Radar Detectors - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

32valvesftw · 01-21-2016

So my Radar detector (Escort 8500 X50) walked away??? It was an OK radar detector for the normal cars in the family that rarely exceed 90 mph. But the faster you go the more notice you need. I have been looking at others as replacement, the Valentine V1, the Escort redline (the leader at this point) and Escort 9500Ix. The 9500 appears to be the smartest one, the redline probably has the best range. The V1 has the best reputation and works well based on my previous use.
I am leaning towards the redline as it appears to have the longest range and at ZR1 speeds that is important. One point for me is muting the unit, its tough to reach the unit when mounted on the dash in the clear window. Escorts have the mute in the power connection.
Do you guys have any experiences or opinions to offer?

ZRXMAX · 01-22-2016

My only experience is with V1 unless we go back to the 80s.

It has been mentioned here that the additional tint in ZR-1 windshields might diminish the sensitivity of detectors

and the range of the V1. During that time since 04 when I bought my I have simply suctioned cupped it up in the dark tint area next to the rear view mirror. The farthest KA band signal I have

ever picked up was 7 or 8 miles out on a clear unobstructed roadway. I was able to "approximaitly" calculate that distance because of the amount of ground

I covered before I encountered a California HP coming the other way. The CHP tends to just turn on KA band and drive with it on constantly... for which I am grateful!

In case you are wondering where this observance occurred it was I-15 northbound from Nipton Rd with the Nevada / California state line in view about 10 miles away.

I like having it there for a quick removal and stash it out of sight situation in the circumstance that I am pulled over for a traffic stop. The odds of talking

your way out of a ticket are in my estimation are reduced by 99% if the LEO sees anything resembling a radar detector.

In 06 I was stopped for a 92 in a 55 and stashed my V1 when I was at a point where stashing it would not be a problem since they had to turn around. It was an oncoming situation where I had no warning to KA instant on when we came into view with each other at a bend in the road.

Two officers approached ( V1 was out of sight except for the cord still plugged in the lighter ) and I spoke with the one whom took my papers and license.

As he walked away I asked if he could give me a break ( never hurts to ask, right? ) and he looked back at me but didn't say anything. Meanwhile, the other officer is still standing off to my right 1/4 with a view inside my car.

After a minute or so of silence he asked me, "is that cord for a radar detector?" I responded affirmatively for the simple fact if I were to lie it might not go well if he asked me to show him what it was for.

So, another minute or so and here comes the officer that has my license and he returns my stuff. He says I am going to give you a warning ticket which he did. It was black and white and was filled out with all the incriminating information. I thanked him sincerely!

I sure am glad the 2nd officer didn't interject with the scoop on my radar detector before the 1st officer had completed my warning ticket. If this ever happens again I will make sure everything is put away.

My car wouldn't start after this so the officers drove off while I sat there. I knew the starter was heat soaked or something similar because it had happened once or twice before and I knew I would be good to go in 15 or 20 minutes.

This was a rural back road area with no traffic to speak of and about 10 minutes later the officers came by going the other way and stopped to ask if

I was okay. I told them what I believed it was and they went along without any more discussion. We could have push started it but I didn't mind waiting for it to cool off.

This is why I like it mounted remotely, or some place where I can stash it away before it becomes a liability.

boyking · 01-22-2016

I have an older Bel 9xxi or something that still works great. When I bought a Cadillac CTS-V the dealership threw in a V1! I have a couple fast cars so I have hard-wired power cords in all of them and swap the detectors from car to car. I was so impressed with the V1 that I actually bought a second one so I didn't have to keep swapping it out of my primary driver. You can read yourself to death with all the info out there on detectors. Detector X may have better range, but detector Y has gps that remembers "a hit", and Detector Z...you get the idea. For me the V1 is simple, effective (can't count the number of times it has saved me), and they have great customer service, plus downloadable upgrades.
There are lots of good one's out there, V1 works best for me.
Sorry for your loss! I'm always amazed on eBay at how many detectors are for sale with no box, instruction manual, and/or power cords. You KNOW they were stolen.

John W.

