ive had the passport 8500 x50 for 2 yrs now and it still works great, only got one speeding ticket but he said i was doing 90 when i didnt even get to 65 yet, cop was a liar and had no radar either, he said he was pacing me. , but other then that never pulled for speeding had many saves

 

Go with Valentine 1, has never failed me once..unike Escort

 

Valentine v1 is awesome but then again i have never owned anything else.

 

v1 saved my a$s today (only owned it a couple weeks)

here's what happened: im going up a slight hill on an interstate when i see signs that indicate a construction area ahead. v1 starts slowly beeping, then going crazy so i slow down to make dang sure im not speeding in a construction zone. then i reach the top of the hill, and see one of those orange and white barrier fence looking things that are common on construction sites. a minute later i see that there is a cop parked BEHIND that fence thing, aiming his radar between the rails of the fence. 2 cops down the road ready to pull anybody that cop #1 caught speeding.

that ticket would have railed me.... also, the guy behind me was driving an older model infiniti m45, so i tapped my brake pedal erratically to alert him as well

v1 FTMFW

 

V1 all the way.

Have had one for almost 10 years now. I send it in any time there is a new update for it to stay current. Awesome product and well worth the $.

 

V1 is the best radar/lidar detector ever! Here's why: The arrows and the bogey counter. Sure it makes noise everywhere there are radar signals (but thats what it is a RADAR DETECTOR). You should always know where you threats are and the V1 is the only Radar Detector that can let you know that. I have owned mine since 2008. Before buying I was down to choosing between a Escort with gps or The V1. I chose the V1 because I had a buddy that owned a escort passport and a V1. He told me that at 1st the v1 made too much noise for him but, after a trip from the west coast to the east coast, he said the V1 was better hands down. The arrows and bogey counter provide situational awareness that cant be made up for with GPS. So I bought mine and haven't looked back since. Also as a kicker, v1's can be updated and upgraded for life. You cant do that with any other brand. If you want your money's worth go with a V1 and buy it from valentines site so you get the best deal. I also got the remote display so I could put the main unit up high in the windshield.

 

I have had my 9500xi for a couple of months now. I think it's the best I have ever had. I have logged all my speed traps, it has learned all the false echos and blocked them from my daily drive (let's see that mouthy V1 do that!), the GPS enabled functions are just awsome! It also has the better range than my 8500+50 did. The only thing left will be to see how long it lasts.

 

u might get all those fany gps thins with the escort but the V1 has so much much better detection range

 

I've had my V1 for the past 6 years and love it. Mine doesn't have the most current software but rarely get false alarms. Nothing will protect you against laser. My V1 detects police around curves and over hills. IO is a different story.

Get a high quality radar and you'll be happy either way.

 

V1 spanked: http://www.radartest.com/article_2.asp?articleid=100578

Spanked again: http://www.1stradardetectors.com/bes...ctor/index.php

There are just as many showing the V1 on top. The thing is, as far as detection, they are both within 0.01% of each other.

But here is the deal breaker, for me:

The V1 is mouthy, you won't find anyone that has used one for any length of time that won't say that. The 9500xi is just not, in fact it learns where the false reading are and blocks them forever.

The 9500xi has a GPS data base of all red light cameras and speed cameras in the entire US that is updatable by USB connection to a computer. The V1 just doesn't.

The 9500 can have it's firmware updated the same way, the V1 just can't, you have to send it back to the factory. PITA.

They cost the same, so why on earth would you buy a V1?

 

That says it all, just shell out the bucks and whether you get a V1 or a 9500 or a BEL, you will be happy.

 

lol. i have a v1 and an 8500. they are both great detectors, but on more than one occasion, i've had to reboot the escort because i know it didn't go off on the false alerts it usually does...e.g., two days ago, i pass speed trap on the other side of the road with the 8500 doing nothing, then i pass the cvs where it goes off every day...nothing. reboot it and it buzzes x band for the cvs. it was essentially shut off with the lights on. the v1 i've had for over four years and it's never given me reliability issues.

 

I don't know if those two would do it, but most detectors interfere with each other when placed close together (same windshield).

BTW, I have an original "Passport" that still works, bought it 15 years ago.

 

not placed together. one is in my g37, the other is in my explorer.

 

I've had the 9500ix since it was released and the 9500i before that in another car and I have never had a problem. I have it hardwired up right next to my rear view mirror so it cannot be seen. I've heard very good things about the V1 but I liked the storing capabilities with gps on the escort so I went with that. It has been solid. I don't think telling you to slow down is going to solve any problems, you know the law, you don't need another mother. I drive across the country twice a year and the escort has saved me more tickets than I can count anymore. It does pick up laser but if that is the most popular thing used by police where you are, you might consider the "laser jammers". I haven't used them because I haven't found a need but perhaps it is something you want to look into. GL