Oppo reviews - radar detectors?

"McLarry" (McLarry) 06/04/2014 at 10:11 • Filed to: Oppoadvice, radardetectors

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Howdy folks. I'm in the process of moving, and my new commute will comprised almost entirely of rural roads. This'll be nice and scenic and all, but few things are more frustrating than a nice long straightaway with nothing in sight but fields coupled to a 35mph speed limit. Now I don't condone recklessness, but I think there's a strong argument to be made that these speed limits are unreasonable given the road conditions. As there's pretty much no chance of changing them, I've been considering acquiring a good radar detector (for the first time since my hot-headed highschool/college days :P). Last time I looked around, I think the general consensus was that the Valentine 1 ruled the roost, but who knows what's changed over the years. Anybody out there have some recommendations they'd consider throwing my way? I'll repay your kind advice with this 427 Cobra picture, which I would merely caption " 'MURICA ":

signintoburnerlol > McLarry 06/04/2014 at 10:12

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V1

ReallyColorful > McLarry 06/04/2014 at 10:17

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The Valentine One is awesome. Watch some videos on Youtube!

Milky > McLarry 06/04/2014 at 10:20

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I bought a cheap Cobra for $100 when I was 16 … its been working just fine ever since (8 years). But then again its the only I've ever had experience with.

TheCraigy > McLarry 06/04/2014 at 10:23

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V1 is still the best.

9500ci is arguably a better system though, but it's pricey and installed.

If you have $400, order a V1.

If you only have $360, call Valentine and order a refurb unit which is a 30 day return.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > McLarry 06/04/2014 at 10:24

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We used to have a V1 until it got stolen. It works like a charm. It may be the most expensive radar detector, but it's also the best. Nothing's changed.

Victorious Secret > McLarry 06/04/2014 at 10:26

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V1 is great for highway use (the ability to tell you WHERE the stuff is comes in handy on highways where you can have multiple hits at once)

But for everything else? 9500ix. I've been running one for a week now, and I wouldn't go back to the V1. GPS database that costs 40 bucks for 3 years, the ability to record new camera locations on your own and lockout false hits (its records the radar signature, so if you get a genuine camera at that location it will still let you know)

So much better.

But these days you need to combine it with a laser blinder setup too, cause the newer guns don't even trip the radar detectors, not that you got much warning in the first place when it came to laser guns.

Locally they switched to the new guns and it was basically stop speeding because you don't know what truck is using what gun, cause your detector wouldn't so much as blip. Things are better now, new blinders are out that counter those guns and some radar detectors can do their job and at least detect them now.

Party-vi > Victorious Secret 06/04/2014 at 10:30

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I remember seeing a black E46 M3 with a laser interceptor system on it - very cool stuff.

Victorious Secret > Party-vi 06/04/2014 at 10:31

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A proper setup is also bitching expensive. I emphasize bitching.

~350-500 for your detector and then another grand for the full complement of shifters so your ass is well and truly covered.

To some its a small price to pay to be protected.

For me? I'd rather buy an alpaca.

Party-vi > Victorious Secret 06/04/2014 at 10:32

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I'm guessing the owner speeds a lot, because the interceptor installed is like $1,500.

Chteelers > Victorious Secret 06/04/2014 at 10:35

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This. 9500ix is the best detector period. The V1 guys all say its the best cause it had the longest X-band dectecting distance 10 years ago. So they all bought it, and now defend their decision because ownership bias. I've had the V1, the 8500 and now I use the 9500. IMO, the 9500 is a better system - accurate, long range, and most livable. The arrows aren't that useful. No cop hits from the side cause radar doesn't work that way, and 90% of hits you care about are in front of you. Besides, if it's a credible threat, you're gonna slow down whether it's in front or behind. Plus, X band is worthless, cause no one uses X-band anymore. Only notable exception I can think of is Maryland, but they also use speed cameras. Oh wait, the 9500 also has speedcam alerts that are GPS based, which the V1 doesn't have.

The V1 and 8500 were both the same generation, and at the time, the V1 was better due to longer distance and the arrows, and I thought the V1 was a worthwhile upgrade from the 8500. However, the 9500ix GPS ability is simply the next generation and a big step up. It dramatically reduces false positives (the worst part about living with detectors), which has the double effect of A) not being annoying, and B) increasing your confidence on true positive alerts.

All that being said, just about any decent detector will be a huge step up from not having anything. There is a bit of a learning curve as you get used to having what is basically a metal detector for radar waves in your car. If you're looking to save a few bucks, don't feel too bad about picking an older gen detector like the 8500. It'll still work 90% as good as the top-of-the-line models, just without a few frills. My wife uses my old 8500, and I sold my V1 to help get the 9500.

