None of the above. Now, I haven't needed to shop for a radar detector for over 10 years, but the Bel's I own (3 of them) have never let me down. I tried Passports and Escorts and wasn't happy with them. I hear nothing but good things about Valentine though.

 

I've had a V1 for 10 years and it has been very good in most cases. There is no defense against instant-on laser. That's why they invented ticket lawers. Try not to be the first car going into known speed traps locally. If they shoot the cars ahead of you, you have a prayer. You will get the over-spray and hopefully hit the brakes in time. Mine is portable for same reason as most - multiple cars.

 

Wow, interesting. I have been a faithful Escort user for many, many years. The 9500i worsk flawlessly. Yes, it is a PITA to move it form car to truck to car, and the suction cups fall off the window when the window and suction cups are cold. BUT, won't drive without it. A few years ago I was hustling through Vermont. I was the leader of the pack, came around a bend, BLaaaaaaaaaaaaa, I saw the trooper's car's nose drop, he faded to the shoulder and did a ewe-turn (country humor). Not a nanosecond to shave some speed. I got the ticket, but beat it in court. Other than that situation, never has failed me. GL with your choice. The new Live Escort sure sounds interesting, kinda social media as cop finders, braodcast to your smartphone? If I didn't own the 9500i, I would be tempted. I think there was even a PCA "deal" if you deciced to buy. Check into it.

 

I also use the RX-65 with suction cups in all of my cars to move it between them.

 

One thing that annoys the hell out of me sometimes with the V1 is the laser detection and Infiniti's/etc with their laser proximity detection/etc. Scares the crap out of me.

 

I use an Escort Solo II and move it between my two sport bikes and the car (though the speeds of the car can never approach the bikes). On any ride on any given day I'll hit 200-250 Kph at the right time and place, the radar detector has never let me down once (knock on wood) but that said I don't speed inside town boundries or on major highways - as that's very unsafe and where they set lasers.

My experience is sport bike riders would speed far, far more often than any Porsche driver I've ever come across. Don't take this the wrong way but most 911's I come across are just slow targets - sorry boys but thats the truth!!

 

I never had a radar detector before, but my 996 came with a stealth installed V1 and K40 Diffuser. Now I would feel naked without it. I can't comment on the others as I have no experience with them.

 

So that's why my laser detector goes off sometimes with no bogeys to be found.

 

We are a V1 family. Couldn't live without them. My wife, brother, sister-in-law, mom, and dad all use them religiously.

I'm sure the Escorts are really nice but I have no reason to switch. V1 has been good to me and they last forever!

 

I hear these guys can do a good job on V1 (hardwire) installs

High Fidelity Auto Sport
365 East Cedar Street, Newington, CT 06111
(860) 666-8080 ‎

 

I've had a V1 ever since I got my C4S. I leave the suctions cups in it and my Audi, then just swap it back and forth. I used to use an 8500, but the wife now uses it in the minivan. I really like the directional aspect of the V1.

 

Yep, now I just look for the Infiniti badge (some MB's have it too) when there is a laser hit. And right after that if I don't see one I look at my speedo to see how bad the ticket might be.

Unless you have a laser diffuser (illegal) you are screwed anyways if you get lasered.

I've been both lucky and unlucky with lasers though... if you're close enough another car you might have an argument.

If you're on a lot of open highways hands down the escort has more range, I've caught signals from literally miles away, and I feel silly for driving so slow for so long until I see the officer pass by (unless of course it's following you, which "looks" different on the passport than one that's in front of you).

 

It's not hard. It takes about 15 minutes, a Torx driver and a plastic paint scraper to completely conceal the wire and tap into the power. Actually 10 minutes of that was figuring out the best way to route it.

 

Last weekend my wife was following me home from our Bayhouse in her GL450. I kept getting laser hits and couldn't figure it out. She has that laser guided cruise control option.

 

I drive in NY and CT and have yet to have any laser detections go off - not one - as far as I have experienced they are mostly still using Ka on the highways and x in NYC. Like all detectors, if your the first one they shoot, your toast regardless of whether its Ka or laser - that's why you always make sure someone else is visible on the horizon in front of you.

I use the Escort x50 -no issues and has saved me many times - I may try the V1 as I like the directional feature - not sure why Escort doesn't use this as well.