Alright guys, help me out.

[unmamfqlm]

Just to be clear, I have done my research on different radar detectors and what not. I'm just wanting some last opinions on my situation. I have been using a 9960G for a while now, and am now about to go ahead and upgrade to a more reputable radar detector and company. I have actually been very pleased with this particular Cobra radar detector believe it or not. My only complaints are the ramp up and off axis encounters.

I'm not an avid speeder or long distance driver quite honestly. I live in a fairly small town, but I still get my fair share of false alerts when driving in through town. Point being, I don't believe false alerts would be a huge issue for me, BUT I've never used a "top of the line" radar detector. I don't do a load of highway driving, but when I do, they are normally pretty long trips.

With false alerts not being much of a problem, what are your top picks? I know I'll get a load of people that will reccomend the Valentine, which is fine, but I'd like a few other suggestions as well.

Just to get to the point, I'm planning on spending a fair amount of money on one that I can keep for several years, rather than buying a decent one and wanting to upgrade again in the near future.

Any information and/or suggestions will be appreciated.

[Solidjake]

More falses, but overall the best kick ass detector = V1.

Less falses, but problems with QT and no arrows = Escort


I've been using the V1 for 3 years now and it is literally a Godsend. The rear arrows rock, since I've had so many state troopers come from behind and the warning was excellent. The bogey counter saved me a ton of times as well in situations where I thought there was only one LEO, but another one showed up ahead.

[unmamfqlm]

More falses, but overall the best kick ass detector = V1.

Less falses, but problems with QT and no arrows = Escort


I've been using the V1 for 3 years now and it is literally a Godsend. The rear arrows rock, since I've had so many state troopers come from behind and the warning was excellent. The bogey counter saved me a ton of times as well in situations where I thought there was only one LEO, but another one showed up ahead.

This brings up another question I meant to ask. I've read that the Valentines have to be sent in for updates every now and then. Generally, how often is it necessary to send it in and how much does this "upgrade" cost?

[erickonphoenix]

More falses, but overall the best kick ass detector = V1.

Less falses, but problems with QT and no arrows = Escort


I've been using the V1 for 3 years now and it is literally a Godsend. The rear arrows rock, since I've had so many state troopers come from behind and the warning was excellent. The bogey counter saved me a ton of times as well in situations where I thought there was only one LEO, but another one showed up ahead.

This brings up another question I meant to ask. I've read that the Valentines have to be sent in for updates every now and then. Generally, how often is it necessary to send it in and how much does this "upgrade" cost?

I send mine in annually. The V1 tends to alert more than the Escorts and Whistler.

[v1user]

Just to be clear, I have done my research on different radar detectors and what not. I'm just wanting some last opinions on my situation. I have been using a 9960G for a while now, and am now about to go ahead and upgrade to a more reputable radar detector and company. I have actually been very pleased with this particular Cobra radar detector believe it or not. My only complaints are the ramp up and off axis encounters.

I'm not an avid speeder or long distance driver quite honestly. I live in a fairly small town, but I still get my fair share of false alerts when driving in through town. Point being, I don't believe false alerts would be a huge issue for me, BUT I've never used a "top of the line" radar detector. I don't do a load of highway driving, but when I do, they are normally pretty long trips.

With false alerts not being much of a problem, what are your top picks? I know I'll get a load of people that will recommend the Valentine, which is fine, but I'd like a few other suggestions as well.

Just to get to the point, I'm planning on spending a fair amount of money on one that I can keep for several years, rather than buying a decent one and wanting to upgrade again in the near future.

Any information and/or suggestions will be appreciated.

Things which may make you want you to go with the 9500ix(I'm assuming that is what you're referring to): You live with RLC & speed cameras. You want something that can mark locations. You want a detector that has some sort of false suppression. You want a more passenger friendly detector. You want a more pleasant[sounding] detector. You want something that has good reliability. After comparing the Bel/Escort tones to to the V1 I think the V1 tones are a little "harsh" but they get your attention. Another nice thing about Belscort, is they have an online representative you can talk to on this site and on their forum.
As a non 9500ix owner but a Belscort owner this is what I can think of.

