Radar detectors (your choices) - LotusTalk

DeepAmpeg · 08-27-2009, 09:09 AM

So Ive never owned one. Surprisingly Ive never gotten a speeding ticket either. I seem to have a 6th sense when a cop is around the corner. Anyway Im looking to make a purchase and would like to get some input from what you guys use. I now have a half hour drive commute one way to work so I get a little driving time compared to my previous 8 minute drive. Lots of twists and turns but unfortuantely a lot of slow ass commuters that like doing 40 in a 50 so I tend to overtake. Bad thing is its a road used by the staties and DMV as Ive seen them quiet often. So what do you guys use for detectors? Likes and dislikes? Thanks in advance.

RichS · 08-27-2009, 09:11 AM

Like.

V1 with remote display mounted into the dash. It's saved me from some tickets. It's also let me know that I'm about to get a ticket.

Chris Mackey · 08-27-2009, 09:13 AM

Hey Rich, where is the V1 mounted?

qball · 08-27-2009, 09:24 AM

Lets see if the one dude that NEVER posts, and promotes his own radar detector site, surfaces.

LOL

RichS · 08-27-2009, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Mackey

Hey Rich, where is the V1 mounted?

Harness bar.

MattG · 08-27-2009, 09:40 AM

I love my V1, though I think you'd be happy with any detector in that price range. The directional arrows on the V1 are a really nice feature (though I rarely deal with radar from the side, usually it's telling me front or rear), as is the optional remote display module (my V1 is mounted between the seats, with the remote display module in the area under the stereo).

Simba · 08-27-2009, 11:41 AM

V1. Period. Still the best by far.

schodrow · 08-27-2009, 12:11 PM

V1. Mine is mounted on the windshield for better reception but the wire is tucked around the window (hardwire kit) for with an option to use the remote display mounted inside the driver's side cubby. I only use the remote display on long drives at night.

ColinChapmansGhost · 08-27-2009, 12:35 PM

The V1 is the very best. I think it has won every comparison it was ever in (magazine-wise). And I know it's saved me on two occasions where there were two HP cars involved (and it let me know there was still a second car in front of me)...

The downside (to any radar detector) is that if you *do* get pulled over with one on display there is no hope that you'll talk your way out of the ticket. This provides a bit of an advantage to hidden ones like the K40 (with the two LEDs sunk somewhere in the dash), but it's not as good as the V1.

I know from experience about this, having sat through getting a ticket while staring at it on my visor, cursing its very existence and wondering what new-fangled thing the Kansas HP was using to get folks.

Turning it on, however, would likely have helped the most.

Predator · 08-27-2009, 01:12 PM

Having done 2 cross country rallies and plenty within FL, I definitely recommend the V1. When I went on the Cannonbal/Great American Run 2 years back, I'd say 90% of the drivers, especially all the seasoned ones, all had the Valentine. Here's my recommendation for setup on your vehicle as I had it on Blue Thunder and on my current Rossion:

- Valentine 1 (hardwired above the Rearview mirror right under the windshield/headliner)
- M25 (or most current) Laser Jammers (Double Front & Rear)
- GPS w/Njection software uploaded (Njection Brings Speed Trap and Red Light Data to Your GPS | Gadget Lab | Wired.com)

Anything else is already a bit overkill, but if interested, the final cap is a police scanner specially tuned to your region with automatic switching... honestly though, this is a pain in the ass with all the noise and squawking. Better to stick with the above and avoid the Geek syndrome (unless you're doing a Rally of course...).

RCHAD · 08-27-2009, 01:38 PM

i like my passport 8500...i never knew there was anything better. sounds like i might have to try the v1 though?

dbisbee · 08-27-2009, 03:37 PM

+1 V1

Thomasio · 08-27-2009, 03:40 PM

I've owned all kinds of radar detectors, but now I rely on Trapster (an iPhone app). It is fantastic!

tvacc · 08-27-2009, 04:11 PM

I use the V1 in my Elise and the Passport in the rest of my cars. My sons have passports.

They are really close, but the V1 wins. YOu have to realize the using the V1 with its arrows....allows you to interpet the sounds from the Passport better.

I have the V1 and the laser shifter from passport. I will be putting the Blinder laser shifter on my Seven shortly.

