this has been discussed before but I want fresh opinions. I am lloking at either the Valentine 1 or the escort/passport. this will be used between vehicles so portability is essential. Also, if you liked where you bought from and what did you pay ?


thanks


ski

Valentine 1, without a doubt. You'll love the directional arrows. I still haven't seen a legitimate test yet where it's gotten beat by the Passport. You can only buy one new from the factory, unless you try eBay for a used one.

that is the way I am leaning right now, just wanting to hear from the majority.


thanks

I went from a Passport to a V1 and now have three more. I found one in the closet, vintage the early 1990's. I ran my serial number, and sent it in for the updates and for about 1/2 the price of a new one, got the updates.

That is one good thing, the updates. No derrived demand problem.
http://www.valentine1.com/upgrades/

Imagine a radar detector that never gets obsolete. Here's my plan.

Continuous Improvement:
Valentine One was new in 1992. Since then, every part inside the magnesium case has been improved, several times for many of them. Continuous improvement keeps Valentine One the top performer; Car and Driver confirms that our margin over the others is wider now than ever.

We'll Upgrade Your Earlier Model:
Since 1994, whenever we've made a performance breakthrough, we've offered it to our past customers in the form of an upgrade. The price varies, depending on the parts required. Included is a one-year warranty, same as new.

No Planned Obsolescence:
Other detector makers want you to throw away your old detector and buy new. Not me. 12 years after the first Valentine One, I'm still working for that customer, because every Valentine One we've ever made can be upgraded to the latest technology.

Find out about your V1?
Here's how to tell where your V1 stands along our Continuous-Improvement path.
--------------------

Radar Detector Tests...Are They Meaningful?
A Few Questions To Help You Decide.

1. Are the test samples honest? For its February, 1979, test, Car and Driver requested samples from detector makers. I delivered an Escort (I was president of that company then), Fuzzbuster delivered a test unit, and ten other makers provided theirs by various means.

During the test, C/D got suspicious of the Fuzzbuster, so the tester went off to a local discounter and bought a supposedly identical model over the counter. The factory sample vastly outperformed the store-bought unit. So he drilled the rivets out of both Fuzzbuster cases to expose their circuitry. They were completely different inside. Fuzzbuster had, in effect, stuffed an Escort motor in a Fuzzbuster case, and sent the souped-up cheater off to the races.

Fuzzbuster got caught. C/D printed the story. There were pictures. Justice was done.

The point here is that tests are make-or-break showdowns for all detector makers. The temptation to submit a hot sample is simply too great for some to resist.

Who gets hosed if the maker pulls a switcheroo? Not the magazine. Only the consumer, when he pays up for the winner, only to discover he doesn’t get the protection promised by
the test.

To keep the results honest, the tester must buy the units the same way customers do, at retail. And it must be a “blind” buy; that is, the maker can’t know which retailer will be contacted. This is an essential precaution. Because testers always want the newest model, the one that isn’t on all the shelves yet. So they ask the maker “Who has it.” “Well, we know that XYZ will have one by Monday.” It’s too easy to supply a “special” test unit when you know exactly where to send it.

Buying blind from us is simple. Any tester can have his mother-in-law call 1-800-331-3030.



2. Are the test conditions well controlled? If measurements aren’t repeatable, they aren’t measurements. To get repeatability, conditions must be exactly the same run after run. Here are just four of many requirements:

A: All hand-held radar guns and laser guns must be held in fixtures. This assures that each oncoming detector faces the same beam intensity. I would be surprised if anyone could hold a radar or laser gun within five degrees of aim run after run all day long. But on a one-mile range, a five degree shift means you hit one dete

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I use the Valentine One, because I like the way it auto dims its display.


I also have two Escort 8500s in my other trucks, which are actually just as good for $100 less in price than the Valentine.</TD></TR>
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i have had a couple V1's and wouldn't trade mine for any other..

VALENTINE 1 !!!!!!!


I love mine.....


Its worth spending the money up front, cause it will pay for it in the end.....

Escort 8500.......just look at these links!!!!


http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=9070


Here is a test


http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleID=1064

bell 985........and could buy 2 of these for one of the others and still a damn good detector.....best i ever owned

I have had all those tested and I don't care what the specs on that page show. My V1 was the best I ever owned right up to the point where it was stolen... I will get another soon, just don't feel right speeding without it..

I have had all those tested and I don't care what the specs on that page show. My V1 was the best I ever owned right up to the point where it was stolen... I will get another soon, just don't feel right speeding without it..


