The Valentine one is the big fad with my friends.....but the price is kinda high for me....any suggestions on other models or if u have gotten a V1 what was the price you got it for.....

Ben

 

u can get like $50 off (I forgot the exact amount - its been a while) a V1 if u call them up and ask for a "Vacation Detector"

But the next best choice (I've heard) is the Passport.

 

ya passport 8500 is a bit cheaper, and no arrows. Keep in mind, if you get a ticket and have the 8500 you are already spending more than if you just get the V1. THe 8500 does have the nice option of adding the ZR-3 Laser Shifter ($250) option. I would save up a little more and go with the V1. jj1814, did you do this Vacation Detector thing, cause i dont want to look like a fool or was this something you just heard.

 

really wheres about can i get this deal? and whats the passport.....never had a radar detector before....but all my friends got them so i am pretty newbie when it comes to this

Ben

 

lol true i've been such a great fan of the V1 since i saw it on my friends cars....i figure i must get one...they rarely get tickets....i still haven't gotten a ticket for speeding......(KNOCK ON WOOD)....but i dont usually floor it everywhere some time i like to chill.....anyways, is this deal true with the Vacation Detector thing because like mofoz said "i dont wanna look like a fool" please let us know.....

Ben

 

Next on the list is the Bel 985. The best for under $200 is the Whistler 1793. Yeah, I have been looking for radar detectors myself.

 

sorry wrong window lol

Ben

 

I would not call V1 a fad . . . I would call it an excellent radar detector. Price should be a secondary issue.
We don't exactly drive Yugo or Escorts, now do we?
The V1 is the best detector made. Buy it and you will not be disappointed. Mine has more than paid for itself tenfold.
Buy anything else and well . . . enjoy your Yugo.

 

if it doesnt work, how is it worth anything?

 

I'm in the market for a radar detector as well. Can someone please post the pricing for the v1, passport 8500 and the bell listed above? I'm getting to buy and I don't want to feel like a "mooron" when I found out that I paid too much for any one of these models. Thanks. Also any websites or stores I should check out would be greatly appreciated also.

 

well the V1 is $399 and the remote display is $30. I dont know about the others cause quite frankly i only consider the valentine. The passport is cheaper but after your speeding ticket, it would be aobut the same price. Once you live with the arrows, you will wonder how you ever lived without them.

 

The V1 cost $399.00 and is only available through Valentine research of Cincinnati, OH.
Call and ask them about the return models (vacation detector - as mentioned above). You've got a 30 day money back guarantee, so there are some that are returned.
They completely inspect and recondition anything that doesn't look new. The discount is 10%.
I paid $359.00 for mine and it looked brand-new. You've got the same 30 day guarantee on this model as well.
For me, it was a "no brainner". The 8500 is a nice unit, but for $60.00 more - the V1 is a steal.
Hope that helps.

 

Yep I did it.

They're just V1s that people have purchased and returned (say...went on vacation and sent it back for refund).


*edit* just saw your post bbixby

 

V1 hands down.

 

Passport Solo 2. No wires and performs similar to 8500 for $330

 

I've used both V1 and 8500 for mostly highway driving from SF to LA on several occasions. First of all, there is a substantial price difference between the 8500 (priced new for $240 through various retailers compared to V1 for $400/$350 according to this thread refurbished). By my driving experience, there is no big difference functionally other than the direction arrows on V1 and more adjustable options on 8500. Both have saved me several occasions. I kinda prefer the smaller size of escort and features to the dir. arrows. I ended up buying keeping the 8500 and returning the V1 to a friend who was selling it.

BTW, car and driver ranked V1 above 8500 in 02 I believe:

http://www.caranddriver.com/article....&page_number=1

http://www.motortrend.com/features/c...ar/index8.html

and Motor Trend recently ranked the 8500 above the V1 so I think both are pretty close. V1 does have a cult-like following.

 

they're always going to go head-to head and be #1 and #2 because V1 creator Mike Valentine used to work at Escort....but then created his own detector.

And both companies are here in Cincinnati.

That's kinda scary now that I think about it.

 

There is an item for bid on ebay that shows you how to get a valentine 1 for $50. I know it's some sort of scam to get you for $5. Has anyone been burned by it? I've always been of the mindset that if it's too good to be true, then it usually is a scam. I'm still on a quest anyhow to get a valentine one for as little as possible because I did not plan on purchasing a detector. However, once I've seen how advanced the valentine one is, I'm pretty much sold on it. If anyone has a way or link to where I can get one for less than the full retail, please let me know. I'm definitely going to explore the return option mentioned above if nothing else is better. Thanks!

 

I havent heard of anything better than the Vacation Detector.... other than taking your chances on used ones through ebay.

 

I have the passport on my Z and my Lexus. The 8500, hardwired and hung from rearview mirror by Mike Peronek's bracket. Saved me from 10's of tickets(literally). I love those things. I installed the Laser "shifter" (jammer) model ZR3 on the Z as well. It adds extra range to the detector, becuase sensors are mounted on the front and rear of the car. No complaints and reliable. For almost a year now... Best 800.00 I ever spent. 3 tickets will add that up. But you can now get passport for like 220.