Objective professional reviews?

[ben721364]

Thank you. I have "been around" radar detectors for quite a while and have owned three from Cincinatti Microwave and currently own two from Valentine Research.

As noted in my OP, I am looking for research results that cannot be construed as linked to a commercial source that has a vested interest. Though the motives may be (probably are) clear and pure, there is always that lingering question. Where does GOL get detectors not supplied by the commercial sponsor? Do they buy them?

[KaPro]

GOL has several commercial sponsors. They also use their own varied array of personal use rd's. In this day and age you need all the help you can get.

[tshrimp]

GOL do seem to do a very good test, but I do have some questions.

Keep in mind I am at work right now, so just had time to glance at one of the reviews rather than read in detail. (But have read some of the older reviews years back) Forgive me if some of my below info was covered and I didn't see it........

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In their testing I see it says "Each detector was tested with factory default settings,...." (Is the KA Guard off a V1 factory setting? Asking as I do not own a V1.....YET)

Doesn't some of the Bel/Escorts reduce sensitivity when on its "Auto" mode (Factory Default?)? If so were they going the correct speed for maximum sensitivity?

Doesn't the RX65 have a USA mode setting that should be tested (I think they did test this at one time)

Do they do tests with "optimal" settings as I assume in both the V1 and Belscorts (and others) there are better settings for sensitivity then the defaults? (kind of like a tv. it never looks as good until you tweak the colors, and most reviews are done after that tweaking and then tested;-)

Is selectivity covered very often as I had a Whistler that wouldn't shut up, and I got to the point where I just started ignoring it, and several times rolled down the window and started my wind-up to throw it out before I realized each time that I could just sell the dang thing (ended up bartering for a Uniden....Hey, it was a long time ago I have grown since then;-)

Some radar detectors fit people differently. Is this addressed? Ex. If you live in an area with Cameras everywhere won't the GPS feature be usefull? Are you in the city with 90% of your driving in an urban setting? Do your LEOs use QT/IO?


I see they use different revisions of the V1, are different revisions of the Whistlers, Belscorts, Cobras, etc tested this way as well.

I am not new to radar detectors, and have been on these forums some in the past, so forgive me if much of this has been discused and discounted. As you guys are the experts here, and most seem to have great information.

I just realized I stated that I did not read the full review in detail, but did do a quick scan due to timing, but the lenght of time it took me to type this I could have read the review twice;-).

[happya$$]

I dislike all the companies fairly equally at this point, and feel they are all failing us in one way or another... I guess that is fairly objective then...

I couldn't possibly agree more with this statement.

Yes me three

[happya$$]

The best tests are ones that an individual performs in their environment out in the real world, in their daily commute. GOL tests should be one of the tools used. In fact there are many resources out there. Read them all and it should be obvious what makes sense and what does not. Compare those tests with your own real-world world tests and draw your conclusions. Some of my own favorite tools that I use are forum members tests, GOL tests, and my own real-world world tests, then I make my final decision. In all honesty though, my research always leads me back to the V1. We started GOL because we seeked the truth. Formula is very simple, do it for the love and do it honestly. We have made many mistakes along the way and we try to learn from them.

[CJR238]

The best tests are ones that an individual performs in their environment out in the real world, in their daily commute. GOL tests should be one of the tools used. In fact there are many resources out there. Read them all and it should be obvious what makes sense and what does not. Compare those tests with your own real-world world tests and draw your conclusions. Some of my own favorite tools that I use are forum members tests, GOL tests, and my own real-world world tests, then I make my final decision. In all honesty though, my research always leads me back to the V1. We started GOL because we seeked the truth. Formula is very simple, do it for the love and do it honestly. We have made many mistakes along the way and we try to learn from them.

My sentiments exactly.

GOL gives the most well rounded amount of information available. Add that to others opinions, research and testing along with your own and you will have all the information needed.

Though my research always leads me back to running as many countermeasures as possible, not just one.

[CJR238]

I was getting all excited, in a good way, about GOL until I read this on the 2009 Results page:

"A big thanks goes out to:

BuyRadarDetectors.com

for sponsoring us by loaning us several brand new retail radar detectors for the test!"

There were more posted at one point, but KaPro is correct you should not be "disturbed" to see a group such as GOL, being sponsored by retailers who are official retailers for the rd manufacturers. This stuff is expensive and everyone needs a little help every once in a while.

