Radar detectors (yet again)
 

I've searched a bunch of threads, but I'm wondering if anyone has shopped for a new detector lately.

I have an older Valentine One ... it really does work great, not so good against laser but without a jammer, nothing really is. I love the arrows and the bogey counter and it's saved my a-- numerous times over the years.

I want to get a second detector as I am always forgetting to move it between the two cars. I am torn between another Valentine or one of the newer Escorts.

Where we live, and where I drive most frequently, there are a lot of false alarms for radar, so the GPS technology and "forgetting" false signals is attractive to me; I am constantly stabbing the mute button on the V1. I'm aware of the SAVVY feature, but one of the most key places where I need the detector is the long, winding street to my home where the speed limit is 25 mph (should be 40 at least, everyone including grandma is doing 35 or more on it, drive the speed limit and someone will be up your tailpipe) and the cops use it as a revenue tool for the town. So setting the SAVVY to mute the alarms at 25 or under is kind of ridiculous.

I think the Passports have comparable range to the V1 these days.

The problems I have with the Passports (and the ridiculous marketing) is:

1) I can't freaking figure out which one would be the one to buy ... it's ridiculous, they have the 9500 (the ultimate!), the Redline (the best!) and the new Max with the (give me a break) "HD Radar" (the finest!). Um ... so which one is the best guys?

2) I can't quite figure out how detailed the forget-the-falses feature really is ... there are some spots on a road I drive through town a lot where the V1 is showing as many as three different sources and chirping away like crazy. But I have also seen the V1 indicate four sources and seen the police car running radar coming toward me. If the Passport can still flag him while ignoring the others, that's fine, but if it just goes completely mute there because it's been told there is a false source, that's not such a good thing.

3) Watching this "exciting" Escort video they produced on the Max was almost enough to prompt me to order another V1 ... it has zero information, it's dripping with utter bulls--t about NASA and DNA technology. Do not click the link, it's two minutes of your life you'll never get back. Oh ... my ... God ...


It's not so much range for me, and I don't speed like a maniac through these residential areas (or anywhere, really), but I use it so I know if there is a cop in the vicinity, because they will pull you over for 30 in a 25 here and, let's face it, a 911 is a bit of a target. As far as I can tell, I am encountering both K and Ka bands between the local cops and the state cops.

I wish Mike (are you out there?) would build a detector that mates SAVVY with GPS to mute alarms when you are not speeding relative to the speed limit of your current location -- the navigation in the new 911 shows the speed limit in the gauge wherever you are driving. Hey, that's a good idea.

Anyone faced this dilemma lately?

Buying a radar today that does not have GPS is nuts. Get the 9500ci or 9500ix and don't look back. I have both and they are fantastic. They don't interrupt unless its a real threat. I've been around V1's and they go off so much it gave me anxiety :)

I'm going to sound like a geezer here, but I don't get it anymore. All the cops around my town use laser, so detectors don't work. On surface streets I don't usually speed anyway. The longest car trip I make is back and forth to NC, about 9 hours. If you set the cruise at 8-9 MPH over the posted limit (78-79 in FL and GA) they won't pull you over. I pulled a boat up last time and had to go 65 all the way. Total time added to the trip was about 20 minutes...
The only time I drive at ludicrous speed is in areas known by me to be safe for it. Ironically enough, around here, it's on the long bridges. The last time I got a ticket, the airplane got me in one of these places... No defense for that.

I totally agree...the cruise control for the heavily 'controlled' roads is my best friend, and I'm so much more relaxed at my destination.
The radar detector constantly going off made me a nervous wreck, even when I wasn't speeding!

Jim

I have yet to encounter laser in my state -- Rhode Island -- they probably can't afford to upgrade. I was very hit or miss using the V1 at all in recent years until we moved here last summer from Massachusetts. But this 4 mile stretch of road leading to my house is constantly patrolled and believe me, if you go 25 mph you are tailgated mercilessly. It's ridiculous, but I see people pulled over all the time getting $200 tickets for driving a reasonable speed. They are also constantly running radar on I-95 and I-295 here, as well ... Rhode Island is a fairly broke state and they are obviously generating as much revenue as possible.

