88clbsport

My planned roadtrip from Atlanta to LA in my new ride ('97 c4s) prompted me to look at getting a new radar detector. After spending a lot of time on a ton of different sites this weekend I am still up in the air. The V1 seems to be the best choice without considering $, but the Bel 980 rates very strong and is almost $200 less. The escort ranks only slightly higher than the Bel in a couple of independent tests...everything I recall from this board and others is that the V1 is the way to go.
I don't do much highway cruising (live in LA) but I do drives the canyons and the coast on weekends and during the week back roads. Knock on wood but I have not been using a detector and have been fairly lucky. Am not sure if I would use everyday, and am stretching my budget at this time with the purchase of another Porsche.

Is the V1 really worth the extra cash?

thanks,
Jason

KOAN

YES...

Speedraser

Jason,

The V1 is worth it, no question in my mind. One ticket saved and you're ahead of the game.

By the way, I've read that the CHP does not use radar on the freeways/interstates. Is this true? Even if it is, I'd still go for the V1 as my understanding is that even if radar is not used on the freeways, it is used on other roads.

Congrats on the C4S, and I love the Club Sport. Diamond Blue is a gorgeous color; a Diamond Blue CS has to be the ideal Carrera 3.2. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Chuck Harmon

THe V1 or the 8500 are the best out for now, the V1 is having some "issues" with the new LED brake lights in the new Chevy Suv's do a search on Pelicanparts for the whole story.Your dector needs to be your friend, it is only as good as you are in being able to tell what it is telling you.... spend some time getting used to it before the trip !

Chris Martin

I just bought a V1 last week, in time for Hershey. Made it up from Baltimore in, well, I made good time

The final straw for me was seeing V1's on ebay for ~$350. If I can use it for a few years and sell it for $50 less than I paid I am happy.

Best of luck

88clbsport

all great points and the sentiments were the same on the 993 board. Thanks also for the comments on the Club Sport. I had it at a local porsche dealer (Pacific Porsche) and one of the salespeople who has a 89 euro Club Sport (grey linen) and I were checking out the color as the sun was setting. The diamond blue almost had a purple hue to it....believe it or not it looked really spectacular.
I have been driving it a lot this past week. Only problem is sitting in trafic with the sun staring me in the face...no passenger visor and no A/C can get a little hot.

I looked at the V1's on e-bay and I think I am just going to spend the extra cash and buy brand new.

Jgordon

Anyone know anything about K40 radar systems? I have one that came with the car, but I know nothing about it. Any input would be appreciated.

THanks.

Drew_K

I researched this a while back and ended up buying the Escort 8500 ($250) over the V1 ($400) based mainly on price. From everything I've read, the V1 is the better overall detector, especially with the directional indicators. I just didn't want to spend the extra $150 since both detectors work very well.

I've been happy with the Escort except that it tends to pick up other radar detectors on the Ka band. I'll be driving along, pick up a weak Ka signal, look over in the lane next to me, and sure enough there's someone with a radar detector sitting in the windshield. I can drop back and signal fades, then I catch up again and the Ka signal reappears. Otherwise the Escort has been great.

If you have the $400, get the V1. If you want good protection at a little less money, get the Escort.

Drew
92 C2

JBrown

the V-1 and the 8500 are the best ones out there and each say theres is the best. the nice thing about the 8500 is the price point. the other thing is that escort offers a lazer defector ZR-3 that hooks up to the 8500. what it does is defect the lazer and they get no reading on the gun. i am an escort dealer and if you have any more questions dont hesitate to ask

88clbsport

It would be cool to buy both and test the results, but I decided to buy the V1. Just placed the order last night online and it should be here next week in time for the trip.
I have been driving the CS everyday for the last week to and from work and on sales calls....what a blast to drive! It's not the best daily driver though with no A/C and passenger sun visor. I never thought a visor made such a difference.
Thanks to everyone for their help and great feedback. will give back a report on the drive and on the radar detector etc.
Jason

pwd72s

IMHO, the V-1 is the best self defense weapon since Colonel Colt came out with his single action revolver! A recent CAR & Driver article rated the V-1 miles ahead of the Passport 8500...I'd suggest buying new, from V-1 itself...so you qualify for factory updates. Suction cups went bad on mine...new ones sent with no questions, save one. They asked the serial # of my unit. Obviously this is a "to catch a thief" service. I appreciated it.

my911.net

Hi guys and lasses

I am planning my trip to pick up my '89 911 from Barcelona the weekend after next. I am so excited! I am still fixed on the black full spec 110,000km. After reading this I am also more convinced that A/C is the way to go - which this one has - I'll keep you posted.

While reading this thread with great interest, I wonder if there are any European colleagues with input into the thread - I mean, are the radar frequencies the same, etc. Does the V1 work in europe as well as the States?

Thanks for your input and t2ul

Elias

Gmund

V1 rules.....

JackOlsen

CHP uses radar (K Band, I think). I've got the citations to prove it.

The V-1 is a great detector, but keep in mind that for city/canyon driving, nothing's going to be foolproof.

Laurent

They're illegal here in Canada. Plus you think your tickets are expensive... try speeding in Quebec. They might repo your car on the spot! (HA)

gosh darnet <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" />

Speeding, what's that?