Valentine 1 vs Escort 8500
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: WI
Blk04AMG,
Another link for your reading enjoyment:
http://www.motortrend.com/features/c...rad/index.html
Just a link.
Another link for your reading enjoyment:
http://www.motortrend.com/features/c...rad/index.html
Just a link.
In that link, it appears the the V-1 came in second to the 8500 but only because of less "user friendliness" and price. It was still the more sensitive detector.
"Although the external case has remained basically the same through the years, the Valentine One V1 is a top-flight instrument to detect all bands of radar as well as LIDAR. Owners swear by the effectiveness of its front-panel direction arrows. While it offers the highest level of sensitivity, its level of user-friendliness, overall protection, and value falls just a bit short of competitive units."
AND
"In the direct comparison between the top-ranked Valentine One and the Passport 8500, we felt that the Passport 8500's $100 lower price and the ability to add Passport's optional laser shifting technology, give it a slight nod over the Valentine One's directional arrows and measurably superior X-band sensitivity."
"Although the external case has remained basically the same through the years, the Valentine One V1 is a top-flight instrument to detect all bands of radar as well as LIDAR. Owners swear by the effectiveness of its front-panel direction arrows. While it offers the highest level of sensitivity, its level of user-friendliness, overall protection, and value falls just a bit short of competitive units."
AND
"In the direct comparison between the top-ranked Valentine One and the Passport 8500, we felt that the Passport 8500's $100 lower price and the ability to add Passport's optional laser shifting technology, give it a slight nod over the Valentine One's directional arrows and measurably superior X-band sensitivity."
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Joined: May 2004
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From: ohio
Originally posted by Dr Bonz
It's not always a matter of detection as far as the arrows are concerned. It is sometimes more a matter of convenience:
You are driving down an interstate and your detector goes off. With the 8500 you slow down, and stay slowed down until your detector stops going off since you aren't sure if the source is still in front of you (stopped or coming at you in the opposite direction) and is therefore still a threat, or if it is now along side of you (on another road perpendicular to the one you are on) or behind you (you already passed it and didn't realize it was an unmarked cruiser) and no longer a threat.
With the V-1 and the same scenario, you get the signal with a front arrow (the source is in front of you) you slow down, then you see your side arrow light and then your rear arrow. Now you know the source is behind you and no longer a threat. You can get back to speed a lot faster this way.
Sometimes it's a matter or getting caught vs not getting caught:
Same road same signal. You then pass by a cruiser on the side of the road. Your 8500 continues to beep. You resume speed since as far as you are concerned the cop is now behind you. Guess what, just as you get back up to 80 MPH, another stationary (or mobile) car nails you from the front.
With the V-1 the arrows tell you that even though you just passed the FIRST radar source, there is ANOTHER one coming right for you from the front!
Sometimes it is a decision helper:
You are getting a steady radar signal that is basically staying at the same strength and you correctly assume that the source is moving in the same direction as you on the same road since the signal intensity is constant. With the 8500, should I speed up to put more space between me and the cop BEHIND me or do I slow down or at least not speed up because he may be in FRONT of me???
With the V-1 you know instantly what to do.
There are many others but these are off the top of my head. And I have personally experienced all of these by the way.
It's not always a matter of detection as far as the arrows are concerned. It is sometimes more a matter of convenience:
You are driving down an interstate and your detector goes off. With the 8500 you slow down, and stay slowed down until your detector stops going off since you aren't sure if the source is still in front of you (stopped or coming at you in the opposite direction) and is therefore still a threat, or if it is now along side of you (on another road perpendicular to the one you are on) or behind you (you already passed it and didn't realize it was an unmarked cruiser) and no longer a threat.
With the V-1 and the same scenario, you get the signal with a front arrow (the source is in front of you) you slow down, then you see your side arrow light and then your rear arrow. Now you know the source is behind you and no longer a threat. You can get back to speed a lot faster this way.
Sometimes it's a matter or getting caught vs not getting caught:
Same road same signal. You then pass by a cruiser on the side of the road. Your 8500 continues to beep. You resume speed since as far as you are concerned the cop is now behind you. Guess what, just as you get back up to 80 MPH, another stationary (or mobile) car nails you from the front.
With the V-1 the arrows tell you that even though you just passed the FIRST radar source, there is ANOTHER one coming right for you from the front!
Sometimes it is a decision helper:
You are getting a steady radar signal that is basically staying at the same strength and you correctly assume that the source is moving in the same direction as you on the same road since the signal intensity is constant. With the 8500, should I speed up to put more space between me and the cop BEHIND me or do I slow down or at least not speed up because he may be in FRONT of me???
With the V-1 you know instantly what to do.
There are many others but these are off the top of my head. And I have personally experienced all of these by the way.
i have one of each in my 2 cars. the auto mute of the passport is the feature I like the most about it, but I am always looking for the arrows that arent there. I like the V2 better for the arrows alone.
I have noticed no difference between the 2 on false reports and sensitivity, the major difference is no automute on V2, no arrows on passport, and the passport is a little smaller.
I have noticed no difference between the 2 on false reports and sensitivity, the major difference is no automute on V2, no arrows on passport, and the passport is a little smaller.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 105
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From: ohio
Originally posted by Pat D
i have one of each in my 2 cars. the auto mute of the passport is the feature I like the most about it, but I am always looking for the arrows that arent there. I like the V2 better for the arrows alone.
I have noticed no difference between the 2 on false reports and sensitivity, the major difference is no automute on V2, no arrows on passport, and the passport is a little smaller.
i have one of each in my 2 cars. the auto mute of the passport is the feature I like the most about it, but I am always looking for the arrows that arent there. I like the V2 better for the arrows alone.
I have noticed no difference between the 2 on false reports and sensitivity, the major difference is no automute on V2, no arrows on passport, and the passport is a little smaller.
I used to really push the V1, since that was all I had at the time, when the new 8500 X50 came out, I had to try it to see what everyone was always babbling about. They were well priced on eBay brand new.
When I compared them side-by-side in my Maxima, both of them had about the same detection distance front and rear; they went off at the same time. The V1 has the advantage of the directional arrows, but at a $150.00 dollar price compared to the $250.00 Escort 8500 X50.
Just go with whatever fits your price range and it will work well.
Victor
When I compared them side-by-side in my Maxima, both of them had about the same detection distance front and rear; they went off at the same time. The V1 has the advantage of the directional arrows, but at a $150.00 dollar price compared to the $250.00 Escort 8500 X50.
Just go with whatever fits your price range and it will work well.
Victor
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Joined: May 2004
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From: ohio
Originally posted by Dr Bonz
What exactly does automute do?
What exactly does automute do?
With the V-1 there are two volume control *****. The larger inner one is the master volume and the smaller outer ring of the **** is the muted volume. You can set the "muted" volume for whatever you want. Not quite as automatic as the 8500 I guess but it can still do something similar.
Originally posted by Blk04AMG
well see the things is....my parents are pretty **** about me having it...i was wondering if i can install it into my dashboard or something...would you folks suggest it...
well see the things is....my parents are pretty **** about me having it...i was wondering if i can install it into my dashboard or something...would you folks suggest it...
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