Best Radar Detector?

[eTrain07]

I just bought a new radar detector and am curious as to which one you guys think is the best. I bought an Escort 8500 X50 because I read multiple reviews saying it was the overall best, but I've heard the valentine is really good too. What has worked best for you guys? Also, is there a better place to mount it than not? Right now I just have mine stuck to the bottom-center of the front windshield.

[raziel21]

Originally Posted by eTrain07

I just bought a new radar detector and am curious as to which one you guys think is the best. I bought an Escort 8500 X50 because I read multiple reviews saying it was the overall best, but I've heard the valentine is really good too. What has worked best for you guys? Also, is there a better place to mount it than not? Right now I just have mine stuck to the bottom-center of the front windshield.

look at this one

http://www.radarbusters.com/products...onics/rx55.asp

[WRX-N-EFFEX]

Originally Posted by eTrain07

I just bought a new radar detector and am curious as to which one you guys think is the best. I bought an Escort 8500 X50 because I read multiple reviews saying it was the overall best, but I've heard the valentine is really good too. What has worked best for you guys? Also, is there a better place to mount it than not? Right now I just have mine stuck to the bottom-center of the front windshield.

I've got the same model. Works awesome! I had a Cobra before that, wasn't even half as effective as the escort. Mines located about where yours is. I've hard wired mine in and have the cord running under the pocket/clock thing. It comes out between the center consol and the passanger seat so I can use the mute button if i need it.

[eTrain07]

Nice, it lowers any sense of 'buyers remorse' to hear someone who owns one say it's awesome. How did you wire it through the dash? Any online instructions or ideas on how I could do the same thing?

[thebean123]

That Escort is gold i've had one for a while now haven't seen a ticket yet but the Valentine is where it's at, cant beat thos direction arrows. But the Escort is great, good buy

[jwtarbaj]

I have the V1 and IMHO it is the best but let's hope this doesn't turn into a pissing contest. Yes the arrows are a great feature.


The best place to mount any detector is as high up in the windshield as possible. Do not put it behind any kind of tint as this will reduce it's ability to pick up signals. The higher up it is the faster as you come up a hill it can read a signal.

[03'WRXDriva]

i have heard that the valentine one like jwt said is the best one out their, mainly because its made by the same company that makes all the radar guns. they have some money back thing where if u get a ticket they will pay for it i think.

[wrx3r]

valentine1 FTW. but then again ive never had anything else....but still no ticket for 3 years w it.

[eTrain07]

Originally Posted by jwtarbaj

I have the V1 and IMHO it is the best but let's hope this doesn't turn into a pissing contest. Yes the arrows are a great feature.


The best place to mount any detector is as high up in the windshield as possible. Do not put it behind any kind of tint as this will reduce it's ability to pick up signals. The higher up it is the faster as you come up a hill it can read a signal.

How high up do you have yours? I understand what you're saying but if you mount it anywhere than the bottom middle of the windshield it's going to start obstructing your view, not to mention routing the cords so they don't show would be a major pain. I'm just curious how you got around all of this...

[eTrain07]

Originally Posted by jwtarbaj

I have the V1 and IMHO it is the best but let's hope this doesn't turn into a pissing contest. Yes the arrows are a great feature.


The best place to mount any detector is as high up in the windshield as possible. Do not put it behind any kind of tint as this will reduce it's ability to pick up signals. The higher up it is the faster as you come up a hill it can read a signal.

Okay, I'm normally not one to call someone else out but what you say above is complete bs (aside from the tint comment). I just did a bit of research (radarbusters.com) and here is what they say about mounting radar detectors (notice bold lettering):

"Don't mount it high!
During the testing of the products reviewed on RadarBusters by Radar Roy and Speed Measurement Laboratories, the radar detector is always mounted in the manner the manufacture recommends in their manual, in the center of the windshield.

However you will see on this page, that mounting it in this manner will not allow it to receive laser alerts. A laser beam shot at 500 feet is only 18" wide when it hits your vehicle. Police target either the front license plate or the headlamps. If the radar detector is mounted in the center of the windshield, it will be too high to receive any of the "splatter" that may indicate you are being targeted by a police laser gun.

Mount it Low!

Consider using Velcro to mount your detector on the dash or using the supplied windshield mounting brackets and mounting it low on the windshield. By mounting it this way, making sure that the windshield wipers are not blocking the front, you will draw the least amount of attention and obtain the best laser and radar detection. "

[ajmilano]

I have a valentine one, and it has saved me a ridiculous amount of times. I have it mounted right above the rear view mirror. It says in the manual u want it as high as u can to give it the furthest line of sight. And it has given me laser alerts from hiding cops plenty of times, and it also seems that if i mounted it lower the rear sensors on the V1 would be useless.

[jwtarbaj]

Originally Posted by ajmilano

I have a valentine one, and it has saved me a ridiculous amount of times. I have it mounted right above the rear view mirror. It says in the manual u want it as high as u can to give it the furthest line of sight. And it has given me laser alerts from hiding cops plenty of times, and it also seems that if i mounted it lower the rear sensors on the V1 would be useless.

Call me out all you want but both these points are exactly correct. I also have mine just below the rear view mirror. I have never had a problem. I get Laser warnings just fine. I pass a State trooper in the center divide nearly daily and it always goes off (Laser warning) as I crest the hill.

Direct from V1 Manual available here -> http://www.valentine1.com/moreinfo/V1_Owners_Manual.pdf

Valentine One works best when mounted high in the
windshield, and toward the center between the windshield
pillars. Use your choice of windshield or visor mounts.
• When properly mounted, the front antenna will look
forward through the glass. It must have an unobstructed
view. Don’t put it behind the parked windshield wipers,
or directly behind an in-glass antenna. Don’t position it
so that it "looks" into the rearview mirror.
• The rear antenna will look rearward, between
passengers and out the rear glass. It, too, must have an
unobstructed view.
• Detector performance is enhanced by a high mounting
position. Two reasons. For radar, a longer sight line to
the horizon always helps. For laser, moving away from
the hood and its sun reflections helps a lot.

[WRX-N-EFFEX]

Originally Posted by eTrain07

Nice, it lowers any sense of 'buyers remorse' to hear someone who owns one say it's awesome. How did you wire it through the dash? Any online instructions or ideas on how I could do the same thing?

What it did was I bought a cigarette lighter extension. I cut the end off that you normally plug something into and hardwired it into my existing cigarette lighter. Then I removed my radio and the pocket on the dash. Ran all the wiring up to the radar detector and put the pocket back in. I'll try to post up some pics so you can see it.

[eTrain07]

jwtarbaj, looks like we have conflicting info! Agree to disagree, if that's what the valentine 1 says in the manual than I assume it's the right way to mount that model. On the Escort website, they say this about their models:
"Where should I mount my radar detector?
For maximum performance, your detector should be mounted level on your windshield, with a clear view of the road.

Note: Do not mount your detector behind the tinted area at the top of your windshield. This will reduce its laser performance dramatically. "


Now I don't know where to mount the thing permanently!

[nayrb]

your supposed to mount it so it can "see" out the back windshield too this way it will pick up more junk behind you etc...