You're right it is the best....in X band, which isn't used very much any more. The V1 took another 3.2 miles to detect the Ka band.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Geek.gif


JMO

Both the V1 and the Escort are fine detectors.

This has been a debated topic over on the Corvette forums for years. I have run an Escort for 20+ years in my trucks and Corvettes. No tickets in 30+ years of driving.
Here is why I went with Escort:
Less cost for same protection.
Smaller size, (at least when I was looking at them).
The V1 is more prone to false signals than the Escort, including some unexpected ones like the LED’s on some 3<SUP>rd</SUP> brake lights. Water droplets on your windshield. These have all happened and are documented complaints. http://www.valentine1.com/lab/Previously7.asp

V1 has the arrows…….which to me are a gimmick and nothing more. They are of no real use. When your detector goes off, if you stop to take the time to look at the arrows you may be too late. Who cares where its coming from, it beeps, you slow down.

Like I said, BOTH are fine detectors, if the arrows are really important to you than go with V1.Edited by: HD-Nate

V-1 all the way.....fine someone who has owned one and then switched to escort............................................ ..........can't?.................................. ..................yeah, thats what i thoughthttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif

V-1 all the way.....fine someone who has owned one and then switched to escort............................................ ..........can't?.................................. ..................yeah, thats what i thoughthttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif


No, you won't be able to because they already paid too much for the V1.....lolhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Evil Smile.gif





but, both are still good detectorsEdited by: Mr. Mister

Escort 8500 I love it and it has great range. The 8500 can also be set up to read more than one radar.....ex You can have the Ka going off along with the K also going off at the same time....it gives you truely multi detection. I also have it set-up as a AMP meter.......just more stuff for me to look at going down the road.


Escort also has a good C.S. and gives you trade-in for when you unit gets old and out dated.


Sidenote...........DO NOT GET A DETECTOR FOR LASER!!!!!!!!! IF IT GOES OFF IT IS TOO LATE.....EVEN IF YOU ARE LUCKEY ENOUGH TO HAVE IT GO OFF AT ALL(happened to mehttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cry.gif)........NO DETECTOR CAN HELP WITH THIS!!!!

Valentine 1 -- period.


I have used and owned many detectors and the V-1 is the best in my humble opinion.


Note: I had a V-1 out of warranty start acting strangly for no reason -- called them, sent it back and they sent me a new one at no cost to me other than my return shipping -- now that is customer service!!


Joe

............Sidenote...........DO NOT GET A DETECTOR FOR LASER!!!!!!!!! IF IT GOES OFF IT IS TOO LATE.....EVEN IF YOU ARE LUCKEY ENOUGH TO HAVE IT GO OFF AT ALL(happened to mehttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cry.gif)........NO DETECTOR CAN HELP WITH THIS!!!!





Isn't laser becoming the replacement technology for emitters? If so, whats the point in getting current detectors if they're becoming or will soon become obsolete ?

NoWake200 wrote:


Sidenote...........DO NOT GET A DETECTOR FOR LASER!!!!!!!!! IF IT GOES OFF IT IS TOO LATE.....EVEN IF YOU ARE LUCKEY ENOUGH TO HAVE IT GO OFF AT ALL(happened to mehttp://dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cry.gif)........NO DETECTOR CAN HELP WITH THIS!!!!


-------------------------------------------


When I came through K.C. (up 435) this last Thursday I saw three cops off to the side of the road and they ALL were using LASER guns.


FWIW


Doughttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

Your best defense against radar and laser is to slow down! A radar gun in the hands of a well trained operator defeats all the detection. It's simple reaction time, you can't slow down as fast as he can lock your speed.


Detectors can give you a heads up if an operator is working ahead of you, but if it's just you &amp; your detector against the officer and his pulse gun, you loose every time.


And you're much more likely to get a citation if the Officer knows you're running a detector.


I used to run a detector myself but gave up, I just slowed down to no more than 6-7 over and I've had no more problems.


I could teach you about shadows and other tricks that will do as much or more than a detector can.

............Sidenote...........DO NOT GET A DETECTOR FOR LASER!!!!!!!!! IF IT GOES OFF IT IS TOO LATE.....EVEN IF YOU ARE LUCKEY ENOUGH TO HAVE IT GO OFF AT ALL(happened to mehttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cry.gif)........NO DETECTOR CAN HELP WITH THIS!!!!





