I got a speeding ticket last week so i guess i better pop for a detector. Need opinions on which one, valentine1 or escort passport 8500? Where is the best place to purchase these?
Thanks

 

Get the V1 you won't be disappointed. I ordered mine out of one of the major mags(car n driver, motor trend, road n track).

 

Oh man....you've opened a can of worms!! I personally like V1!
Good luck with your choice.

 

Do some research through Google and take it all with a grain of salt.

I chose the Escort 8500 X50, it has the best KA band detection from the independent tests and KA band is why the NHP uses so that was most important to me.

 

I have a Bell and a V-1.

Spend the bucks for the V-1

 

V1 - you can't get any better.

 

I bought the V1 2 days before picking up my Z16, having the directional arrows to let you know where the radar source if coming from is the best feature of the detector. At night, when it's difficult to pick up a LEO with a radar gun, the detector let's you know when you've past it, or if it's coming from behind you....

Also, spring for the carry case and do a search on teamspeed on here, he's makes a cord for like $11 that let's you wire the detector right into the rear view mirror power plug in about 10 seconds.

 

You'll love it!!!

http://www.valentine1.com/

 

I've got the escort 8500 x50 with blue display. Its saved my butt several times already and looks really cool.

 

I have both the V1 and the Passport 8500.

At this point, I would buy the new Passport X50 since it is the newest, has better Ka range AND the new pop radar detection.

 

I'd have to go with the V1, I love mine!!

 

...has it been a whole month since the last thread

 

Worms everywhere but I have been saved more than once with my V1

 

Worms, Roxanne. I said Worms!


Yes, can't go wrong with either.

I saved the $ and picked up the 8500.
Would get the 8500x50 if I were buying another tomorrow.

Susan had the V1 and loved the directional arrows, but it was full of false readings.

Both are excellent detectors.
Rain(bought mine from a store that also sold on Ebay)

 

Those things don't work. Just drive the speed limit ...
Did I say that out loud? V-1 would be my choice.

 

From Consumer Reports:

In recent testing, nearly every source we found cites the Valentine One and Passport 8500 as the top two models. Some reviewers like the Valentine's unique directional arrows, which point to the heading of the radar threat. In all tests we found, the Valentine accurately warns drivers of X-, K- and Ka-band radar guns, and performs on par with the Escort at pinpointing the presence of laser guns, but the Valentine is more prone to false alarms than other detectors, and experts say its city mode (which cuts down on false alarms on suburban streets) doesn't as work as well as the Passport above.

The Escort Passport 8500 runs neck and neck with the Valentine One, differing more in features than performance. Both models sniff out X-, K- and Ka-band radar guns from at least a mile away, and both are better at picking up laser guns than other models. One advantage of the Escort over the Valentine One is its better city mode, which filters out X-band frequencies in busy areas, where garage door openers and automatic supermarket doors can result in an annoying number of false alarms. While experts agree that both are good choices, the Escort is $100 cheaper.

Here's the whole review for you to read if you want but one thing I found by reading it that I really like is that laser detectors focus on your tag or your headlights to get a bounce back. Georgia doesn't require a front tag and you know where OUR headlights are.

http://search.netscape.com/ns/boomfr...r_detectors%2F

 

Escort 8500 X50

 

Ive mounted mine in the top drivershand corner of the windshield. Ran the chord behind the A-pillar. That way it sits higher for a better detection range (i think) and its not as visible from outside. Also its right close in my peripheral vision so I won't miss when it goes off.
Anyone else mount thier detectors anywhere besides center dash?

 

Can open.....worms everywhere!

You can't go wrong with either. They're both excellent units, with the major difference being the V1 is a radar locator rather than just a detector. They're both on par detection wise (real world here) and the new V1's do POP. You can virtually eliminate false's on the V1 by using Auto Logic mode and programming out X. No LEO's use X in my areas so don't need it.

I like the V1 because: It will point to the source of the radar. It will tell you how many sources there are. It will tell you how strong the signal is. It will track these sources, even of different bands, and always point/alert to the most threatening source, while still displaying the other sources and where they're coming from. (say a LEO is hiding in a polluted zone, V1 will pick him out) It's a little much at first, but the learning curve is short and soon you can glance at it and know where, how many, how strong, and what band. The more info you have, the better. When it alerts, those big red arrows get your attention! I didn't like the fact my Bel985 could be going off and I'd never notice it, with the top off, windows down, and stereo cranked.

What I don't like about the V1: No automute...really, that's an easy one to add. I'd rather the band indicator have the letters backlit, ie. X, K, Ka rather than a little red LED next to the printed letter. Tricky knowing which one until you get used to it...only a factor with top off, windows down, and stereo cranked.

Either way you'll get the top of the line...just depends if you think the extra ability of the V1 over the X50 is worth the money. Personally, I did. I've been using them for years, from Fuzzbusters, Escorts, Whistlers, Cobras, Bels....the V1 is far superior to all of the previous ones I've had.

 

V1