Thom1

Hi Sharks:

I have followed links on the last few radar detector posts. I cannot find any data anywhere about the Radio Shack radar detectors. The one my brother gave me looks really good. I just don’t know about its range and sensitivity. They call the 2 upper end detectors …Superwide… 360 degrees… all known police traffic radar and laser… VG-2 Protection… FAST… Safety Alert… X-, K-, Ka-Band, and Laser… City/Highway, etc.

I went by a store today and found the highest end of those 2 also has a compass. With that you get the direction/compass vector of the incoming signal. This differs from the Valentine1 because the vector is relative to the car(not compass) on that one. The Valentine also has 2 sensors, instead of one sensor for all others that I have read about so far. The $400 price tag of the Valentine is not in my budget. I am going to upgrade to the Radio Shack compass model tonight, I think. That one is $130, on sale, down from $180. The current Radio Shack 22-1692 in hand also has voice alert which is missing from the compass model. But, the voice says: “Welcome, fasten your seat belt.” Every time you turn it on. I’ll be glad to get rid of that message. I really like the idea of the vectored display. The Valentine is the only other brand I have heard of with directional display. It should be cool to have the compass too. The salesman said the Radio Shack models are made by Uniden. I know the Uniden line has been around for years. It is usually less expensive than the Bels, Escorts, etc.

I am inclined to go with the top of the line – compass model Radio Shack rather than get a refund and keep looking for a better model for the $130.

What do ya’ think?

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Brent 89 - GT

After reviewing actual radar detector tests, you would be better off not having a detector at all over a cheap one. Good eyesight is a better defense than a low end detector.

I know you think the Valentine is out of your budget but, have you considered the cost of getting tickets, racking up points and increased insurance costs? In that context the V1 pays for itself before you get a second ticket. If you trust a cheap detector, you WILL get caught.

I am not trying to flame you in any way but, the fact is, you can not afford to speed on a regular basis without the best protection out there. A cheap detector is just an invitation for some lowlife to break into your car and steal stuff. Save up or slow down <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

John..

I have the V1 and have been impressed with the raange.....you can get burnt with a cheaper unit...but some of them are alright. For that kind of money, you might check into an Escort or the like...

Also, try Ebay, used can still be as good as new.

Ron_H

I agree with Brent !!! All the tests I reviewed rated the RANGE and EFFECTIVE SPREAD of the Valentine superior by far than the next best
brand which seemed to be Escort. It's like oil:
oil is cheap, new bearings are not. Give up lunch for awhile and fast...it will do your body good and you might live long enough to see the disappearance of the absurd speed limits on the "clogways". If you don't believe me, contact National Motorists Association, a group dedicated and working to achieve just that and other laudable ends. When you have accessed that site, look for the address of Chad Dornsife who is deeply committed to achieving that end, and ask his opinion of the Valentine1 vs. all the others.
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I love my Valentine. <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" /> <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />

Brent 89-GT

No Thom, you don't get it man. The others are junk. Uniden is the worst in fact. How about X-band range, Unidens best detector gives less than 1/2 a miles worth of warning, at best. The V1 in the same situation gives just shy of 2 miles warning. The results are similar througout the test. If you use the city mode on the Uniden, most times you will have UNDER 2 tenths of a mile warning. I dare say that if you are travelling 80 mph and the patrol man is coming at you at 60, you are cooked.

Don't get suckered by the marketing Thom. READ the tests you linked to. In my experience even the $300 Passport 8500 is meager protection. All that I am trying to get across to you is that for $180 you might as well drive to the police staition and write them the check. They will have your money and your drivers license shortly anyway.

Explain to me how you can link the C&D test and still want the Radio Scrap detector?

There is absolutely NO point to buying a cheap detector. A $180 Radio Shack detector belongs in a diesel Rabbit, not a 928. It is in fact junk, especially if it is made by Uniden. <img src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" border="0" alt="[blabla]" /> <img src="graemlins/icon107.gif" border="0" alt="[icon107]" />

Thom1

Lighten up man
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jorj7

Thom,

I haven't used the Radio Shack compass model, but
I do have an earlier Radio Shack detector. I use
it to suppliment my eyes, not as a substitute and
have found it to be very useful. It's warned me
several time of radar, before I pick them up
visually. I to can't see spending $300-400 for the
Valentine, but I can see how some people may
want the best and be will to pay the price. I don't
see how they can make that judgement for everyone
else.

Ron_H

Here I am again making a constructive suggestion:
flash your lights at a left lane hog rather than crowding up behind him. When someone crowds my tail, I immediately lift and slow until he goes around me. Once past me both of us are in the clear and without risk to either. I confess that I got this at traffic school and it changed my behavior from road rage at tailgaters. I believe it was the right advice. Think about it and see if it doesn't create a win-win result. I also agree that alertness and paying attention to what is going on around you when driving is the proper attitude, but sometimes someone seems to come out of nowhere and is just pushy. Try it, you'll like it. And if he flips you off so what?!? You are both still alive and unscathed. <img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />

Brent 89 - GT

Goerge,Thom

I am not trying to "make a judgement" for anyone but, facts are facts. The writing is on the wall guys, in hard numbers.

Lets do the math, $400 for a Valentine or $180 for Radio Shack. Buy the RS and get tickets @$100 each these days. Then figure in the points to your license which equal increased insurance for years to come. Once your rates go up will they ever come back down????

Just trying to show that buying a cheap detector will cost you far more. You will get fewer tickets with the V1. It is worlds better. The tests show that. How can you dispute the facts? Is it THAT much more to get something proven? Or does it make sense to use something cheaper that is PROVEN seriously inferior, to the point of worthless in MOST scenarios?

I don't see that as a judgement, mearly a re-hash of well known facts. You are welcome to your choices. I just can't bear to watch people make such poor ones <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />