Which one Valentine 1, Bel RX 65, and Escort X50?

Like I said, I've done a lot of research online and the FEW that has some issues with their V1 said that it gave false alarms frequently. This is only based on the reviews I've read from posts. I don't own one so I don't know what is happening with theirs. All detectors false based on their surrounding.
 
White95Max said:
...[you V1 users]..get frequent laser alarms from CHMSLs on SUVs?
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Yeah, it does do that.



Still, I like the V1 so well that I have one for every vehicle and at least one spare. I get most of the "keeper cars" hardwired for them, with the power wire coming down from the top center of the inside windshield molding (yeah, this is a huge job on cars with multiple airbads like the Audis, but it can be done).



Note that the suction cups will usually leave permanent marks on the type of automotive glass being used these days, IIRC it's a matter of the rubber cups reacting with the polymers in the windshield. Wasn't a problem decades ago but it is now.



I had the original FuzzBuster (!), the original Escort, a later model Escort, the Passport, a built-in Bel, two other Bels that I forget the model numbers of (the then-best ones), and I borrowed Whistlers and Cobras from friends. Got the V1 and never looked back.



I've had three V1s repaired/upgraded. The early ones seemed less reliable than the more recent ones. No problems at all with the last few.



When I get popped these days, IMO no detector in the world would've saved me. The instant-on and (well-operated) laser are gonna get you if the LEO knows how to do it right (and bothers to). Get whatever detector has ergonomics/interfaces that you like and keep a rabbit/decoy ahead of you in traffic- far enough ahead that the LEO can't just get you both.
 
Accumulator said:
Get whatever detector has ergonomics/interfaces that you like and keep a rabbit/decoy ahead of you in traffic- far enough ahead that the LEO can't just get you both.
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Heh, I do that all the time.



The things that I love about the Passport are:



Voltage system monitor. It saved me once as I was heading out of town. The charging system alarm was sounding, announcing that the alternator was putting out less than 10.5V. I turned around, and we took my friend's car instead. That could have been a nasty situation. My battery could have died on the freeway, or maybe it just wouldn't have started when we were coming home. Either way, it would have been a real inconvenience.



You can turn bands on/off individually. I went years without ever getting an X-band signal (that wasn't a false alarm), so I turned the X off on my Passport.



Maybe I'll just pay the $50 + S&H to have my Passport fixed, if I'm going to get false laser alarms with a V1 anyway. That could be part of the problem I guess, but it happens in lots of places where there isn't much, or any, traffic.
 
Get the escort passport 8500 or the new bel model. Nothing against the v1, but I really think it gets outdated with escort and bel giving newer technology every couple years!!!
 
hondaguy2582 said:
Nothing against the v1, but I really think it gets outdated with escort and bel giving newer technology every couple years!!!
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White95Max said:
I believe you can buy new software for the V1 to upgrade it to protect against new threats/bands.
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They do upgrade the V1 periodically, they just don't do it with a lot of fanfare and they don't change the way it looks (except for eliminating the extra 1/4" or so in height that the laser detection used to add), and the upgrades available are not software changes, but hardware/firmware (AFAIK).
 
I've had a V1 for the last few years and have been quite pleased with it. It's definitely saved my bacon a few times and doesn't false all that much. I do agree with other people that some of the newer brake lights cause laser falses. The arrows and bogey counter are awesome though.
 
Accumulator said:
Still, I like the V1 so well that I have one for every vehicle and at least one spare. I get most of the "keeper cars" hardwired for them...
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I hardwired one into the back of a GM fuseblock, there used to be spare switched fuses in the block, and a device that went in there that you could wire to, but I can't find them now, and the countermen look at me like I've got two heads when I ask about it. Somebody posted here about a connector that you can buy that will pull power off of the OnStar and/or electrochromic mirrors.





Note that the suction cups will usually leave permanent marks on the type of automotive glass being used these days, IIRC it's a matter of the rubber cups reacting with the polymers in the windshield. Wasn't a problem decades ago but it is now.
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Holy crap! Thanks for telling me that! The one car that I am using the suction cup mount for I have the V1 essentially resting on top of the rear view mirror so when one comes loose there isn't so much drama. The car with the good binnacle for the Passport underneath visor mount, I was lazy and never ran a wire up to the visor, so I would just mount the V1 on the passenger visor with the retractile cord going up to it...a few skydiving incidents with that when passengers decided to flip the visor down. I got so tired of removing the suction cup mount in my new car that I just went back to using the Passport in the old one...no Ka! At least those stupid traffic monitoring radars don't set it off. (My Passport is circa 1985).





