[QUOTE=chrisw]I used to have one... Like Sano says, they are basically usesless. All they are good for is to know when to pull over
QUOTE]


i dunno about that, maybe for city cops that are waiting behind a bush to get you, but highway patroll seem to always drive with their radar on, and that's when a radar detector will save you.

 

I'd recommend one. I have the Passport 8500 x50 and it works really well. It was recommended by motortrend, automobile (I think), and radartest.com above any other one. It does pretty good at everything except the laser. It picks it up, but it doesn't really matter if it does at that point. As for the instant on, my detector seems to pick up signals from so far away that there's a fairly high probablility that someone ahead of me is going to get zapped and let me know about it in enough time for me to slow down.

 

I use passport 8500 its a great unit but I hear valentine 1 is good too either way would be a smart choice Ive had mine a couple years and I would say its worth its weight in gold

 

for those with the Escort where do you mount it ?? high by your rear view mirror of as los as the windshield wipers?? just got mine and havent really got used to it or how it works!!

 

good test - its going to be a tough decision between the 3...

 

To bad for me and burningmoney97, Honolulu Police department use Lidar, I had a lidar detector and it workes, just not fast enough, I bought it when we had the van cams. I ended up throwing it away. The one time that it went off is when I asked a friend(cop) to aim his gun at my car to try and set it off. Airport and military police still use radar though.

 

i didnt know thats what they use, forget those 3 then...

 

I have the 8500 X50 and I have it mounted up and just to the left of my mirror, right by the edge of the black screen stuff on the windshield. I bought the hardwire kit from passport for $10 and tapped the power wire for the sunroof in the apillar. The whole install took me about 20 minutes. You want the detector positioned so it has a clear view out the back window as well.


helm

 

V1 with remote display from personal experience, has saved me many a time. Keep in mind I'm not a fast driver at all, just cruise at about 75-80 on the Texas highways. It is an excellent preventative measure but it doesn't make you Superman.

 

V1 V1 Valentine 1 Nothing but the best

 

All hail Mike Valentine. Most of these posts are spot on, detectors do nothing to save you from instant-on. I typically keep it reasonable when I'm on the road by myself. The V1 is a master at picking up laser in my experience. I too was sceptical about the directional display until it saved me. Cruising down the road occasionally the highway patrol will set up the speed notification units which tell you your actual speed. Most people have their detector warn them but when they pass the display they speed up, well the V1 showed me a squad ahead as well as the unit behind. Saved me a $200 ticket.

 

not worth it unless its a Valantine or a Jammer of sort.

 

i read you wont get any benefit mounting the radar too high like that. In addition it said if your radar has laser detecting, you will be hurt by mounting it so high because laser is usually aimed at your plates.

 

And you think an EVO that is pulled over will be let off with a warning anyway??? I dont think so Barney Fife

 

Valentine 1 gets my vote