Thinking about buying a radar detector. Looking for opinions.

[johnrando]

It's not in that league, but I hardwired my V1 and I bought a module called StealthOne, so all my alerts show up on my NAV screen, no lights at all on the V1 and of course the wires are tucked up top so those are not visible either.

[Pip]

Have you thought about a cheaper unit like a V1 and doing radar mirror for stealth, no clutter? Unit would need to be located in a rear headrest. Not sure how it'd function in a side rear headrest but worth talking to radar mirror about it.

[MsRN]

It's not in that league, but I hardwired my V1 and I bought a module called StealthOne, so all my alerts show up on my NAV screen, no lights at all on the V1 and of course the wires are tucked up top so those are not visible either.

That's an idea I'm considering, John, except with either the 9500ci or the considerably less-expensive SmartRadar for Android. If I chose not to buy an AVIN Avant-2, though, the 9500ci would function well as a stand-alone unit with GPS; the SmartRadar, not so much.

[MsRN]

Have you thought about a cheaper unit like a V1 and doing radar mirror for stealth, no clutter? Unit would need to be located in a rear headrest. Not sure how it'd function in a side rear headrest but worth talking to radar mirror about it.

Radar mirror is a lovely idea, Pip, except that anyone on my 'six' can see it, including LEOs. I've seen rear headrest installs done, and think they're clever. Given that I can get a 9500ci for about $1k right now, a V1+radar mirror+custom headrest work seems like it wouldn't save much money in comparison, though. Plus, I'd really rather not have a radar detector sitting right next to my six-year-old daughters head.

[Trans]

I just sold my V1. Honestly, it's quite overrated. I'd consider the Redline if I ever get another RD.

[MsRN]

After reading a whole bunch of very negative reviews on Escort products, I went with the V1 and an iPhone BT dongle for now.

[cakM3]

I just sold my V1. Honestly, it's quite overrated...

That's a subjective statement. Not to start any arguments about this topic (you can find them over at other forums), it comes down to preference of the driver. I myself don't consider Valentine 1's offering overrated. I like having the bogy counter and directional arrows. So much so that I put away my Beltronics STi driver radar detector in favor of using my Valentine 1 in both cars. So preference.... the Beltronics STi driver is more sensitive than my Valentine 1 and is also invisible to the Spector detectors the LEOs use but the difference I have seen using both was not enough for me to worry too much about considering the speed in which I drive both cars....

[onepercent]

Just to throw this out there, I have a Beltronics V955 that works great. I've picked up radar from 2 miles away on the Ohio turnpike. This unit is one of the top rated detectors under $200.

[ranger]

Just to throw this out there, I have a Beltronics V955 that works great. I've picked up radar from 2 miles away on the Ohio turnpike. This unit is one of the top rated detectors under $200.

I had great luck with the Beltronics 995 - had three of them - one in C55 (after ZHP died), one in Audi A4 Quattro Avant (aka Battlewagon), and one in wife's E350. They worked well. Only issue was the amount of false alarms from door openers, etc. I "upgraded" to the Passport 9500i to get the GPS feature to "learn" door opener, etc. Bought two 9500i's off eBay at good prices - patience rewarded. Then sold all three of the 995s for $110 each on eBay.

[onepercent]

I almost never use it in the city so didn't know about the false positives in town. Love that you called the Avant the "Battlewagon"-- I called my wife's S6 Avant the "Mordwagen" aka murder wagon.