Hey Utah - What lead you to pick the SR-1? I wasn't even aware they made an SR-1 remote model until I read this. Would you trade for the $300 and an 8500 after reading this?

Just curious. I'm exploring getting a remote unit instead of the roof-slashing/window-breaking model I've got.

 

I have had the SR-1 for about a year. I bought it because I am lazy, leave the top down a lot, and dont want to remove it everytime I park. It works good, doesnt give too many false reports, but the distance on the KA band could be improved. Usually I only get a couple of KA beeps, which means I am getting beamed. KA is used a lot here. A lot more than laser.

 

Not true.

X band
Bel 980 Xband 1 1/2 miles 2/9 leds
Passport 8500 Xband 1 1/2 miles 2/6 leds
Passport SR-1 X band 1 1/2 miles 1/7 leds
V1 Xband 1 1/2 miles 1/8 led

K band
Bel 980 Kband 1 1/2 miles 4/9 leds
Passport 8500 Kband 1 1/2 miles 3/6 leds
Passport SR-1 Kband 1 1/2 miles 1/7 leds
V1 K band 1 1/2 miles 3/8 leds

Ka band
Bel 980 Ka band 1 1/2 miles 4/9 leds
Passport 8500 Ka band 1 1/2 miles 2/8 leds
Passport SR-1 Ka band 1 1/2 miles no response
V1 Ka band 1 1/2 miles 2/8 leds

Ka band over the hill
Bel 980 Ka band 1/2 mile over the hill 1/9 leds
Passport 8500 Ka band 1/2 mile over the hill 1/8 leds
Passport SR-1 Ka band 1/2 mile over the hill no response
V1 Ka band 1/2 mile over the hill no response.

Laser Detection at 500 feet.
Bel 980 no response
Passport 8500 no response.
Passport SR-1 response
V1 no response

VG2 "detector detector" test
Bel 980 no detection
Passport 8500 no detection
Passport SR-1 detected at 1080 feet
V1 no detection


I'd say the Bel 980 and the Passport 8500 rate 4 out of four and the V1 rates 3 out of 4 and the Passport SR-1 a 2/4 for radar detection. The SR-1 is the only one with any useful laser detection. The Bel 980, Passport 8500, and V1 beat the SR-1 in the detector detector test.

To me, that is objective evidence that as a radio frequency listening device, the Passport 8500 and the Bel 980 are better than the V1 for radar from the front. This is also objective evidence that the Passport SR-1 is not as good as either the V1 or the Passport 8500 or the Bel 980 as a radio listening device.

Is that enough to get me to change from my 6 month old V1 to the Passport 8500. No. However, I might, just for fun replace the Passport 4600 in my Prelude with a Passport 8500 and do my own comparisons. Certainly, for front listening, no one can claim the Passport 8500 or the Bel 980 are worse than the V1.

I recommend anyone interested in radar detectors read this entire article. It was worth waiting for.

How much do you weigh rear facing radar antenna vs front facing radar sensitivity? That is the choice for someone trying to decide between the Passport 8500 and the V1. Both are "best in class" along with the Bel 980.

 

I have had a V1 since owning my stook. Would'nt trade it for anything!

 

I once rented a Dodge Neon (Hi) and borrowed a V1 from a buddy. I sped from Denver to Tucson at an average highway speed of 90mph. That little Neon was whining huge. Anyway, the V1 saved my butt thrice (I love that word...thrice).

It is a great piece of protection, I just wish they would design a little form to go along with all that function. It is for that reason alone I would even consider any other detector.

 

I'm not sure how the passport beat the Bel... according to their results anyway...

Somehow I wasn't expecting anything really conclusive anyway.

 

[QUOTE]Probably the best radar detector ever made was the old X band, K band DSP Escort of the mid 1980

 

Go to this website for the best comparisons for Detectors and Jammers

www.radartest.com

 

All these radar comparisons are garbage. I'm convinced that V1 is the best.

 

I totally disagree. Look at how much detail www.speedzones.com gives you. The testing "around the curve" that radartest.com makes no sense. I think they have an anti-V1 bias.

You can't do better than www.speedzones.com ... but follow Taimur's link and see for yourself.