PCA Forums

I currently have a Cobra ESD-6200 but I plan on purchasing the 9850 this weekend. Does anyone else here have a good detector that they recommend?? Maybe someone has a BEL?? Thanks-

-Chris

I dont have a BEL, but I do have an Escort. It is made by Passport. I think you can only get them right from the company, as I have never seen them in any store. I think they are the best. I also think they are the most expensive. My dad has a BEL, and it false alarms a lot more then mine.

Do you happen to know the model number on the unit?

-Chris

None allowed here up in Canada

Except for Quebec

an escort passport 8500. it's their flagship model...i highly recommend it. my previous detector was the Valentine 1. both detectors are good for certain things, but i would recommend the 8500 over the V1.

the V1 gives way too many false alarms...but the directional arrows are awesome.

the 8500 is great for filtering/low falses, but no directional capability. but, for $100 less, i can live with that.


Escort detectors are sold at Best Buy, American TV (local wisconsin chain), and other stores. V1 is only available from valentine, or auctions, etc.

I dont have an 8500. I bough it years ago, I think it is a 6000 series.

Valentine 1 baby! Best of the best, "All bogey" mode picks up on a lot of stuff (not all cops), but the new advanced "logic" settings on the new ones work flawlessly. Mine saves my butt every time. And I think they are the only ones that effectively detect photo radar (or at least used to be).

I've heard that too about the Valentine 1 and seen a few in our customers cars. I'm tempted to get one but they're definately not cheap.

V1! Its not cheap but definitly worth it. I love the arrows. Its saved my but. Pay for the best and it'll pay for itself by the tickets you avoid. Just know how to use it and not go crazy. Remember its a 'radar' detector not a 'cop' detector. Go to any performance car forum(ie Corvette, Mustang, Supra, ClubSI, etc...) and ask them what they best radar detector is. You'll almost always get the Valentine 1 as the answer.

Yeah, Valentine 1.

It is well worth the investment if you speed a lot.

I'm seriously thinking of getting one for the 'stang but $400! , no way!. I even checked at Ebay but only found one where the bids are at $355 with 2 more days until it closes (rediculous IMHO).
I've been using much cheaper units for years and for the most part they work well. I also use a radar jammer but no matter what, if you're going too fast or not thinking whilst speeding well over the limits, you can still always get nabbed no matter what.

Unless you're in the lead with no cars ahead, it's often best just watching tailights as everyone brakes when they see a cop, even if they're going the speed limit.

I really have a hard time justifying $400 for a radar detector even if it is often considered about the best by many.

i've had a few different fuzzbusters in my time. i'm currently using a cobra 9200. it worked really well during its first year of use, however the range seems to have really dropped because i'm not picking up cops until they're too close for comfort.

i'm planning on purchasing a new car soon and i'm in the market for a new one, but i really can't go dropping $400 on one.

I have an older version of just the radar/lazer jammer (called the "Phazer") which still needs a radar detector to know when you're near radar (only) but the newer version jams and detects both lazer and radar.
I see it once in a while in various auto related catelogs I get so I'll post it next time I get one (didn't save it) as IMHO, that'd be the unit to get. I think it's just under $300 but does everything.
The V1's nice for a radar detector but it doesn't do anything with lazer (used ALOT these days, detecting lazer's worthless anyway as that only tells you when you'll soon be pulled over if tagged). I know my jammer works but I know they're not legal in all states either.
The jammer idea's nice in that it'll save your butt if you're not too close to the radar/lazer gun or doing something totally stupid (going visably too fast, like 60mph in a school zone for example). Nothing will protect you from being followed or if they're using distances (start/stop points timed, I think the term is called "Vascar" which has been used for many years).

Here it is at Technoscout ( a cool place for gadget freaks like me ) The phantom II
http://www.technoscout.com/general/prod ... sourceid=0
This bad boy does it all, detects radar but most importantly JAMS both radar and lazer. Sure, it's $300 but it'll work for me plus they'll also pay your first ticket in the first year (depending on speed, see disclaimer).

Here's the newest, cheaper version ($150) of what I now own, the Phazer II (Jams both radar, lazer but no radar detector)
http://www.technoscout.com/general/prod ... sourceid=0

For me, I don't care where the radar's coming from, what type band it's using (useless info to anyone really).....all I want is NO Ticket thank you

Does it work (jam) you ask? I've driven by speed traps and seen policemen looking at their dash intruments just after pointing the gun at me so I'd assume their readings aren't right, just as described. Now....note: you can still get a ticket if you're too close, also described but that'd be if you're visable, not paying attention or just being stupid (driving WAY too fast). You can still be followed or tagged using a distance measurement method so you're never really radar invisable anywhere but I think the device helps, better than nothing.