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      06-25-2017, 09:14 PM   #1
Jazima
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Questions about radar detectors

Just curious about people's opinions regarding radar detectors. Any recommendations? I've been thinking about the escort/passport 9500ix. Also does anyone know what blend mount I need for a F30 ? Also a DYI for the wire tap to the mirror ?
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      06-25-2017, 11:00 PM   #2
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Not sure about the mounts and wiring, but I had a Valentine 1 that I was very happy with for a number of years. Gave it to my younger brother after my commute changed and I stopped needing it. Would definitely recommend looking into them.
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      06-26-2017, 12:17 AM   #3
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I know nothing about the latest tech; had one years ago that was useless. The wires in the cabin were a pain. Get a concealed install whatever you do.
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      06-26-2017, 01:10 AM   #4
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Coming from the Escort 9500ix. Traded up to the 360 when I purchased the 440. Anyways, all are good - none are infallible, and you are not invincible to staters or police. The blendmount depends on which mirror you have. They're specialty mirrors. If you go onto Blendmount's site, it'll narrow down the mirrors to 2 types. Check your car and order accordingly. As for the mirrortap, you plug into the molex connector - all you need to know is which is the ground, and which is the positive 12v, red connector. There are a few threads around that tell you which is which, but you can also use a voltmeter.
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      06-26-2017, 01:48 AM   #5
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I always had good luck with the 9500, but that was over 6 years ago that I last used it (cops in Hawaii only used laser). I just looked at the Radar Detector Forums a couple weeks ago (because cops here JUST started using Radar) and it looks like there are several new systems out there. The Escort still looks like a good option, but you might want to head over there to see the options.
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      06-26-2017, 07:11 AM   #6
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Max 360 just upgraded from Redline saved my butt this weekend. Roy had an article on the drive that's worth checking out, short of spending stupid money that's his recommendation.
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      06-26-2017, 07:17 AM   #7
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I have a Valentine 1. It used to be good but now every Audi, Volvo, and Mazda sets it off. The blind spot detection and active radar drives it nuts to the point it's totally useless.
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      06-26-2017, 07:36 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Axman85 View Post
I have a Valentine 1. It used to be good but now every Audi, Volvo, and Mazda sets it off. The blind spot detection and active radar drives it nuts to the point it's totally useless.
It can be upgraded to new software that can detect the false signals from the active radars.
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      06-26-2017, 07:41 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Schott View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Axman85 View Post
I have a Valentine 1. It used to be good but now every Audi, Volvo, and Mazda sets it off. The blind spot detection and active radar drives it nuts to the point it's totally useless.
It can be upgraded to new software that can detect the false signals from the active radars.
That's precisely why the new ones look identical to the old ones. You can send it in for an upgrade easily.

To be honest though the only reason I'd choose a V1 over the Max 360 is if I were planning to do a stealth install with that housing for the rear parcel shelf. The addition of escort live to the 360 with full integration with a smart phone is a real game changer.

I wouldn't throw away a perfectly good V1 to get the escort, but if you're starting from scratch I'd choose the 360.
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      06-26-2017, 08:25 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BEM-S4 View Post
That's precisely why the new ones look identical to the old ones. You can send it in for an upgrade easily.

To be honest though the only reason I'd choose a V1 over the Max 360 is if I were planning to do a stealth install with that housing for the rear parcel shelf. The addition of escort live to the 360 with full integration with a smart phone is a real game changer.

I wouldn't throw away a perfectly good V1 to get the escort, but if you're starting from scratch I'd choose the 360.
The V1 will connect to smartphones, however I don't find it very useful since the unit itself tells me everything I need to know.

OP, as you can see, there are many detectors out there which many people like, you should read up on them and see which ones have the features you would like.
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      06-26-2017, 08:36 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by COKen View Post
The V1 will connect to smartphones, however I don't find it very useful since the unit itself tells me everything I need to know.

OP, as you can see, there are many detectors out there which many people like, you should read up on them and see which ones have the features you would like.
I don't think the V1 has maps like the escort, more of a remote display type thing right?

