Another stupid question...doesn't a radar detector only tell when a cop up ahead has his radar gun out AND CONSTANTLY ON. Isn't it a moot point if he is intelligently picking off cars (or using lidar).....because if you're detecting the radar then, it means he probably just tagged you????

A friend of mine is a state police officer and he 'picks' cars rather than using the radar constant on. I guess if most staties use constant on radar, the detector makes a lot more sense - I am getting a V1 based on the recommendations here.

That's a good point, and a reason why I'm hesistant to shell out big bucks on a detector. I think they call it POP3 or something. Ideally, the best combo is a detector and a jammer.

So far, I've been pretty lucky and haven't gotten ticketed for any moving violation. There have been a few close calls though.

Escort 9500i with GPS

0 false alarms
shows you the actual frequency of radar
shows you your speed
Auto switch to city/highway
Auto-volume
Auto-dim
computer interface
list goes on and on

http://www.escortradar.com/9500i.htm

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'10 X6 5.0i with 7RR Performance Package
'04 X5 4.4i with staggered 20" #168

15 years ago the V1 was the best. But today thats just not true.
Take a look at this review:
http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=100542

note the range differences between the Bel STi Driver and V1...but most importantly read about what happens to the V1 when locked in a hot car. Besides being the ugliest detector on the market, its no longer top dog.

You might also want to look at the new Escort 9500, which also betters the V1. I personally owned both (currently use the Bel) and I can also testify that it works far better than the V1.

Yes POP 3 is harder to detect, thats why long range is very important...you will detect him "poping" cars in front of you and will be warned. No detector is 100% but if it saves you two tickets it has more than paid for itself.

The Escort 8500 X50 is also an excellent, lower cost choice that imo is better than the V1

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2013 X5 35i M Sport

I agree with some of the things said in that test. The V1 has a small screen, that makes it impossible to read at night. It gets extremely hot, and I wonder sometimes if its still working. However, if it were not a great radar detector, then why would he bother to still test it 15 years later? I find the V1 to pay for itself whenever I take a long trip to LA or to San Francisco, and it picks up well enough for me to slow down.

There is no doubt it is a great detector...my only point is at that price level there is newer technology that is better. Honestly, in 15 years there are only 2-3 models today that exceed the V1...not bad huh?

But if I were buying today, I would not get the V1.

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2013 X5 35i M Sport

There are a few good radars out there that are better. However, what happens in a year or two when when there is new technology out for radars? Do you spend another $300-$500 for a brand new radar detector? You can trade in your V1 back to the company, and get a completely new detector for a fraction of the price. I think that is what I like most about V1.

thats why god made ebay

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2013 X5 35i M Sport

Point?