[protias]

The best tests are ones that an individual performs in their environment out in the real world, in their daily commute. GOL tests should be one of the tools used. In fact there are many resources out there. Read them all and it should be obvious what makes sense and what does not. Compare those tests with your own real-world world tests and draw your conclusions. Some of my own favorite tools that I use are forum members tests, GOL tests, and my own real-world world tests, then I make my final decision. In all honesty though, my research always leads me back to the V1. We started GOL because we seeked the truth. Formula is very simple, do it for the love and do it honestly. We have made many mistakes along the way and we try to learn from them.

My sentiments exactly.

GOL gives the most well rounded amount of information available. Add that to others opinions, research and testing along with your own and you will have all the information needed.

Though my research always leads me back to running as many countermeasures as possible, not just one.

Who can only run just one?

[ben721364]

I entered this discussion with an open mind after owning two V-1s for 15+ years. Prior to that I owned three Cincinnati Microwave units, two of which were OK. My thought was that perhaps some other company had caught up or passed Valentine in performance. The more I read, the more satisfied I am that Valentine is still ahead of the pack. My mind is still open to objective data indicating that I am wrong. Unless I see such, I will buy another V-1 when the time comes that I need a third unit. I do not need voice alerts but I am hooked on the "locator" that only Valentine offers. As a bonus, the V-1 costs $100 less than it's nearest competitor if bought direct from the manufacturer.

[CJR238]

I am not a member of GOL nor am i claming im 100% accurate in my answers below but this is my accumulative observations to answer your great questions.

GOL do seem to do a very good test, but I do have some questions.

Keep in mind I am at work right now, so just had time to glance at one of the reviews rather than read in detail. (But have read some of the older reviews years back) Forgive me if some of my below info was covered and I didn't see it........

--------------------

In their testing I see it says "Each detector was tested with factory default settings,...." (Is the KA Guard off a V1 factory setting? Asking as I do not own a V1.....YET) No KA guard off is not, that was an oversight missed when testing. The V1 tested was another users that happened to have KA guard off.

Doesn't some of the Bel/Escorts reduce sensitivity when on its "Auto" mode (Factory Default?)? If so were they going the correct speed for maximum sensitivity? You are correct, all Belscorts filter a lot in Auto mode. I believe all were tested in highway mode anyway, besides being at above 20mph.

Doesn't the RX65 have a USA mode setting that should be tested (I think they did test this at one time) I think it does too, but not everything can always be tested do to time constraints.

Do they do tests with "optimal" settings as I assume in both the V1 and Belscorts (and others) there are better settings for sensitivity then the defaults? (kind of like a tv. it never looks as good until you tweak the colors, and most reviews are done after that tweaking and then tested;-) Yes, there are better settings for sensitivity then the defaults like KA guard off on the V1. However most factory defaults give the most range with normal filtering, anything additional filters more usually.

Is selectivity covered very often as I had a Whistler that wouldn't shut up, and I got to the point where I just started ignoring it, and several times rolled down the window and started my wind-up to throw it out before I realized each time that I could just sell the dang thing (ended up bartering for a Uniden....Hey, it was a long time ago I have grown since then;-) I still prefer a quiet RD my self, i find noisy RD's numb your reaction time.

Some radar detectors fit people differently. Is this addressed? Ex. If you live in an area with Cameras everywhere won't the GPS feature be useful? Are you in the city with 90% of your driving in an urban setting? Do your LEOs use QT/IO? No, all GOL tests is things they can equally measure that all RD's have in common. I agree these factors should be part of the equation but GOL doesn't get into it.

I see they use different revisions of the V1, are different revisions of the Whistlers, Belscorts, Cobras, etc tested this way as well. No, just the V1. GOL believes because some companies use the same internals they are all the same.

I am not new to radar detectors, and have been on these forums some in the past, so forgive me if much of this has been discussed and discounted. As you guys are the experts here, and most seem to have great information. I'm not new ether, but i can be wrong sometimes or misunderstood. Hope i answered your questions as best i could and they are accurate to some degree. I'm sure the GOL guys will chime in if im off.

I just realized I stated that I did not read the full review in detail, but did do a quick scan due to timing, but the length of time it took me to type this I could have read the review twice;-).

I'm interested in seeing GOL's next testing of the V1, RedLine, 9500ci, STi as well as all of the most popular whistlers and Belscorts. Preferably 2 of each and not 4 different V1 versions, just new ones.