds like in a lot of states it is necessary to hide your radar detectors. Just out of curiosity, does anyone have any pictures of custom integrated radar detector installations to share?

here in VA where it is illegal, i had to be creative. mounted it in the headrest of the R, then wired it to the remote display. kills the laser but if your are laserd you are screwed anyway.

check out the install:

http://theeshadow.net/carmod/volvos60r001.html

DSC00281_thumb.JPG

DSC00278_thumb.JPG

click for a bigger picture... the detector is on the left of the shifter.

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