The instant-on and (well-operated) laser are gonna get you if the LEO knows how to do it right (and bothers to).
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Isn't it funny, just like anything else, that some radar operators suck or don't care, and others are killer? I remember rolling past a NJ State Trooper on the interstate at 2:30 AM who was hunkered down in the terrain, perfectly hidden, I was going about 72 in a 55 (EDIT--maybe it was 65 :think: ), and he didn't even ping me, for fear of giving a bounce to some guy a half mile down the road who was going 80. Then you see the inept operators who are hitting every car with the instant on, even the ones that are going 50.
 
Does anyone use the visor clip on the V1? I would like to have it in the visor (hidden) with a concealed display down by my radio. Will I experience a reduction in detection by doing this? I've read the tint can hinder it's performance.
 
I used the visor clip for many years. You are referring to the dark band at the top of the windshield? I don't think that has any effect on radar, although it may on laser. The problem for radar is the heated windshields or "solar barrier windshields of the type used on GM Venture-Montana-Silhouette-Trans Sport minivans and on some imported luxury sedans (look for a reddish or copper tint)" as quoted from the V1 manual. These windshields have a thin metallic coating on them that will partially reflect the radar.
 
I've read on another forum that if you can find someone at Best Buy to purchase it with their employee discount you can get the X50 for around $180. When I worked at Best Buy many years ago some things were marked up so high I couldn't believe it. I got my stereo reciever for $400 while regular price was $784. However, computers have very little mark up. Anyway I would be very interested in getting the X50 @ that price. I would also consider paying the employee a couple extra bucks for their trouble. If anyone can, let me know.
 
setec Astonomy- I don't worry much about it marking the windshield, but I do avoid using the suction cups on borrowed vehicles for that reason. Some day I plan on trying to splice a V1 into the Caprices electro-rearview, well see how that goes. And yeah, theres a broad gamut of radar/laser operators out there to say the least.



twopu- The visor clip works fine. IMO all the talk about this and that affecting sensitivity is pretty meaningless in the real world. IMO the only thing that really matters is having a weird windshield like Setec mentioned. Those will *REALLY* mess with a detector, as in, replace that windshield with a normal one or get a remote-mount detector.



Now if I could just find an electronics whiz to whittle up a remote set up using the innards of a V1! I'd pay some decent money for that. Somebody used to make them out of the older Escorts and it's certainly doable.
 
Thanks for that link! Sounds much easier than coming up with something from scratch to hook onto the pink (IIRC) wire. I had my V1 plug into the Mallett's rearview, but Chuck's electronics guy only works on Mallett vehicles. It was a very sanitary set up.
 
Right now I'm going with the V1. What do I need to hardwire the radar with the concealed display? I was looking on the site and am a little confused as far what I already get with the radar/concealed display and what additional accessories I need to buy.
 
twopu- You need the "hardwire" kit and the hidden display kit. IMO the hidden display is of questionable value since you still have the V1 hanging up there anyhow. And IMO the V1 is typically positioned much more in the driver's line of sight than the hidden display. I'd rather be able to view the display in my peripheral vision than have to look down/around to see what it's telling me. I don't see any real point in hiding the arrows/display as LEOs know you have a detector up there anyhow and I don't care if other motorists see the display. Just my $0.02; my hidden display just sits in its box being a waste of money.



I'd just order the V1, the hardwire kit, and a bunch of extra suction cups. The phone operators are helpful and knowledgeable.
 
Good spotting, but nah, that didn't do it for me. Besides only being for the e39 Bimmers, that's just a display unit; you still have to mount the V1 so it's looking out the windshield so I don't see the point.



The mirror isn't any more in your line of sight than the V1 would be and when I see something move in my rearview I automatically interpret it as meaning something's moving behind, and outside of, my vehicle. Seeing lights in my rearview is different from seeing lights that intuitively mean "radar detector going off" and I process it differently. That's just me though...
 
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