As a V1 user in several cars, I love the arrows, and will buy another one when my C6 gets delivered next month.
Now if only Valentine would add the GPS function, and automute, I believe it would be the perfect detector.

 

Just don't speed and you wont need the Valentine . 80% of
red light tickets are for righthand turns . Escort all the way .

 

V1, IMO but does not matter if the cop has the instant on, yoo still need to pay attention, and not doing stupid things like cutting off people. The way I do it is like following a convoy, let them get the ticket!

 

Escort 8500 X50........awesome! With the blue led's......even awesomer!!!

 

Escort has come out with a few new "remote" mounted detectors which are a big improvement. I have had several different ones thru the years including the Valentine and I prefer the Escort with the lockout GPS. Wish I had bought one of the new "remote mounts" but they were not out yet. Check out the new ones before you leap!!!!

Dan

 

radar with directional arrows and number of radars.

 

And those arrows and what kind of radar do just what for you? I really DON'T see the benefit.

 

I went for the less expensive X50 instead of the GPS because I commute a total of 100 miles a day, but all of those miles are out on flat Texas Panhandle highway. Rarely drive in town, so didn't see the need for the redlight camera option.

This thing has been awesome. Even in town, it will start a slow beep for at least 2 miles before I see an officer. A few days ago, I kept getting a signal that would last a couple seconds, then go completely away, over and over. About 3 miles down the road, he was hiding behind a grain elevator, zapping people and then shutting it down. For my purposes, the X50 is perfect so far.

 

Also consider Bel STI Driver, it has a complete stealth system...so it can't be detected by radar detector-detector.
The sensitivity is same as V1 or 9500i

 

X50 has saved me more times than i can count...

 

I live in Cincinnati where both Escort and Valentines are manufactured. Escort was started by co-founder, Mike Valentine. He left after many years and founded Valentine.

I had a friend who passed away at age 50 who worked for Escort. He has been gone about 7 years now. He like the co-founders of Escort were University of Cincinnati Electrical Engineers. My friend was in research and development for Escort. He told me he was trying to emulate Valentine. I am not an engineer but he carefully explained the superiority of the Valentine and why he was attempting to catch up to the Valentine performance. That was 8 to 10 years ago. Escort went bankurpt and bought by Canadians. So there may be differences in the latest versions of both.

I had a few good deals on Escorts. I switched to Valentine and I would not switch back.

I also drive reasonably (knock on wood). The last speeding ticket was in a car without a detector. I was doing 30 mph in a 20 mph School zone. I had my head up my rear on that one.

Valentines cost more. I believe that NORMALLY you get what you pay for.

 

If you are driving the same route all the time and want to completely ignore the false alarms that you've identified, then the Escort is a good choice.

If you use your car to explore new territories the V1 gives you the best information.

The arrows tell you where to look (for future reference) and if the signal is coming from the side, you can ignore it.

Repeating alerts ahead often indicate instant-on radar being shot at cars ahead of you and if it's coming from behind, and not diminishing, it's again instant-on being shot from a cop following you who is targeting on-coming traffic. Knowing where the cops are and how much time you have to respond, is always a good thing.

Identifying the radar type, for those of you that don't get it, is a benefit when you are deciding weather to ignore it or not. Ka is definitely police and X is almost always not. And the V1 identifies these with different tones as well as the LED's.

The sensitivity to 'normally' false alarms can be reduced/eliminated with the V1 using several different programming options.

Cops often set up in groups and the V1 can tell you how many different signals (it has a Counter) are being received and if it's the one you just passed or another one waiting ahead of you. Another benefit of the arrows.

Both the V1 and Escort are fine tools when used properly, but neither is a magic wand. Use them wisely.

 

Wait, what? They have a device that can detect a radar detector?

<-- Virginia here.

 

Sure is a nice day for a drive, think I will speed up a bit and pass all 5 of those cars in front of me.

Crap, the V1 just went off, better take my eyes off the road and have a look. Ok (2)arrows on, front and back, hummm, and the X-band light is ......... crash, bang, boom!

Just rear ended the friggin car in front of me! Sure wish I had bought that darn Escort so I could have locked out those false signals when I came through here yesteray!

 

If it was X-band you would be able to recognize it just from the tone, without looking at the detector.

If you don't know how to use the tool, you'll get hurt.

Feel free to continue terrorizing your neighbors, just like yesterday.

 

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense of the matter!

These are just tools, and should rely on them as such.

That doesn't mean with the right tool your invincible, just gives you the ability to protect yourself when you may be doing something...should I say within your limits?

 

I believe in situational awareness and I love to drive. The V1 gives me the data to make the right decisions.

As for known speed camera locations, I use a Garmin portable unit and I download the latest Trapster data to it before a trip (that rotten form of revenue generation happens to be banned here in California -- one of the few good ideas we've had in the last several years).

The combination is super effective.

Now, having said all that....if you are the type that wants to sort of zone out and not pay much attention to what's going on around you, choose the Escort. It's all about personal preference.

My belief is that the most involved driver is the safest driver. I use a V1.

 

That's right on as how I feel, you have to be aware at all times. It would be nice to know where signals are coming from for sure.

So they banned camera's at intersections here now(CA)?

Are detectors legal in CA? Would an officer know if you were using the V1?

 

Radar detectors are legal. Laser jammers (unfortunately) are not.

Cameras at intersections to catch red light bandits are legal. Speed enforcement cameras are banned.

I don't run red lights, so the only time I update my Trapster database in the Garmin is when I'm heading to Arizona.

 

I've used several and don't think any of them are anywhere near as effective as the V1. It is by far the best detector IMHO. Valentine gets my clear vote.