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Winger4Life · 03-29-2004, 03:23 AM

I have a Valentine One and it has saved me four times now. That more than pays for it. Everything I read gives the edge to the Valentine One, but that edge has been getting smaller all the time.

Be careful of those web sites claiming to be neutral, and saying one detector is way better than the others yet costs less, then they direct you to their store where they sell the detector which they recommend.

Wireless detectors are useless. If you have the $$$, get the Valentine One, it is the best. If you want to be frugal, get the 8500, it is second best.

TatdNPrcd · 03-29-2004, 04:41 AM

"...it has saved me four times now."

Well yeah or just slow down. I always knew you Wing-nuts were closet crotch-rocketeers.

seruzawa · 03-29-2004, 04:48 AM

Check the law enforcement policies in the areas you intend to ride before buying one. Many jurisdictions have changed to laser speed guns and radar detectors of course will not work.

The laser puts out a very tight beam and laser detectors are usually worthless. A laser detector beeps when you have already been painted by the laser gun. At least, that's the last data I read on the subject a few months ago. Laser detector manufacturer's may make other claims. I'd rather see evidence of independent testing before buying one.

mile_eater · 03-29-2004, 05:55 AM

If you are alone on the road you're right, but the idea is to let someone run your front door if you are spooked about lasers. Your detector can, and will, pick up the cop painting them.

Also mounting is crucial with laser detection. It has to be able to see.

Thig · 03-29-2004, 09:11 AM

The Passport 8500 and Valentine one are generally recognized as the two best. Some reviews place the Passport first, others place the Valentine first. You can't go wrong with either one.

SuzukiStucki · 03-29-2004, 09:16 AM

I purchased the escort 8500 after extensive research and concluding that the Valentine wasn't worth the extra $ (although most rate the Valentine slightly better). I have been very happy with it and it has saved me several speeding tickets. The comments above re laser are right on the money (I did receive a LASER ticket dispite my best stoppie after the escort alert sounded). Also, I want the KPaul helmit as soon as it comes to market. I tried an inside the helmit light display that received good reviews in the motocycle press, but I found that I often didn't notice the alert in daylight and that it was too bright and distracting at night (I would rather get a ticket than crash because I was temporarily blinded by the diode). Don't waste your money on such a visual device. If you are tempted, let me know, and I will send you mine for $10 (1/6th of what I paid for it). The obvious solution with the escort is to run a cheap earplug from the escort into your helmit; at least this has worked well for me.

ikonoklass · 03-29-2004, 10:42 AM

How prevalent is laser these days? I have been absurdly lucky in not getting tickets, both on my two-wheeler and in my four-wheeler. My old Tacoma is not the kind of vehicle to excite the local constabulary, but I have no explanation for my luck on my bike, since I'm basically never going the speed limit when I'm riding. I suspect I'm doing something right, but don't really know what it is.

maladg · 03-29-2004, 12:29 PM

Ditto comments re cordless models are worthless: I log 40K/yr in a cage (sorry) due to work...I blew some cash on a cordless. What a waste. All the buzz I hear from fellow road dogs confirm the 8500 and Val are the way to go...

kjam68 · 03-29-2004, 01:18 PM

The Escort 8500 X50 claims 50% better ka detection and is scheduled to come out the end of April. I noticed all the local yokels upgrading to ka and put my order in this week. KA band is the toughest radar band to pick up with a cheap detector. Laser is not super prevalent at this time. You can pick it up early if the po po have a speed trap set up. It cannot be used in a moving vehicle so it limits the usage to stationary only. I think this will limit its usage somewhat. My theory is if they ain't movin' I can get away before they mount up! My 999 makes me do evil things. I think it's because 999 upside down is 666. Check out Radartest.com for a thorough review of most any detector.

03-29-2004, 03:23 AM	#1
Winger4Life Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 118	Re: radar detectors, which is best for bike I have a Valentine One and it has saved me four times now. That more than pays for it. Everything I read gives the edge to the Valentine One, but that edge has been getting smaller all the time. Be careful of those web sites claiming to be neutral, and saying one detector is way better than the others yet costs less, then they direct you to their store where they sell the detector which they recommend. Wireless detectors are useless. If you have the $$$, get the Valentine One, it is the best. If you want to be frugal, get the 8500, it is second best.

