Which Radar Detector?

[minimc]

Am considering a new radar detector to go with my MCS.

I'm interested in which Radar detector is most popular with Mini owners. Please list your comments, experiences, and preferences. Stealth installation ideas are also welcomed.

Am thinking of one of the following:

1) Escort Passport 8500
2) BEL 980
3) Valentine One

I recognize that this isn't exactly performance or tuning, but after doing a search for radar detectors I came up with 3 threads and very little info. re: preference & performance.

[spindoc]

The V1 is the way to go. Well worth any difference in price. Better range and directional arrows are great. You'll never find anyone who has a V1 who regrets getting it.

[ChrisCooper]

I agree I did MUCH research and decided that I would pay the extra $150 to get the V1.

Deciding factor was: It's one thing to know that there's a radar out there at xxxx signal strength. It's quite another to know that there are three X Bands and one Ka Bands out there. The Ka Band is ahead of you and the X Bands are beside you. The V1 gives you all the information you need to know in order to avoid the speed trap.

I've had great luck with mine. Had an officer pull in behind me on the interstate and was able to identify where he was by the directional arrows. Hands down the best choice. I would have gone crazy if I was constantly looking ahead for him.

[ficcion]

Any of the three are just fine. Those are all top of the line. Do some reading on each and you might find you don't have to fork out all the $$ to get what you want.

I ended up with the BEL V940 after countless hours of research and absolutely love it (half the price of the top liners).

Once you decide then your next question will be where do I mount it?? Check this link for an idea: LINK

[stryder]

There's a reasonably long discussion on this thread http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...threadid=17863 that's still going on in the interior forum which does have some performance and preference info. I'll summarize it as "Valentine One"

[Garfield]

I understand the that V1 has always been thought of as the #1. But, having been an owner of many Escort detectors (Cincinati Microwave), I've always been happy. What's funny now is that many V1 owners don't realize what the new 8500 does (besides the fact that it's smaller). It can be easily programmed to many different responses. My 8500 is set up to tell me not ONLY how many signals there are, but also what EACH signal BAND is (X,K,Ka,L). So, when there is 3 signals, I'll know that two may be X, but another may be K or Ka. Or, in extreme situations, that there is two X's, one K, two Ka's and a Laser. The first scenario is actually quite common.
Not only that, it also tells me the strength of each individual signal simultaneously.
As for the direction of the signal? Why do I care where the cop is, I still have to slow down no matter where he is. I personally think the arrows just take up space.

The range of the V1 vs. the Escorts is now more debateable than before, although I'm sure the V1 is proabably a little better. I'm just not sure the difference is worth the price anymore, it used to be.

And yes, I have used V1 before.

I currently have an 8500 in my allroad, a 4600 in my Passat, and a Solo in my MINI.

[minimc]

More perplexed than ever!

Went to a few sites to read write-ups. Came away with varying opinions & am left to consider several options.

Here in Canada radar detectors are illegal & they sniff for them. Don't know if they are using both VG2 and Specter or not, but this of definite consideration.

After all of my reading it appears that a combination laser-switching/jamming device in conjunction with a radar detector offers the best all around performance. This would provide the longest distance & over-hill radar detection plus the ability to jam laser radar enough to slow down before a real reading is taken. The implied notion here is that one would have enough notice to turn off the radar detector prior to passing a radar trap (and being detected)

The only other option that appears useful (and this is arguable) is the PNI Sensoro Traveler. This is the only detector that was not 'sniffed out' by either the VG2 or specter devices in the speedzone.com 2002 test. But as always it’s a compromise - lose some performance (radar distance) and gain falses (laser) for the benefit of invisibility.

Anyone have experience with the PNI Sensoro? The one that was tested was not a production model, so I'm a bit skeptical (despite speedzone's pristine rep.).

[MiniShuttle]

That would be www.speedzones.com as opposed to the gokart trackwww.speedzone.com. I was wondering why the go-kart track was evaluating radar detectors and jammers.

[minimc]

Oops! ya speedzones - thanks!

[minicoopersgirl]

V1V1V1V1V1V1V1V1V1V1V1V1V1V1V1V1V1V1V1V1V1V1V1V1

Did I mention that I think a Valentine 1 is the way to go?

[MiniShuttle]

So then, I've done well to have just bought a V1 (version 1.8) on Ebay. Should have it in time to play this weekend at the Flow Rally. Hmmm, a rally that finishes in Virginia where radar detectora are illegal.