Isn't laser becoming the replacement technology for emitters? If so, whats the point in getting current detectors if they're becoming or will soon become obsolete ? The best defense against radar traps, is a good CB.

I picked up a SENSORO from Costco...detects X-K-KA-Laser.


It seems to work great.


It has saved me numerous times.


It has Stealth mode so it cannot be picked up and has a Highway and City1-4 setting.


No display until it picks something up..........


About a $100.00 on a special last year.





Thttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clown.gifNY

The V1 hands down is the best. The arrows and bogey counter actually saved my ass on 2 occasions. I've personally detected a state tropper shotting Ka radar, over 4 miles away. Don't belive that radartest.com site, they are heavily biased toward the escort. And I think they are the only site that doesn't give the V1 the top spot. If you're willing to spend $300 on an escort, might as well spend an extra $100 and get the best.


Don't belive biased websites!! Trust people's personal experiences!

On a sidenote, both the V1 and escort are great detectors, have great range, get the job done, etc...But it's kindof like the differance between the DMax and the 8.1. Both are great engines, get the job done, and tow just about anything, but why spend and extra $5,000 just for the DMax.....because you wanted the best that's why http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Dead.gif


............Sidenote...........DO NOT GET A DETECTOR FOR LASER!!!!!!!!! IF IT GOES OFF IT IS TOO LATE.....EVEN IF YOU ARE LUCKEY ENOUGH TO HAVE IT GO OFF AT ALL(happened to mehttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cry.gif)........NO DETECTOR CAN HELP WITH THIS!!!!





Isn't laser becoming the replacement technology for emitters? If so, whats the point in getting current detectors if they're becoming or will soon become obsolete ?


The best defense against radar traps, is a good CB.


Strange you should say that ~ my last pullover was coming home from a successful elkhunt. It was night time, came around a curve near Flagstaff and smokey was off the road w/gun aimed over his left shoulder. The CB didn't utter a sound until he was writing my ticket http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Angry.gif The truckers were saying smokey had me pulled over http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Embarrased.gif something I didn't need to know right then http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Dead.gif Actually, he only gave me a warning. I was having tranny issues w/my toyota and he himself having just dumped $800 on fixing his toyotas tranny a week before ~ he actually had compassion http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

I have the Escort Solo S2. It's very nice and has saved me a bunch of times. It is cordless, so no wire hanging from your windshield, which also makes switcthing it from vehicles easy. It operates on 2 AA batteries. I suggest buying rechargeable batteries (got Duracell rechargeables at Walmart).

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif V 1 hands down!!!! three words... bogey count, arrows.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif V 1 hands down!!!! three words... bogey count, arrows.





OK, Lets discuss.


First Escort has a bogey count also.


How do the arrows help?


I own an Escort but am looking at a second detector. In fairness, I borrowed a friend of mines V1 for a week. The amount of false signals were at least double going down the same route to work (70 Mile round trip) as my Escort. I'm sure I could have filtered out some of them but did not want to mess his settings up. Followed a Lincoln Navigator in town, every time he hit his brakes the V1 would go off indicating laser.???


I also caught myself looking at the arrows as soon as it went off, THEN letting off the gas. When I hear the Escort, I just slow down w/o looking at the display. I know, my problem but it is a distraction.


I'm not against the V1, like I said earlier, the Escort and V1 are the best of the bunch. No bashing meant to the V1 owners but, I just dont get all the hype and cheerleaders on the V1's. Just because you paid $100. more does not make them better.





JMHO

I'll throw in a vote for the new Escort Passport 8500 X50. I've never used the earlier 8500 Passports, but I'm very impressed with this new one. It's saved me many times, and it often gives 15-20 seconds of warning. Even when the officer isn't actively "gunning" people, it still gives ample warning. I'm sure the V1 is excellent as well, but I'm not going to pitch my Escort any time soon. It works well for me.

I have two V1 units, and feel naked when I drive without them. I do not want to jinx myself, but I have curtailed my ticket count to zero over the last 12 years using the V1. The "upgrades" these days are actually trade-ins. So you can keep trading in as you feel necessary. The V1 web site will actually tell you what you gain by moving up to the most current unit, and in some cases, actually advise you that a trade in is not cost effective.


Valentine, in addition to having the best technology, is very service oriented and I feel is worth the extra money. A ticket or two will more than cover the cost, particularly if you are from a place like my former home (New Jersey) that requires insurance companies to charge penalty rates for even minor infractions.

I've got a Rocky Mountain Phaser laser/radar detector/jammer. I'ts saved me dozens of times.