03-29-2004, 04:41 AM	#2
TatdNPrcd Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 416	Re: radar detectors, which is best for bike "...it has saved me four times now." Well yeah or just slow down. I always knew you Wing-nuts were closet crotch-rocketeers. __________________ Cages are for Hamsters! http://www.ridetowork.org http://www.ironbutt.com

03-29-2004, 04:48 AM	#3
seruzawa Robby Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 8501 ft. Posts: 16,803	Re: radar detectors, which is best for bike Check the law enforcement policies in the areas you intend to ride before buying one. Many jurisdictions have changed to laser speed guns and radar detectors of course will not work. The laser puts out a very tight beam and laser detectors are usually worthless. A laser detector beeps when you have already been painted by the laser gun. At least, that's the last data I read on the subject a few months ago. Laser detector manufacturer's may make other claims. I'd rather see evidence of independent testing before buying one. __________________ I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tanhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain.

03-29-2004, 05:55 AM	#4
mile_eater Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 579	Re: radar detectors, which is best for bike If you are alone on the road you're right, but the idea is to let someone run your front door if you are spooked about lasers. Your detector can, and will, pick up the cop painting them. Also mounting is crucial with laser detection. It has to be able to see. __________________ 911 is for Pussies.

03-29-2004, 09:11 AM	#6
Thig Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 54	Re: radar detectors, which is best for bike The Passport 8500 and Valentine one are generally recognized as the two best. Some reviews place the Passport first, others place the Valentine first. You can't go wrong with either one.

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03-29-2004, 09:16 AM	#7
SuzukiStucki Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 17	Re: radar detectors, which is best for bike I purchased the escort 8500 after extensive research and concluding that the Valentine wasn't worth the extra $ (although most rate the Valentine slightly better). I have been very happy with it and it has saved me several speeding tickets. The comments above re laser are right on the money (I did receive a LASER ticket dispite my best stoppie after the escort alert sounded). Also, I want the KPaul helmit as soon as it comes to market. I tried an inside the helmit light display that received good reviews in the motocycle press, but I found that I often didn't notice the alert in daylight and that it was too bright and distracting at night (I would rather get a ticket than crash because I was temporarily blinded by the diode). Don't waste your money on such a visual device. If you are tempted, let me know, and I will send you mine for $10 (1/6th of what I paid for it). The obvious solution with the escort is to run a cheap earplug from the escort into your helmit; at least this has worked well for me.

03-29-2004, 10:42 AM	#8
ikonoklass Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 240	Re: radar detectors, which is best for bike How prevalent is laser these days? I have been absurdly lucky in not getting tickets, both on my two-wheeler and in my four-wheeler. My old Tacoma is not the kind of vehicle to excite the local constabulary, but I have no explanation for my luck on my bike, since I'm basically never going the speed limit when I'm riding. I suspect I'm doing something right, but don't really know what it is. __________________ Go Hinckley or go Home!

03-29-2004, 12:29 PM	#9
maladg Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rock throwing distance from Home Despot HQ Posts: 1,141	Re: radar detectors, which is best for bike Ditto comments re cordless models are worthless: I log 40K/yr in a cage (sorry) due to work...I blew some cash on a cordless. What a waste. All the buzz I hear from fellow road dogs confirm the 8500 and Val are the way to go...

03-29-2004, 01:18 PM	#10
kjam68 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 45	Re: radar detectors, which is best for bike The Escort 8500 X50 claims 50% better ka detection and is scheduled to come out the end of April. I noticed all the local yokels upgrading to ka and put my order in this week. KA band is the toughest radar band to pick up with a cheap detector. Laser is not super prevalent at this time. You can pick it up early if the po po have a speed trap set up. It cannot be used in a moving vehicle so it limits the usage to stationary only. I think this will limit its usage somewhat. My theory is if they ain't movin' I can get away before they mount up! My 999 makes me do evil things. I think it's because 999 upside down is 666. Check out Radartest.com for a thorough review of most any detector.