So what radar detector did you decide to get?

Karl_Luph · 08-13-2003, 10:41 AM

And has it saved you from getting a speeding ticket? I bought the Escort Passport 8500 about a year ago and can honestly say that I'm not a leadfoot,but it's tipped me off many times and have seen a number of drivers that passed me earlier getting pulled over. It's excellent if you live in the city where there's various speed limits and school zones.

Will Tolliver · 08-13-2003, 10:25 PM

if you're not using a Valentine 1, you're playing second fiddle

Karl_Luph · 08-14-2003, 10:51 AM

When you can't get the best, you just get what you can, lol! It seems even the cheaper radar detectors work pretty decent nowadays.

Jerry_Wh · 08-16-2003, 06:46 PM

Anyone who thinks they need a radar detector can afford the best - just look at the cost of getting a ticket => ~$250 up front plus ~$2000 in increased insurance rates over the following 5-7 years. By that measure even the V1 is cheap.

There is a saying that the only thing worse than having no radar detector, is having a bad one. The 8500 is not a bad one, and in synthetic tests it scores in same range as the V1. But the direction indicator and the radar source counter are huge improvements in funtionality tgat only the V1 gives you.

Zack_R · 09-01-2003, 02:47 PM

I have the 8500 and think it is an excellent detector. I also had a V1 for 8 years and think it is good but I like the 8500 features better.

Both will give similar warning but where I think the 8500 excels is in it's Spec display. This single feature tells you whether you are getting a false alarm or a real radar.

In every day driving you will likely encounter more false alerts whether from motion sensors or other detectors. The numeric display informs you of the exact frequency you are receiving and you can quickly discount the falses. No other display (except Bels) gives you this kind of info.

Two other features I really like about tne 8500 are the windshield mount and the city No x feature. The windshield mount is very compact and makes it easy to place above my rearview mirror. It also allows me to easily remove and install the detector and leave the bracket on the windshield.

The city No X feature lets you disable x band but keep full sensitivity on K and Ka bands. The reason this is cool is because you can easily enable x band by switching to Auto or Hwy mode which is essential if you drive in an area where you don't know if they use x band or not. When you return to your locality you just switch it back to City No X.

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Mehul · 09-10-2003, 01:11 PM

I have a V1 and love it.
But with any radar detector - you have to learn how to use it. I have seen guys barreling dow the hwy with no one leading them to set off the instant guns that cops have and they are surprised when a cop pulls out and catches them speeding.

jus my two cents

JoshuaT · 09-26-2003, 07:48 AM

There is a setting in the program mode to turn off the x band on your V1.

Ronald Epstein · 09-27-2003, 11:20 AM

I bought the Valentine 1 about 2 months ago
simply because I read it was "the best" out there.

It is a remarkable little unit. Has already
saved my butt several times. The directional
arrows are a real plus.

Karl_Luph · 09-30-2003, 04:06 PM

I really like the directional radar feature on the Valentine One too, it's a great selling feature, I'm pretty sure Valentine is the only brand that has that design in a detector. I just might have to make Valentine my next radar detector I buy in a couple of years. I'd like to hear from some of the members who have some of the less expensive detectors to feel free to tell us about their units too.Come on guys, It's all good!

Brian-Nu · 10-06-2003, 01:17 AM