Been using the V1 for many years and wouldn't trust anything else.

 

The Escort is upgradeable free of charge and the heat is not an issue, at least in Texas anyway. I think both of these units are so close in performance it really won't make that much difference. Actually, the Bell Pro RX65 seems to come out ahead by just a touch in tests. As for the arrow thing, I would agree with another post that says you are going to do the same thing regardless of arrows or not. Your first reaction will be to tap the brakes, then take it easy for a bit.

Anyway, if you want more info, here is a site that does tons of radar detector testing:
http://www.radartest.com/

Roadkill

 

What I meant by a gimmick with regards to the V1's directional arrows is that you really don't need them. I know they work but, what would you do differently because of the arrows? Nothing, you would still slow down. So what difference does it make where the radar signal came from? And is this feature worth the $100 more compared to the 8500 X50. To me it's not but to others I guess it is.

Oh and the escort is NOT upgradable free of charge.

 

That site says it all....if POP is a threat then Rx65...other wise it's the x50. They rate the Rx65 as best overall though....

 

I agree with Shylor entirely. The arrows are a gimmick. What is your first response when the detector goes off? Look for arrows or hit your brakes?

If the audible alarm goes off, and the arrows say he's behind you, are you going to keep speeding? If the arrows say he's in front of you, are you going to keep speeding? If the arrows say he is to the left or right of you, are you going to keep speeding????

Of course not. You are going to slow down and remain within the speed limit until you either see the cop, or untill the coast is clear.

Arrows that tell you the LEO is behind you??????? If he is coming up behind you, he doesn't need radar anyway, he can pace you. Especially if he is unmarked. He can pace you for a considerable distance, too if he is unmarked.

The V1 and 8500 about equal in terms of sensitivity to the radar in use out there, so the arrows are what you are paying the extra $100.00 for.

 

V1, and then there's everything else

To the gentleman that said any name brand is good that they are all the same....BS (so many variables)! I have access to a state patrol car and have tested many detectors under different conditions and found my V1 topped them all. I have yet to test the new escort/passport though.

As far as the $100.00 direction arrows, they are worth it. If you owned one you would see. There have been times on the highway when my unit starts beeping, and yes you may slow down, but if you see your side to side arrows flashing then "usually" you would know it is no threat because radar can only be accurate in front or behind you and not on the sides of you.

Another time the arrows have worked is when you pick up radar behind you and the "gimmick" arrows are flashing the rear one, (so yeah you slow down), but guess what, I now know to look in my rear view window only to see him shooting down on someone else (hopefully not me) from an on ramp. I now know where he is by my "gimmick" arrows and people without them have no clue. So yeah we slow down but knowing if it is true radar (not side to side) and knowing if we are approaching it, passed it, or left it adds to better detection on where it is. However, everyone has their preferences.

 

MackIII,

I'm sorry but you proved my point about the arrows. It still doesn't matter where the radar comes from. Why do you need to see where it came from? Maybe I'm dense but I'm still not getting the value of having a directional indication. Unless you are running from the law and need to know which way to run.

If the detector goes off I would slow down....period! I could care lesss where it came from.

The detector should be your heads up to check your speed and if not already, get it down to a legal limit. Not to duct and dodge speed laws and blasting back up there when the coast is clear. Remember just because your detector didn't go off doesn't mean you are safe and the Police can't still tag you.

 

LOL!!! Man did MY opinion start something here!! Shylor.. Your RIGHT in the fact that you don't "see" the value in "gimmick" arrows. As a previous post stated X and K band radar WILL NOT work from the side!!! So what that means is I DON"T slow down when hit from the sides. I pass a few stores locally everyday and sure enough their X band auto door openers set off the Valentine showing a side bogey. I just blow it off. Blue, red, purlple or pink LEDs don't make a detector better.. just prettier. Sensitivity is what REALLY matters, but as I stated this is a matter of opinion, but I did MY research before I plunked down the bucks. I'll stick with my V1.

 

2004 radar detector shootout...

http://www.speedzones.com/

 

Another 2004 radar detector shootout...

http://www.speedzones.com/

 

The arrows are a gimmick.

If the cop is on an on ramp and zapping people from behind, how do you know when you are far enough away from him to start speeding back up again????

And let me guess, this is what you will say in court, right? Or better yet, if the side arrows go off, you just keep speeding, and let the man watch you zoom by him, in a left to right or right to left direction, right? Or are the side arrows, really indicating false alarms?