I use the old fashioned Brass radar ticket deflector. Usually works perfectly.

weel I shelled out the bucks for the V1, I like it. after a week and a half of use, I have had 5 close calls while traveling from NM to CO. while in denver I let my sister use it during the day on her normal route, she had a BEL 985 and upgraded to a Passport 8500. she like the advanced logic mode and thought that the V1 had a little more distance (earlier warning). three straight mornings the highway patrol were at the same spot so she got a day with the passport and with the V1 in the same scenario. hardly scientific, but she like the V1 more than her passport. I ran the passport for a few days as well and like it also, I do like having the arrows driving interstate through cities so I can tell where it is coming from. two great detectors.

Bigdaddy,


I will bite..What is the brass radar ticket deflector?





Mike

A Badge.

http://home.wi.rr.com/ostie/doah.gif





Man I can't believe I didn't think of that...


Yep that should do it...

bought 8500 went on a trip and returned it for a v1

best choice ive ever made......

the arrows rock

the arrows rock





What is it about the arrows that make them "rock"?

the arrows rock





What is it about the arrows that make them "rock"?





I love the arrows as well and I have explained it before as being similar to a cell phone. I now take them for granted, but after a day w/out, Im pretty cranky and don't know how I ever I ever got along without them.

the arrows rock





What is it about the arrows that make them "rock"?

Basically, if the warning is coming from behind you, you don't need to worry much about it. If the warning gets stronger, you've got one gaining on you. It's also nice in heavy traffic or after dark when you might not see the patrol car, since the V1 will tell you when you've passed it. Plus, you always know where to look when you get a radar warning. It's just a nice extra feature to have. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

It also helps you to figure out if he is behind or leading you as you and the source are are both moving. Watching the arrows and signal strength as you approach and pass road signs will tell you that you are following or being followed.

I hope yall don't think radar is mono directional. Those cars clock coming, going, front and rear.


People never could understand how they got clocked after they passed by or when they came up behind a unit.


The best bet is a good set of eyeballs and one of those brass deflectors.


Doug

I hope yall don't think radar is mono directional. Those cars clock coming, going, front and rear.


People never could understand how they got clocked after they passed by or when they came up behind a unit.


You'd be surprised how many State Troopers in Ohio "shoot you in the back", as the truckers say, with laser after you pass them when they're parked in the median.

It's just nice when you know they're coming up from behind you. You have a lot more time to react.

Basically, if the warning is coming from behind you, you don't need to worry much about it. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif





http://forums.corvetteforum.com/images/smilies/eek3.gif


I hope you are joking!!!


Radar can tap you from the back just as well as it can from the front.


Either way, if you hear the beep, you slow down, it really does not matter where it is coming from. So the arrows are just a gimmick IMHO, not worth the extra $$$. Edited by: HD-Nate

What I was trying to say was that if you get a weak signal coming from the rear, you look in your mirror to see how far back the patrolman is from you. If he or she is way back there, you don't need to take immediate action, just keep an eye on them. With your Passport, you wouldn't know which way to look. The arrows provide useful information, plain & simple.

With my Escort, I have no need to look.


You look before you slow down you are had.








Deadfurrow, are you in any Corvette clubs in Ohio?





OH and by the way. Here is an independent test site of all the top brand radar detectors.


The Bell actually beat out the Escort. But since Escort bought out Bell, they believe it is now Escorts equipement in a Bell case.


http://www.radarbusters.com/support/product-tests/5.asp Edited by: HD-Nate

I stopped using radar detectors altogether, and stopped getting speeding tickets, too. I wasn't paying attention and was relying on the box to keep me out of trouble. Now I just watch for police, and use my spidey sense. Something tells me to slow down going over the hill, I do, and boom, there's a cop. Weird. Haven't had a ticket since I stopped using them.


Dennis

depending on signal strength, i do have time to look at the arrows. it is great to know where to look. all determined by the tones, if they are every couple of seconds you can tell where they are at. in addition to displaying the number of signals, it has helped me many times. found a radar trap the other day that had two sheriffs at opposite ends of a street with a "speed check" trailer. 3 signals in all, more inferior units would leave you to believe it is only the trailer then you are nailed. the arrows alerted me to the second sheriff off the side up ahead and well hidden.

3 signals in all, more inferior units would leave you to believe it is only the trailer then you are nailed. the arrows alerted me to the second sheriff off the side up ahead and well hidden.


Your different tones and bogey counters will tell you this also.