Radar Detectors

[Steve_Reinig]

I have been to enought RT events to know the start-up sound of the Valentine!! I am now seriously considering the purchase of a radar detector and have been reading way to much. What are folks opinions pros/cons of the Valentine, Belltronics and Escort. (I understand the same company owns Belltronics and Excort) Thanks in advance.

[Smoky]

Over the years I've had several detectors. I now have a V1 on the bike. It was spendy, but if I had to replace it, I'd make another call to Valentine.

[smiller]

The performance of the V1 plus the essential directional arrow feature and the radar source counter set it apart in a way so that it's really the only choice. Definitely spend the extra $100 or whatever.

[Mike]

Most of the tests I've seen show that any of the high-end detectors will give you plenty of warning of most radar threats. I've got experience with the Escort and the Valentine: I own a couple of V-1's and my son has an Escort in his car. When I drive his car, I find that the Escort gives a few less false alarms in city driving, but about equivalent warning of radar threats. However, when I'm driving his car, I really miss the "radar locator" feature of the Valentine--it makes the V-1 a much better tool for locating and deciphering radar threats.

 

Also, one thing that's a huge consideration is the Valentine approach to upgrades. You go to their website and punch in your unit's serial number, after which you're given the details and cost of an upgrade. You send your unit in and get, in many cases, a new radar detector with a one-year warranty for much less than the cost of replacement. With the other brands, while they occasionally offer a software upgrade, you generally have no option but to buy a new radar detector.

 

I don't have recent experience with any Beltronics detectors. However, I think that the Valentine's radar locator feature, in itself, is enough recommend it above the others.

[Jerry_75_Guy]

As I'm sure you've surmised, the fact that you hear so many V1's at rally's should be testament enough to riders preference for the unit.

 

As with most such threads here, a quick search will produce enough text on the subject to cure the worst case of insomnia, but if you haven't done this yet, it might be worth a gander.

 

Shortly after I joined this board I had the same question. I really wanted a V1, but the the thought of spending the extra money irritated me. Someone here said, essentially, that after owning the unit for a bit I'd realize that I wouldn't miss the extra $$, and he was right. Even with the added expense of the audio adapter, assuming you want the audio warnings to be piped through your intercom if you have one (I Strongly recommend this), it's still well worth the money.

 

And I agree with Seth; the bogey counter and directional arrows are essential. I know others think these features have little value, but in my personal experience they make a Big difference (I used an Escort for years which obviously didn't offer the arrows or counter).

 

I can't count how many tickets the V1 has saved me, but the best part is the added peace of mind I have when I'm out on the road; it makes for a much more relaxed ride knowing that the V1's 'got my back' so to speak.

[jakfrost]

Don't suppose anyone knows of a "V1" quality detector that is 'undetectable'...up here in Canada the only one who consistantly has your six covered is the trooper coming up behind you Probably looking for the source of the signal that set off his radar detector detector

 

Jim

[Alan D]

I think V1's are "stealthy".

 

Does anyone run with the V1 in their tank bag? I own a V1 but have never used it on my bike.

[timmr]

I've got my V-1 in the tankbag on the S. The remote is mounted above the multi-display, and is pretty well hidden behind the tinted windscreen. It's worked very well so far.

[Jerry_75_Guy]

Don't suppose anyone knows of a "V1" quality detector that is 'undetectable'...

 

As already mentioned, I've heard the V1 is stealthy, but I don't know just how stealthy. In "Ghost Rider", Neil Peart mentioned that his 'undetectable detector' got detected and confiscated. Sadly, that's the only data point I have. Give the V1 folks a call; I'm sure they'd have the info you want

[Jerry Johnston]

I'm not sure it matters if the detector is stealthy - all they have to do is watch your brake lights come on and they know you have one.

[R4ND0M_AX3]

Accoring to Mike Valentine, all detectors leak noise. It's just that all of the other detectors were based on the same design and were thus easy to detect. There are tools now that detect the V1.

 

I found the page.

 

http://www.valentine1.com/lab/Previously2.asp

[Smoky]

Hey Jak,

 

Quit propagating the myth that RD are illegal in Canada.

 

They are only illegal in some provinces, and some states.

 

Come out west and use'm all you want.

 

I do.

[Hornhonker]

Currently the Beltronics STI is the only undectable one. It's becoming quite popular in Ontario.

[jakfrost]

Hey Jak,

 

Quit propagating the myth that RD are illegal in Canada.

 

They are only illegal in some provinces, and some states.

