Need help in choosing radar detector

[mstolpner]

I am a well experienced driver and I am on the market looking for my first radar detector. I spent a lot of time going through reviews and threads and I got confused trying to decide between V1/9500i. I am driving about 50/50 city/hwy so I suspect that radar detector sensitivity is as important for me as its intelligent quietness. I’ve read that V1 is probably the most sensitive but also one of the most chatty ones. I’ve also read that the new 9500i is a very intelligent and quite however is not as sensitive as V1, especially when it comes to the laser. So I am looking for answers to my questions:

- Many people say that a laser alert means that a ticket is on its way. At the same time most of the reviewers pay much attention to the laser detection sensitivity. I am confused: is high laser sensitivity a very useful feature at all? If so, why?
- Is V1 really that chatty? I think that if I get too many false alarms I will start ignoring them.
- I found someone on this forum mentioning that this is possible to re-program V1 to make it more quite. How is it done? Does it make it much quieter/useless?

I appreciate your help.

[CactusMan]

A "quiet" detector will keep you wondering if it is working or not.

[mstolpner]

Thank you CactusMan. Any other opinion?

[RW'07]

I am a well experienced driver and I am on the market looking for my first radar detector. I spent a lot of time going through reviews and threads and I got confused trying to decide between V1/9500i. I am driving about 50/50 city/hwy so I suspect that radar detector sensitivity is as important for me as its intelligent quietness. I’ve read that V1 is probably the most sensitive but also one of the most chatty ones. I’ve also read that the new 9500i is a very intelligent and quite however is not as sensitive as V1, especially when it comes to the laser. So I am looking for answers to my questions:

- Many people say that a laser alert means that a ticket is on its way. At the same time most of the reviewers pay much attention to the laser detection sensitivity. I am confused: is high laser sensitivity a very useful feature at all? If so, why?
- Is V1 really that chatty? I think that if I get too many false alarms I will start ignoring them.
- I found someone on this forum mentioning that this is possible to re-program V1 to make it more quite. How is it done? Does it make it much quieter/useless?

I appreciate your help.

Get the V1... also check out the GOL section of this forum, extremely helpful... best of luck and drive safely

[CJR238]

I am a well experienced driver and I am on the market looking for my first radar detector. I spent a lot of time going through reviews and threads and I got confused trying to decide between V1/9500i. I am driving about 50/50 city/hwy so I suspect that radar detector sensitivity is as important for me as its intelligent quietness. I’ve read that V1 is probably the most sensitive but also one of the most chatty ones. I’ve also read that the new 9500i is a very intelligent and quite however is not as sensitive as V1, especially when it comes to the laser. So I am looking for answers to my questions:

- Many people say that a laser alert means that a ticket is on its way. At the same time most of the reviewers pay much attention to the laser detection sensitivity. I am confused: is high laser sensitivity a very useful feature at all? If so, why?
- Is V1 really that chatty? I think that if I get too many false alarms I will start ignoring them.
- I found someone on this forum mentioning that this is possible to re-program V1 to make it more quite. How is it done? Does it make it much quieter/useless?

I appreciate your help.

1) A chatty detector will make your reaction time numb.
2) A quiet detector may keep you wondering, but that’s the point. You’ll freak out when it goes off.
3) Laser alert means that a ticket is on its way. But the V1 does it best.
4) High Laser sensitivity is a good thing because there is a chance of getting scatter from another car.
5) The V1 can be made quieter almost to a fault but it’s up to you to set it the way you want.

In my opinion the 9500I and the V1 are the only 2 detectors to have. Both are awesome. V1 for highway and 9500 for rural & city driving.

Try both and return the looser. The one thing is they both need time to get to know them.

By the way Escort is asembled in Canada... :wink:

[Toronto-radar-chopper]

V1 is the way to go. Search the V1 section of the forum for answers to your questions.

[mstolpner]

Thank you for your responses. Very helpful.

[CactusMan]

Actually a quiet detector is not the point at all. You purchase a detector to detect.

The V1 I have is on the "A" mode with X band on- I don't think X band is used but I do not want to be in any situation where I can be vulnerable to any alert out there.

The X band can be controlled by using the "l" or "L" mode or you can adjust the softness of any tone by adjusting the mute lever just behind the off/ on button and just tap it once to the adjusted level if you get annoyed.

[Orbital75]

It all depends on what kinda driving you mostly do.

Interstate Driving = V1
City Driving = X50, 9500i, Rx65, Vector 955

If you are in a State where detectors are Illegal = Bel STI