Radar/Laser Detector Test Results

[hitchhiker]

Here are several radar/laser detector test results:

Best Regards,

David

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width=624 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top align=middle><TD colSpan=3>http://www.escortradar.com/images/motortrendquote2004.gif (http://www.motortrend.com/features/consumer/112_0402_radar/index7.html)
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[woaface]

Well, you know, always have to fill in for bias....that's me:D

http://www.valentine1.com/lab/MikesLabRpt5.asp

http://www.valentine1.com/lab/MikesLabRpt7.asp

http://www.valentine1.com/pop/

Third one is the most important if you just read the intro...

[tomd]

I would go with the 8500 because you're able hook up the ZR3 laser shifting (jammer). You will start to see more and more Laser guns out there.
Just wish the price would go down!

:lol:

[hitchhiker]

I would go with the 8500 because you're able hook up the ZR3 laser shifting (jammer). You will start to see more and more Laser guns out there.
Just wish the price would go down!

:lol:

Recent Real time personal experience...

My 8500 'blue' X50 performed well on my drive from CA to TX.

Hits on K, Ka, X bands, no laser hits.

Also serves as a 'proximity detector' with local police since they almost always leave their radar guns on!

Good warning when bursts of Ka 'instant on' radar was being used on cars ahead of and behind me.

Very few false alarms.

Best Regards,

David

[FiveO]

I've written thousands of tickets.

Written several Passport owners.

Never had the opportunity to write a Val1 owner.

Wonder why?

[duhtroll]

Could be because people don't pony up the $ for the Valentine . . ..

Or it could just be coinkydink.

-A

[FiveO]

Very true.

[Krytin]

I would go with the 8500 because you're able hook up the ZR3 laser shifting (jammer). You will start to see more and more Laser guns out there.
Just wish the price would go down!

:lol:
I gotta agree. It's been 4 years since my last ticket (a miracle of biblical proportions!), but even then all the peopple in traffic court were being picked off by laser - not radar!

[Second Wind]

img]http://www.danasoft.com/vipersig.jpg[/img]

I started with an 8500, which I used for several years and was generally pleased with. I sent it back for "SERVICE REQUIRED" message that occurred every now and then. I was told that it was caused by low voltage, a fault of the car and not the detector. I finally convinced them that (after trying my wife and both son's cars) that it was not the vehicle.

They agreed and sent me another detector. The replacement detector seemed to work alright, but did not have the Saftey Warning System that the original had. Also Xband did not work at all. After calling Escort, I was told that none of their new detectors utilized the Safety Warning System as it was being phazed out in the US. OK, I can believe that, but then she said that X band radar was also obsolete and had been left out of some refurbished units, because of problems they had.

At this point I told her I did not want the (apparently) refurbished unit they had sent, and wanted my original (or one like it) back. After 2 1/2 months I got my original (I Think) back.

My son gave me his new Cobra ( a brand I used to look down on as cheap junk) to try, and after a few weeks I decided to try it side by side with my 8500. It performed every bit as well, so I bought one for myself.

I had originally intended to replace the 8500 with a VAL 1, but for now I am pleased with the Cobra. The 8500 is in the closet.

[hitchhiker]

Just because you have a radar detector doesn't mean immunity...

A TX state trooper was sitting concealed behind a bridge on I-40 today using instant on Ka band radar. No chance to react with or without a detector.

He just picks out a car and zaps it.

My 8500 did pickup him zapping a car a few carl lengths ahead of me, but If that car had been me and he waited for a rich target he might have gotten me.

There is no substitute for paying attention and knowing where LEO's like to hide.

They like to sit behind obstacles, on the downslope of a rise where you get nailed as you pass over the crest, in sunken median strips with only their windows and roof showing, and of course the VASCAR system where they keep moving and usually meet you while driving on the other side of the median. The only consolation is getting to see them chew up the weeds trying to get across the mdian and the huge dust cloud as they fight to hook up and start the chase.

It also helps to turn the detector on!

Before I turned my 8500 on this morning, I was stopped just East of Amarillo, TX and given a warning! He was using the VASCAR system and met me from across the median. I saw his break lights and romp across the median just after his car met mine. Took him quite some time to catch up to me even though I has slowed to a sedate 75 in a 70 mph zone. I didn't want to be totally obnoxious by slowing down to 70! He and I both knew that he had me. He ran '29's on me and the car to verify that I have a clean driving record, which I said I had when telling him how much I would appreciate a warning. He came back up to the window and had me sign a warning ticket! Cool! I thanked him and asked him if he would like to see the engine. The TX state trooper excitedly said yes! I told him about some of the enhancements being planned for Ford's P71 CVPI's like Marauder or Cobra engines and V10's. I thanked him again for the warning and cut my speed down to (limit + 7) for the next 100 miles or so. I shook his hand and thanked him again for the warning. Upon leaving the scene, he took off on another romp across the median in his P71 like he was 'four wheelin' or something. He clearly likes the 'driving' part of his job.

