Radar Detectors, which is best? - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

fuente · 2009-01-16, 08:50 AM

Hey, does anyone have any experience with radar detectors and which ones work for our cars and/or in this area? I am planning on getting a really good one because I have read that it is always worth the extra money. I was going to get the Escort Passport 9500IX.

Dean · 2009-01-16, 08:57 AM

That and the V1 are probably the best.

I prefer the dual cone V1 even though it lacks of some bells and whistles. Directionality and number of targets information is priceless IMHO.

fuente · 2009-01-16, 09:12 AM

Thanks! After looking at the Valentine model I think that is more suitable for my driving style. The Escort has GPS, redlight camera and speed cameras in a database, but I really dont fly thru intersections that often. Gonna get it soon.

sti deede · 2009-01-16, 09:16 AM

V1, it makes the perfect valentine's gift. That's how I got mine.
Maybe one of these day I'll actually follow through with a beautiful bouquet of exhausts for Josh.

On a serious note, the best part is that it lets you know where the signals are coming from and how many there are. The bad part is that as far as I know, you can't purchase it a box store. We got our online. It has been extremely effective for us.

sperry · 2009-01-16, 10:12 AM

The V1 is the granddaddy of awesome detectors. I still prefer it, but the Escorts/Passports/etc have caught up in terms of quality... they just don't have the direction arrows and bogey counter which are awesome features patented by V1. But they do have other features like automute, remote install, laser jammers, GPS, etc, that the V1 doesn't have.

Really, it's time for them to make a V2.

Nick Koan · 2009-01-16, 10:50 AM

Agree with everyone here. The arrows and bogey counter on the V1 are invaluable, even if the escort is now rating (slightly) higher on detection tests and has more features.

kidatari · 2009-01-16, 11:04 PM

I am not incredibly impressed with our V1. I've also had a Escort Passport 8500, so here's my take:

1. On the V1, I hate how the only visual indicator of what band you're receiving radar on is a set of closely spaced red LEDs.

2. My V1 has been a bit flakey. Recently it has stared 'forgetting' what mode or options I had set within a few weeks of setting it up. Not especially happy with that.

3. Yes, I like the arrows.

4. I really liked how the Passport had a mute button and indicator on the cigarette lighter plug. Easier than reaching up to the windshield to locate the mute button.

I like my V1, but there are things that I wish would be improved. The Passport was nicer to use, but the V1 has the arrows. It all boils down to what you prefer using.

Tahoe C5 · 2009-01-17, 09:30 AM

I've had a V1 for 10+ years, it's performed flawlessly. What was really cool was the ability to upgrade. Three years ago they sent me a letter and offered to replace my unit for a total of $159. I sent my old one in and they sent me a brand new one.

eggeegg · 2009-01-19, 03:45 PM

With my Escort 9500i, most of the time when I'm on WOT, I get a false laser alert. I thought it somehow had something to do with it being hardwired to my rear view mirror, but according to what I've read on Nasioc, many people have had the same issue even with it plugged into the cigarette lighter.

Other than that, it works great. Being able to permanently block out all the false alerts is nice.

cody · 2009-01-20, 08:19 AM

The Pignose WRX has lazers that shoot at the driver at WOT.

WRXlerate · 2009-02-01, 10:01 PM

Used my brother's V1 for a few months and loved it. I've used whistler in the past and they're crap. The direction/bogey counter has saved me numerous times through the gauntlet otherwise known as Washoe Valley.

2009-01-16, 08:50 AM	#1
fuente n00b Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 24 Car: 2006 WRX Limited MT VF39 Protuned, with Cold Air Box, Sway Bars, Walboro FP, Hallman MBC Do Work!	Radar Detectors, which is best? Hey, does anyone have any experience with radar detectors and which ones work for our cars and/or in this area? I am planning on getting a really good one because I have read that it is always worth the extra money. I was going to get the Escort Passport 9500IX.

2009-01-16, 08:57 AM	#2
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	That and the V1 are probably the best. I prefer the dual cone V1 even though it lacks of some bells and whistles. Directionality and number of targets information is priceless IMHO. __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

2009-01-16, 10:12 AM	#5
sperry The Doink Real Name: Scott Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 20,335 Car: '09 OBXT, '02 WRX, '96 Miata Class: PDX/TT-6 The way out is through	The V1 is the granddaddy of awesome detectors. I still prefer it, but the Escorts/Passports/etc have caught up in terms of quality... they just don't have the direction arrows and bogey counter which are awesome features patented by V1. But they do have other features like automute, remote install, laser jammers, GPS, etc, that the V1 doesn't have. Really, it's time for them to make a V2. __________________ Is you is, or is you ain't, my con-stit-u-ints?