Things which may make you want you to go with the V1: You're not buying features that you may not use/need so it's cheaper. You get the arrows which in IMO are a great during the day and a Godsend at night. V1 has the best rampup in the business. The bogey counter is so so, sometimes it's dead on and other times it's like a random number generator. They say the V1 has better range but I don't have a 9500ix to to offer my opinion on that. There is also the whole QT issue. Problems- My V1 had to be sent in a few months after I bought it because I got the "E" message. They fixed it under warranty and sent it back right away. Last week I sent it in again for AWFUL Ka sensitivity and received it back in less than a week. The unit was out of warranty and scratched but they still didn't charge me anything. Now, the unit is HOT and has destroyed every leo encounter I've had in the past week. For me, I've always had good CS with them but they do have their troubling tales. SnoopyC4 told me that if you buy the V1 new from them they usually don't charge you for basic "tune ups." The V1 works best for me in my environment but the Escort may be best for you. It's a call you have to make based on what you're reading. I'd say both detectors are good investments that will save you money in the long term.
I attached an excel sheet that you can fill out and see what it has to say. Somebody on this site made it but I can't remember who. Edit: I can't get it to attach.


Now let's see what the escort army has to say.

[nine_c1]

If your looking for a serious radar detector and falsing is not a concern then you basically have two choices..........the V1 or RedLine.

The V1 is a more refined all purpose detector. It has the best ramp up available, excellent sensitivity, excellent response times, directional capability and ships with a full complement of quality accessories including a windshield mount, visor mount, coiled & straight cords, hardwire kit, spare fuse and velcro. For $399 it offers terrific value.

The RedLine is more of a specialty detector with the main advantage being better range on Ka band around bends and over hills. The ramp up is not nearly as good and response times are significantly slower than the V1.......particularly on K-Band. Spec mode is a unique feature of the Escorts that is very useful for determining what Ka bands are operating in your area but Expert mode is not nearly as good as the V1's Bogey readout.

The 9500ix is another choice which offers GPS functions such as locking out K-Band door sensors but it is definitely behind the other two on range with the possible exception of 35.5 Ka where it will match or possibly edge out the V1.

All things considered, the V1 does not have an achilles heel so to speak, while the Escorts do with their lackluster response times. For a user like you, ready to step up to the next level, I'd go with the V1. It will provide you with a unique education in Radar detection.........one that everyone should have. Only after mastering the V1 would I consider moving on to an Escort if your key concern is max range or minimum false alerts.

[mellowbob]

Both Valentine and Escort offers a 30 day trial. I say take advantage.

[OldGoat]

the Valentine One is The baseline . . . the standard
without the experience of a V-1, one's counter-measure foundation is incomplete

[zerbey]

This brings up another question I meant to ask. I've read that the Valentines have to be sent in for updates every now and then. Generally, how often is it necessary to send it in and how much does this "upgrade" cost?

It's not usually necessary with newer models, older ones needed a tuneup every now and then. Only send it in if you think it's not performing right. As far as upgrade costs go, it depends on the age of the unit. Bear in mind the 3.872 has been out for over 2 years now.

[ersin]

Just a couple of extra points:

Re tuneup: The V1 can be sent in for a tune up. The others don't offer this AFAIK so when they start drifting off you get to buy a new one. And on that note, you can trade in the V1 for the latest model. It will still cost you, but not as much as buying new.

Re Redline slow response: I believe the Redline has the same internals as the STi-R which you can't get anymore. If Bel/Escort would add the Ka band segmenting (like the STi-R) then I bet it would kick ass, ahem, so to speak, in the QT response department. Whether this feature will ever get implemented in the Redline is anyone's guess. But if they did then I'm guessing that a simple software upgrade from your own computer would suffice. What makes this omission even more a slap in the face is that the Redline has spec mode which shows you the frequency that the radar is operating on. Without Ka segmenting the spec mode feature is next to useless.

The Redline has a bit more sensitivity but with the poor ramp-up and slow response compared to the V1 I'd have to say get the V1, even if it didn't have the arrows. Add the arrows and it's a no brainer.

Just MHO. YMMV