jsteinwald

So, I've decided to invest in a radar detector and have read most of the info on both Club Lexus and RadarDetector.net regarding the recommended RD's. However, I'm still deciding between the V1 and the RX65. I know the preference on CL tends to be for the V1. I have some questions though:

1) It seems like the V1 tends to be better on wide open roads with great visibility. I do most of my driving in the Los Angeles area... San Fernando Valley from Woodland Hills to Pasadena (101, 134, 210) and Valencia down to OC (5, 405). Considering that kind of driving and what the cops use down here, which would you recommend between the V1 and the RX65?

2) Any recommendations on where to have this hardwired professionally?

Jkeys

I use the x50 Blue in my IS. I also did all of the research prior to purchasing mine and came to the realization that between the V1, RX65, and the X50, there really is not enough difference in performance for what I was going to use it for. Some say this is better at that, and this is better for this, but really in the end they all give you enough warning time when used properly to avoid most tickets.

The V1 supposedly has better LIDAR detection, but unless you install a Jammer or Veil or something similar it doesn't matter if you can detect Laser from 5 miles away or 5 feet. They get you right away.

So I decided on the X50 Blue because, to be honest, it looks the best in my car. The V1 is big and ugly, and for me I didn't need those giant red arrows. If I am being hit, I don't care where it is coming from I just know I need to slow down. Escort and Bel are now the same company so I have to believe that the firmware and detection capabilities of the RX65 and the X50 are very close (as is their price), so I decided that the Blue would look better with the colors of the instrument panel in my IS. I am very happy with everything, the detectors capabilities, the slim lines, modern design, and the Blue matches perfectly.

Sorry that was so long for a simple question, but that is just my .02. If you are set between those two, I would get the Bel. I don't live in Cali, so I don't know where to get it hardwired out ther. Good Luck.

uschardcor

you know...you could just drive intelligently.

imo the only time you "need" a radar detector is on an open straight away with nothing in sight.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

i agree, in a lot of city driving (includes freeways in cities), radar detectors might not be as useful. from what i see, a lot of chp in cali they pace people on freeways anyway. that' why i dont' even bother to use radar when i am in town.

but when i go between socal and norcal on i5? v1 all the way. i wouldn't get anything else

IS-Jim

My best friend is a CHP in Orange County, and they hardly use the radar unless they are on 241/ 71 or something.. Usually they just pace you. There are too many cars to get an accurate readings.

I rode with him several times and what he normally does is by getting on from an on ramp and pace someone. They never even see him comming. It is so easy, they can be 5-10 car lenghts behind you and get your speed.

So I would invest your money in something else. (larger rear view mirror) hehe j/k

P.S. My friend told me that if he pulls someone over with a radar detecter it is an automatic ticket... not chp policy, but his.. hehe

jsteinwald

OK, as far as freeway driving is concerned, yes I am aware that CHP determine speed by tailing you. However, I am concerned with radar on side streets. I've been nailed twice by radar and was wondering which RD would work best against those threats, on Pasadena or San Fernando Valley streets.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

yup, that's what i notice too. that's why when i drive locally, i always look on almost every onramp and such to see what cars are entering the freeway. you just have to drive smart. and putting on the radar might only get you false alarms with all the junk around

Jkeys

While I do inderstand what you are trying to say, you need to phrase it a bit better. I do drive intelligently, and you don't want to rely on a radar detector on an open highway. If you are the only one in sight, you will get pulled over, radar detector or not. There are correct ways to use them and incorrect ways, and this is not the place to discuss that, but since jsteinwald has done some research I am sure he understands how to use them effectively.

BTW, I RARELY do more than 10 over the PSL. In fact it is more fun to see someone fly by me on the freeway, watch my RD scream, and see them pulled over down the road. That has happened twice in the last 2 weeks. Those are the people who are not driving intelligently.

Stage3

iTrader: (3)

Sometimes the V1 gets VERY annoying while driving throught the city. But when it comes to the open roads... its the best thing ever!

As for the hardwiring, it's actually VERY easy to do yourself. All you need are a few hand tools and a bit of patience... It can be done in about 30 minutes if you know what you are looking for!

kensteele

I can't tell you how untrue this statement really is. This is coming from someone who has experienced real world laser as a traffic application while driving a real car in a real environment. Not some magazine test or some vendor selling jammer equipment trying to mislead you.

I have personally beaten and defeated at least a dozen laser speed traps. I lost one and got a ticket. I've had my V1 for many years now since 2000 and I speed alot. Granted Kansas and Missouri is not a police state, but there is quite a bit of laser activity going on at times.

Let me summarize:

My last laser ticket: I got hit with laser first up right away, I wasn't looking ahead but weaving in and out of traffic (looking out for other cars), I didn't see the motorcycle cop ahead and probably wouldn't have since he was hiding behind a wall. Nothing I can do. Got a ticket.

Other than that, my V1 has helped me beat let's say 12 potential laser tickets. In at least 8 of those, I was the first car up and I got hit first meaning: no reflection. In the other 4, I was the second, third, or fourth car to get hit and I did pickup the reflection from the first, second, or third car and was able to brake hard before my turn came up.

So back to those 8. In at least 6 of those, I saw the cop before he saw me. So I brake hard and 1-2 second later, V1 comes on and I just miss getting a ticket. 3 times I got full on laser as the first car up, the cops sees me before I see them, I am speeding, and I got a ticket once and didn't get a ticket twice (in these 2 I broke it down, and the cop followed up with a second laser reading by this time I am not speeding, so I can't say what he knew or didn't knew, all I know is no ticket). So anyway, that's my story over the last 2 or 3 years.

V1 laser detection is awesome.

mjr24

Get the V1, hands down the best radar. I sold my CL with my V1 in it and had to wait a period of 3 weeks or so before I got it installed in my SL, and of course I got a ticket in that 3 week period. I know of being laser one time for sure where I was the only car on either side of the road for a long way. I was about 20 over at the time and I think the V1 picked it up maybe 2 seconds before the cop got it...which was enough time to slow down to 10 or less. I thought I had got lucky but maybe the V1 is that good with laser after reading kensteele's post.

toy4two

you are going to get so many false alerts in LA its not even worth it. Automatic grocery store doors always set mine off. Its great in the back country. I found its better to pay a traffic lawyers $100 a ticket than $400 for a detector and then have to pay a lawyer anyway. If the detector was $100 I would say go for it, but you get what you pay for with detectors.

lux.sh

V1. Once you go arrows... you can't go back.
Never tried RX65, but owned X50 for 3 mths. it was garbage.

jsteinwald

OK, so I am driving up to NorCal this weekend and thought about finally making the plunge on the V1. I understand it is best on open roads. Does this then mean that most people who live in a city don't use the detector in the city but only when taking a road trip? Or do you configure the V1 detector to turn off bands not very useful in city driving, such as X and K?

STIG

My V1 is on small L mode. whatever that is. I think it means auto logic or something like that and suppose to eliminate false X band warning. But I dont rely on V1 when i am in the city. I just drive slow.

But when i am driving on high way, it's on A (all) mode. better hear all the bands when you are doing 120mph. heh