2009-01-16, 10:50 AM	#6
Nick Koan JDM Cowboy Real Name: Nick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Somewhere Posts: 8,642 Car: 2015 Mazda 3	Agree with everyone here. The arrows and bogey counter on the V1 are invaluable, even if the escort is now rating (slightly) higher on detection tests and has more features. __________________ While a standard engine is powered by a belt connected to the crankshaft, a turbo engine runs on its own exhaust steam, making it more energy efficient. -- CNN

2009-01-19, 03:45 PM	#9
eggeegg EJ22 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 137 Car: 2006 Subaru WRX Sedan Trying is the first step towards failure.	With my Escort 9500i, most of the time when I'm on WOT, I get a false laser alert. I thought it somehow had something to do with it being hardwired to my rear view mirror, but according to what I've read on Nasioc, many people have had the same issue even with it plugged into the cigarette lighter. Other than that, it works great. Being able to permanently block out all the false alerts is nice. __________________ Stage 2 (XPT); Cobb DP; SPT intake, heatshield, CBE, radiator shroud, turbo shield; STI pink springs;Whiteline 20-24mm RSB; Kartboy End Links; rally pig sticker; 5zigen FN01R-C 17x8 w/ 225/45/17 RE960 AS PP; Hella twin supertones

2009-01-16, 09:12 AM	#3
fuente n00b Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 24 Car: 2006 WRX Limited MT VF39 Protuned, with Cold Air Box, Sway Bars, Walboro FP, Hallman MBC Do Work!	Thanks! After looking at the Valentine model I think that is more suitable for my driving style. The Escort has GPS, redlight camera and speed cameras in a database, but I really dont fly thru intersections that often. Gonna get it soon.

2009-01-16, 09:16 AM	#4
sti deede EJ205 Real Name: Deede Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,789 Car: '96 4runner Class: none.	V1, it makes the perfect valentine's gift. That's how I got mine. Maybe one of these day I'll actually follow through with a beautiful bouquet of exhausts for Josh. On a serious note, the best part is that it lets you know where the signals are coming from and how many there are. The bad part is that as far as I know, you can't purchase it a box store. We got our online. It has been extremely effective for us.

2009-01-16, 11:04 PM	#7
kidatari EJ22 Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 291 Class: Low lol internet.	I am not incredibly impressed with our V1. I've also had a Escort Passport 8500, so here's my take: 1. On the V1, I hate how the only visual indicator of what band you're receiving radar on is a set of closely spaced red LEDs. 2. My V1 has been a bit flakey. Recently it has stared 'forgetting' what mode or options I had set within a few weeks of setting it up. Not especially happy with that. 3. Yes, I like the arrows. 4. I really liked how the Passport had a mute button and indicator on the cigarette lighter plug. Easier than reaching up to the windshield to locate the mute button. I like my V1, but there are things that I wish would be improved. The Passport was nicer to use, but the V1 has the arrows. It all boils down to what you prefer using.

2009-01-17, 09:30 AM	#8
Tahoe C5 EJ22 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Lake Tahoe Posts: 175 Car: 05 Legacy GT, 81 RX7	I've had a V1 for 10+ years, it's performed flawlessly. What was really cool was the ability to upgrade. Three years ago they sent me a letter and offered to replace my unit for a total of $159. I sent my old one in and they sent me a brand new one.

2009-01-20, 08:19 AM	#10
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	The Pignose WRX has lazers that shoot at the driver at WOT. __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

2009-02-01, 10:01 PM	#11
WRXlerate EJ22 Real Name: John B. Join Date: May 2005 Location: Behind a brick wall. Posts: 471 Car: 02 Soccermom Wagon Class: "sleeper" Destroying V8 Egos 4 cylinders at a time	Used my brother's V1 for a few months and loved it. I've used whistler in the past and they're crap. The direction/bogey counter has saved me numerous times through the gauntlet otherwise known as Washoe Valley. __________________ Stuff sold by the gram is always more exciting than stuff sold by the pound. JC

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