Radar detector

mithrandir2001

Diamond Member
May 1, 2001
6,545
1
0
I'm still using the V1 I bought 8 years ago. It does the job though honestly I don't know how it fares against 2007-era competition.

I paid an arm and a leg for my V1 but given the length of ownership it wasn't a bad purchase at all.
 

GeekDrew

Diamond Member
Jun 7, 2000
9,099
19
81
I have an X50, and it seems to work wonderfully well for me. I haven't had experience with a V1 though; you'll probably find a lot of people on each side, saying that each model is the best.
 

Xyclone

Lifer
Aug 24, 2004
10,312
0
76
Why not spring for an extra $150 and just get the top of the line detector (the Escort 9500i)?

EDIT: My 9500i is coming on Monday. Just do the people on the road a favor - just because you own a radar detector doesn't mean you should drive like jackass (cutting off people and weaving through traffic). I'll just be using to go fast (15 mph over the limit) on empty roads, or on normal streets/freeway during the night or early in the morning.
 

Zee

Diamond Member
Nov 27, 1999
5,171
3
76
v1 is better than x50. the sides are though, whether it's $100 dollars better or not. dunno anything about the 9500i
 

Xyclone

Lifer
Aug 24, 2004
10,312
0
76
Originally posted by: Zee
v1 is better than x50. the sides are though, whether it's $100 dollars better or not. dunno anything about the 9500i

It's basically everything you can ever want in a radar detector. Speed sensitive GPS features, more accuracy than the X50, excellent laser detection (for what is available; lasers still = death). They should have just put directional arrows on the 9500i so people would have no reason to buy a V1! :p Anyways, arrows are kind of useless to me, because I'm not going to reroute just because of a cop, that will take even longer.
 

brandonbull

Diamond Member
May 3, 2005
6,365
1,223
126
Try driving under 80 in a school zone and you won't need a "radar detector"
 

Xyclone

Lifer
Aug 24, 2004
10,312
0
76
Originally posted by: brandonbull
Try driving under 80 in a school zone and you won't need a "radar detector"

If you are tight on money, then take his advice. A radar detector is a luxury, not a necessity. Just don't drive like a jackass, even if you have a RD.
 

GeekDrew

Diamond Member
Jun 7, 2000
9,099
19
81
Originally posted by: brandonbull
Try driving under 80 in a school zone and you won't need a "radar detector"

Radar detectors are extremely useful to me when I'm on a long, country road, where I think that I can safely travel faster than the speed limit, even though it's occasionally patrolled. My X50 frequently alerts me at least a mile ahead of the patrol car, on that road.

Using a radar detector doesn't give anyone a license to drive like an idiot, everyone still has to be responsible.
 

ponyo

Lifer
Feb 14, 2002
19,688
2,811
126
Originally posted by: Xyclone
Originally posted by: Zee
v1 is better than x50. the sides are though, whether it's $100 dollars better or not. dunno anything about the 9500i

It's basically everything you can ever want in a radar detector. Speed sensitive GPS features, more accuracy than the X50, excellent laser detection (for what is available; lasers still = death). They should have just put directional arrows on the 9500i so people would have no reason to buy a V1! :p Anyways, arrows are kind of useless to me, because I'm not going to reroute just because of a cop, that will take even longer.

I don't really know if I want to pay to be beta tester for the 9500i.

Leaning towards V1 as it's proven.
 

CraKaJaX

Lifer
Dec 26, 2004
11,905
148
101
Originally posted by: Xyclone
Why not spring for an extra $150 and just get the top of the line detector (the Escort 9500i)?

EDIT: My 9500i is coming on Monday. Just do the people on the road a favor - just because you own a radar detector doesn't mean you should drive like jackass (cutting off people and weaving through traffic). I'll just be using to go fast (15 mph over the limit) on empty roads, or on normal streets/freeway during the night or early in the morning.

I'd still be careful if you're all alone on an empty road. Instant-On will get you.
 

mithrandir2001

Diamond Member
May 1, 2001
6,545
1
0
Originally posted by: Xyclone
They should have just put directional arrows on the 9500i so people would have no reason to buy a V1! :p

I think the directional arrow feature is patented, hence why no one else has duplicated it.
 
Oct 9, 1999
15,216
3
81
the directional arrow is kinda useless.

YOu know if i hear a KA band i slow down. I dont care where its coming from. And most likely if its something that picks up as i am driving its coming from front. If its slowly creeping up its from behind. Big deal the hoopla over the damn arrows.

I am going to go look up teh 9500i now.
 

Sukhoi

Elite Member
Dec 5, 1999
15,350
106
106
Originally posted by: CraKaJaX
Originally posted by: Xyclone
Why not spring for an extra $150 and just get the top of the line detector (the Escort 9500i)?

EDIT: My 9500i is coming on Monday. Just do the people on the road a favor - just because you own a radar detector doesn't mean you should drive like jackass (cutting off people and weaving through traffic). I'll just be using to go fast (15 mph over the limit) on empty roads, or on normal streets/freeway during the night or early in the morning.

I'd still be careful if you're all alone on an empty road. Instant-On will get you.

Both tickets I've gotten have been from instant-on from cops coming the opposing direction. Had my X50 for both tickets but each time I was the first car the cop lit up for a while so I had no warning. It has saved me from several other likely tickets so it wasn't a wasted purchase, but don't think you're 100% safe.
 

Xyclone

Lifer
Aug 24, 2004
10,312
0
76
I would get the 9500i just for the sake of accuracy. The V1 has so many false alerts that it's annoying. Unnecessary stress in your daily drive is not fun.
 

jiggahertz

Golden Member
Apr 7, 2005
1,532
0
76
Originally posted by: Xyclone
Originally posted by: Zee
v1 is better than x50. the sides are though, whether it's $100 dollars better or not. dunno anything about the 9500i

It's basically everything you can ever want in a radar detector. Speed sensitive GPS features, more accuracy than the X50, excellent laser detection (for what is available; lasers still = death). They should have just put directional arrows on the 9500i so people would have no reason to buy a V1! :p Anyways, arrows are kind of useless to me, because I'm not going to reroute just because of a cop, that will take even longer.

What are speed sensitive gps features?
 

jiggahertz

Golden Member
Apr 7, 2005
1,532
0
76
Originally posted by: jiggahertz
Originally posted by: Xyclone
Originally posted by: Zee
v1 is better than x50. the sides are though, whether it's $100 dollars better or not. dunno anything about the 9500i

It's basically everything you can ever want in a radar detector. Speed sensitive GPS features, more accuracy than the X50, excellent laser detection (for what is available; lasers still = death). They should have just put directional arrows on the 9500i so people would have no reason to buy a V1! :p Anyways, arrows are kind of useless to me, because I'm not going to reroute just because of a cop, that will take even longer.

What are speed sensitive gps features?

Nevermind I just looked it up. I think it's blocking warnings based on location. I always thought this should have been an option on detectors long ago. I'd like to see the signal processing algorithms that are in a lot of these detectors.