I have a Valentine One and I was wondering is there any detector that is better than this??????? How is the Bel ?

 

I have a K-40 and belive it is the best. Although the built in ones cost a good bit, they are well worth it. The portabl one is around $300, I'm not to sure.

www.k40.com

 

http://www.detectortest.com/

Here's an online test:
Max. Possible Points 100
BEL 980 -- 94
Escort 8500 -- 97
K40 SS3000 -- 39
Valentine One -- 77

 

In Car and Driver, BMW Roundel, etc tests. the Valentine always finishes first.

I have one after owning a Bel and would not go back for anything.

Ian

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99 Expedition EB
5.4l, 4x4, 4.10'S
WMS Tube, Bassani Cat Back Exhaust.
Superchip Flipchip on Order

 

There has been alot of debate about the best one. If you take into account the size of our cab and mouting areas for window unit versus grill/bumper mounts, there dosn't amount to a great difference between the top end detectors.

The two grille/bumper mount detectors are the K40 and the Passport-SR1 from Escort. They'll both run around the range of $800-900 installed. The K40 is begining to show its age and is in need of an upgrade. Unless you're getting the "stealth install" which has minimum lights, the K40's display is a step behind the SR1. The SR1 has great multi-bogie (up to seven signals) detection and has the same detector range. The K40 can get a rear moutned detector, but all foward facing units can pretty easily sniff out radar creeping up from behind.

As far as window mount units go, you can't go wrong picking one of the big three: Bell 980, Escort Passport 8500 or Valentine-1. I tried the 8500 and the V1, I kept the 8500 because it was smaller and I liked its alerts better. They all seem to be just about as equally skilled in detecting radar. Laser perfomrance? Well short of getting a good Ladar jammer, any amount of laser detection really isn't going to do you much good, but the K40 would have an advantage being mounted on the front of the vehicle where a Ladar would most likely be aimed.

Here's some links to previous discussions:
https://www.f150online.com/f150board...ML/010011.html
https://www.f150online.com/f150board...ML/010036.html

Here are pics of my hardwired 8500 install:

Pawns Radar Install

Here's Hwy_2_L's V1 install:



Theres are alot more links to follow in the Lightning FAQ too...

Daniel

 

I have only had the Valentine One for a week (800 miles) but I like it much better than the bell I had in my other truck.

------------------
Rich,

2001 Red Lightning Picked up 3-10-01
Mods:
Valentine One Radar Detector
Mods on order include: Haig Industries MBZ-Velour floor mats, Bed Rug, Cervini’s Ram Air Hood, A.R.E. LSII W/Led Wing, G-TECH/Pro


Mods:
99 F350 Power Stroke Turbo Diesel 4X4 Crew Cab Lariat SRW LWB 3.73LS 4R100 Banks Stinger Kit, 2” Super Lift, AR Baja 16.5x9.75, BF Goodrich MT 35x12.50, Pace Roll Top, Lund Racer Back / Visor, Bushwacker Flares, SS step bars.

 

Actually Hwy_2_L which is now ****** has his installed like this





Took the visor mount and modified it to mount on the overhead instead of the glass. I still have the V1 remote on the dash. And by the way, the V1 works great but you can still get a speeding ticket while using a detector. Don't ask how I know.

------------------
Rick

White 00 #2236 of 4966

My Mods & More


[This message has been edited by ****** (edited 03-12-2001).]

 

I'd like to get a V1, but man those things look large. It's like you're advertising the fact that you speed.

Then again, maybe they're smaller than they look.

 

we dont need no stinkin radar detectors, or something.

ok, if a choice must be made, V1 for me please.

 

That second picture in my post does make it look pretty big, but it's not much if any bigger than any of the other brands I've owned. It does have some weight to it as it's in a metal case. One of the things I like is it doesn't need to be thrown out when a newer model comes along. You can send it back to Valentine and they can update it for you as they release improvements.

------------------
Rick

White 00 #2236 of 4966

My Mods & More

 

I havee the Passport 8500, it just came in today, I have to figure out where to put it. I am thinking just below the rear veiw miror.
I did some research and the Bell, V1, and the Passport all seemed like nice units, but Escorts reputation, and bad luck will Bell in the past sealed my decision. One added thing is the Pasport matches the silver paint on my L

------------------
SILVER 2001 LIGHTNING
Built 02/14/01
Picked up 03/03/01
Sportmasters tonneau
Bedrug

http://members.tripod.com/donf150/Welcome/id7.html

 

Just got a new flyer from Escort on a unit called the 8500. They claim independent test rank it far and away better than the Valentine and any other. Well see. The Valentine tells where the signal is coming from which appears to be a definate plus not offered by any other unit that I am aware of.
noelvm


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"ANYTHING OTHER THAN 1ST, SUCKS" (D.Earnhardt)
99.5 Red Ligntning, Mobil 1, PRO-M 80 MM MAF/filter, Custom Superchip, Eldebrock 5512 muffler, CAL TRACS, MT ET Streets, best time (1/8) 8.19, Bugflector II, G&H Lens covers head & fog, 200 WT Pioneer 4 CH AMP, BOSE 301 SERIES IV SPEAKERS (IN BACK)LONESTAR RACEWAY 2000 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR (AT 56)
70 Vette LS-6 454 (gathering dust in the garage)

 

K40 will also show singal direction. V1 was a little big for my taste and I didn't like their alerts, so I went with the 8500. The performance data I found showed them at about the same radar sensitivity.

Daniel

 

I decided to buy the Bel 980 because of its unparalelled long range detection.

The Bel 980 was $219, and that's a big difference with the $399 V1. Being able to detect radar traps 7 miles ahead is what really matters. Especially with instant-on radar; sooner is better!!!



------------------
Black 2001 - Got boost?
http://www.teamon.com

 

One thing I will tell you is the mounting bracket on the Escort?Passport 8500 Sucks Big time. Looks like I will have to make my own bracket.
The bracket holds it to the windshield, but it to short and forces you to push the detector into the windshied. You would think for $300.00 it would come with a proper mounting bracket.