Wrong Mr. Stock.

Bel and I believe Escort does that.

They use the Motorola Chip.

 

only the tint with metal in it (like the silver looking tint)

 

Well. If I had wanted a biased opinion, I'd base upon Peterson and radartest.com. This guy is just wrong. But he will remain justification for Bel owners everywhere. He lies about having worked for Valentine, has has approached Valentine for work and been rejected, and people don't think he has a hard on about Valentine????

 

You probably have never used one on a regular basis if you think the arrows aren't useful. else you'd never say that (Dad's car doesn't count). Either that or you don't drive as much I do. I have them in both my cars, they're that useful. I can't even count the number of times they help, not to mention that number of times the arrows helped me visually verify or filter out crap. With as much traveling as I do, I don't go down to 55 every time it beeps. The arrows and counter are nice extras to determine real threats.

I won't knock yours because I have zero experience with it but I can always show radar detector reviews that support any detectors cause.

The Valentine has been relatively unchanged for awhile because it's just that good. It's saved my *** so often and I have yet to have a ticket with one.

 

I definantly agree with you here. At first the arrows dont seem necessary, but then you grow accustomed to them. On daily commutes (about 12 miles to my work) you notice patterns of arrows etc. and the arrows really help. With the combination of the arrows, stregnth meter, and the band indicator, it really makes it easy discriminating between a false and an actual threat. I like not having to slow down to 55 when im going 75 just because I get a blip and cant decipher what it is

It really becomes useful, especially when you are used to the V1 for the V1. I love mine

 

I've got a Bel 985....LOVE it. I've used a V1 for about a week (traded with a friend for kicks), and prior to my 985, I had an older Bel. It's amazing. The first time I had it out I noticed a huge improvement over my older Bel. The V1 was far too chatty for me, and the arrows didn't matter to me since I don't care where I'm being gunned from, I just want to slow down. Also, Bel will upgrade your detector, just like Valentine.
~Tom

 

I had an older (cheaper) radar detector. It went off all the time. Eventually I started ignoring it. I bought a bel 985 last year. What a world of difference. Now I better pay attention when it goes off.

Any of the top radar detectors are going to do a fine job. Price was my motivation. I got my 985 at www.costco.com for $235.

Don't buy a cheap radar detector. Buy a good one at a low price.

 

I've been happy with my 985 from Costco so far.

Saved my *** 5 times.

Why does one really need with arrows to indicate where the cops are when they need to slow down when they get any kinda signal?

Just not worth the extra $$$$.

ANd as far as who is more sensitive, that seems to be argued soo much from every camp out there........

I have tested the 985 and it picks up the portable "your speed limit" indicators before I start registering........

That is the same technology used in handheld radar guns, so it should be good enough for me..........

 

The V1 isnt only better because of the Arrows, which I agree are most of the time not needed, its got better range than other detectors in every direction, and thats what really matters. My v1 saved me many many times, in the city or highway, its worth every penny.

 

I'm not sure if that is entirely true.........

It seems that there isn't 1 dectector that won 1st place in all areas.

each one had it's strengths and weaknesses.

So what it comes down to was value.

 

u know posting **** is a no no.

 

The way I see it everyone can prove that their radar detector worked. And there are many different tests that will favor different radar detectors. I personally like the Val one just my opinion. And everyone is entitled to their own. This subject has been debated on many times before on this forum. So if you want more proof for your side(meaning either side, I'm not backing anyone) do a search and find some. Have fun biquering.

- Steiner

 

You're right, I don't really have any experience with the V1, having never personally owned one. I do drive a lot, though, about 150 miles 5 days a week. My commute is along a long stretch of highway, though, and I generally know where the cops like to hide (having driven on this road hundreds of times), so when I was choosing a detector, I didn't find having to pay an extra $100 for "directional arrows" to be all that enticing. If you like your V1, that's great. I like my Passport. They're both saving each of us from stupid-*** speeding tickets, and that's what's important to me.