 

Come out west and use'm all you want.

 

I do.

 

Sorry for the 'miss-information' Smokey, (is the handle a pun??).

It is true, in Canada, ONLY (?) 8 out of all 10 provinces deem radar detectors illegal. That would be about a 1,200 mile drive for me before I could turn it on...

In the U.S., ONLY 2 out of 48 states frown on the use of radar detectors by the public.

You think my sense of caution is misplaced??

Besides, on the 'wet coast' you need a waterproof unit anyway

 

Jim

[Steve_Reinig]

Thanks for all the information. What I find interesting is I have read two supposdely independent evaluations on radar detectors and the V1 while rated highly fell short of the comparable Escort and Belltronics units. You can now upgrade the Escort. O well.

[smiller]

I'm not sure it matters if the detector is stealthy - all they have to do is watch your brake lights come on and they know you have one.

I'm not sure why that matters either. Does merely seeing a brake light constitute sufficient probable cause for a traffic stop in your state?

[Jerry_75_Guy]

Thanks for all the information. What I find interesting is I have read two supposdely independent evaluations on radar detectors and the V1 while rated highly fell short of the comparable Escort and Belltronics units. You can now upgrade the Escort. O well.

 

I can't speak to all of the evaluations out there, but one site claiming to be unbiased, came out with unfavorable results for the V1, after the company chose not to be affiliated with the site.

[Mike]

Thanks for all the information. What I find interesting is I have read two supposdely independent evaluations on radar detectors and the V1 while rated highly fell short of the comparable Escort and Belltronics units. You can now upgrade the Escort. O well.

 

Those three brands tend to trade finishing positions in most of the tests. The tests, by the way, are not always as independent as one might think. There was a big stink a few years ago that involved one "expert" rating Valentine poorly after they refused to pay him as a consultant. Many of the test sites either sell or are affiliated with others that do, or are run by individuals who have contractual ties to one or more of the manufacturers.

 

The tests can be useful, but I'd also look to the experiences of users in places like this, paying particular attention to those who have had experience with more than one brand. That tends to tell you quite a bit about how the detectors perform in actual extended usage.

 

As far as upgradeability of the Escort, it's my understanding that the upgrades are only software upgrades that permit the detector to add in new radar bands as they come on line, whereas Valentine's upgrade program will allow you to upgrade to the newest version of its hardware and software, regardless of how old your V1 may be. My information is a few months old, so let us know if Escort's policy has changed--it may be that they have since changed their upgrade program.

[smiller]

I have read two supposdely independent evaluations

Key word there is supposedly. Unfortunately on the Internet there is no way to know how accurate the test data might be or what agenda may exist, if any.

[Dances_With_Wiener_Dogs]

You want to borrow my V1 for a while? Of course you can't use it while I'm doing the Un, but after that if you'd like...

[Hotspice]

I've got my V-1 in the tankbag on the S. The remote is mounted above the multi-display, and is pretty well hidden behind the tinted windscreen. It's worked very well so far.

 

Have you noticed any problems with it picking up signals from behind?

 

I thought about doing that but was worried about having my body being in the way of the rear antena

[PhillyFlash]

The radar will pass through your body, just as it passes through the tank bag. Metal will stop the signal,though. I keep mine in my BigMak tankbag, and it works fine. But it doesn't work as well as when it is mounted outside of the bag. While heading up to Torrey last weekend, I rode in front of Tool the whole way, and he always picked up Ka just a little before I did. His V-1 was outside of his bag. I still got the warning in enough time to slow down, but often it was pretty close to being nabbed. I'm looking for a way to mount is externally, but still have it easily concealed in the event I'm pulled over.

 

The directional signals are worth the extra money. They make it much easier for you to determine if there is radar up ahead and moving with the traffic (so you don't run up on the LEO), or if it's coming up from behind. You can tell if/when they pass you going the other direction. And you can tell when you pass one radar trap and there is another one just ahead (has happened a few times; as soon as some people got past the first one, they sped up, thinking that the signal they were getting was still from the one they just passed; uh oh!).

 

It doesn't matter whose results you decide to accept; the V-1, even if not rated as high in some reports, still gives you plenty of advanced warning. Probably they all do. But the V-1 offers enough other bennies to make it worth the extra money (bogie counters, directional indicator, remote visual and audio, upgrades, and exceptional customer service if you need any repairs, with very quick turn-around time).

 

 

Usual disclaimer: Not affiliated with V-1 in any way, other than being a very satisfied customer.