salaki

V1 - Never leave home w/o 1.

pennetta

In my opinion the V1 needs GPS which gives you red light, speed trap and speed camera protection. They are a little more expensive than the V1 but the Escort/Beltronics (same company now) seem to have the best detectors that have these features. Contrary to V1 advertising, the Escort/Beltronics also track multiple radar sources at the same time. The V1 was the leader for many years but I think their current quotes of winning tests by measurable margins are from tests done years ago. If you go to the V1 website now, they don't list the tests anymore and even have articles concerning why radar tests are bad and not meaningful.
Anyway, don't wait until you get hit with radar or lazer because your dead in 1/100th of a second. GPS gives you warning before the radar gun is aimed at you.
Radar or lazer detectors are legal in NYS for non-commercial vehicles.

C's Bimmer

It's all about the arrows Dave. Once you live with the arrows, you can't go back. If Escort would do a system with the arrows, I would consider changing to have the GPS too.

I love my V1.

pennetta

I never had the arrows so I may be underestimating their value. I just figure if it's beeping I'm slowing down no matter what direction the radar is coming from.

Another benefit of the GPS enabled detector is that known junk radar(specific radar band, specific frequency and specific location)will not setoff your detector alert. Even though if a cop parks there and is using radar the detector will alert you. With many less false alarms, I take every alarm very seriously. So the time saved trying to figure if its a real threat is a real benefit in not getting nabbed.

C if you feel the arrows are critical then I and others should trust your opinion.

anand_rahim

Once I got my V1, I ceased to get anymore tickets. Some members think the arrows don't work, but the truth is it keeps you from slamming on the brakes each time you get a radar signal. For instance, I was going about 75-80 and a "KA" band (used by most of the cops in Houston) popped up on my radar. My initial reaction was to slow down, but the rear arrow lit up as well, so I kept on going. The KA signal faded within 5 seconds.

Basically, if all I had was a radar signal without any direction, I'd be more apt to slowing down when it goes off, not knowing where the possible radar is coming from. But with the arrows, I can use my own judgement to decide if a threat, is really a threat and not just a junk radar. Just my $0.02

C's Bimmer

"I'm not only the hair club president, but I'm also a client too".

tbal

v1 is really good. Heard lots of good things about the escort9000 series...

I have the escort 8500 x50, and has probably saved me TONS of times...

calpalmer

It's all about the arrows AND it's about range and sensitivity to K and Ka... In most situations the V1 beats the Belscort windshield-mounted RDs hands down on range. The Belscort stealth installs are better than windshield mounts, so it would be a way to go (with $$ paid and/or time for both the RD and the install), but then you don't have the arrows. V1 is the best compromise out there, in my opinion. I run the STi-R with the V1, and while sometimes better on Ka, I'm loving the V1 even without the GPS. I have the 9500ix in my truck, and its sensitivity doesn't compare to the V1.

As was already mentioned, none of these devices help you with laser, and at least up here in the PNW more and more LEO's are using a variety of laser guns. I put on the Laser-interceptor laser detector/jammers, 4 heads, and wow! Now I am cruising!

As usual, the opinions you get here are worth what you paid for them, but now you have mine and I'm stickin' to them!

Cal

dowe

if you really want to avoid tickets, go closer to the limit

that said, i'll go against the grain and vote for the 9500ix. for the urban setting, its unbeatable!

calpalmer

I agree with you to some degree, in that the urban setting is exactly where a gps device like the ix will shine. Sensitivity and range isn't as important as on the highway, and with the advent of all the photo enforcement and red light cameras, its gps features are useful. Of course, for me owning an e60 is all about the NON-urban environment, where the unmistakable thrill of the ultimate driving machine can shine!! If all I did was commute and tool around town, I'd probably own an accord or something.

In any case, if you need a w/s mount detector that can cover all your threats all the time, I think the V1 is best.