prevnine11ownr
Enthusiast
How dependable are they ???
Radar Detectors ?? Which one is Best??
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Jason-Middle Tennessee
Enthusiast
Do a search for Valentine One radars and you'll get more than enough info on radars.
phiebert
Enthusiast
I got tired of the constant comparisons between Bel's latest and greatest and the Valentine, so I bought both. I took a 1200 mile drive a couple weeks ago through a number of radar traps. There is absolutely no question that the Valentine out performed the Bel 980. I tested the following with both of them mounted equally high and as evenly pointed as possible on the windshield:
False alarms:
The Valentine falsed about 20% less then the Bel.
Distance:
The Valentine detected probably an average of 30% sooner. Based on if the Valentine beeped then I started a count until the Bel did. For example, if the Valentine beeped and I started counting and got to 3 when the Bel went off and got to 10 before the source was seen then I noted the 3 second difference as 30% of the 10 seconds until source.
Radar from the side.
The Valentine's arrows gave a better idea of where the source was. The Bel didn't pick up the sources as soon from the side but I didn't do any time comparison.
Laser
Only hit by Laser once during test. Both detected it and it was difficult to tell which one went on first. It was from a cop standing with a laser gun about 400 yards ahead of me. I actually got a ticket because I thought the noise from the detectors (which is so different during laser) was my cell phone!! I'm an idiot, I know! You should have seen the sheer look of pleasure on the cops face as he wrote out the ticket to a guy with two radar detectors on his windshield!!
Overall:
Both do a good job, Valentine was a clear winner in my case for functionality.
Valentine is big bulky and ugly.
Bel's voice is a nice feature but only tells you long after you've looked up to see which band the radar is. It should say the band first.
Valentine's directional arrows are really nice and very accurate, which I found surprising.
Bel price $339, Valentine $399.
False alarms:
The Valentine falsed about 20% less then the Bel.
Distance:
The Valentine detected probably an average of 30% sooner. Based on if the Valentine beeped then I started a count until the Bel did. For example, if the Valentine beeped and I started counting and got to 3 when the Bel went off and got to 10 before the source was seen then I noted the 3 second difference as 30% of the 10 seconds until source.
Radar from the side.
The Valentine's arrows gave a better idea of where the source was. The Bel didn't pick up the sources as soon from the side but I didn't do any time comparison.
Laser
Only hit by Laser once during test. Both detected it and it was difficult to tell which one went on first. It was from a cop standing with a laser gun about 400 yards ahead of me. I actually got a ticket because I thought the noise from the detectors (which is so different during laser) was my cell phone!! I'm an idiot, I know! You should have seen the sheer look of pleasure on the cops face as he wrote out the ticket to a guy with two radar detectors on his windshield!!
Overall:
Both do a good job, Valentine was a clear winner in my case for functionality.
Valentine is big bulky and ugly.
Bel's voice is a nice feature but only tells you long after you've looked up to see which band the radar is. It should say the band first.
Valentine's directional arrows are really nice and very accurate, which I found surprising.
Bel price $339, Valentine $399.
ruckdr
Enthusiast
Patrick,
How does one go 1200 miles on the Island ?? You must have hit the main land; did you stay in Canada? Next time come down our way; we have actually had a day or two of sunshine. The Wash. Viper Club is having a track day at the new Pacific Raceways, formally Seattle International Raceway, on July 15. The course has changed and presents some new challenges. Come down and join us.
Later,
How does one go 1200 miles on the Island ?? You must have hit the main land; did you stay in Canada? Next time come down our way; we have actually had a day or two of sunshine. The Wash. Viper Club is having a track day at the new Pacific Raceways, formally Seattle International Raceway, on July 15. The course has changed and presents some new challenges. Come down and join us.
Later,
phiebert
Enthusiast
In circles Don!
Just kidding, I had to go to Calgary and back (I'm guessing at the 1200 miles but that should be close).
I'd love to come down for it. I'm intimidated though, I've only gone in straight lines when racing! Is it worth it for someone whose never done a track before? It is something I've always wanted to do.
Just kidding, I had to go to Calgary and back (I'm guessing at the 1200 miles but that should be close).
I'd love to come down for it. I'm intimidated though, I've only gone in straight lines when racing! Is it worth it for someone whose never done a track before? It is something I've always wanted to do.
ruckdr
Enthusiast
Patrick,
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, Our day is for previous Pacific Raceway experience, or 'Experienced' drivers from other tracks. I just called the racing school at the track, they sponsor and supervise the track for driving events, to see what might be the possibility of your participation (no experience on road course). No answer, but they will let me know. I'll let you know - by the way, the road course is a blast and really lets you drive the car. After all, where else can you go 140+, with your HP (NOS), maybe much faster.
Later,
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, Our day is for previous Pacific Raceway experience, or 'Experienced' drivers from other tracks. I just called the racing school at the track, they sponsor and supervise the track for driving events, to see what might be the possibility of your participation (no experience on road course). No answer, but they will let me know. I'll let you know - by the way, the road course is a blast and really lets you drive the car. After all, where else can you go 140+, with your HP (NOS), maybe much faster.