Victorious Secret > Chteelers 06/04/2014 at 10:42

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Yup, the V1 has just stagnated and sat there for the last 10 years. The one I had back then is really the same thing on sale today, which is not a good thing.

The 9500ix is the single best consumer product out there. I guess at some point they'll blend the Max, 9500ix and Redline into another monstrosity of a detector, but I'd still pick the 9500ix. Its a all in one solution that just works.

I think of bad things to say about the 9500ix and the plain truth is that I can't really come up with anything reasonable. They even sell a fully featured custom install version which for single vehicle owners who don't swap out is damned compelling to own.

Their customer service also tramples over Valentine, hands down. Dudes sent me a replacement detector before I even had to send mine in, just so I could minimize the downtime in not having a detector. Thats how you get and keep customers in your ecosystem.

Chteelers > Victorious Secret 06/04/2014 at 10:47

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I can think of one downside, but it's generally common to all detectors. The windshield mounts are finicky. If it's too cold, or too hot, I can't get the damn things to stay stuck. Once I set the suckers and leave the detector installed for a week or so, they seem to take a set, and are pretty solid. But if I remove them (for cleaning, etc), it sometimes takes me several days to get them to stay stuck again. /rant

Victorious Secret > Chteelers 06/04/2014 at 10:52

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I got over that problem with some damned velcro. My dash is high enough to give proper clearance forward and backward and it helps reduce the hanging cord syndrome since I'm way too lazy to go hardwire it in.

Jonathan Harper > Victorious Secret 06/04/2014 at 11:05

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To be fair, the V1 has been physically unchanged for a very long time, but they do software updates regularly. You just have to send the unit in to get the updated software.

Victorious Secret > Jonathan Harper 06/04/2014 at 11:08

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Thats another broken part of the ownership process. 9500ix? Plug it in, go to town.

V1 is not very consumer friendly in that regard.

Jonathan Harper > McLarry 06/04/2014 at 11:14

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I've used both a V1 and a 9500i quite extensively. If you want a good detector, you can get either of those two and will surely have a good detector. That said, I personally prefer the V1.

It's saved me thousands of dollars and my license many times over since I was 17. Just my personal preference, but like I said, the 9500i has been effective too, I just use my V1 more.

Jonathan Harper > Victorious Secret 06/04/2014 at 11:16

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True. Valentine hasn't been the quickest to "get with the times" for updating over air and logging false alarms, but realistically I have my V1 basically muted in NYC, and then turn the volume up as soon as I leave the city. Sure there will be falses but I honestly would rather know and dismiss myself than have the detector decide what it alerts me to and what it doesn't.

efme > McLarry 06/04/2014 at 11:23

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i have a beltronics sti driver. only a few radar detectors aren't detectable in VA/DC

Chteelers > Jonathan Harper 06/04/2014 at 11:39

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Yeah, that's dumb. I regularly download updates on my 9500 (for speedcams, etc). Why have to mail it in? V1 is old tech.

Jonathan Harper > Chteelers 06/04/2014 at 11:42

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lol radar detection at it's core is "old tech".

McLarry > Victorious Secret 06/04/2014 at 14:08

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This is exactly the type of discussion I'm looking for, thanks for all the input!

McLarry > Milky 06/04/2014 at 14:14

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This is one of those things I've always wondered about... I remember everybody saying "ah if you get a cheap model you're only paying for a false sense of security that will hurt you in the long run" but I wonder if it isn't more of a diminishing returns effect like "$100 will get you 90% of the way, but that last 10% is much more expensive". I have a few friends with cheaper units and they seem plenty happy with them. Thanks for weighing in!

McLarry > efme 06/04/2014 at 14:15

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Never quite understood how they could tell...I think I remember hearing the V1 was one of the few that they couldn't detect, but I don't know if that's true.

brakesnow > McLarry 06/04/2014 at 14:44

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Been running my 8500ix for a while now and it has been great for my uses, for the price its tough to beat. Get a 9500ix if you want all the bells and whistles though or live in an area with speed cameras.

Milky > McLarry 06/04/2014 at 14:48

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No problem, its also probably worth noting that the only time I've got a speeding ticket with it in the car is when I came around the corner and watched the cop raise the radar gun.

Can't blame the detector when there was no radar to detect. Cop worked for it, I paid.

efme > McLarry 06/04/2014 at 15:23

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look up Spectre radar detector detector (RDD) your detector emits a small signal that these RDDs pickup on. if you don't live in VA/DC then u have nothing to worry about.

