uberskier

I've got one in all the cars. (V1 in the 996 and Audi, 8500 in the Odyssey). I find that depending where you drive and the police it helps.

Local sheriff (usually) and the state police (sometimes) drive around with radar on. Just don't want to get pulled over for doing something like 38 in a 30. It's a bit trickier on the highway. It's saved me dozen of times locally.

AckyE

I have a Passport SRX that came with the car. Used it initially when I got the car (never had any detector before), and it seems that it now does not even function anymore. I just try to go with the traffic flow and am careful where I know its risky to drive above the limit.

ALE

Why wouldn't you use a detector (provided it's legal in your state)?

Cuda911

Because it's just one more PITA thing in life. Keeping it charged (if not hard wired), remembering to bring it in and out of the house, sticking it up on the windshield, hiding it when going into a store, $500 cost that I could use for some good sushi, etc.

That's why the quandary... is it worth the PITA factor? The most likely place I would get a ticket is the freeways. So, the big question is, what radar band is CHP using for the cops that are hiding, doing speed control patrol?

Detectors are legal in CA, but they can write you a ticket if it is stuck on the windshield. I'm not sure if that's a moving violation or what.

alpine003

Get out of free jail card. I know a couple sheriffs including my father in law and have their cards just in case.

Peter_S03

Escort in the 996, wireless, all the time.

Macster

If you are comfortable driving sans a detector then keep doing so.

I bought one even before I had the Porsche as I moved to an area -- MO/KS -- where ticket fines are an income stream.

The V1 saved my bacon more than once.

Also, it makes me a better driver as I'm more situation aware.

Now in CA I just keep the V1 in the Turbo. The Boxster I drive naked, sans any detector. But I use the car for around town and commuting and not for road trips. I see no reason to speed around town or on the freeway.

The Turbo gets used similarly but also for road trips and on road trips, outside of the bay area and outside of CA, a detector is imho a necessity. There are too many bears out there and for bears the Porsche is like a red flag to a bull.

The V1 gives me an early warning of a bear trap and helps keep me more aware of my driving at all times which makes me a better/safer driver.

alpine003

Let's not try to kid ourselves. The first and foremost reason why we all buy or think of buying a radar detector is that fact that we speed.

My rational is you wanna play, you gotta be ready and willing to pay.

Same for my window tints and lack of front plate. I know damn well that it's illegal but I won't raise an eyebrow if I get pulled over. To me it's worth the $75 to have a car look the way I want and not how gubment thinks my car should look no matter how they rationalize it on their end.

5CHN3LL

^^ when the KA warning fires off and I'm moving slowly enough, the windows come down along with the speed. I'm amazed I haven't been tagged for my tint yet. *knock* *knock* *knock*

targa996

+1 v1

But doesn't work well for lidar if your local le uses that. Saved me enough to pay for itself many times over. I don't speed in town but on empty freeway in ca it will pick up most cops way before you see them. . Still need to be careful though ..

Cuda911

OK, I'm sold on the radar detector idea and will order one. V1 or Escort Passport 9500ix. I've read about 10,000 posts on this, and there's no clear winner at all. I guess I'll go with the V1.

Is there any reason why not to get a used one, such as this one listed on Ebay?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Valentine-On...item1c37500294

5CHN3LL

Used may = no warranty. I had to send my passport back to have the antenna module replaced - if it hadn't been under warranty, it would have required buying a new one.

Barn996

I use a Passport every time I drive my Porsche. The cops around here often leave their radar on all the time, so whether I'm speeding or not at least I know they're around. I also use my mirrors , eyes, and traffic as indicators as well.

pfbz

Valentine has made the V1 for quite some time, and there have been many running improvements. If you have the serial number of the used V1, you can check the version here.

The particular ebay listing you referenced doesn't look too promising. No pictures of the actual unit. No description of the condition. No serial number. No returns... I'd pass.

Valentine 1 sells there own 'refurbished' units at a discount. Always the latest version, always 100% QA checked, full warranty, they look like new. Typically they are units that were returned within the 30 day return window that can no longer be sold as new, but they are fully tested, reboxed with accessories, etc.. You won't find them on the web site, but if you call they should be able to help you.

Cuda911

Ah thanks mucho for that PFBZ! I will definitely take your advice and buy the refurbished one from Valentine. I know they do periodic software/firmware updates, so that was my main worry about a used one. That sounds perfect, the refurbished straight from the manufacturer.