ferravette

heres my take. Have had a V1 for many many years.
Pros: Arrows indicating where the radar is; the bogey counter; as sensitive as the 9500xi (had both at the same time).

Cons: i found it useless in city streets (as in the nyc area). Too many false alarms. Does not have red light camera and speed traps feature.

The Escort Max: Just had a 1400 mile ride to NC and back: the sensitivity to ka band is so good that a few times as i was ready to dismiss the alarm as a false one, (which deos not happen too often on ka)there was the leo. I say ka because that is what i encountered. I'm sure it's just as good on the other bands (although i do not think anyone uses X band anymore).
The red light and speed trap feature is great to have especially if you're going into unfamiliar territory.

Cons: Lacks the directional arrows of the V1.

So is you're mainly doing highway driving and do not need red light /speed trap feature the V1 should be sufficient. I found out on my trip what a useful feature the directional arrow is.

If you are doing all kind of driving the Max is your best bet (better at detection than the 9500xi).

in a perfect world one would use both the V1 and max at the same time on long trips.

Now keep in mind that 99% of the time when the laser alert goes off on either detector and you're speeding, it's basically you cue to pull over and "license & registration". If you do it quick enough and the leo does not even have to get on the highway to chase you, maybe you will get a 'Thank you for pulling over so fast, i'm only giving you a warning."

as someone mentioned the Blinder works great on laser.

Whatever you decide, both the above mentioned detectors are tried and proven.

Also the escorts are upgraded online, the V1 you have to send back and i think the price is $185. I have upgraded it twice over the years.

Jordan6908

When laser hits you it sends back an error code and then they try and hit you again by that time you should have slowed down. All of these company's have them:

Escort 9500 CI
Blinder
K-40
Laser Interceptor

0ipsStas

i have escort detectors on all my vehicles. love them.

FEAR

k40 start up.


off



and on

0ipsStas

i had experience with k40 and didn't like it at all

ZO ZICK

JerryU

Several folks said they had them installed and it was a good job with no visible wires. Typically the audio aftermarket guys know what they are doing but as the service manager where I bought the C7, said they can’t be sure as they hadn’t taken one apart! At least he read me the service manual page on removing the “A” pillar trim. However it would have required more force to remove than I was willing to use, as a broken plastic “A” pillar cover is not what I wanted to occur! When the dealer does it and it breaks, he just orders a new one! Plus pro’s know what it should feel like. My work arround was fine.
Probably pays to check out where the battery is in the right rear. You have to lift up the carpet which is easier said than done! If you’re having the installation done and it is their 1st C7, just tell them the fuse panel for the auxiliary on the console is number 37 in the rear panel, which is in the center of the rear next to the battery. Bring your owners manual, it's on page 10-41. These folks install a lot of fancy audio equipment and have removed many “A” pillar and other trim to hide wires.

tentorium

Monts

The V1 and the Passport are consistently rated the best. I believe your decision will depend on which of the two distinguishing features you prefer more.

The Valentine has the arrows, the Passport has the built-in GPS.

For me, it never really mattered where the threat was coming from, since as soon as the threat appears you immediately slow down (regardless of the direction). Therefore, I put the GPS\location memory feature as more beneficial than the arrows.

C7Z51_2014

Power from odb plug. The wire in the lower right corner is hot. Ground anywhere you want.

Carnut12

I have the 9500 as well, love it!!!!!!!!!!!

Rad22

Unfortunately the C7 mirror doesn't have that plug on the back of the mirror. It is covered and inaccessible. Interestingly, I asked my local dealer to help me out with just pulling power from up there today and they told me GM has SPECIFICALLY told them to leave the wiring around the mirror alone. Not "tap friendly".

Motohead279

I have used a Valentine 1 in all of my cars. Just installed one in my C7 last weekend. I ordered it with then OBD adapter to power it.

Br0

Your story is a cool one....but:

1. "tapping" into the wires that are located in the mirror is NOT a good way to hardwire the detectors, most def not in many cars with very sensitive electrical systems like my BMW, or Mercs or Audi. Problems have arisen from doing it your way...look it up. A handful of problems is enough for me to do it the right way. My way is the safest, not much harder, reversable, and requires no permanent crimping of an existing wire in the car.

2. If you are referring to the aux plug, most rearview mirrors do not have that plug...so this option is only available on a small handfull of cars.

sajonf

It's hot all the time. Not a good solution

Br0

Exactly my previous point.

broncho6

If you want the best, spare no expense and spend the money on a K40 RL 360 with both front and rear laser diffusers. And get unlimited tickets paid for a year.

Why would you hang a portable $400 radar detector (Valentine 1) from your $65k rear view or windshield.

There are countless threads on this topic if you use the search button.

0ipsStas

i would never spend my money on k40. i had it before and my opinion that it is junk. i had nothing but problems with it. a good friend of mine that used to install k40s said he doesn't even recomend it anymore because it's nothing but problems. but that was like 4 years ago, may be they changed the system. this is just my personal opinion so don't hate

broncho6

no harm or hate here. You may have had issues 4 years ago with the Calibre or earlier generation setup. The new RL 360i setup has been improved and works great. It has saved me many times coming down from 100 mph plus speeds.

I also own the V1 with the latest firmware and can say it works good but I prefer the K40 for real protection. The portability of the V1 is great for traveling in rental cars.

0ipsStas

yep, it was the calibre thing