McLarry > efme 06/04/2014 at 15:26

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Just read all about it after I posted my reply to you actually :P I don't live in VA, but drive through from time to time...I guess I'd just better make sure to switch the thing off and stash it in those cases.

McLarry > Victorious Secret 06/04/2014 at 15:28

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I looked into the 9500ix a bit. It seems to have the same hardware more or less as the most recent 8500 x50 black, but adds GPS for $200 - any experience with the 8500? Also, what sort of laser blinder setup do you use? I know pretty much nothing about those.

McLarry > Chteelers 06/04/2014 at 15:31

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What about the new Passport Max? I understand that's the replacement for the 9500ix, any experience there?

Victorious Secret > McLarry 06/04/2014 at 15:33

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I have no blinder setup right now as I'm waiting for LI to update theirs to fully tackle the new cameras that are used locally.

The 8500 lacks some of the features, but otherwise its a brilliant unit as well. Little secret, if you get the SmartCord Live you can use your iPhone/Android to handle all the GPS duties as well, as it ties into the same Defender database as the 9500ix's.

Just depends on what you're willing to spend upfront or if you even care about having access to the database at all.

The 8500 is still a brilliant detector.

Chteelers > McLarry 06/04/2014 at 16:04

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Didn't even see they had a new one till you just mentioned it, so no experience. If I had to speculate... I bet the main difference between the Max and the 9500ix would be the GPS chipset. The 9500ix uses an older generation chipset that takes about 5 minutes to aqcuire satellite signals (think the first gen nav units). The actual radar detecting still works, but the chip is slow to acquire the signal for the GPS functionality. I haven't had any issues losing GPS signal near buildings or parking garages, but I also haven't paid a super-close attention to it, or been way out in the country. My guess is that the Max uses the newer gen GPS chips that acquire sat signal much faster, and are more tolerant of building reflections, etc. I don't think this alone would be worth an extra $100, cause it's not a GPS nav unit - it doesn't NEED the GPS signal to function.

My 9500 actual radar detecting algorithms were definitely a little better than my old 8500, so I imagine that Escort upgrades the radar detecting ability with each new generation. So I would anticipate that the Max probably has slightly improved range and algorithms over the 9500. How much better? Well, the 9500 software seemed a bit better than the 8500, maybe a 10% improvement (a few less falses, no real difference in range), but not $100 better. It also looks like the Max has a LCD screen, which I'm not sure if I'd like. I would be concerned about brightness at night, unless it has some auto-dimming feature.

So wild speculation here, but I bet the $100 extra for the Max is for newer gen GPS chipset, revised detection algorithms (but prob the same range), and LCD screen.

Chteelers > McLarry 06/04/2014 at 16:11

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I can attest to RDD in VA/DC. I was using my detector in VA and pulled into a parking lot, then had a cop pull up next to me and say he'd been tracking me for a few miles. Then said I better put my detector away or he'd confiscate it. Now, I don't know if he just 'saw' my detector and madeup some BS story about being able to detect it with Spectre, but I'm inclined to believe him since he crossed a wide parking lot to come to me.

It's kind of a non-issue though cause I'm rarely in VA/DC, so I don't care if cops here know I'm using a detector, cause it's legal. And if I lived in VA/DC, I'd be too afraid they could see my illegal detector in the windshield.

Chteelers > McLarry 06/04/2014 at 16:22

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My wife uses my old 8500 (not the x50 version). It was every bit as good as my 9500 as a straightup detector, just no GPS ability. The 9500 maybe has a bit better processing algorithm to cut down on more false positives, but not dramatically different.

The GPS ability is worth every bit the $200. Totally changes the experience. Whereas I got into the habit of muting the known false alerts 5 or so times on my normal commute as I passed gas stations and shopping malls, now my commute is completely quiet. And the 9500 has learned most of my home city, so driving around on the weekends is quiet too. If I'm driving through an area I frequently go, when it does go off, it's a cop 80% of the time. The result is that I pay much less attention to my detector all the time, but much more attention when I need to.

McLarry > Chteelers 06/04/2014 at 16:23

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Interesting. I also don't particularly like the idea of having it up in the windshield, even if it is legal, but remote mounted units seem to be a lot more expensive. I saw that the V1 has a 'stealth display' but it looks like it still requires the main unit to be hung in the windshield, just relocates the lights and display (so...worthless?).

Slow4o > McLarry 06/04/2014 at 22:08

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My V1 has been rock solid for years and has paid itself off more times than I can count. But I believe many people love the 9500 because of its GPS and false alert filtering aspect. Personally the false alerts don't bother me, and I enjoy knowing where the signal is coming from. You would do well with either one.