OTB · 08-27-2009, 05:12 PM

I choose the Passport.

The passport had a significantly better range in the test I did. (Distance from a standing police radar unit.) After using the two, I came to this conclusion:

The V1 is for people that polish their cars, have a bmw motorcycle, take showers, and love it when strangers want to come talk about the lotus.

The passport is for guys that want the most freeway range, ride a motorcycle without ABS, and would rather go-karting than go-golfing.

V1 guys please don't take any offense to this , I'll buy you a double hazelnut cappucino and make it all better.

cheers

erics75218 · 08-27-2009, 05:25 PM

v1 used to be the best....thats what I just told a friend. Then he went and did research and it looks like our beloved V1 has been outclassed by the BEL Sti Driver....

Take a quick google search for radar detector comparison and you'll see the BEL is now the top dog, king daddy, #1, A+

Now...GO BUY ONE AT MY WEBSITE!!

just kidding...but I'm serious about it trumping the V1

p.s. Trapster is a GREAT application.

tvacc · 08-27-2009, 05:30 PM

Sorry dont agree that the Passport is better. I drive my Seven with the V1 and my son drives the Elise with the Passport. He is right behind me. We have driven almost 2K miles this year this way. Almost..not always...the V1 picks up the signal earlier.

We are connected by radios...so we talk all the time and keep track of this. Very rarely does the passport pick it up before the V1,

And we are taking in account the i am about 40 feet ahead most of the time.

The Passport is not that much worse however....Sometimes the V1 picks up stuff that the passwport missed entirely.

And...nothing compares to the arrows.

docjay · 08-27-2009, 06:03 PM

My wife got me one for Valentine's Day. Awwwwwww.
I am lucky man, she is a HOT Radiologist too!!

erics75218 · 08-27-2009, 10:47 PM

fine, i'll post the link

RadarTest.com - Best radar detector reviews from the world's most respected authority.

Valentine seems to be trapped in a time warp. Even the owner manual reflects 1980s thinking, replete with outdated statements such as "X-band [is] most common for moving and stationary [radar]." Huh? 48 of the 50 state highway patrols abandoned it years ago.

With an increasingly wide gap in the V1's level of sophistication compared to modern designs--not to mention a minimalist feature set, quirky ergonomics, an exceptionally chatty nature and stiff price tag--the competition has clearly passed it by

erics75218 · 08-27-2009, 10:49 PM

Bell Sti Driver v.s. Velentine 1

RadarTest.com - Best radar detector reviews from the world's most respected authority.

08-27-2009, 09:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
DeepAmpeg Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Springfield, Vermont Posts: 93	Radar detectors (your choices) So Ive never owned one. Surprisingly Ive never gotten a speeding ticket either. I seem to have a 6th sense when a cop is around the corner. Anyway Im looking to make a purchase and would like to get some input from what you guys use. I now have a half hour drive commute one way to work so I get a little driving time compared to my previous 8 minute drive. Lots of twists and turns but unfortuantely a lot of slow ass commuters that like doing 40 in a 50 so I tend to overtake. Bad thing is its a road used by the staties and DMV as Ive seen them quiet often. So what do you guys use for detectors? Likes and dislikes? Thanks in advance.

08-27-2009, 09:11 AM	#2 (permalink)
RichS No, it's only an N/A Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,285	Like. V1 with remote display mounted into the dash. It's saved me from some tickets. It's also let me know that I'm about to get a ticket. __________________ Useful links to vendors removed at Nadeem's request. "Nice avatar by the way, I doubt Colin Chapman would have followed the herd as I have seen many here do. --Nadeem"

08-27-2009, 09:13 AM	#3 (permalink)
Chris Mackey Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,587	Hey Rich, where is the V1 mounted? __________________ 2006 Elise, Ardent Red, Black Pack, LSS wheels, shocks and springs. ChuforiaGraffix.com SDD Lives On! SweetDaddyDelicious(at)hotmail(dot)com

08-27-2009, 09:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
MattG insert clever title here Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Living above the clouds in Colorado Posts: 7,676 Images: 11	I love my V1, though I think you'd be happy with any detector in that price range. The directional arrows on the V1 are a really nice feature (though I rarely deal with radar from the side, usually it's telling me front or rear), as is the optional remote display module (my V1 is mounted between the seats, with the remote display module in the area under the stereo). __________________ '05 Elise, Magnetic Blue / Biscuit / Hardtop / http://eliseinfo.com Radar detector mounting brackets for sale here