With six cars insured with full coverage, I considered myself quite fortunate. A ticket would have made that insurance very costly.

Best Regards,

David

[Mike Poore]

We did our homework and rely upon the three Passport 8500's we're using. Never a technical issue with any of 'em, very intuitive and simple to use. Highly recommended.

[Logan]

I've always preferred the accuracy of the arrows of the V1. That's the one thing I've always hated about other detectors. Sure they detect it, but you've no clue where they're sitting.

As for Laser, My blinder M20 works very well in conjunction with the V1, no they're not integrated, but I don't see any benefit to that aspect as the blinder needs nothing but a single LED, a switch and the audio mute lead.

[hitchhiker]

I've always preferred the accuracy of the arrows of the V1. That's the one thing I've always hated about other detectors. Sure they detect it, but you've no clue where they're sitting.

As for Laser, My blinder M20 works very well in conjunction with the V1, no they're not integrated, but I don't see any benefit to that aspect as the blinder needs nothing but a single LED, a switch and the audio mute lead.

I agree that the V1 is also a great radar detector.

I hope to meet you at the Sunday Breakfast thing after I get settled here!

Best Regards,

David

[FiveO]

img]http://www.danasoft.com/vipersig.jpg[/img]

I started with an 8500, which I used for several years and was generally pleased with. I sent it back for "SERVICE REQUIRED" message that occurred every now and then. I was told that it was caused by low voltage, a fault of the car and not the detector. I finally convinced them that (after trying my wife and both son's cars) that it was not the vehicle.

They agreed and sent me another detector. The replacement detector seemed to work alright, but did not have the Saftey Warning System that the original had. Also Xband did not work at all. After calling Escort, I was told that none of their new detectors utilized the Safety Warning System as it was being phazed out in the US. OK, I can believe that, but then she said that X band radar was also obsolete and had been left out of some refurbished units, because of problems they had.

At this point I told her I did not want the (apparently) refurbished unit they had sent, and wanted my original (or one like it) back. After 2 1/2 months I got my original (I Think) back.

My son gave me his new Cobra ( a brand I used to look down on as cheap junk) to try, and after a few weeks I decided to try it side by side with my 8500. It performed every bit as well, so I bought one for myself.

I had originally intended to replace the 8500 with a VAL 1, but for now I am pleased with the Cobra. The 8500 is in the closet.


X band is not obselete. Its not used much anymore.....but its not phased out altogether.

At least one department I work near still uses it.

[tomd]

Could be because people don't pony up the $ for the Valentine . . ..

Or it could just be coinkydink.

-A

Yeah bad enough forking out $300 for a passport 8500 but another $100 for the VAL1 :awe: Then add the Laser Jammer cost! :twocents: :drive:

[Joe Walsh]

I've had a Valentine for years and it has paid for itself MANY times over. Of course its laser function only lets you know that you just got 'painted' by a laser gun and will shortly receive a ticket. Luckily I'm always looking way down the road and have been able to visual the laser traps in time. I've got no experience with the Laser Jammers....Do they really work??

[tomd]

I've had a Valentine for years and it has paid for itself MANY times over. Of course its laser function only lets you know that you just got 'painted' by a laser gun and will shortly receive a ticket. Luckily I'm always looking down the road and have been able to visual the laser traps in time. I've got no experience with the Laser Jammers....Do they really work??

Yes they do but $$$ :burnout:

[duhtroll]

Several times I have seen the Escort 8500 and ZR3 (laser jammer) packaged together on ebay for $500 or even less - not counting shipping.

-A

[tomd]

Several times I have seen the Escort 8500 and ZR3 (laser jammer) packaged together on ebay for $500 or even less - not counting shipping.

-A

If you buy the ZR3 and the 8500 don't forget to ask how much to install the ZR3 and hard wire the 8500, MAKE sure they know what they are doing! :dunno: Am not that handy so that's an extra cost for me. If I remember right, and it's been about a year, it would have cost me about $800 to buy and install both! That's why I still don't have them. :argh:
When more police departments start using Laser I’ll break down and spent the bucks. :run:

[crowdog]

Valentine w/remote display for 5 years , factory upgrade 07/15/2004 , and would be lost without the directional indicators. My entire family runs with the Valentine, all 7 drivers, and you couldn't give us anything else.