Does anyone have any suggestions on a good radar detector that can be mounted and has a good stealth mode? I couldnt figure what forum was the proper one to put this one in.

 

I have an older Uniden radar-laser detector. It has paid for itself 10X over. I've found out that if the laser alarm goes off your most likely busted. Don't know how good the new laser detector are. But most police are are still using X and KA.

 

Valentine One!

 

I second the Valentine One! Best I ever had.

 

Valentine 1 is among the best, although Escort has introduced some new technologies that hold certain advantages over V1s. Bel is another manufacture with high-end models.

Take a look here:

http://www.radartest.com/

JAMES.

 

I purchased the Escort around 6 months ago after doing a little research and I have to say it is an amazing little machine. It features excellent overall coverage and it has saved me from paying a lot in fines. I don't speed all that much, but when you are driving the same stretch of 4-lane highway (I-35 between Wichita and KC) frequently, it gets tedious and monotonous. Remember, these detectors are for detecting when the "law" uses the radar and laser on others in front or behind you. If you get a full blast of laser, the detector is only going to tell you you've been caught.

The Escort is highly recommended from several sources (trucker buds) and actually very reasonable in price. The aforementioned Radar Test gives it the best price to performance ratio. It doesn't win all of the awards, but it comes close.

You can't go wrong with the big 3:

Valentine One
BEL Pro RX65
Escort Passport 8500 X50

They all have their strengths, but for me, the Escort is easily found in most markets while the Valentine is only purchased from Valentine.

 

Passport 8500 x50.

Better long range detection that the Bel, very good POP detection.

Valentine--haven't changed their technology in almost 10 years. The cops have.

Bel--A little better at POP detection, but you give it up on the other three bands, plus pop is used by less than 1% of police nationally.

That's a quick summation of the radartest.com findings.

I had an 8500 before my truck got broken into. I will get another someday.

 

thanks for the info. Ive been checking on the net and exverbody pretty much says what yall just said but, the research i do the more I hear negative stuff about valentine 1.

 

Saying that Valentine hasn't changed their technology is like saying Microsoft hasn't changed windows. The Valentine One from a few year ago may look similiar on the outside but the internals have been updated. Once you live with the arrows you won't want to live without them.

 

I agree, I will never be without the arrows and source counters. About a year ago I bought an Escort and a V1, I ran both for two weeks, sent the Escort back, and ordered two more V1.

 

Ummm, this may sound stupid, but how about just slowing down? Why risk your life and those of the people in your vehicle, and the other vehicles on the road? Most cops won't even look at you if you are doin 5mph over..... That should be more than fast enough.. If not you need to leave sooner.

 

Valentine one is the best. Ive owned one for five years. Next question!!!!!

 

Escort 8500. Plus, with the direct wire kit, it tucks up quite nicely next to the overhead console between it and the sun visor and has a dark mode that is complimented by it's loud volume. I ran the power across the windshied up under the headliner, down the door pillar, and directly into the fusebox (since the accessory plug is always live on my '00 EB). Schumman's right - if the laser warning goes off, find somewhere to pull over, but after side-by-side comparisons of the Escort and Valentine I sent the Valentine back.

 

In measured tests, the V1 does not do as well for long range detection, repeatedly. The bottom line is that it's everyone's choice. Choose the device that you think works best for you. (Although the V1 did not pick up the POP radar in most tests)

 

In answer to you question of why doesn't everyone just slow down. Here's my reason for using a radar detector:

I drive a lot on business. (40-50k/year). 80% of that is interstate. I have several accounts that are over 300 miles away. Flying isn't an option due to the equipment I use. If I can average 7-9mph over the speedlimit of 70, then I can cut nearly an hour off of the drive time. Keep in mind that this is interstate driving where I might go 30-40 miles between towns--not urban areas. Cumulative, that begins to add up, 2, 3, 4, 5 hours or more a week. That is approaching a full day. Since I am salary and my company doesnt' pay extra for putting in time on the weekends, it just helps me to come out even on my time. Besides, driving this speed is usually running with the flow of traffic. The detector just gives me a little more piece of mind and I find it very helpful in small towns where Barney Fife likes to go Rambo.

I don't abuse the detector and drive 90-100mph like some friends I know. I spend too much time on the road and the numbers would catch up with me in the worst way if I did. This is just a little insight into why I use the radar detector and how I do it. Would you leave and drive on a Sunday if your company paid you based on 40hrs a week? I don't like to. Not to mention the times I spend 8-9 hrs in a given city and then have to drive 300 miles that evening/night to be at the next business function in the morning.

Every little bit of time helps. It's pretty simple to me.