Radar Detectors

[Senzai]

I would suggest saving a bit more and buying a ValentineOne. I've had other less expensive units but they failed me in terms of 1) knowing where the radar is coming from (front, rear), 2) providing early alert versus when you're right on top of the threat (I typically get an alert 1-2 miles out on the freeway), and 3) warning on Ladar (though there is no way to beat this as once your detector goes off, you likely have been hit with the laser.). Check eBay for a used unit which you can pick up for ~$300.

[utekineir]

Originally Posted by Senzai

Check eBay for a used unit which you can pick up for ~$300.

actually not good advice at all. I've recently been considering a valentine and giving my rx65 to gf. Despite having a basic case design for the past 20 years there actually are many hardware and firmware revisions, an old valentine for $300 used will at first glance look basically the same as a current one for $400.

1) new 100% current units direct from valentine are $400 they are not $500 anymore, with the possibility of refurbs for less, i've read various forum posts saying to call and tell them you want a refurb, they'll bill and ship one when available which according to the threads doesn't take long at all.

https://store.valentine1.com/store/

2) yes any v1 is upgradable through valentine for a fee, but look at the upgrade costs (can quote off valentine website with serial #), most of the used ones on ebay and cl for $250-$350 are older models with upgrade costs through valentine for $200+. 300+200 (and shipping costs) is 500, that isn't a good deal.

I actually was checking this last night with a handful of listings that had serials. Every single one priced out considerably higher than just buying a new unit direct from valentine after factoring in upgrade cost.

[UnOvertime]

Originally Posted by TONYpepperon1

Looking for a good radar detector that wont break the budget. I really didnt want to spend more then like 100-150$ but deff wanted to get some quality equipment. Can you guys give me some good options?

OP asked for $100-150 and buying a used Escort or Valentine really stretches that price range closer to $200. They are the best and sometimes you do get what you pay for. So on that argument I would say Escort 9500IX hands down over the V1, but that wasn't what you asked for.

For your price range you are really looking at either Whistler or Cobra and maybe a low end Beltronics (which is Escort). While none of those will give you the performance of the higher end models, if you are just looking to have the detector for fun and alright alert capability then you are good with these. Out of those, I would stick to Beltronics or Whistler.

I would love to say save up for a higher end model, but you know what you want to spend. Hope that helps.

[utekineir]

Originally Posted by TONYpepperon1

Looking for a good radar detector that wont break the budget. I really didnt want to spend more then like 100-150$ but deff wanted to get some quality equipment. Can you guys give me some good options?

Originally Posted by UnOvertime

OP asked for $100-150 and buying a used Escort or Valentine really stretches that price range closer to $200.
For your price range you are really looking at either Whistler or Cobra and maybe a low end Beltronics

I would love to say save up for a higher end model, but you know what you want to spend. Hope that helps.

I agree, 200 is a stretch, but he also said quality equipment.

Quality equipment has never been used to describe whistler or cobra detectors.

Pulling up my craigslist app right now i see an rx65 for 175 and x50 for $125. Both are probably sold, but the fact is they do get listed in those ranges if you keep an eye out.

Used or refurbished x50/rx65 are the best bang for the buck. They offer a significant amount of the sensitivity found in the $400+ range and can be had for a fraction of the price.

[TM]

I would suggest to get at least a used or refurb Escort x50 for around $200-$250. When you get a $100 ticket because your low-end detector did not detect the threat in time, you'd really wish you had spent that extra $50 for a better one.

[UnOvertime]

Originally Posted by utekineir

I agree, 200 is a stretch, but he also said quality equipment.

Used or refurbished x50/rx65 are the best bang for the buck. They offer a significant amount of the sensitivity found in the $400+ range and can be had for a fraction of the price.

You are correct, but finding a refurbished one with the warranty would be the best and those don't usually sell on Craigslist. $125 for an X50 is a great deal (I had the X50 for almost 8 years before I switched to the 9500IX).

However be warned that when I turned in my X50 as part of the trade in program, I had a fraying cord and the self-calibration light would turn on quite often and would throw the "Service Required" which is an additional cost to return to Escort if they even cover that particular serial number. The "Service Required" light did not always come on, did not show up every time I turned it on, and sometimes would just kick on in the middle of a drive.

If you can swing for a refurbished Escort 8500x50 with a warranty go that route, performance will not disappoint.

[utekineir]

Originally Posted by UnOvertime

You are correct, but finding a refurbished one with the warranty would be the best and those don't usually sell on Craigslist.

