OFFICIAL: Best Radar Detector/Comparison Thread
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,157
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Originally Posted by tuffluck
you're just asking for a ticket if you think any detector is going to offer you that.like i've shown already, the 8500 x50 picks up radar bands farther away than the v1, and that's a cited statistic. if you want to say the v1 is a better detector, you can't say that's so because it detects better than the 8500 x50. if you are going to say that, you're going to need to do your own statistics to prove it.
i'm still pretty confident that all of the good detectors are going to roughly be the same, but i just don't see where some of you people get off by saying that the v1 is going to: (see above quote)...? that's being naiive and once again, pushing the money ahead of the game.
Better in what aspect? They are both really good detectors. My freind has a V1 and its bad ***. I really like the features such as the bogey counter that the V1 has. It also tells you if the cop is in front or the rear. The V1 picks up pop, but the 8500 does not. I think both are really good detectors but its really hard to say that one is better then the other.
Originally Posted by 2MuchRiceMakesMeSick
Better in what aspect? They are both really good detectors. My freind has a V1 and its bad ***. I really like the features such as the bogey counter that the V1 has. It also tells you if the cop is in front or the rear. The V1 picks up pop, but the 8500 does not. I think both are really good detectors but its really hard to say that one is better then the other.
if you need arrows to slow you down, by all means you probably don't deserve a license. if it's just a "cool" feature to have (and i'll admit, it certainly is), then go ahead and pay the extra $150 for it. i'm more concerned with the better detector, not the one with the fancy directionals.
Last edited by tuffluck; Mar 3, 2005 at 03:42 AM.
Just received the newest V1 in the mail yesterday, and I got a chance to test it out going to class today. There are a ton of cops in College Station (most cops per capita of anywhere in the nation). The V1 picked up a radar behind me that was pretty strong; before long, the cop was next to me, and then turned left. With my old detector (Escort Passport 7500), once the cop turned, that would have been the sign to speed back up, but the V1 was now pointing K band behind and in front, and the bogey counter switched to two. About 300 yards later, a cop was sitting on the shoulder using his rear-facing radar to nail everyone passing. My Escort 7500 would have just said beep, but the V1 told me that the cop who turned left was not the only threat around. I'm sold!
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,157
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Originally Posted by tuffluck
the 8500 x50 certainly does pick up POP, and that's the model i'm talking about. i also don't know what you are asking by saying, "better in what aspect," since i said they are both good detectors, however, the 8500 is statistically proven to out-detect the V1 in radar. so if you say, "i like the V1 better because it detects better," then you are lying
if you need arrows to slow you down, by all means you probably don't deserve a license. if it's just a "cool" feature to have (and i'll admit, it certainly is), then go ahead and pay the extra $150 for it. i'm more concerned with the better detector, not the one with the fancy directionals.
if you need arrows to slow you down, by all means you probably don't deserve a license. if it's just a "cool" feature to have (and i'll admit, it certainly is), then go ahead and pay the extra $150 for it. i'm more concerned with the better detector, not the one with the fancy directionals.
I take it you have a 8500................
With that said. They are both good detectors and yes it does matter if the cop is in the front or the back. If im going 100 on the freeway and the cop is behind me. Im not slowing down but if im comming up on one you can bet your *** im going to slow down.
Better in what aspect means exactly this.......posted from the web site you suggested......
If you want to get technical here you go....
Detector.................X Band..............K Band.............Ka Band
Valentine One.........11+ miles............11+miles..........10.8 miles
Escort...................10.9 miles...........10.9 miles.........11+ miles
As you can see the V1 out performs the escort in both the X and the K band but the escort outperforms in the Ka band. Both are good detectors I agree but just because you have a escort doesnt make it the best
Originally Posted by 2MuchRiceMakesMeSick
Both are good detectors I agree but just because you have a escort doesnt make it the best
oh, and btw, the escort 7500 is a much older version in comparison to the new 8500 x50. so you really can't compare a 7500 to a V1 and be convinced that the V1 is the best brand.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,157
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Originally Posted by tuffluck
yeah, i never said that. first of all, Ka band is most important. X band is surely going out of style and K band is following. the V1 is a good detector, no doubt, but it's hyped up about like zaino is on the ls1 boards, because it's "the best that money can buy." and it's really not at all...money-wise, the escort is hands down the better of the two, and regardless of money, it'd be close as hell!
oh, and btw, the escort 7500 is a much older version in comparison to the new 8500 x50. so you really can't compare a 7500 to a V1 and be convinced that the V1 is the best brand.
oh, and btw, the escort 7500 is a much older version in comparison to the new 8500 x50. so you really can't compare a 7500 to a V1 and be convinced that the V1 is the best brand.