What????? He was on a ramp which you were approaching above the limit. Or even at the limit. You pass him while he is on the ramp, where he HAD BEEN zapping cars which had been AHEAD of you a few minutes ago, so you detector would have gone off if he activated his gun to clock those cars.. And you would have, SLOWED DOWN. But he hasn't activated his radar gun and given away his position. You then pass him. The detector goes off and you SLOW DOWN. You see the rear arrow. You look in your rearview mirror to try and locate him. . And see that he let you zip by, but is coming up fast. He pulls a car over which was behind you, so you keep speeding.

All good but for a few questions.

What if you had seen nothing in your rearview mirror????.

What if you saw an unmarked car in your rearview mirror and didn't realize that the LEO was on your ****???

What if he pulled over the sucker behind you but radioed up ahead to his buddies to be on the lookout for you too???

The arrows are a gimmick.

 

Popclutch,

That explained things to me better, thanks. But isn't the V1 more sensitive to false radar signals? At least that is what I've read. Doesn't the 8500 X50 show you what type of signal you're getting, while the V1 only shows you direction and threat rating?

Yes I agree it doesn't matter what color the LED's are and they are a gimmick. You don't have to buy an 8500 X50 in blue, it just matches the dash lighting better.

Both the V1 and 8500 X50 are good detectors. I wish I could afford both and try them out together.



EB20003,

Valid points!

 

The pricing is likely dependent on version differences, but a few years ago, it was 50% of cost.

SO - I sold my oldest V1 to a friend at that 50% cost and bought a new one outright. We both won.

One also has to keep in mind, that with every material item, there are those that settle for anything, and those that need/want the best... in the latter case - checkout the Valentine One.

 

Quantify your statement of "the best". What does that mean to you? Because according to the radar tests, the V1 isn't "the best".

 

I'm interested in knowing too.

 

For all those that think a radar detector saves you money from speeding tickets, wouldn't you save even more by not buying a detector and just slowing down?

Just something to think about.

 

(and yet another review http://www.motortrend.com/features/c...ar/index7.html )

Having now read all the messages, it is apparent that people are just different:

I need surround sound stereo... some don't.
I need HDTV... some don't.
I like AM radio... some don't.
I don't like bright red Corvettes... most do.

And, commuting two hours a day, I need the arrows. I certainly understand the philosophy of "I heard a beep, I slow down". I enjoy a greater degree of sophistication. I prefer to know where the shooter is. Interpreting the sound, signal strength and arrows gives you a complete radar screen of activity... Even the number of shooters.

If receiving a mid- or weak-strength signal from behind, what is the reasoning behind slowing down?? You only become a traffic hazzard to those around you. If you do slow down for, say 5 minutes, and speed up, now he's likely with range and zaps you when pick up speed. "I heard a beep, I slow down" - but you saved $100 or more on your detector!


A common technique in my trek is LIDAR from a bridge embankment with a second unit shooting k-band around the corner 3/4 mile down the road. <Shrug> They snag so many this way. I snicker every time.

Are cops around you so smug with their technique? We have cops that "bury" the car in a ditch in an effort to hide and pick you off... The State Troopers are professionals - its the small town jollies that play these games.

Get what YOU need!



Sheriff's Deputy Rick Miller works his way down a line of five of eight Corvettes he stopped on July 14th for speeding near Lake Crystal, Minnesota. The drivers were en route to the Black Hills Corvette Classic in South Dakota. Miller had clocked them on Highway 60 going 95 mph in a 65 mph zone.

 

You slow down to get in line with the posted speed limit, that would hardly become a traffic hazard. Speeding is more of a hazard.

I still think it's easier and cheaper to just follow the dang rules. If I spent $400 on a V1 and don't get a ticket fine but, I have only had one ticket (at age 17), in 30 years of driving. So with my record, it would cost me more money to use a radar detector.

 

i just drove 1200 miles from oxnard california to tacoma washington....i had my valentine 1 on and it saved my about 10 times......it is worth its weight in gold i assure you....i have a escort solo in my truck and it does work....but i prefer and love the v1 a lot more

 

With your outstanding driving record I wouldn't advise you to get a radar detector. But for heavens sake don't try speeding in your Corvette. IMHO having a Corvette and following the rules isn't going to work for me.