WARP TEN · 01-22-2016

I have had a V1 since the early Nineties, have had it upgraded three times and will soon send it in for another. Love it. Hard wired up through the center dash grill so I can swap it when I am not driving the ZR-1. Love the features and simplicity. Has saved me a few times but mostly I save myself by using cruise control almost every where I drive. (Locally I set it at 35 in a 30 zone; my wife once got a ticket there at 37). You can't go wrong with a V1.--Bob

C4Ray · 01-22-2016

V1

randy ransome · 01-22-2016

Same here. I have a Valentine 1 in both of my Zs; couldn't live without them.

We Gone · 01-22-2016

V1, but I use it more as a reminder to check my speed when it goes off

32valvesftw · 01-22-2016

Well, that is pretty overwhelming response for the V1. What I ended up ordering was a Radenso Pro, made in Germany and new to the US market. That choice was based on a perception that the V1 would quite noisy on my normal commute, we have traffic monitoring radar all over the place and it is densely populated area. I'll try it for a bit to see if I like it. One more question though, the thing I liked about the Escorts is the smart cord, so you can mute the unit via a button on the power plug. I am thinking it may not be very easy to reach the unit on the Dash of the Z if I position it in the cut-out. Thoughts?

John Boothby · 01-22-2016

If you like the Escorts, check out the new MAX 360. It is smart and has 360 direction with arrows, Dual antenna, front and rear.

32valvesftw · 01-22-2016

That one looks great but its not in the budget at this time.I was trying to keep it under 400.

01-21-2016	#1
32valvesftw Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 530	Radar Detectors So my Radar detector (Escort 8500 X50) walked away??? It was an OK radar detector for the normal cars in the family that rarely exceed 90 mph. But the faster you go the more notice you need. I have been looking at others as replacement, the Valentine V1, the Escort redline (the leader at this point) and Escort 9500Ix. The 9500 appears to be the smartest one, the redline probably has the best range. The V1 has the best reputation and works well based on my previous use. I am leaning towards the redline as it appears to have the longest range and at ZR1 speeds that is important. One point for me is muting the unit, its tough to reach the unit when mounted on the dash in the clear window. Escorts have the mute in the power connection. Do you guys have any experiences or opinions to offer?

01-22-2016	#2
ZRXMAX Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 241	Re: Radar Detectors My only experience is with V1 unless we go back to the 80s. It has been mentioned here that the additional tint in ZR-1 windshields might diminish the sensitivity of detectors and the range of the V1. During that time since 04 when I bought my I have simply suctioned cupped it up in the dark tint area next to the rear view mirror. The farthest KA band signal I have ever picked up was 7 or 8 miles out on a clear unobstructed roadway. I was able to "approximaitly" calculate that distance because of the amount of ground I covered before I encountered a California HP coming the other way. The CHP tends to just turn on KA band and drive with it on constantly... for which I am grateful! In case you are wondering where this observance occurred it was I-15 northbound from Nipton Rd with the Nevada / California state line in view about 10 miles away. I like having it there for a quick removal and stash it out of sight situation in the circumstance that I am pulled over for a traffic stop. The odds of talking your way out of a ticket are in my estimation are reduced by 99% if the LEO sees anything resembling a radar detector. In 06 I was stopped for a 92 in a 55 and stashed my V1 when I was at a point where stashing it would not be a problem since they had to turn around. It was an oncoming situation where I had no warning to KA instant on when we came into view with each other at a bend in the road. Two officers approached ( V1 was out of sight except for the cord still plugged in the lighter ) and I spoke with the one whom took my papers and license. As he walked away I asked if he could give me a break ( never hurts to ask, right? ) and he looked back at me but didn't say anything. Meanwhile, the other officer is still standing off to my right 1/4 with a view inside my car. After a minute or so of silence he asked me, "is that cord for a radar detector?" I responded affirmatively for the simple fact if I were to lie it might not go well if he asked me to show him what it was for. So, another minute or so and here comes the officer that has my license and he returns my stuff. He says I am going to give you a warning ticket which he did. It was black and white and was filled out with all the incriminating information. I thanked him sincerely! I sure am glad the 2nd officer didn't interject with the scoop on my radar detector before the 1st officer had completed my warning ticket. If this ever happens again I will make sure everything is put away. My car wouldn't start after this so the officers drove off while I sat there. I knew the starter was heat soaked or something similar because it had happened once or twice before and I knew I would be good to go in 15 or 20 minutes. This was a rural back road area with no traffic to speak of and about 10 minutes later the officers came by going the other way and stopped to ask if I was okay. I told them what I believed it was and they went along without any more discussion. We could have push started it but I didn't mind waiting for it to cool off. This is why I like it mounted remotely, or some place where I can stash it away before it becomes a liability. __________________ 91 ZR-1 #661 Watsons, 3" exhaust, Borlas... Hurst, 4.11s, Samco, RD radiator, gel coated motor... turquise / black