Later,
RonC
Enthusiast
Patrick,
What settings did you have each? Typically it is difficult to test detectors side by side as each has oscilator leakage that can/will false the other so they may drop sensitivity.If the bel was not on "highway" then most certainly sensitivity was lowered. I would grant the fact the directional arrows are a great feature on the Valentine. BTW, I am the local "BEL" monger!
Oh yea, the 980 is ah, "old". The Vector series 940/60/85 are the latest and greatest.
Ron
What settings did you have each? Typically it is difficult to test detectors side by side as each has oscilator leakage that can/will false the other so they may drop sensitivity.If the bel was not on "highway" then most certainly sensitivity was lowered. I would grant the fact the directional arrows are a great feature on the Valentine. BTW, I am the local "BEL" monger!
Oh yea, the 980 is ah, "old". The Vector series 940/60/85 are the latest and greatest.
Ron
phiebert
Enthusiast
Don, that's too bad, if you have a track day for newbies, I'm all over that! I might come watch it anyway. My 6 year old son would love that. I'm trying to get him into Kart racing next year and live vicariously through him! He loves driving our truck up and down our driveway and it has more turns than an Indy course. Speaking of which, are you coming up for the Indy weekend in Vancouver. I just booked a hotel room through the Viper club discount so I'll be there with the whole family.
Ron, I can't remember what the settings are referred to as but basically I set them both in "city" mode or in ignore X band mode because both false endlessly otherwise. In my area the cops use either K, Ka or laser. I haven't run across an X-band radar in years. So admittedly they probably affected each other and in falsing and with laser it was sometimes hard to tell which one went on if it was short. And all the noise from both of them was a little confusing. I'm not saying this is a perfect test and that the Valentine will always beat the Bel (especially if I didn't use the latest and greatest, but I did buy the one that currently is recommended on Bel's web site as the #1 in the world). For me though, in my area, under the conditions that I tested them (through mountains, specifically focusing on Ka most of the time) the Valentine did out perform the Bel to the extent that was quite noticeable. I didn't do very well in high-school chemistry during controlled tests either though so don't take my test as the bible on detectors. But I did get tired of hearing everyone arguing so I'm happy that I tested them myself. So now the Viper gets the Valentine and the Durango gets the Bel, I still feel well covered in both. Just need to practice my reaction times on the laser sound!
Ron, I can't remember what the settings are referred to as but basically I set them both in "city" mode or in ignore X band mode because both false endlessly otherwise. In my area the cops use either K, Ka or laser. I haven't run across an X-band radar in years. So admittedly they probably affected each other and in falsing and with laser it was sometimes hard to tell which one went on if it was short. And all the noise from both of them was a little confusing. I'm not saying this is a perfect test and that the Valentine will always beat the Bel (especially if I didn't use the latest and greatest, but I did buy the one that currently is recommended on Bel's web site as the #1 in the world). For me though, in my area, under the conditions that I tested them (through mountains, specifically focusing on Ka most of the time) the Valentine did out perform the Bel to the extent that was quite noticeable. I didn't do very well in high-school chemistry during controlled tests either though so don't take my test as the bible on detectors. But I did get tired of hearing everyone arguing so I'm happy that I tested them myself. So now the Viper gets the Valentine and the Durango gets the Bel, I still feel well covered in both. Just need to practice my reaction times on the laser sound!
King GTS
Enthusiast
I live by the V1!
SoCal Rebell
Enthusiast
I LOVE the V1, I swear by it, Like AMEX I never leave home without it.
BTW you can delete the X band in the V1, which I did, makes for very few false signals.
BTW you can delete the X band in the V1, which I did, makes for very few false signals.
phiebert
Enthusiast
Ron, I think I may/may not have deleted the X band on my V1. Just to be sure, how do you do that, I lost my manual.
Jake654321
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VI is best. You can get the manual off the VI website.
Steve 00RT/10
Enthusiast
I liked the first V1 so much I bought another one when the upgraded model came out. One for work--one for play
Steve
Steve
SoCal Craig
Enthusiast
I have a V1 in the Viper, Passport 8500 in the Boxster, and Passport Solo in the Z3. Both the V1 and 8500 are very good. I really like the V1's directional arrows, but I like the 8500's alphanumeric display of band better than the tiny lights on the V1. Also, the sound distinction between bands is a little better on the 8500 and the 8500 looks a bit less "clunky" IMHO. The V1 seems to have a bit earlier response time but I have not tested them back to back. The 8500 is a bit less expensive ($250 market price vs. $400 for V1). But if I was to buy only one it would be the V1 (can't live without the arrows).
Stay away from the cordless Solo... it ***** big time. I usually make visual contact of the cop before it starts beeping. Plus you have to change batteries around every 2-3 weeks.
Stay away from the cordless Solo... it ***** big time. I usually make visual contact of the cop before it starts beeping. Plus you have to change batteries around every 2-3 weeks.
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