View Poll Results: how many tickets you got?
0
80
54.42%
1
22
14.97%
2-4
26
17.69%
5+
19
12.93%
Voters: 147. You may not vote on this poll
Radar Detectors, worth the money????
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: VA
ive got the passport x50 and im completely satisfied with it and then some. but from what i read on the v1 its better, but its also a $100 more.....piece of advise: get a part-time job at best buy....i use to work there and picked up my x50 for $120 with a whole bunch of extra mounts and wires for it. woulda gotten the v1 but i best buy wasnt carryin it at that time, though im not sure if they do yet.
I had a V1 but did'nt like the X band constantly annoying me, when escorts X50 came along I can now turn the X band off completely. I'm not slamming the V1, but I do like my escort. The real trick to having any detector is always having someone ahead of at all times. On the other hand unfortunately with laser they can pick you out a crowd of 30 cars.
I have the Bel RX65 and love it!!! Got three tickets before I installed it. 0 since. I want with the RX65 cause of Voice Alert and European band. Being in the Military I might go back to Europe. Check out this site: http://www.radarbusters.com/support/...ts/default.asp I think you can't go wrong with the Escort 8500 X50, Bel RX65 or the V1.
V1 is good - but dont become over confident cause you have a radar detector. It happened to me and I got clocked 125 on a 55... then a few days later 55 on a 25...
Its good to have them - but dont rely 100% on them.
Its good to have them - but dont rely 100% on them.
I would also suggest getting the Mike Mirror Mount: https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....t=Escort+Mount
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 0
From: forum infested by newbs
Originally Posted by davidf
I had a V1 but did'nt like the X band constantly annoying me, when escorts X50 came along I can now turn the X band off completely. I'm not slamming the V1, but I do like my escort. The real trick to having any detector is always having someone ahead of at all times. On the other hand unfortunately with laser they can pick you out a crowd of 30 cars.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Cali
Originally Posted by Wholey Smokes
Hmm. I need one of these. I think I'm going to order the V1. Anyone know a good place to buy from?
Good thread. Thanks.
Good thread. Thanks.
Call Valentine Research at 1 800 331 3030 and ask for a returned V1 and you will get 10% off the retail price of $399. It will be the latest version V1.8 POP2 w/ Euro-mode and 3.826 firmware and that comes with all the accessories and a 1 year warranty.
Originally Posted by davidf
I had a V1 but did'nt like the X band constantly annoying me, when escorts X50 came along I can now turn the X band off completely. I'm not slamming the V1, but I do like my escort. The real trick to having any detector is always having someone ahead of at all times. On the other hand unfortunately with laser they can pick you out a crowd of 30 cars.
Chris
Originally Posted by kpiskin
In my life or just with the Z?
V1 No Contest,
Never had a ticket since I got one probably 6 years ago.
I've had one ticket ever and that was when I was a college freshman in my first car a Honda Prelude.
Ever since then my dad hooked me up with his old V1 and I've been trouble free ever since.
Never Ever had a problem with cops detecting my V1 in VA (since detectors are Illegal). Since then I've lived in Texas and Arizona currently.
Never had a ticket since I got one probably 6 years ago.
I've had one ticket ever and that was when I was a college freshman in my first car a Honda Prelude.
Ever since then my dad hooked me up with his old V1 and I've been trouble free ever since.
Never Ever had a problem with cops detecting my V1 in VA (since detectors are Illegal). Since then I've lived in Texas and Arizona currently.
Last edited by Blayzed; Apr 27, 2006 at 09:38 AM.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
I've got the Passport 8500 and have had it since 2001. It's saved me from ABSOLUTE TICKET SITUATIONS at least 3-4 times. I did get two tickets which one was for doing 4 over the speed limit and he wrote me the ticket (79 in a 75). The radar detector worked, I just assumed 79 was reasonable. The other time was from when a cop was sitting in a parking lot, and I let my car rip on a bridge in downtown Austin. It was more the sound that got me, as he "guessed" my speed.
The Passport works great on the highway.
I stand by the product as I have friends with the V1. I've used both extensively, and here are my thoughts:
Pro's for V1:
Great rear detection.
Somewhat accurate radar source location detection (arrows that show where the radar signal is coming from)
Pro's for 8500:
BEST frontal detection of K and KA (better than V1)
Smaller
I find that front detection is by far the most important when avoiding speeding. I also prefer the size and price of the 8500.
I wouldn't recommend buying any detector other than the V1 or 8500 series; they're just not good enough. (The Bel 910 might be an exception, but I'd still rather have Escort or V1).
The Passport works great on the highway.
I stand by the product as I have friends with the V1. I've used both extensively, and here are my thoughts:
Pro's for V1:
Great rear detection.