I had linked in my first post in this thread the escort ebay store. $200 x50 refurb.


Agree about the lifespans, but think i'd still roll the dice on an aging quality detector vs a turd new out of the box. There is some info out there about reflowing, tightening screws, etc that may help with the self cal issues.

[TONYpepperon1]

Ok so if im reading correctly, going the used route is a better choice BUT stay away from a used V1 because it prob isnt upgraded to the latest software and would cost to much to do said upgrade. So the obvious choice is go with a used passport. But if this is the case, which passport do i look for used AND will it encounter the same "not latest software" problem the valentine unit suffers from?

[Diode Dynamics]

I'd save up and get the V1, that's the only one I'd trust!

-Nick C.

[utekineir]

Originally Posted by TONYpepperon1

Ok so if im reading correctly, going the used route is a better choice BUT stay away from a used V1 because it prob isnt upgraded to the latest software and would cost to much to do said upgrade. So the obvious choice is go with a used passport. But if this is the case, which passport do i look for used AND will it encounter the same "not latest software" problem the valentine unit suffers from?

Can you save up $200? it isn't far from your original amount stated, if so just get a refurb x50 direct from escort off ebay.

If you are comfortable with spending $400 get a v1, it will be better than the x50, but it wont be 2x better.


The escort/belltronics (sister companies and products basically) business model is to sell new detectors, the valentine business model is to sell one unit and then offer upgrades/updates for a fee.


The valentines are absolutely a great detector, and for a long time were the undisputed king, which is why many people recommend them with 0 knowledge of the current offerings on the market. Nowdays the highend escort/belltronics are as good or better in many regards.

At the $400+ range theres the 9500ix, redline and their belltronics equivalents, passport max and valentine. None are specifically a bad choice if you get the one that suits your needs.

That said they all blow out your budget.

[mrk1]

Ive got the V1 and it has most certainly paid for itself over the years Ive had it. I know they say it in the ads but once you live with the arrows you cant live without them.

[nalc]

Originally Posted by utekineir

actually not good advice at all. I've recently been considering a valentine and giving my rx65 to gf. Despite having a basic case design for the past 20 years there actually are many hardware and firmware revisions, an old valentine for $300 used will at first glance look basically the same as a current one for $400.

1) new 100% current units direct from valentine are $400 they are not $500 anymore, with the possibility of refurbs for less, i've read various forum posts saying to call and tell them you want a refurb, they'll bill and ship one when available which according to the threads doesn't take long at all.

https://store.valentine1.com/store/

2) yes any v1 is upgradable through valentine for a fee, but look at the upgrade costs (can quote off valentine website with serial #), most of the used ones on ebay and cl for $250-$350 are older models with upgrade costs through valentine for $200+. 300+200 (and shipping costs) is 500, that isn't a good deal.

I actually was checking this last night with a handful of listings that had serials. Every single one priced out considerably higher than just buying a new unit direct from valentine after factoring in upgrade cost.

I was surprised to note that comparing a V1 purchased around '98 to a V1 purchased around '04, the enclosure was somewhat smaller (same width and depth and displays on the front, but less height). They seem to be pretty quiet about rolling out changes (we didn't know that it'd be any different until the box arrived), versus Escort (who has sent me a million e-mails about the new Passport Max, then offered to give me a whopping $80 trade in value for the <2 year old 9500ix I have that was $500 when I bought it and is still selling for $500ish now) launching new models with a lot of fanfare.

[UnOvertime]

For the high end ones you generally will get two camps:
1. Buy a V1, the arrows are amazing and you can never go back once you have them.
Most of the common cons of the V1 are: its ugly, a little bulkier, apparently falses more in city driving, and the design has not changed (but why change what works?)

2. Buy a 9500IX. Has GPS features, looks better than the V1
Cons are: Lacks true arrows (does have expert mode which does give direction), Escort doesn't give you anything when you trade it in, the updated database system is subscription based.

So for these models, it comes down to personal preference and your particular driving habits and tolerances. I do not know much about the Passport Max which was newly released. Do some research about the used models for the 8500x50 and the V1 to see what total cost might be.

[rapidcars]

I love my V1. Tested out the newer Escorts with GPS with all that but what I didn't like was the display. It wasn't large enough to notice so you have to rely on the sound which doesn't work when listening to loud music and gets annoying when other passengers are in the car. I leave mine muted and just rely on seeing arrows out of the corner of my eye.