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[CVODON]

Seems to me that Valentine himself was owner of ESCORT (Cinnicnati Microwave), then he sold it to the employees several years ago. Sat out for a year or so then Valentine 1 entered the picture. It, when tested by Car & Driver Mag against several on the market and was the winner every year for a decade or so.
I have used them both, no comparison to me, Valentine is always the winner. And you can send it back every 5 or 6 years and they will update it and send it back looking like new for about half cost of a new one. They have a spot on the web page where you can enter your serial number and check if updates will actually significantly improve the performance of your unit before you send it back.
Good company to deal with. Try any of that with Escort, they will gladly just sell you a new one.

[mrmagloo]

Seems to me that Valentine himself was owner of ESCORT (Cinnicnati Microwave), then he sold it to the employees several years ago. Sat out for a year or so then Valentine 1 entered the picture. It, when tested by Car & Driver Mag against several on the market and was the winner every year for a decade or so.
I have used them both, no comparison to me, Valentine is always the winner. And you can send it back every 5 or 6 years and they will update it and send it back looking like new for about half cost of a new one. They have a spot on the web page where you can enter your serial number and check if updates will actually significantly improve the performance of your unit before you send it back.
Good company to deal with. Try any of that with Escort, they will gladly just sell you a new one.

I think the reality is Mike used to be the head engineer for Escort. While he might have had an equity stake, I don't think he left as a result of an acquisition.  I think more so, he conjured up the arrows feature, and decided he wanted part of the American Pie and left to pursue his dreams.

[CowboyBagger]

I'm thinking of getting a radar detector for my bike, not sure which one yet.  I've never had one on my bike "FLHXSE3 with the three pocket HD windshield bag", so I'm not sure where the best place is to mount them.  If anyone has pictures of their radar detector mounted, that would be great to see.  By reading this thread, most have high recommendation for either the Escort or the Valentine.  I've read on a few RD sites, that some are better in the city and some are better in rural areas.  Since most of my riding is in rural areas, I would lean that way if what I read was true.  Does it make a big difference if the RD was designed for motorcycles or not?  I'm guessing it's a waterproof issue?  

As always, thanks in advance for all replies, recommendations and information.

Ryan

[Unbalanced]

Have 2 x the 9500ix version (Red LED)  that remembers where the radar was from like stores etc.   Once they are locked out you dont have to deal with them any more

Has worked great for me for years.

[CowboyBagger]

Have 2 x the 9500ix version (Red LED)  that remembers where the radar was from like stores etc.   Once they are locked out you dont have to deal with them any more

Has worked great for me for years.

Unbalanced,  where did you mount the detector.  Did you hard wire it so you don't have cords flopping around?

[Unbalanced]

i use the windshield mount one is down low in the middle in the truck and the charger at the top of the windshield.   I used to lock out signals all the time now it is more rare, but still like having the button handy for when radar is active to mute it.   I move them between the 3 vehicles a lot, prolly should have hard mounted them and hid the wires 

[mrmagloo]

Have 2 x the 9500ix version (Red LED)  that remembers where the radar was from like stores etc.   Once they are locked out you dont have to deal with them any more

Has worked great for me for years.

The one problem often discussed with the GPS block is, a smart cop will sit exactly in those areas knowing that the alerts are largely either being ignored or manually blocked.  I ride with a number of cops and I can't get enough of the stories they share. They just love when they think someone has a radar detector and consider it sporting to outsmart them.

[Unbalanced]

none of the stores I have ever encountered have Ka band radar its almost always x band or k band and very few of the police here in florida run K band any more except the citizen patrol car    So the smart cop still loses, its the darn guys with the instant on guns that get ya.   

[mrmagloo]

Instant on is just barely better than laser. At least if you watch the strength meter on the blips, and watch the arrows, you can defend against those pretty easily if you're not alone on the road. That is when you are most vulnerable.  However, the smart cop doesn't loose if they are determined to nail you.  I'm not going to cross over into that debate, but some of my cop buddies use strategies I haven't even thought of, so the key is to just blend in and not make yourself a target.

[dayne66]

Here's a link to a great mount for cages.

 http://www.rogueradarmount.com/Escort-mounts.html


One downside to the Valentine is that it does not show multiple signals....I find that way handier to have than the arrow.

[CowboyBagger]

Here's a link to a great mount for cages.

 http://www.rogueradarmount.com/Escort-mounts.html


One downside to the Valentine is that it does not show multiple signals....I find that way handier to have than the arrow.

Those mounts look great when I mount the radar detector in my pickup.  Could someone explain (pictures would be great) how they are mounting the RD on their bike?  I have a three pocket windshield bag that I don't really want to give up.

Ryan

[moscooter]

Those mounts look great when I mount the radar detector in my pickup.  Could someone explain (pictures would be great) how they are mounting the RD on their bike?  I have a three pocket windshield bag that I don't really want to give up.

Ryan

If you're wanting a permanant (clean looking) mount,  this wouldn't work for ya.  But for a long highway trip and a need for a radar detector,  I used one of my many Escort detectors with the two suction cup mount that slides into a slot on the top front of the detector.

I stuck a short strip of velcro on the top lid of the left windshield bag (of three) and then the corresponding strip of velcro to the bottom of the detector.  I routed the cord down to the cigarette lighter socket for power.  Between the suction cups against the back side of the windshield directly above that ws. bag and the velcro holding it in place..............it is quite secure and never did vibrate from its mounting point.

Downside of this setup for me was two things............Waterproofing.  I used a ziplock sandwich bag (modified) to fit over the whole thing.......this was kinda ugly but effective.   The remaining downside was knowing when it went "off"..............hard to tell in the daylight hours and very difficult to hear any warning signal over the motor and road noise.

[sadunbar]

Here's a link to a great mount for cages.

 http://www.rogueradarmount.com/Escort-mounts.html


One downside to the Valentine is that it does not show multiple signals....I find that way handier to have than the arrow.

Really?   Mine does...  If there are 1, 2, 3 etc. signals being detected, the number 1, 2, 3 etc. is displayed, and the corresponding arrow(s) lights up. 

This link contains demo's of various scenario's and describes how the radar detector responds to them...

http://www.valentine1.com/demo/demo2.asp

[mrmagloo]

One downside to the Valentine is that it does not show multiple signals....I find that way handier to have than the arrow.

What you smoking?

[dayne66]

I guess my info is slightly out of date....have not looked at a Valentine in 20+ years as I continue to be more than satisfied with the performance of the various Escorts that I've had.