01-22-2016	#3
boyking Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: New York State Posts: 42	Re: Radar Detectors I have an older Bel 9xxi or something that still works great. When I bought a Cadillac CTS-V the dealership threw in a V1! I have a couple fast cars so I have hard-wired power cords in all of them and swap the detectors from car to car. I was so impressed with the V1 that I actually bought a second one so I didn't have to keep swapping it out of my primary driver. You can read yourself to death with all the info out there on detectors. Detector X may have better range, but detector Y has gps that remembers "a hit", and Detector Z...you get the idea. For me the V1 is simple, effective (can't count the number of times it has saved me), and they have great customer service, plus downloadable upgrades. There are lots of good one's out there, V1 works best for me. Sorry for your loss! I'm always amazed on eBay at how many detectors are for sale with no box, instruction manual, and/or power cords. You KNOW they were stolen. John W.

01-22-2016	#4
WARP TEN Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lake Bluff, IL Posts: 2,030	Re: Radar Detectors I have had a V1 since the early Nineties, have had it upgraded three times and will soon send it in for another. Love it. Hard wired up through the center dash grill so I can swap it when I am not driving the ZR-1. Love the features and simplicity. Has saved me a few times but mostly I save myself by using cruise control almost every where I drive. (Locally I set it at 35 in a 30 zone; my wife once got a ticket there at 37). You can't go wrong with a V1.--Bob __________________ 2016 Long Beach Red Z06 #10281 "POPS Z" 1995 Polo Green #409 "WARP TEN"--Haibeck 350/510 package, 4.10s, Hurst, Stock Exhaust with QTP Cutouts --Sold but still running strong 1993 Quasar Blue #161 "HIL KING" --Sold but still running strong, now with more than 120,000 miles 1967 Marlboro Maroon/Saddle Corvette Coupe 300 hp/4-spd --Sold a long time ago ZR-1 Net Registry Founding Member #95 NCM Lifetime Member Favorite Quote--Attributed to Mickey Thompson: "Too Much Horsepower is Almost Enough"

01-22-2016	#5
C4Ray Banned BANNED Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 186	Re: Radar Detectors V1

01-22-2016	#6
randy ransome Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Olive Branch,MS Posts: 289	Re: Radar Detectors Same here. I have a Valentine 1 in both of my Zs; couldn't live without them.

01-22-2016	#7
We Gone Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: ATL. GA. Posts: 2,162	Re: Radar Detectors V1, but I use it more as a reminder to check my speed when it goes off __________________ Steve 1990 Steel Blue/Black #2355 1990 Red/Red #1473 1991 Quasar /Black #118 Sold 1991 Turquoise/Black #766 Parted Out 1993 Yellow/White #179 Sold 1990 Black/Gray #1361 Headers/4:10s Sold

01-22-2016	#8
32valvesftw Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 530	Re: Radar Detectors Well, that is pretty overwhelming response for the V1. What I ended up ordering was a Radenso Pro, made in Germany and new to the US market. That choice was based on a perception that the V1 would quite noisy on my normal commute, we have traffic monitoring radar all over the place and it is densely populated area. I'll try it for a bit to see if I like it. One more question though, the thing I liked about the Escorts is the smart cord, so you can mute the unit via a button on the power plug. I am thinking it may not be very easy to reach the unit on the Dash of the Z if I position it in the cut-out. Thoughts?

01-22-2016	#9
John Boothby Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 777	Re: Radar Detectors If you like the Escorts, check out the new MAX 360. It is smart and has 360 direction with arrows, Dual antenna, front and rear. __________________ JB 1990 #148 Red/Saddle Haibeck AYBKG5 Chip/RC Engineering/Flowmasters/K&N/Samco/Fuzzy Dice :cheers:

01-22-2016	#10
32valvesftw Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 530	Re: Radar Detectors That one looks great but its not in the budget at this time.I was trying to keep it under 400.