Radar Detectors

**Jonny Rotten** · 29th August 2006, 17:48

i have the velintine one in my work van..... so far since having it i have not been let down by it once.
i have found that even if im traveling down a road and a cop car is coming down a side road infront of me the valintine one still seems to pick them up some how....

i also had one case when i was driving up the motor way towards silverdale... i had just past the bp station and the radar detector went off so i slowed down....the cop was ages down the road next to the silverdale off ramp....

this seems like along way for one of these detectors to work from.....

how does it pick them up from so far away? is it because it is a large open area...

or does the v1 pick up on the radio signal aswell?

**myvice** · 29th August 2006, 18:27

If you’re using the HARD unit can, would, should you mount the detector in a harder to reach less visible spot?
I was thinking along the lines of maybe under the in-fill panels or right at the front of your screen just above/behind the speedo?
It’s all plastic from the bars forward and doesn’t radar look through it?
Repco/Appco can do Bell detectors but not the HARD units.
About $1195.00
Day licence is also about that! Plus your fine, court costs, lawyers fee, day off work…

**Lou Girardin** · 29th August 2006, 18:57

Originally Posted by Jonny Rotten

or does the v1 pick up on the radio signal aswell?

No. But under ideal conditions you can get phenomenal range. I've picked up a cop at close to 10 k's. Pixie was there too, got the same range. We both thought we had some extraneous signal, until we saw the candy car.

**scumdog** · 29th August 2006, 19:00

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

No. But under ideal conditions you can get phenomenal range. I've picked up a cop at close to 10 k's. Pixie was there too, got the same range. We both thought we had some extraneous signal, until we saw the candy car.

Thars why you believe the detector EVERY TIME.

**davereid** · 29th August 2006, 20:51

Riding in a group helps. Stalker DSR can tell the fastest vehicle in beam, and the strongest signal. But it cant tell which is which. So the cop has to assess that (ie make it up). And if there are multiple vehicles in beam, strictly speaking the radar is out of its technological depth. Thats not to say the courts won't support the ticket, but from a technical pint of view it getting pretty shakey !

see http://www.eslnz.com/radar.html for some more data

**jonbuoy** · 29th August 2006, 21:02

headphones way too distrating, and can't wear ear plugs comfortably. Have an escort 8500, its bloody annoying being wired into the bike stopping for gas, quick head turns etc... I was thinking of fitting a great fuck-off superbright LED to shine up from the winshield on alert, have to suss out the output from it first though.

**Lou Girardin** · 30th August 2006, 08:25

Originally Posted by jonbuoy

headphones way too distrating, and can't wear ear plugs comfortably. Have an escort 8500, its bloody annoying being wired into the bike stopping for gas, quick head turns etc... I was thinking of fitting a great fuck-off superbright LED to shine up from the winshield on alert, have to suss out the output from it first though.

If the helmet buzzer and connection is properly designed, you don't know it's there. I tried a variant of the HARD system and found the LED was too easy to miss in some conditions. But I NEVER miss the buzzer.

**jonbuoy** · 30th August 2006, 09:05

Its the cable that joins me to the bike thats annoying.

**Quasievil** · 30th August 2006, 09:51

Guys Im thinking about this little gizmo, seems to have good reviews and its waterproof, Im just not sue where I will mount it on the 999, not alot of space on the yokes
Anyway check it out

http://www.motorcycleradar.com/radar_screamer.htm

You might be interested in the mounts to, good range and cheaper than most

**BNZ** · 30th August 2006, 11:01

I used to use a V1.7 and it never let me down. Even a cop coming towards me then turning his radar on didnt work as it seemed the V1 found his radar got a reading on me. There are manuals on the V1 website explaining how to disable X and K bands. ( I believe you only need the KA and Laser in NZ??)

**jim.cox** · 30th August 2006, 12:04

Originally Posted by Timber020

I second the escort 8500- awesome little tax saver

Any impressions of the Escort Solo 2 ?

I've got an original that doesn't seem to work any more = as I found to my cost = and was thinking of updating

**Swoop** · 30th August 2006, 12:20

Originally Posted by myvice

Repco/Appco can do Bell detectors but not the HARD units.
About $1195.00…

Bloody expensive mate.
Try Parallel Imported!!!
http://www.parallelimported.co.nz

**StoneChucker** · 30th August 2006, 12:25

Firstly all V1 owners: V1's are good detectors when setup correctly. That's why the new Bel XR works so well, because they are setup correctly AND they are slightly better than the V1's... The Bel XR is expensive, but compared with another Bel XR sold elsewhere, that price of $1195 is not that far off the cheapest you'll find.

I'm sure the RX65 has the same basic components, but it is an older model. Obviously it is going to be a shit load cheaper. The build quality is not as good and its been around for a while. It's KIND OF like the R1 and the FZR1000, both have the same basic engine, the R1 is tuned more and has a higher build quality. Everyone is going to swear their detector is the best, or the best value.

When it comes down to it, the new Bel XR is the best detector money can buy. Bel are slightly better than Valentine in terms of detection ability (as mentioned here by others), the new Bel XR has the newest version/manufacture of the componantry of the Escort RX65 (according to people here) which is supposedly really good, and finally, the new Bel XR has the latest build design with superior quality. The new Bel XR also has a rear facing detector like the V1. I don't think the Escort RX65 even has that feature. Regarding the NZ/AU Series, that simply means that the vendor/seller has set up the device for best operation in the country/region it is sold. By the sounds of it, what everyone here preferrs, is to look on Trade-Me, Joe Randoms Radar shop or any parallel importers. I guess that is fine, but make sure that:
1) It is fully functional in NZ
2) It is fully guaranteed in NZ
3) Parts are available for it in NZ (Valentine 1 supposedly only sells parts in the US, you'll possibly need to get parts online)
4) You know how to set it up for NZ conditions

But I overlooked one big point. The continual consensus around here is to get the cheapest version of anything. So yes, if you're trying to get the cheapest possible detector that works well, go for the RX65. Me, I am a firm believer than new models of good quality devices are usually better in every way. My life motto is "You get what you pay for!", which doesn't only refer to actual money.

In future, everyone asking a similar question should state whether they are after the best device, or whether they are trying to get the cheapest possible but functional, value-for-money device.

Dave.

**Lou Girardin** · 30th August 2006, 12:39

Originally Posted by jonbuoy

Its the cable that joins me to the bike thats annoying.

I know someone who's considering doing an RF based audible helmet warning.
The problem is remembering to charge the power supply, because it's sure to go flat when the IRD are about to zap you.