OP what you REALLY need to do is figure out how much information you can/desire to process while driving. For most folks out there something like a Redline would be totally fine, if you get an alert you slow down. V1 would be next step up with directional arrows, then you can go all the way with 360, Escort Live, Waze as a secondary data source while running police scanner app in the background.

That said it's next to impossible to monitor all of that shit while driving solo so you're perhaps better off adopting a less is more approach or having a copilot.
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      06-26-2017, 08:37 AM   #12
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FYI this is a screen shot from Escort Live
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      06-26-2017, 10:02 AM   #13
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Valentine 1 with mirror tap. Also use Waze to know what else might be happening.
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      06-26-2017, 10:55 AM   #14
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      06-26-2017, 11:36 AM   #15
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Yes the V1 unit, in combo with Waze, lets me know know what's going on. Situation awareness, number and location (V1) plus crowd-sourced data (Waze) works
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      06-26-2017, 11:50 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by enjoythemusic View Post
Yes the V1 unit, in combo with Waze, lets me know know what's going on. Situation awareness, number and location (V1) plus crowd-sourced data (Waze) works
Escort Live is basically like Waze taken to the next level. If you run both you are really covered. The nice thing about EL is that when a threat is coming up ahead of you even if you don't look at map the detector beeps and tells you 4000 meters or whatever ahead KA threat, for example.
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      06-26-2017, 12:18 PM   #17
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Also depends where you live. In my area cops almost exclusively use laser so lots of guys get laser jammers.
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      06-26-2017, 02:15 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BEM-S4 View Post
I don't think the V1 has maps like the escort, more of a remote display type thing right?
Yes, it is a remote display of the V1 information.

It is beginning to look like there are a few people out there who are in serious conflict with their local traffic laws. Either that or they are getting ready for the next Gum Ball Rally.
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      06-26-2017, 02:43 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by COKen View Post
Yes, it is a remote display of the V1 information.

It is beginning to look like there are a few people out there who are in serious conflict with their local traffic laws. Either that or they are getting ready for the next Gum Ball Rally.
In all seriousness GF and I did 100 miles on the turnpike Saturday and we went full on crazy just because I wanted to test all of this stuff out. Had Escort Max 360 with my iPhone running the app. Police scanner app running in the background and playing through stereo. It's GPS enabled to easy to pick best channel in the area. BMW screen was split Nav / upcoming turn or whatever it's called. I also just fabricated a custom mount for my iPad mini in the cup holder area (check 2 forum for pics) and that was running Waze and Torque pro gauges split screen.

Waaaay too much to monitor if you're the only one in the car. With a copilot though it was awesome. We definitely avoided one ticket. At first she thought I was an idiot but got kind of into it towards the end. For the avoided ticket she actually said "LEO ahead on Waze... hold steady... Escort Live confirmed KA in 3500 yards check speed to 80 mph."
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      06-26-2017, 02:50 PM   #20
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I've been an Escort Radar guy since the 80s and the 360 with its directional arrows really takes the last chink out of Valentine's armor. fwiw, I run Escort Live and Waze. EL is nice in that it's so integrated (and you can mute the detector just by tapping your phone's screen), but frankly Waze has a much bigger network of users and therefore has many more and more timely alerts. I highly recommend hard-wiring the 360, hide all the cables, and you don't have anything to think about.*

And yes, COKen, I have had an intimate relationship with LEOs for many, many years.

* Unless you're also looking for laser protection, in which case ALP is the way to go.
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      06-26-2017, 02:53 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hinckley View Post
I highly recommend hard-wiring the 360, hide all the cables, and you don't have anything to think about.
Escort with mirror tap and either blend mount or the $10 permanent one from eBay (which I run) is without a doubt the way to go. Clean install, inexpensive, and under 15 minutes.
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      06-26-2017, 02:58 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BEM-S4 View Post
Escort with mirror tap and either blend mount or the $10 permanent one from eBay (which I run) is without a doubt the way to go. Clean install, inexpensive, and under 15 minutes.
Sold!!
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