Let's talk radar detectors.

[Filipino Royale]

Hi guys, I'm in search for a radar detector, which one is your personal favorite? Read a lot of things online, but I really need real positive feedbacks. I know others are torn aswell with all the products that are available.


Btw, I'm torn between the Valentine and the passport,

Thanks guys!

-ciri-

[yarom]

I have the 9500ci and it has paid for itself several time over. In my wife's BRZ I installed the smartradar which seems to work great for her. Got it cheap, so no remorse there..

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[Deathalo]

Originally Posted by Filipino Royale

Hi guys, I'm in search for a radar detector, which one is your personal favorite? Read a lot of things online, but I really need real positive feedbacks. I know others are torn aswell with all the products that are available.


Btw, I'm torn between the Valentine and the passport,

Thanks guys!

-ciri-

I got a 9500ix, I was torn between that and the V1, I ended up with the Passport because I got it used with an unregistered serial number, so it was quite a deal. If I had to just choose between someone giving me one or the other, I would've chosen the 9500ix, mainly because of the newer features it offers. The arrows on the V1 are nice, but if you get a KA alert it generally doesn't matter cause you'll watch your speed regardless and likely see the bogey as the signal gets stronger. The real key with the 9500ix is the GPS, being able to lockout false alarms from Walgreens and the like is so nice on everyday drives in a town/city, really keeps you from hating your alerts and ignoring them, and helps you focus on actual threats. Redlight/speedcamera location alerts are great in unfamiliar territory, and it can show your speed more accurately. The display options are nice if you wanna go expert mode, and the fact that it reads out "K" or "KA" is helpful to keep your eyes on the road. And, vs the V1, it's much easier to tell what band you're getting hit with at night, as the V1 just lights up a signal red light next to a painted on label for each band, so it's tough to see in the dark; the 9500ix displays and reads it to you, and of course you'll learn how each alert sounds.

I guess, like what a lot of people say, if you live in a town or city and drive there regularly get a Passport, if you live out in the boondocks and drive from middle of nowhere A to middle of nowhere B, get the V1. But, just my 2 cents.

Edit:
Another good thing about the Passport is it only beeps once (or twice if you turn off x-band) when starting the car, this is nice if you have someone else with you and you don't want it to sound like you have R2-D2 on your dash. Oh, and don't worry about sensitivity/range, both of these high end detecters should be more than sensitive enough for you, I was on the blue ridge parkway with mine and it picked up a deputy with KA around the mountain before I entered the curve. And it's picked up bogeys a mile away on a regular highway.

[xjohnx]

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25140

My install

[continuecrushing]

pretty sure if you choose one of the top brands/models you should be fine.

I personally have a 8500 x50 black edition, I got it for cheap, and I have an old 8500 back in the day that did me well.

[Annahra]

My boyfriend and I both have the 9500ix. It's super reliable and like Deatholo said you don't get spam on your commute from random drugstores because it remembers static signals.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Escort Redline was on sale for ~$419 on Amazon today. Passed because I didn't feel that was a great deal and no GPS is a deal breaker when there's only more and more fixed placement speed cameras, red light cameras, turn cameras, and mobile camera vans.

Also, RDD invisibility is a good feature to look for when radar detector shopping, but unnecessary if you don't go anywhere near localities that forbid radar detectors.

[Hans]

Passport Max is the way to go..! The only reason to go with the redline is for the distance, but the Max uses better technology which defeats the purpose


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[t.chk]

Originally Posted by xjohnx

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25140

My install

Sooo that mirror...where'ja get it? That is dang nifty. I am also in love with your controller location. A+

[xjohnx]

Originally Posted by t.chk

Sooo that mirror...where'ja get it? That is dang nifty. I am also in love with your controller location. A+

http://www.radar-mirror.com/

The controller location is the one thing i would change if i had it to do all over again, especially since i've added the JDM/EDM armrest cover, not convenient enough to access. i'd like to try and squeeze it behind the seat heater controls...hmmm i might have to find my digital calipers to see if it will fit.

Edit: just measured, 16.75mm. It looks like it would fit, but if i flush mounted it to keep it clean, i would have to relocate the power button (since it would then be under the plastic with the flush mount)

i've seen a how-to for relocating the power button somewhere, not sure i want to go through the trouble though.

[t.chk]

Originally Posted by xjohnx

http://www.radar-mirror.com/

The controller location is the one thing i would change if i had it to do all over again, especially since i've added the JDM/EDM armrest cover, not convenient enough to access. i'd like to try and squeeze it behind the seat heater controls...hmmm i might have to find my digital calipers to see if it will fit.

Edit: just measured, 16.75mm. It looks like it would fit, but if i flush mounted it to keep it clean, i would have to relocate the power button (since it would then be under the plastic with the flush mount)

i've seen a how-to for relocating the power button somewhere, not sure i want to go through the trouble though.

I can see how that would be an issue with the JDM armrest. also if you move it there the cop that could pull you over would be able to see it.

I am thinking about hiding it where the tilt adjustment is on the steering wheel.

[TM]

Originally Posted by Filipino Royale

Hi guys, I'm in search for a radar detector, which one is your personal favorite? Read a lot of things online, but I really need real positive feedbacks. I know others are torn aswell with all the products that are available.


Btw, I'm torn between the Valentine and the passport,

Thanks guys!

-ciri-

Both the Valentine and mid- to high-end Escorts are excellent. Can't go wrong with either.

I have been using the x50 for about 3 years and it's always been spot on. I am thinking about upgrading to the 9500ci, though, for it's stealthiness and laser shifters. Too many police lasers around where I work now.

Originally Posted by t.chk

I can see how that would be an issue with the JDM armrest. also if you move it there the cop that could pull you over would be able to see it.

It's legal in NY, so it's not a problem if they see it. I've got a radar detector since I had my first car and never did an officer comment on the detector in the middle of my windshield in plain sight.

[t.chk]

Originally Posted by TM

Both the Valentine and mid- to high-end Escorts are excellent. Can't go wrong with either.

I have been using the x50 for about 3 years and it's always been spot on. I am thinking about upgrading to the 9500ci, though, for it's stealthiness and laser shifters. Too many police lasers around where I work now.


It's legal in NY, so it's not a problem if they see it. I've got a radar detector since I had my first car and never did an officer comment on the detector in the middle of my windshield in plain sight.

Haha my friends got tickets for having something "hanging on the front window" which is why I am thinking about the 9500ci

[TM]

Originally Posted by xjohnx

http://www.radar-mirror.com/

Holy, guacamole at the price. I wonder if there's a DIY for embedding the display into the mirror.

Originally Posted by t.chk

Haha my friends got tickets for having something "hanging on the front window" which is why I am thinking about the 9500ci

Unless it was placed in location that obstructed your view (or in California where you can only have GPS-style mounts on your windshield), I don't see how that ticket can hold its grounds. The officer must be a **** or your friend must've pissed him off.