The majority of the radars here in dallas are K band so I guess it depends what band the cops use in your area.
TECH Regular
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Denton, TX
I have a hardwired Passport 8500. The unit is sleek, and it gets the job done. I would have preferred the V1 but I didn't want to spend $100 more for arrows.
As far as the functionality, the unit detects "fuzz" from a substantial distance. I don't know quite how far, but I'd say that it gives you plenty of time.
However, there is no real protection for instant ON radar other than going the speed limit.
Drive safe.
As far as the functionality, the unit detects "fuzz" from a substantial distance. I don't know quite how far, but I'd say that it gives you plenty of time.
However, there is no real protection for instant ON radar other than going the speed limit.
Drive safe.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
Valentine makes a remote display kit, I think it sells for about $40. I have seen a few custom installs that looked pretty slick. Any good custom stereo shop should be able to hardwire it and mount the remote display flush. The 8500 has a remote display also (it consists of two leds and a mute botton, but the only problem is that it must be plugged into a cigarette lighter. Custom installs can be done with this too in the form of drilling holes and sticking the lights in the dash after you hardwire the detector. Both detectors are top of the line, I opted for the V1, but you can't lose with either.
On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Slow....in Tampa
Just FYI - I thought I would through this out there...The x50 has several different displays...including one that is a "bogey counter" seen here and will show up to 8 different radar signals: 
There is also a display that shows you the exact frequency of the radar, and if you can memorize your local leo's you can eliminate any chance of false alarms --
Again, they both have pluses and minuses...for me it came down to arrows vs. blue leds...
...I wanted blue, so escort won. But I will say I have had absolutely no issues and VERY far detection ranges using it...but to each his own!
There is also a display that shows you the exact frequency of the radar, and if you can memorize your local leo's you can eliminate any chance of false alarms --
Again, they both have pluses and minuses...for me it came down to arrows vs. blue leds...
...I wanted blue, so escort won. But I will say I have had absolutely no issues and VERY far detection ranges using it...but to each his own! 
For the people who think the arrows are just a novelity- I have experienced firsthand how the V1's arrows can save you where any other detector would leave you blind. I was heading down to Mass. for a 4-wheeling trip, riding with a firend who had a V1. It picked up 1 signal, increasing strength, pointing ahead. So we slowed down and passed it. Within seconds of us passing it, while still pointing out the first cop, we got a second, weaker signal ahead of us again, and the V1 displayed "2", and sure enough, there was a second cruiser hiding out in the median. I'm pretty sure no other detector could have saved you from that. I'm not trying to bash the 8500, as I have seen that preform very well too in terms of early detection, but I just think the V1 has a true advantage with the arrows.
Originally Posted by TX Tahoe Z71
The 8500 has a remote display also (it consists of two leds and a mute botton, but the only problem is that it must be plugged into a cigarette lighter.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,157
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Originally Posted by 03NHSilvy
For the people who think the arrows are just a novelity- I have experienced firsthand how the V1's arrows can save you where any other detector would leave you blind. I was heading down to Mass. for a 4-wheeling trip, riding with a firend who had a V1. It picked up 1 signal, increasing strength, pointing ahead. So we slowed down and passed it. Within seconds of us passing it, while still pointing out the first cop, we got a second, weaker signal ahead of us again, and the V1 displayed "2", and sure enough, there was a second cruiser hiding out in the median. I'm pretty sure no other detector could have saved you from that. I'm not trying to bash the 8500, as I have seen that preform very well too in terms of early detection, but I just think the V1 has a true advantage with the arrows.
I thought the arrows were silly untill i used them on the V1. Now I wouldnt have any other.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,329
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Originally Posted by 03NHSilvy
For the people who think the arrows are just a novelity- I have experienced firsthand how the V1's arrows can save you where any other detector would leave you blind. I was heading down to Mass. for a 4-wheeling trip, riding with a firend who had a V1. It picked up 1 signal, increasing strength, pointing ahead. So we slowed down and passed it. Within seconds of us passing it, while still pointing out the first cop, we got a second, weaker signal ahead of us again, and the V1 displayed "2", and sure enough, there was a second cruiser hiding out in the median. I'm pretty sure no other detector could have saved you from that. I'm not trying to bash the 8500, as I have seen that preform very well too in terms of early detection, but I just think the V1 has a true advantage with the arrows.
Originally Posted by 2MuchRiceMakesMeSick
I thought the arrows were silly untill i used them on the V1. Now I wouldnt have any other.
Originally Posted by 2MuchRiceMakesMeSick
Once you go V1 Arrows youll never go back
Everything that does not have arrows and a bogey counter is just noise to me Wouldn't the "bogey counter" on the 8500 only work if there are two different bands being detected, or can it separate within the same band? 