Somewhat accurate radar source location detection (arrows that show where the radar signal is coming from)
Pro's for 8500:
BEST frontal detection of K and KA (better than V1)
Smaller
I find that front detection is by far the most important when avoiding speeding. I also prefer the size and price of the 8500.
I wouldn't recommend buying any detector other than the V1 or 8500 series; they're just not good enough. (The Bel 910 might be an exception, but I'd still rather have Escort or V1).
Zero tickets in all my years.
But driving in California is different than elsewhere. Here if traffic is doing 85 mph in a 65 mph zone and you're staying with traffic you're fine. Elsewhere if you're doing 72 in a 65 you're busted.
But driving in California is different than elsewhere. Here if traffic is doing 85 mph in a 65 mph zone and you're staying with traffic you're fine. Elsewhere if you're doing 72 in a 65 you're busted.
One thing about the X50. It is heavier than the V1, so if you are planning on a stealth type install ( and being in VA. it would probably be the best way to do it) you may have trouble hiding it. I have been trying to figure out since I got mine how to hide it. No luck thus far.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
I'm doing the passport 8500 3-wire mirror install. It will look quite stealth as the main unit will sit behind the rearview mirror. All that would be visible is the display which is maybe 1/2" high and 4" wide.
I think it's www.radartest.com that has the review of the 8500 having the best frontal detection.
Read their recent review, done this year (2006).
http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleID=9090
You'll see they note that in their earlier test, the 8500 was their favorite pick. In this one you'll see it's still a favorite and won 3 of the test sections to V1's two sections:
Best overall performance - BEL
Best instant-on performance - Escort
Best POP-mode performance - Bel
Best windshield mount - V1
Best visual displays - Bel
Best audible alerts - Escort
Best laser performance - V1
Best price/performance ratio - Escort
The audible alerts are important as I find it hard to hear when listening to music loud. The 8500 has a hi-volume mode (which you need to switch on after you buy it). It makes it so you can hear it no matter what.
From the tone of their review, they basically said the Escort and Bel now have the best product.
When we first tested the Passport 8500 we declared it the world's best radar detector. The latest 8500 X50's stellar performance, exceptional level of sophistication, extensive features and civilized manners combine to convince us that we called it right the first time. If the absence of voice alerts and the convenience of remote audio volume adjustment are of no importance, we'd say it's almost dead even with the BEL, slightly better on laser. But with the new BEL RX65 in town, we'd also venture to say that the Escort Passport 8500 X50 now has some company as the top-performing radar detector.
Regarding the V1:
With an increasingly wide gap in the V1’s level of sophistication compared to modern designs--not to mention a minimalist feature set, quirky ergonomics, an exceptionally chatty nature and stiff price tag--the competition has clearly passed it by. Small wonder that Valentine’s market share continues to shrink, down to an estimated 0.6 percent and falling. Time for a new model, guys.
I think it's www.radartest.com that has the review of the 8500 having the best frontal detection.
Read their recent review, done this year (2006).
http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleID=9090
You'll see they note that in their earlier test, the 8500 was their favorite pick. In this one you'll see it's still a favorite and won 3 of the test sections to V1's two sections:
Best overall performance - BEL
Best instant-on performance - Escort
Best POP-mode performance - Bel
Best windshield mount - V1
Best visual displays - Bel
Best audible alerts - Escort
Best laser performance - V1
Best price/performance ratio - Escort
The audible alerts are important as I find it hard to hear when listening to music loud. The 8500 has a hi-volume mode (which you need to switch on after you buy it). It makes it so you can hear it no matter what.
From the tone of their review, they basically said the Escort and Bel now have the best product.
When we first tested the Passport 8500 we declared it the world's best radar detector. The latest 8500 X50's stellar performance, exceptional level of sophistication, extensive features and civilized manners combine to convince us that we called it right the first time. If the absence of voice alerts and the convenience of remote audio volume adjustment are of no importance, we'd say it's almost dead even with the BEL, slightly better on laser. But with the new BEL RX65 in town, we'd also venture to say that the Escort Passport 8500 X50 now has some company as the top-performing radar detector.
Regarding the V1:
With an increasingly wide gap in the V1’s level of sophistication compared to modern designs--not to mention a minimalist feature set, quirky ergonomics, an exceptionally chatty nature and stiff price tag--the competition has clearly passed it by. Small wonder that Valentine’s market share continues to shrink, down to an estimated 0.6 percent and falling. Time for a new model, guys.
Last edited by BrianV; May 8, 2006 at 07:09 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 0
From: forum infested by newbs
I do not believe you can place two detectors in one vehicle. As my friend and I spoke with Mike Valentine about placing one on the rear window and one on the front. He basically said you could place confidence in but one of his detectors and they could get conflicting signals.
