Are radar detectors worth the money?
08-06-2010, 11:50 PM
#42
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My Ride: 2004 bmw 530i
i love my radar and hate being in my other vehicles without one.speeding or not its good to know when they are hiding somewhere trying to harass people
08-12-2010, 08:22 PM
#44
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My Ride: 2007 550i (Sport, Prem, Nav, Logic7, Comf. Seats) Black on Black
between V1 and escort 9500ix... I chose escort just because it does not go off so often. I hate false alarm - after a while I get so used to them that I don't pay attention. V1 has arrows, which are amazing, but it is too chattery. My escort already saved me from red light cameras at least few times...
08-13-2010, 07:57 AM
#45
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Yeah the 9500ix remembers speed traps , but it will always remind you of that spot , which in turn will go off even when no cop is present. that is called a false alarm !! V1 does not give false positives. When a 9500ix goes off you dont know where the cop is . With a V1 you always know where the the threat is coming from, the treat level. Situational Awarness , you cant beat it !! So go spend 600 bucks and still be blind
08-13-2010, 08:00 AM
#46
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I have had a radar detector since I started driving and probably will continue with it. Radar detectors used to be great because just about every police dept used radar (mostly Ka band) to police speeders. Laser was a relatively new speeding enforcement technology and they weren't cheap for police departments. However, as is the case with all technology, the cost for laser guns decreased and at this point just about every police department uses them. Radar is constantly shot so you get a heads up from your detector. However, laser is "instant-on". So your radar detector (with laser detection) will go off, but it is too late. You can buy expensive ($1-$2k) laser jammers that are installed in your bumpers. I've never needed to go that far.
08-13-2010, 08:02 AM
#47
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there are really only 2 criteria to making a radar detector "worth the money:"
1. buy an escort, a valentine one, or a bel
2. make sure your purchase exceeds $200 USD
pretty much most of the other detectors out there are a waste of money.
1. buy an escort, a valentine one, or a bel
2. make sure your purchase exceeds $200 USD
pretty much most of the other detectors out there are a waste of money.
08-19-2010, 01:55 PM
#48
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My Ride: 2015 535D M Sport
The reason I use one, a V1, is that there have been too many times I have found myself speeding even though I didn't intend to. BMW's are so well designed you frequently just don't realize that you are going well over the limit. My son borrowed our e39 a few weeks ago and when he brought it back he told me he caught himslef going 100Mph without realizing it. I've had similar experiences in my e60. (The speed alert is just a pain in the butt to keep resetting.) Then of course there are those times that I intentionally bust the limit... ;-) In any case, the V1 has paid for itself several times over in avoided fines and insurance premium increases. I especially like the arrows of the V1 since they really do tell me the source of the "threat".
08-19-2010, 05:42 PM
#49
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I've had an Escort 9500i for almost 3 years now -- it's hardwired into my car. Works well and I got it over the V1 because of the GPS and ability to lockout those pesky 511.org speed cameras on California freeways. I don't like disabling K band because local cops still use them. Saved my ass about 10 times already but I have noticed more and more CHP on the side of the road pointing a gun and noticed nothing going off on my detector lately which leads me to believe laser is becoming more prevalent. I've had laser warnings go off more frequently (luckily going the speed limit).
I do envy the V1 arrows though. It's patented by Mike Valentine so no other detectors have them and they are totally useful in terms of knowing where the radar is coming from. If a newer version of V1 had GPS and signal lockout, I think that would be awesome although with laser becoming more popular, these will become a waste of money over the next few years.
Also thought about upgrading to the 9500ix ($125 for 9500i owners) but nothing's convinced me yet to do so.
I do envy the V1 arrows though. It's patented by Mike Valentine so no other detectors have them and they are totally useful in terms of knowing where the radar is coming from. If a newer version of V1 had GPS and signal lockout, I think that would be awesome although with laser becoming more popular, these will become a waste of money over the next few years.
Also thought about upgrading to the 9500ix ($125 for 9500i owners) but nothing's convinced me yet to do so.
08-20-2010, 02:27 PM
#50
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[quote name='IvoryJ' timestamp='1280897047' post='1217401']
I've been thinking about purchasing a radar detector since buying a 530i and I was wondering do they really work? I've read the comments from customers that have purchased these devices and the comments have been somewhat mixed. Any comment or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
____
I have used a hard wired Escort 8500 (Blue Scope), And is well worth the money because it has saved me many times.
I've been thinking about purchasing a radar detector since buying a 530i and I was wondering do they really work? I've read the comments from customers that have purchased these devices and the comments have been somewhat mixed. Any comment or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
____
I have used a hard wired Escort 8500 (Blue Scope), And is well worth the money because it has saved me many times.