 

I'm curious, as I don't recall seeing this mentioned in this thread, but do the Bell and Passport offer the option for a remote display? Also, just what is included with the bell and passport units? My V1 came with a visor clip, window suction cups, and enough wiring and connections for a hardwire installation as well as the standard cigarette lighter hookup. For those of you that don't like the arrows, for a hundred bucks more, fine, that is your opinion, but when you know when and where the standard, everyday false alarms occur, then one day you get an extra bogey, with arrows pointing front and rear and the bogey counter showing (2) instead of (1), you know you've got someone else in the neighborhood. I'm not sure how the V1 stacks up to the others as far as the range goes, but I do know for a fact that it is significant. The only place I'd feel uncomfortable is in Montana or Eastern WA if they had LONG range laser and I was the only one on the road. As it is now my V1 pics up radar around corners on my daily commute as well as about 1/2 mile before I can even see the trap (curving road with no clear line of sight). I'm not here to say which you should spend your money on, as I don't own stock in any of these, just trying to state my opinion and experiences.

Regards,
Frank

 

The Valentine has a remote display option. Not sure about the Bel but I would imagine it does.

 

I believe Passport and Bel are the same company now.

Not sure if theyhave the remote indicator........

Even if they do I personally don't see a value for it.

Like the Directional arrows it has little value to me.

I go by the different beeps and intensity of the signal.

Looking at it is a mere glance. But keep in mind when ur driving fast or with alot of traffic around looking at the detector might not be the best idea when hazardous conditions exists.

Keeping in tune with the detector with ur ears is a safe practice.

 

Yeah, well I think it is all boiling down to personal preferance. I liked the V1 in the begining and I have yet to see anything to change my mind.

Only one small problem now... I sold my car, moved, and am now living in Uzbekistan for the next 6 months, heh.

Good news is, I'll just put my new V1 in my new FD when I get home.

 

One thing about the Bel and Passport is that they can be moved to another vehicle easily. Is that the case with the Valentine, or is some of it "installed"?

I like being able to put the detector in any car I want.

Adam

 

Yes it can be moved easily...

For example, I have my V1 hardwired into my RX-7. Meaning, I have it connected directly to the electrical system and hidden from view, when the V1 is not there all you see is the plug and a few inches of wire coming out the headliner. I just plug the V1 in and clip it to the visor and its ready to go.

When I want to use the V1 in my other car (626) I just unplug the V1 from the RX-7, and plug the V1 into the cigarette adapter of the 626 using the other cord (V1 includes 2, a straight one and a coily one, like the old phones).

I use it the same way as any other detector in my 626. In my RX-7, it is hardwired and this is really nice as it is invinciable from theives/'followers'/cops

 

heres a pic of the install in my RX-7

all you can see is the few inches on the top of the A-pillar. Otherwise it is hidden from view. I tapped into a 12v wire near my stereo that turns on when the car does.

 

heres a pic of the install in my RX-7

all you can see is the few inches on the top of the A-pillar. Otherwise it is hidden from view. I tapped into a 12v wire near my stereo that turns on when the car does.

 

Thanks for the pic. I can see your wire running down the pillar. I ran my wire to the sun roof switch. No wires running down anywhere this way.

Adam

 

Adam..

is the sunroof a 12v ? Also, is it a source where it powers on when the key is on ACC or 'On' ? or is it always on. I should of wired it to there I guess.

You really dont notice the 3 inches of wire. As you can see in the pic, it goes behind the molding on the side right there so you dont see any of the wire on the A-pillar, just the small part from the visor to A-pillar

 

I mounted mine in the sunroof, I dont have a pic at this time but it is nice. I also support the Bel 985 100%

 

Guys I have a Q.
All of you who are using a detector, does the police in your area use mostly radars or lasers. Because here, they use mostly lasers, and radar/laser detectors become kind of useless in that case.
But still, if the cops use lasers in your area, could you tell me if you still managed to save some tickets by having a radar detector.

I don't wanna hear about the V1 or whatever, because my mind is set on what I need. I need invisible detector so I have to go with either the new PNI TravelLer or Cobra units which are the only ones that are Spectre invisible.