tooloud10

Sometimes Valentine has refurbed units available for a small discount--maybe $349?--but you have to ask. In any case, the nice thing about a V1 is that it doesn't really depreciate. If it's got the current firmware, you can sell it on eBay for what you paid.

Andy Kay

I've been told the Passport 9500 c i is the way to go.

mglobe

To my knowledge, Escort is the only product line that has the GPS feature to avoid false signals. I've tried both Escort and V1 on the same roads, same speed traps, and have seen no difference in their ability to detect radar and/or reject false signals. The V1 gives you the arrows which helps you know where the signal is coming from. The Escort 9500 line allows you to tag false signals so they don't keep coming up. I favor the Escort because of this, and also because their customer service after purchase is first class. However the V1 is a fine product also.

adg44

When I was at SEMA last year, I stopped by the Escort/BELtronics booth and I talked with one of their engineers (not salesguys), and I explained that I live in Virginia and I would need one that is completely undetectable. He said the only radar detector on the market now that absolutely cannot be picked up is the Escort Redline. The antenna in that detector is the same as the one in their remote unit, and it doesn't "leak" any signal, so if the cops are running VG-2 (or whatever version they have), it doesn't matter, because it doesn't leak any signal. In their tests they stood 3 feet infront of the detector and were unable to pick up any signal.

So, if I decide to get one, that would be my only choice.

- Anthony

Dennis C

I looked very carefully at the V1 and I ended up going with the Bel RX-65 Driver. It's about the same price as the V1. I've been extremely pleased with it, and I would buy another one.

medtech

Passport 9500ix!

chsu74

Passport is currently running a 20% promotion if you buy it through Amex points rewards....

thirteeneast

On this note not meaning to thread hijack either,

I just got a Belltronics E220 very very cheap, It was so cheap it thought what the hell. does anyone know what its like?

I live in UK as this is the euro model.

Dennis C

I'm not sure about the E220, but I know that BEL uses two different distribution strategies for their products. They sell many low priced radar detectors at "big box" stores like WalMart or BestBuy. Personally, I would avoid those. They also offer their professional series which can be purchased directly through BEL. If you decide to go with BEL, those are the ones to get.

FWIW, I used a cheaper BEL model for many years before upgrading to the RX-65, and it wasn't bad.

LVDell

Stupid question......how in the world does a VA cop know who has the radar detector and how do they know you have one? Can you just turn it off?

GothingNC

VA LEO use the Spectre RDD

http://www.spectre-rdd.com/spectre.asp

http://www.radarbusters.com/spectretestsarticle.cfm

A repeal of the Radar detector ban failed back in February

John

GothingNC

[QUOTE=GothingNC;7586653]VA LEO use the Spectre RDD

http://www.spectre-rdd.com/spectre.asp

http://www.radarbusters.com/spectretestsarticle.cfm

From a radar detector site

An officer using a RDD typically parks next to a busy freeway and aims the device at a 45 degree angle across the traffic stream. The RDD acts just like a radar detector when it hears an approaching radar detector, increasing its audio alert rate and progressively lighting more LED's in its visual display. By observing the traffic and watching how the RDD responds, the officer can make an educated guess as to which vehicle is using a radar detector. Some detectors are "noisier" than others and can be detected by the RDD from as far away as 4,000 feet.

In Virginia, the largest user of the RDD's, officers are not empowered to search a vehicle unless visible signs are present to support the RDD's guess that a radar detector is in the targeted vehicle. Important: A missing cigarette lighter plug, dangling power cord, Velcro on the dash, a mounting bracket on the windshield or visor will tip the officer as to the possible presence of a detector and allow him to search for it. If found, the detector isn't confiscated; the officer notes its serial number, checks to see if it's operational, then hands it back to the driver - along with a citation for having used it.
NOTE: This information was correct when written. It is the responsibility of the individual radar detector owner to know and understand the laws in your area regarding the legality of the use of radar detectors.

GothingNC

From a radar detector site

An officer using a RDD typically parks next to a busy freeway and aims the device at a 45 degree angle across the traffic stream. The RDD acts just like a radar detector when it hears an approaching radar detector, increasing its audio alert rate and progressively lighting more LED's in its visual display. By observing the traffic and watching how the RDD responds, the officer can make an educated guess as to which vehicle is using a radar detector. Some detectors are "noisier" than others and can be detected by the RDD from as far away as 4,000 feet.

In Virginia, the largest user of the RDD's, officers are not empowered to search a vehicle unless visible signs are present to support the RDD's guess that a radar detector is in the targeted vehicle. Important: A missing cigarette lighter plug, dangling power cord, Velcro on the dash, a mounting bracket on the windshield or visor will tip the officer as to the possible presence of a detector and allow him to search for it. If found, the detector isn't confiscated; the officer notes its serial number, checks to see if it's operational, then hands it back to the driver - along with a citation for having used it.
NOTE: This information was correct when written. It is the responsibility of the individual radar detector owner to know and understand the laws in your area regarding the legality of the use of radar detectors.[/QUOTE]