I have the 9500ix, if I was to buy again I would get the Max. I hate false alarms.

RI sucks
 

22 year veteran of this miserable state and yes no Laser to date (probably cant affordi it!). my V1 is always going off but have found it to be invaluable in the local towns where the police just keep the radar on all the time. Have read that all the new technology in cars now sets off detectors (lane changing radar etc). Only saving grace is if you have no ticket in 3 years you get a pass for only $25 under good driving statute

+1

IMO if the landscape isn't flat that you can see for miles (on both sides) you are not safe. Cops are like terrorists....they hide out of sight.

Well, isn't this a timely thread, as I just got my brand-spanking new Passport Max a fews days ago. It's a pretty impressive machine so far. First, sorry guys, do not buy a 9500ci or 9500ix. The Max is basically a far better version of the 9500ix, which it replaces in the Escort line up, and the 9500ci is way more expensive for older technology. The Max is far better than either of those models as far as it's ability to efficiently detect radar with the latest in detector tech; and with any radar detector, you always want to buy the most recent technology. That's the main reason I had less interest in the V1 as well.

Yes, Escort's marketing department tends to gush too much, but I can break it down very easily:

If you drive mostly highway in wide open rural areas, the Redline is the most sensitive detector with the best range. However, it's extreme sensitivity makes for a very chatty detector anywhere but on the wide open interstate. I also think the V1 does well in this environment.

BUT.

The city is where the Max beats them all. It's ability to learn and lock out falsies with GPS and other bits of tech make it the best all-around detector that you can buy, especially if your commute is in an urban environment and you drive a similar route often. There just is no better detector for the city. It will learn your route and lock out any unneeded chatter. The V1 rocks, but it squawks so much at falsies in the city, that it's just not even in the same league for city driving as the Max.

If there is any downside to the Max, it is that it's sooo new that there are those who have had minor issues, as the detector still is going through some software growing pains. Escort has already released v.1.3 software, and whatever bugs and glitches the detector may have are able to be fixed via software releases that you can download onto your detector with your computer and Escort is making these fixes available as necessary. I haven't had any issues, but I've read there are a few people who have. The issues usually show themselves right away, and Escort has a pretty good 30 day return policy if you don't like it, and I got a 3 year warranty. So far, nothing but a quiet and effective detector.

It isn't cheap at $550, but one ticket on your record will cost you far more than that, between the fine and insurance ding. I researched this topic before I bought, and if you live a city, there just isn't a better detector than the Max. Again, if you drive in the open interstate, I'd suggest either a V1 or a Redline.

Hope this helps. Good luck! :thumbup:

Nothing in ur above post sets the max "above" a 9500... Except software bugs, which the 9500 does not have. the 9500 has all the features you mention above and is cheaper. Just throwing that out there.

I got my 9500ix used for less than $300. The 9500ci I have in my pickup DD I bought retail and could not live without. (Drive about 20,000 miles a year, mostly highway)

I have a 9500i and LOVE it. I'd consider selling it to get a MAX as I'd like to be able to see the speed limit and my MPH along with the signal type/strengh meter, along with all of the other new technologies.

+1 Put me in the sound like geezer group here too. The false alarms creates to much anxiety for me. Most of our interstates (once you get out of town) are 70 -75 mph. I just put it on cruise plus 5 or 6 and never have a problem.

We have one new toll road nearby that is 85mph. I have not been on it yet, but am looking forward to it. I'm curious how the drivers behave on it - if they still take the standard 6 or 7 over the speed limit. That could put you at 92mph.

To be honest, I'm no expert, but as arr0gant posted below your thread, there are differences between the 9500ix and the Max. Not only in software, but features. Also, the range is supposed to be enhanced, but I haven't had the detector long enough to know if that's true. I can't compare the 9500ci, as it is over $1700 new, and needs to be custom installed, but even the 9500ci is running older tech than the Max.

Yes, by all means, if someone wants to spend $250 for older tech and buy someone's second hand 9500ix which is still a very, very good detector, that is certainly an option.

But if you are looking for the absolute best detector for city driving made with all the latest detection technology available, the Max is it.

I believe the Max has a longer range than our 9500ix's. That being said no way I am going to spend the extra for a max since I already have the 9500ix.