longevity of radar detectors

[budahrocket]

I am about ready to invest in a radar detector, and after tons of research, just need to get a few more opinions and facts. Right now its between a used bel rx-65 or a used V1. I see a few 65's for around 230, and a few v1's for around 325. My question is, how long do these units typically last? Can i realistically expect them to work flawlessly for 5 years or so? Or is it like an i-pod and more like a year and a half and they're done? Anyone who has had one of these or even one of the escort's, how long have you had it, and how well do they hold up? Any other input will also be appreciated

thanks in advance

[06wrx4me]

It all depends on how they were taken care of....Leave them out in the sun on the windshield (when not driving) and their life is decreased considerably.

I used to buy cheap-o Cobra radar detectors and they'd last 6-12 months. I now have an escort passport that is about to turn 3y/o. I have a coworker with a V1 he bought in 2001 that still works as good as the day he bought it.

[budahrocket]

anyone care to explain to me why this is so cheap, claims its not refurbushed
http://cgi.ebay.com/BELTRONICS-BEL-P...QQcmdZViewItem

[Crb03]

i've been using the valentine v1 since 99 and its been a awesome unit, i had it for 7 years then on a trip from la to miami we started getting random alerts that made no sense at all. it may have been from the heat but i don't know. i bought a brand new one when i got back and it seems to work better than older one. check ebay you might be able to get a new one for cheap. the only thing i know about escorts is that they have gps. which i don't understand how it works. i guess theres a satellite just for radars now, or something. might wanna look into them.

[josnroh]

I've had a V1 for 7 years now.It still works like new.I always take it off the dash when the car is parked.

[teflon_jones]

Go with the V1, you won't be disappointed.

anyone care to explain to me why this is so cheap, claims its not refurbushed
http://cgi.ebay.com/BELTRONICS-BEL-P...QQcmdZViewItem

They probably just got them cheap and will take less profit to sell more units quickly. The seller has almost perfect feedback on 3000 transactions so I'm sure they're legit.

[budahrocket]

Go with the V1, you won't be disappointed.

They probably just got them cheap and will take less profit to sell more units quickly. The seller has almost perfect feedback on 3000 transactions so I'm sure they're legit.

part of me wants to go with the V1 because its sort of like "why not get the best if im gonna get one at all", and the other part says, "that's 100 dollar difference, and the rx-65 is supposedly almost as good if not equal to the v1" its a tough dilemma, haha should i fork out the extra 100 bucks for the v1 or just go for the bel?

[SOUTHPAW]

I've had my V1 for 3 years and it's flawless...

[teflon_jones]

I'll say the $100 difference looks pretty tempting. In the past, Bel's flagship model has usually compared pretty favorably/equally to the V1. However, I've heard some bad things about the RX-65 in terms of reliability and performance with respect to laser guns. That's why I'd go with the V1. I've never heard anything bad about the V1.

[budahrocket]

alright, i went for the V1, picked one up used off of craigslist, i almost wanted to see a cop on my way home

[budahrocket]

alright, thanks for the advice, will do

[budahrocket]

Can anyone show me how to hardwire my v1 to the rear view mirror in my 02? Can i do it with just getting a standard phone cord from radioshack? or do i have to purchase the hardwire kit?

[budahrocket]

alright, thank you. When i looked at the straight cord for the v1, i saw that it had four wires, im assuming ground, illum, switched, and ignition power, but that is just a guess. Could i pop off one of the connectors, and splice into my gauge wiring? If so, which of the wires in the v1 cord go to what?

[budahrocket]

ok, any idea which color the power is? If i dont use any accessories, leave the data cables unattached, and just hook up the power and ground to the gauge power and ground, would the v1 work and just not the accessories, or am i completely wrong? Thanks for the good info, i probably woulda been an idiot and done some experimenting and burned up my detector.

[budahrocket]

yeah i'll just go for the hardwire kit, better safe than sorry, and no, its not registered in my name yet, im planning on doin it asap, but i am a little handicapped when it comes to mike's website... can you tell me how to re-register it?