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Seeking RADAR Detector Advice

I use an escort 8500 and have been pleased. I have it mounted on a RAM mount for a radar detector. I think RAM mounts are sold through cyclegadgets.com. They are an adjustable ball and socket mount that works really well! I drilled and tapped a hole in the filler cap on the top of one of my fork legs. I screwed in a mounting ball and loc-tited it in place. Then I just attach my 3" adjustable arm with the magnetic radar detector mounting plate, plug in my power and audio wires and I'm good to go! I think the whole mounting set up cost $43 shipped. but I did have to spend $7 on a 1/4" tap.
It keeps the detector behind the windscreen, but still within easy reach in case I need to change settings, adjust volume, etc.
 
In most cases it has always felt prudent to run at the posted limit out west.
Exception: New Mexico, where you can safely go about 130 in most places yet limits tend to be about 65.

Just recently, the IDOT raised it to 65 because they said that all the traffic was travelling 65 so that must be the safe speed as determined by the traffic.
That's highly unusual, despite the fact that most places have laws requiring speeds to be preiodically studies and adjusted to what 85% of drivers are doing. Most places choose to keep them low, for whatever reasons (I think revenue).
For those who say that speed enforcement is not about revenue, why doesn't it seem to work? I'll bet jail time would work...and I wonder how many cities and states would go into extreme budget-crisis if NOBODY perpetrated a moving violation for a year...
 
The_Veg said:
Exception: New Mexico, where you can safely go about 130 in most places yet limits tend to be about 65.

agreed. i'll add west texas to this. you can make Pretty Good Time out there.

i was back east for a week in august, and i was utterly amazed at the huge number of cops i saw out doing speed control. it was wild.
 
I'll bore everyone with this reply and add my 0,02 cts as the V1 IMHO is pretty much the best. I have had two units and no tickets in 10 years. My dad and brother each have one and are ticket free too (so far :lurk ) YMMV
 
Go with the Valentine 1. It identifies all the X band crap near the strip malls or the gas/convenience stores near the exits on the slab. It indicates the number and direction of the threat, usually K or Ka. It lights up when you get hit with laser, but you gotta be good. Seems to me that I encountered more state troopers using laser this year than ever before. They seem to be a little more conspicous, probably because they need to aim, like target shooting. Happy Trails.
 
Another vote for a V1 from a long time user. I've had an original Escort, a original Passport and the Valentine 1 carries on the excellent detection and interface Mike Valentine has been known for.

Additionally, if you buy a used V1, you can check with Valentine to find out if the unit has been updated or is stolen. They periodically update the software in the units and will do so for customers.

Try that with anyone else. Valentine stands behind their product like noone else, IMHO.
 
Beware

Spent a lot of money on a Bluetooth K40 on both my K1200S and my M3. Yeah, it does scramble laser (I think), but in K or Ka bands alerts when I have a visual and have already been clocked. Maybe it's the install, but I am back to Valetine, which has never ever failed me.
 
My Valentine 1 has paid for itself many times over in the three years I have had it. If stopped, which I haven't been, just throw your gloves over the detector. It is therefore not in plain sight.
 
The Valentine V1 seems to be the detector of choice among responders to this thread, with a positive reply or two regarding the Escort 8500 x50. The V1, Escort 8500 x50, and Bel rx65 are the highest rated units in all the research I've compared. Has anyone had experience with the Bel rx65 on a car or bike?

Also, I'm wondering why knowing the direction of a radar threat is important to me as a rider. The Escort and Bel units are rated nearly as sensitive as the Valentine in rear detection. When I hear/see an alert signal, I'm going to slow down regardless of the direction indicated.

And what about laser threats? All three promise some warning, but are any of them really effective in detecting laser/lidar?

Lastly, on mounting systems (in my case, for an R1150R with a Parabellum fairing, but would apply to all). I'm interested in the pros and cons of windshield vs. shelf/arm type brackets as sold by CycleGadgets and other vendors. What is the Forum's experience here?
 
JRD said:
Also, I'm wondering why knowing the direction of a radar threat is important to me as a rider. The Escort and Bel units are rated nearly as sensitive as the Valentine in rear detection. When I hear/see an alert signal, I'm going to slow down regardless of the direction indicated.

Many times I've pulled out onto a freeway and started picking up a hot signal from *behind* me. So I knew where to look for the threat and that I shouldn't grab a handful to move ahead through traffic. When I come into a strange town and start getting a hit, I can see it from the front, now the sides, now behind me and from that information know that it's stationary, I've passed it, and if I didn't see a cop it must be something at the mall I passed.

With all other detectors you only know the level strength - not the direction. Having used the V1 for three years, I would gladly trade a bit of detection range for direction information - it's far more useful, especially since all top detectors find a signal way beyond the danger zone.

And what about laser threats? All three promise some warning, but are any of them really effective in detecting laser/lidar?

Laser must be shot from a stationary ambush position. Since the beam is so tightly focused, odds are good you won't get any early warning, but I have on some occasions. Laser has to reflect off of something: paint, chrome, reflective license plate (or stickers on the back), or headlight reflector. Bikes are harder to hit and many have less reflective area. I've been shot straight on riding my K1200RS and the cop didn't get a good read (trust me - I would have known if he did :evil). So, bottom line is laser detection is of some use, but very little IMHO compaired to radar.
 
I use an Escort 8500 X-50 with a heads-up HARD display in my helmet. I also move this unit back and forth from my bike to my BWW car and Ford pick-up. So far, no complaints and no performance awards. Obviously, with instant-on radar you need to have some traffic out in front of you - but the 8500 regularly picks up signals at 5+ miles.

"I would rather wake up in the middle of nowhere than in any city on earth"
Steve McQueen
 
radar detector

Ed:

Would you recommend the HARD display? I get so much wind noise with my helmet that I can't hear the detector warning through Mini Blaster helmet speakers. I've also tried Etymotics, but they hurt my ears.

Rinty
 
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