08-27-2009, 12:35 PM	#9 (permalink)
ColinChapmansGhost Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4	The V1 is the very best. I think it has won every comparison it was ever in (magazine-wise). And I know it's saved me on two occasions where there were two HP cars involved (and it let me know there was still a second car in front of me)... The downside (to any radar detector) is that if you do get pulled over with one on display there is no hope that you'll talk your way out of the ticket. This provides a bit of an advantage to hidden ones like the K40 (with the two LEDs sunk somewhere in the dash), but it's not as good as the V1. I know from experience about this, having sat through getting a ticket while staring at it on my visor, cursing its very existence and wondering what new-fangled thing the Kansas HP was using to get folks. Turning it on, however, would likely have helped the most. __________________ When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. "Compressed audio makes Baby Jesus cry" -------------- 2002 BMW 540i MSport 6-Speed Dinan S1 Software; M5 Rear Swaybar SQ Audio (analog) on the way

08-27-2009, 09:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
qball Wizard of Pugz! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 4,515 Images: 3	Lets see if the one dude that NEVER posts, and promotes his own radar detector site, surfaces. LOL

08-27-2009, 11:41 AM	#7 (permalink)
Simba 2/3 hp to the paws. Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NY Posts: 497	V1. Period. Still the best by far.

08-27-2009, 12:11 PM	#8 (permalink)
schodrow Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Burlington,NJ Posts: 18	V1. Mine is mounted on the windshield for better reception but the wire is tucked around the window (hardwire kit) for with an option to use the remote display mounted inside the driver's side cubby. I only use the remote display on long drives at night.

08-27-2009, 01:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
Predator Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Miami Beach, FL Posts: 131	Having done 2 cross country rallies and plenty within FL, I definitely recommend the V1. When I went on the Cannonbal/Great American Run 2 years back, I'd say 90% of the drivers, especially all the seasoned ones, all had the Valentine. Here's my recommendation for setup on your vehicle as I had it on Blue Thunder and on my current Rossion: - Valentine 1 (hardwired above the Rearview mirror right under the windshield/headliner) - M25 (or most current) Laser Jammers (Double Front & Rear) - GPS w/Njection software uploaded (Njection Brings Speed Trap and Red Light Data to Your GPS \| Gadget Lab \| Wired.com) Anything else is already a bit overkill, but if interested, the final cap is a police scanner specially tuned to your region with automatic switching... honestly though, this is a pain in the ass with all the noise and squawking. Better to stick with the above and avoid the Geek syndrome (unless you're doing a Rally of course...). __________________ The Predator "To Hear is to Doubt, To See is to Deceive, but to Feel is to Believe..." Rossion Q1 MINI Cooper S Custom Mercedes CLK-430 Conv. Nissan Pathfinder (The 'Clark Kent' car) Anniv. Ed. Lotus Esprit V8 #094/100 - DECEASED

08-27-2009, 01:38 PM	#11 (permalink)
RCHAD 400HPFOCUS Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: RIVERTON UTAH Posts: 170	i like my passport 8500...i never knew there was anything better. sounds like i might have to try the v1 though? __________________ "HE WHO SAYS IT CANNOT BE DONE SHOULD NEVER INTERRUPT THE ONE WHO IS DOING IT" R.R.E RIP

08-27-2009, 03:37 PM	#12 (permalink)
dbisbee Service animal Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 476	+1 V1 __________________ The word "PASSION" should aways be uppercase. #349 '05 AS Elise Touring, Hardtop, Starshield, Plinth delete, GPS Garmin 680, V1, V1 mirror, Leather console, Multivex, Alpine CDA9887, JL stealthbox, Focals, Alpine PDX 5, HID, RAC Monolites, R888's, Stage II, Front Slotted rotors, R4-S pads, Stebel nautilus, TitanQR and Odyssey 925 now with bracket.

08-27-2009, 03:40 PM	#13 (permalink)
Thomasio really light stuff Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,503	I've owned all kinds of radar detectors, but now I rely on Trapster (an iPhone app). It is fantastic! __________________ 07 SY Exige S Really Light Stuff Intercooler . RLS Tubes . RLS Water/Methanol Injection . RLS 3.0" Pulley . RLS Wing Plates . RLS CF Window Panel

08-27-2009, 04:11 PM	#14 (permalink)
tvacc Head LOONY Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 2,225	I use the V1 in my Elise and the Passport in the rest of my cars. My sons have passports. They are really close, but the V1 wins. YOu have to realize the using the V1 with its arrows....allows you to interpet the sounds from the Passport better. I have the V1 and the laser shifter from passport. I will be putting the Blinder laser shifter on my Seven shortly. __________________ Tony Vaccaro 2005 Ardent Red, Katana Supercharger, Touring, Hardtop, Driving Lights, HIDs, Rear Window Shield, Red Mounts, Laser Shifters, V1, LETSLA Shifter, www.lotusowners.com LOONY (Lotus Owners of New York) and the Church of the HolyLotus Supplier of Polycarbonate Shield for Rear Window IN STOCK , Drive Fast Take Chances

08-27-2009, 05:12 PM	#15 (permalink)
OTB Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 106	I've compared them side by side...and I choose the Passport. The passport had a significantly better range in the test I did. (Distance from a standing police radar unit.) After using the two, I came to this conclusion: The V1 is for people that polish their cars, have a bmw motorcycle, take showers, and love it when strangers want to come talk about the lotus. The passport is for guys that want the most freeway range, ride a motorcycle without ABS, and would rather go-karting than go-golfing. V1 guys please don't take any offense to this , I'll buy you a double hazelnut cappucino and make it all better. cheers

08-27-2009, 05:25 PM	#16 (permalink)
erics75218 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 570	v1 used to be the best....thats what I just told a friend. Then he went and did research and it looks like our beloved V1 has been outclassed by the BEL Sti Driver.... Take a quick google search for radar detector comparison and you'll see the BEL is now the top dog, king daddy, #1, A+ Now...GO BUY ONE AT MY WEBSITE!! just kidding...but I'm serious about it trumping the V1 p.s. Trapster is a GREAT application.

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08-27-2009, 05:30 PM	#17 (permalink)
tvacc Head LOONY Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 2,225	Sorry dont agree that the Passport is better. I drive my Seven with the V1 and my son drives the Elise with the Passport. He is right behind me. We have driven almost 2K miles this year this way. Almost..not always...the V1 picks up the signal earlier. We are connected by radios...so we talk all the time and keep track of this. Very rarely does the passport pick it up before the V1, And we are taking in account the i am about 40 feet ahead most of the time. The Passport is not that much worse however....Sometimes the V1 picks up stuff that the passwport missed entirely. And...nothing compares to the arrows. __________________ Tony Vaccaro 2005 Ardent Red, Katana Supercharger, Touring, Hardtop, Driving Lights, HIDs, Rear Window Shield, Red Mounts, Laser Shifters, V1, LETSLA Shifter, www.lotusowners.com LOONY (Lotus Owners of New York) and the Church of the HolyLotus Supplier of Polycarbonate Shield for Rear Window IN STOCK , Drive Fast Take Chances

08-27-2009, 06:03 PM	#18 (permalink)
docjay Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Summerfield, NC Posts: 86	V1 My wife got me one for Valentine's Day. Awwwwwww. I am lucky man, she is a HOT Radiologist too!!

08-27-2009, 10:47 PM	#19 (permalink)
erics75218 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 570	fine, i'll post the link RadarTest.com - Best radar detector reviews from the world's most respected authority. Valentine seems to be trapped in a time warp. Even the owner manual reflects 1980s thinking, replete with outdated statements such as "X-band [is] most common for moving and stationary [radar]." Huh? 48 of the 50 state highway patrols abandoned it years ago. With an increasingly wide gap in the V1's level of sophistication compared to modern designs--not to mention a minimalist feature set, quirky ergonomics, an exceptionally chatty nature and stiff price tag--the competition has clearly passed it by

08-27-2009, 10:49 PM	#20 (permalink)
erics75218 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 570	Bell Sti Driver v.s. Velentine 1 RadarTest.com - Best radar detector reviews from the world's most respected authority.